In the spring of 1887, the NCO Railroad abruptly fired its General Manager, Edgar Heriot. This coincided with railroad’s desire to build 45-mile extension north from Junction House, better known today as Hallelujah Junction. Heriot was replaced with Erasmus Gest. The 67-year-old Ohioan was known as a cantankerous individual. The plans revealed the railroad was to bypass Susanville. While Moran’s heard that town’s pleas, Gest had made up his mind. Gest stated it was a waste of money to build to Susanville, referencing to it as a “no place.” His replacement, T.F. Dunaway remarked Gest’s judgment  to bypass Susanville “. . . one of most monumental blunders, I have ever known a sane man to commit.”

While the railroad construction moved forward to end up at Amedee on the east side of Honey Lake. Economic conditions stalled for an another extension for nearly decade. When work was resurrected again in 1899, Susanville clamored for a feeder line, and Gest was not about to let it happen. In July 1899, Gest testified at the California Board of Equalization hearing and with total frankness said “The people in Susanville don’t deserve a railroad.” Gest’s animosity towards the town was odd, since he never visited it.

Tim