Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1880-09-10
Return Trip.
PORTLAND, Aug. 26th, 1880.

DEAR TELLER - The atmosphere
being so densely filled with
smoke from fires in the timber all along
the Sound, we deemed it useless to
proceed further down the Sound than
Seattle with any expectation of getting
any view of the country bordering On
ly in very limited degree, and hence
on Monday eve., we took the steamer
Annie Stewart and returned to Taco
ma. At Seattle we were cordially re-
ceived and entertained by II. G. Thorn
ton, formerly of Portland, Mr.. Emery,
Col. Larabee, Beria Brown, of the
Dispatch, Mr. Ward of the Post and
Mr.. Prosch Of the Mteliigencer, and
Mr.. Beyley of New Castle and all
seemed disposed to give us such gener-
al information respecting Seattle and
It's surroundings, as made it quite ap-
parent that Seattle has bright future.
On our return to Tacoma we meet
Gen. Tanctt, who is visiting the Sound
country in the interest of the 0. r.
Il N. Co., and their railroad and steam
boat enterprises. From him we learn
ed that he had personally examined
the route up to where the Seattle road
up the Duwamish and White rivers
can be built to connect with the Nat
chess pass road to Tacoma and has ex-
amlned somewhat the iron and coal
mines discovered in that ranges. He
expresses full confidence that rail
road will soon be built across the Cas-
cades that if the n. P. Co., don't build
it some other company will. Mean
time the o. II. N & Co., will utilize ev-
cry available route in Eastern Wash
ington and Oregon, that promises o
profitable route and make it tributa-
ry to their main trunk line down the
Columbia. We also had an interview
with Hon. Frank Clark, who now re
sides permanently at New Tacoma and
who entertained us by going over a
portion of the new town and pointing
out to US some of it's advantages as a
great railroad terminus. Mr.. CLARK
constructed q fine residence ON the
brow of the hill overlooking the bay
and sold it to Gen. Spraugue, and has
Just completed another and with his
family occupies it. The site is one o.
the best in the new city. Mr.. Clark
is very sansuine of the rapid growth
of New Tacoma from this time for
ward. Town lots are being sold quits
rapid and there may be said will
truth that New Tacoma has boom
caused principally by the fact that I
full survey is now being made for tn
N. P. railroad direct from Snake riv
er through the Natchess pass to Taco
ma, which it is expected, will be com
pleted in six or eight weeks. Ehgin
r eering parties commence at the sun
nit and survey both east and west, s.
r as to have all the summit work don
before the snow falls 1t is confident
e " asserted that so soon as the survey
have been completed and estimates
the amount of work to be done nav
r been made that contracts for gradin
and tunnelling on the route will oc ie
and the work of construction be push
\ ed forward with vigor till the road
5 completed from Ainswcrth to Ne'
= Tacoma. Some clai'n to doubt tn
k purpose of the company to built thl
8 road at present, but that they are mat
ing present demonstrations merely t
Il sell their lands in and about Tacoma
of which they have an abundance
e But the lesson which the old compan
e under Jay Cook, has taught the ne
y company, embracing the land holder
q ought, and we believe will sufficient
:. warn them against any further hol'
Sc ing out of false prospects in regard
Is the building of the road. Nothin
" but actual work Of construction wi
II avail much in establishing faith in ii
in company's purposes, and that fart