The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-08-30
HoaraGgN PACIFIC RAILHoAp.


From the HlIburgh Commercial.
W. Minor Roberts, Esq, who wal
chosen by Jay Cooke q Co., to make ar
exploration Of the proposed Northern
Pacific Railway route, has written 9
letter from Jocks river, Montana Ter
rltory, dated August 9Th, In which hi
confirms the previous favorable reports
OF the praCticAbillty OF the route. Ii
fact MeSSrs. Jay Cooke & Co., who have
the financial management OF the enter.
prise, are so we'll satisfied with the re.
ports OF the exploring party that they
will ct once ihaugurate measures fol
the prosecution OF tho work. Mr.
Roberts, In his last letter, speaks 10
glowing terms Of, the fertility OF the
soil along the ronte traversed between
WallR Walla and Spokam river, where
cattle range all winter without neces.
silly for other food or houBlDH;' where
wheat, rye, barley, oats and all ouI
vegetables grow In great perfection, and
where apples, pears, plums and grapes
attain larger sizes and as fine flavor al
those OF the East. Without speaking
definitely respecting the ground fol
railroad purposes until he reaches the
summit Of the Rocky Mountains, he
says:
II have taken my own way Of
making notes, and my own way oil
rejecting upon the whole question Of
this railroad route from the Pacific
Ocean to the summit Of tue Rocky
Mountains; and purposely avoid
sending you any random statements.
In general way may say that am
satisfied that there Is q practical rail.
road route from Puget Sound, and from
the mouth Of Columbia river, In the
valley Of Columbia, 10 this place, With
favorable grades and curvature, with.
out very great cost per mile; and that a
large portion OF the route lies through
or neGrto u country good either for the
finest grazing or for agricultural pur.
poses, and much Of II through the best
tlmbered region ! have ever seen. Not.
wiIhstandlng that am prepared 10
make the above statement, II will be
incumbent upon me as an engineer Ia
present the matter much more in detail
when treating OF routes; yet ! regard
the above US embracing an important
general fact. There are miles OF the
road which will be very costly and
troublesome, but there are 40 many IA
vorablo miles that am warranted In
going as Tar az l have In the preceding
statements; but desire particularly
that you should not understand me AZ
expressing IN opinion In favor OF any
particular route.
Referring TO the rivera passed In lheIr
explorations, MIR. Roberts says the
CIRrk'B Fork OF the Columbia 10 no.
BILE river, averaging from seven hum
dred TO one thousand feet In width, and
having even az Its lowest stages an i'm.
mense volume Of water. 1t Is as large
as the Ohio between Pittsburgh and
Wheeling, but has more than six times
the water flow. The Flathead river,
one Of Its main branches, IL from five
hundred to seven hundred feet wide,
with volume OF water at lis lowest
stage more than three times that OF the
Ohio at low water, and 10 naviRable fol
eighty miles In one stretch at a medium
stage.
With finished railroad the Colum.
bla Valley, favored as It Is In many
respects by nature, settlements and
way business would follow from the
arrangements and facilities made BY
bAO AaAAAouN uAbuOtltLeh luz uuuluk
market for the productive interests Of
the route, In the vicinity Of Portland,
will at once furnish considerable
amount OF local trade aud travel; and
the Willamette Valley is already &C
we'll settled as TO afford provisions al
reasonable rates on the western coast.
Grain, fruits and vegetables In abund.
ance can be raised all along the route
thus far, for the support OF railroad
hands engaged In construction; and
cross.ties are easily 10 be had without
much long hauling or transportation
by land. The Willamette Valley II
one OF the finest agricultural regions
Of the West.
In a brief letter, dated Deer Lodge
City, August 18th Mr.. Roberts says
The country, as far as we have come
Is remarkably favorable for the enter.
prise ....