J.W. McGowan, a businessman of McGowan, owned stock in Elving's ferry company, and he made it difficult for the railroad to build a road over his property to their competing ferry dock at Megler. Union Pacific shut down ferry operations to Megler in September 1930 selling to one of its employees, claiming they'd lost $40,000 per year in the ferry business.
J.W. McGowan, a businessman from McGowan, owned shares in Elving's ferry company and obstructed the railroad's attempt to build a road across his property to their rival Megler dock. Union Pacific terminated its ferry services at Megler in September 1930, selling it to an employee, citing losses of $40,000 per year.