The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-11-03
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.
Progress Of the Work.

frcgreSS OF the Work.
GREAT GRAIN AND Coal REGIoN-
Net EARNINGS AND LAND SALES
Rich FARM LANDS.
George Stark, Vice President of the
Northern Pacific Railroad. has Just re-:
turned to New York. after a journey to
this coast for the purpose of examining
the country through which the line
will some day pass, and to transact
other business pertaining to the rail-
road. The result OF this trip is an in
teresting report on the working Of
the road aud the adjacent country
which will prove valuable to those who
are interested IN the development of
the vast northern country. The gross
earnings of the year are 1868, ,S23 81
and the expenses S573,l23 90, leaving a
net balance of $392, SOS AZ, or an in
crease Of nearly % per cent. over las.
year. The extra outlsys of the year
for new ties, over aud above the esti-
mated average per annum, have been
about $4,000 This aud other expen-
ditures from earnings, made necessary
to meet the growing business, would
fairly swell the net income up to about
Si5O,OO0. A fleet of more than thirty
steamers has occupied the Upper Mis-
souri and Yellowstone rivers during
the Summer, connecting the Bismarck
terminus with Montana, and with the
military trading posts and the mining
Developments through the vast terri
tory. Large quantities Of merchandise
and supplies are sent up these rivers,
and in return furs aud the products of
the mines are carried dow. for ship
nent to the Eastern States. Bismarck
is within 200 miles of Deadwood, the
principal center of the Black Hills
mining region.
THE LAND OPERATIONS.
Of the railroad for the last fiscal year
are as follows: Sales, 270,O00 60-l00
acres. for $l.2l7.4S4 40; deferred pay
ments on contracts. 1898 SO; interest,
1896 64; stumpsge sales, $11, ,592 04;
town lot sales. 1904 6S, making total
Of 81 1881 ,S5l "A. The amount Of securi-
ties Of the company retired during the
year by exchange for lands foOts up
ii, 100000. The sales Of Government
lands within the limits of the Northern
Pacific grant have been very large.
During the year ending June 1st. 337,-
900 acres were taken by actual settlers
under the Pre- emption, Homestead and
Tree culture Acts, representing an ad-
dcd population of at least 10000
people on these Government lands,
alone. The indications are favorable
for large increase of emigration next
season. The wheat product of the year
OIL the line of the road in Minnesota
and Dakota is the product of about 75.-
600 acres. yielding not less than twenty
bushels to the acre, or about 500. 600
bushels. 1t is also estimated that
Manitoba will have surplus of 250,-
900 bushels this year to send to Duluth
for shipment. 1t is proposed shortly
to extend the road from Bismarck. on
the Missouri. to the mouth of Glendive's
creek. on the Yellowstone. a distance of
2O5 miles. 1t has been surveyed. and
was specially reported on by W. Minor
Roberts, the Chief Engineer. in 1874.
He describes it as follows:
THE MISSOURI DIVISION,
Two hundred and fifty miles in length,
passes from the Missouri river up the
Sweet Briar branch Of tho Heart river.
thence over the elevated undulating
prairies ON q nearly west course to the
Yellowstone at the mouth of Glendive's
creek; crossing on the route the Little
Missouri river, the only considerable
stream to be bridged. Mr.. Roberts
estimated that it would cost to con-
struct this division at that time 1870
IS. .l35. .O66. or about $4,000 per mile.
The Company, however, estimating on
the present cost of materials and labor.
nave concluded that his figures might
be safely reduced two-tifths. bringing
the probable cost Of the division down
to about $3.0O0.000, or $4,000 per
mile. One division of the railroad Is
remarkable 70: the fertility of the
country through which it passes. This
is the Lake Pend d'Oreille Division.
In his last repors President Wright
says, "A rapid agricultural settlement
is now being made upon that portion
of our uncoustructed line, extending
east ward from the Columbia river. ut
or near the confluence of the Snake
river, through Eastern Washington
into Idaho, at Lake Pend d'Oreille. q
distance OF about 200 miles. The high.
rolling plains OF this region have from
the time Of their first exploration been
considered wonders Of pasture land, but
the fact of their possessing also enor-
nous grain-producing capacity has but
lately been determined. The large
emigration now pouring into the Co
lumbia 10 almost exclusively simiag at
this locality"
NEGOTIATIONS WITH MONTANA.
Regarding the railroad in connection
with Montana. President Wright says:
That part Of the Territory already
settled and where extensive gold and
silver mines are now developed in the
valley of the upper Missouri and its
tributaries lies 500 miles due north OF
the Union Pacific Railroad at Salt
Lake, and somewhat greater distance
due west from the terminus of the
Northern Pacific at Bismarck. Ex-
cepting a small proportion IT the traffic
up and down during the summer navi-
CATION Of the Missouri. below Benton.
its business is now done by team and
stave over the 500 miles Of heavy t.sil
across the Rocky Mountain range be-
tween the Union Pacific road and Hele-
us. The annual cost Of this staging
and teaming exceeds $l.00o. GOO. The
amount of gold already taken out OF
sh;s r>.~;scrv II estimated At bet wecn