Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-24
NORTH PACIFIC RAILROAD.

In the issue of Jan. 2nd of the Portland
Oregonian we find the following article in
relation to the construction of the North
Pacific Railroad which is important and
interesting. That great undertaking is
being pushed with energy, and when COM
pleted will open up a country Of vast re-
sources, of which we have hitherto had
but narrow conception:
We are informed that Judge Rice, the Vice
President of this Company, who has been in
this city and on the line of the road for the
| last few weeks, has completed arrangements
| for the early construction of that part OF the
road lying between this city and Puget Sound.
Twenty-Five miles at least ofthis division OF
the road will be completed, and in running
order by the first of July next, and the bal
ance at an early day thereafter.
For this purpose the iron rails for the first
twenty-five miles have been shipped at New
York and 1>now on their way to this river,
and number of men are already at work on
the line clearing off the timber and preparing
for the graders, who are to follow in heavy
force Immediately.
| Thus has been commenced in good earnest
at our own doors one of the most important
| enterprises ever initiated in this or any other
country, an enterprise which opens to our
immediate view the great future OF the North
west. 1t 10 the opinion of the experienced
gentlemen who have this vast project in hand
that richer field for commercial enterprise,
and one promising greater advantages, does
not exist.
BY the construction of this link in the line,
for which arrangements have been made, the
waters of the Columbia river, now actually
navigated by steam for distance of more
than five hundred miles, and reaching from
the Pacific ocean to the base of the Rocky
mountains, together with the rich valley OF
the Wallamet, in which railroad of nearly
enc hundred miles in length is now in success
| full operation, will be connected with Puget
Sound and with a system of interior navigable
waters reaching to Sitka, distance of more
than twelve hundred miles and presenting a
greater field for commerce and immigration,
and field more desirable for the tourist
than any other system of inland waters in the
world.
We also understand that this company have
now under construction their line of road be-
tween Lake Superior and the Red River Of
the North and line from ST. Cloud to Penn
bina. These last named lines, in connection
| with the ST. Paul and Pacific road and it;
branches, recently purchased by the company
| and now in operation, will constitute sys-
tenn of roads under the management of thi;
company, east of the mountains, of which al
least five hundred miles will be in full opera
ton early next summer, with the prospect o.
reaching on to, and passing over, the noun
:ains and making early practical connection
with steam navigation on this side, thus unit
ing ocean with ocean and opening to settle
uent throughout nearly the whole route ons
of the richest portions of the continent.
1t is fortunate that the destinies Of hi:
great enterprise have fallen into the hands O
the energetic men who now control il, ane
who, with the celebrated firm of J. Cook !
Co. for their financial agents, eanno. fail II
accomplish results that must be =. once cred
table to themselves and of the greatest ben
eft to the country.
The most cordial goodwill and harmony
exist, as we are assured, between this com
pany and those managing the railroads ii
Oregon, and also with Oregon Steam Nav
igation Company. The true interest of all i:
the development of the country.
Judge Rice and his friends, Mr.. Garfield
as Director in the Company, and Gov. Good
win, took passage by steamer last week fol
San Francisco and the East. The general
charge of the business of the Company, for
the present is left in the hands of Gen. j. w.
Sprague, gentleman OF great energy OF
character and much experience in railroad
matters.