Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1880-06-11
Projected Railroads.


Washington Territory, in company
with Mr.. III. Thielsen, chief engineer
of the 0. r. Il n Co., and has deter
mined to build with all possible dis
patch branch railroads through those
sections tributary to the Columbia and
Snake rivers whose agricultural devel-
opments now demand them, and with
in two years to open up millions of
acres now unproductive because Of the
lack of transportation facilities.
The Oreqonian reporter interviewed
Mr.. Thielson last night and received
from him the following information
concerning projected lines. 1t will be
read with interest not only by the resi-
dents OF the localities to be directly
benefited, but by the people of the en-
tire northwest coast:
Work on the Taxas Ferry will oe
commenced as soon as aborors
can be spared from the Wallu!a and
Cello division. Two parties of well
diggers are out new, and all
necessary preparations are being made
at Taxas Ferry. The road will take
northeasterly direction through Akali
flat for twelve miles, and turn and run
nearly north up Willow springs pass
ing the head of Willow creek over
the summit of Union flat, and end for
the present near Warmers eighteen
miles due west of Colfax. This much
of the road will be built this season,
and will have trains running before
Jan, /, 1881.
Five surveying parties will be put
in the field within week to locate the
following lines. The tents, Instruments
etc, have already been sent to the
front.
Two parties will make the final loca-
ton for route from Portland to The
DAlles. Preliminary lines were run
early this spring. In order to facili-
tate the work, one party will start at
The Dailes and come west, while the
other will start here and work east.
1t is expected the rock work on the
Wallula and Cello division will he
done by August l5., and after that
date all the available workmen will be
put at the tunnels and heavy rock
work on the Portland division. Much
of this work is of such difficult charac-
ter that much labor must be perform
ed this year in order to have the road
completed to Portland in time to
move next years crops. There will be-
three tunnels between the Dalles
and Cascades, each 90 feet long.
A third party will run u prelimina-
ry line commencing at point on the
Columbia about 6 miles above Umatil-
la, running southeast to the Umatilla
reservation /; thence east through the
reservation, thence southeast to La
Grande, thence through the Powder
river country to Baker City. Anoth-
er preliminary line will be run com
mencing few miles further down the
river, running southeast along the
western aud southern boundaries of
the reservation over the Blue noun
tains to La Grande, and to Baker City
as above. 1t is not at all certain that
practical rout can be found over
the Blue mountains In case of fail
ure to find the desired pass, road
will be built from the present termi-
nus of thu Walla Walla and Blue
mountain road to Grand Ronde valley
Nm, A 10 Al
Grande Ronde and Powder river coun-
tries will have railroad within two
years.
Another party will relocate the line
from W. w. to Grange City, with ono
branch running up Touchet river to
Dayton, about Is miles, and another
up to the Pataha and Tuckancn rivers,
about 40 miles.
The fifth party continue surveys
from Warmers this years terminus of
of the Taxas' Ferry road, through the
the Palouse country Two preGmira
~ lines have been run from Warmers
one north through Rebel flat, and
northeast and east through the Cotton
"pcb dnt otIltF
to the Idaho line, following the direc-
ton OF Snake river, and to 10 miles
from it. These lines were run because
they We're the natural passes. The
company desires to tap the heart of the
Palouse country. The two routes Just
described will not accomplish this.
The southeastern line will not be nee.
essary as the section through which il
runs is within easy hauling distance Of
Snake river, which will be navigable
hStween Lewiston and Taxas Ferry at
least ten months in the year. From
Taxas Ferry there will he an Quiet by
rail via Walla Walla. Thus the diff
eult and dangerous rapids of Snake
river are avoided The surveying par
ty has ieen Instructed if possible to
find Q. route from Warmers cas-, to Col
fax. IT a practical line can be located
to Colfax, two routes will he estab-
i.El. Al :