The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-12-10

ACoS--oVU IctL I0MSr LuAu Lnc sut'hhs -
the Union Pacific road, and requiring mo
snow sheds whatever. There is not
mile Of the route from Glendive to Pen d.
Creille Lake, except > few miles near Boze-
man, that will have grade of fifty feet to
the mile. There are many stretches OF ten
TO thirty miles that can be built rs straight
as ray Of light on less than that grade, 4
No other practicable route yet found would
save over thirty miles of distance on the
present route and reach the heart Of Mon
tana. The major portion Of the lands In
the valleys were unoccupied when this line
was located, and the odd numbered sections
reserved for the railroad company are among
the choicest In Montana, while on any new
line they will probably find the best lands
takenup In advance of their relocation. 8
Those lands will alone pay for the construc-
tion of the road, while with SO, 900 900 con-
struction money to draw upon the company
can conveniently await their sale at good fig
ures. The project of crossing from the
Yellowstone via the Judith or Musselshell
wo uld throw the road too far north for the
principal business and mining districts Of
Montana, give the Union Pacific decided
advantage through Its branch line, and de-
prive the Northern Pacific of nearly all the
benefits of the National Park travel. The
easy Arguments and light grades Of the val
ley route compensate many miles distance
by the increased speed possible and the
greatly reduced wear and tear Of rolling
stock and rails. . No advantages existing
at the time of the location In favor of the
Deer Lodge pass have since been diminish
ed, and others have been developed. 10
The Musselshell and Judith routes are
stated by competent authority to present
great engineering obstacles. r.: .n
We confess to a preference for another
route than the one now selected, but in
view of the discussion Of the subject now
progressing we offer the above as some of the
considerations we see involved In the ques-
ton of route, and file our prediction that
the road will be built as originally located.
Referring to the discussion we accredit Mr..
Peter Koch, of Bozeman, an engineer of ex-
perienee, and familiar with the topography
Of the Territory, with contributing to the
Courier of the I'd inst. the best considered
article that has yet appeared on the subject
Following Is an extract from his article bear
ins on Deer Lodge pass and showing its great
engineering advantages:
The third route lies altogether along the
great valleys Following the Yellowstone
to the mouth Of Shields river 1t crosses the
Bozeman pass. Here is the most difficult
point along the entire route, as the descent
into Gallatin valley involves q gradient OF
over eighty feet to the mile: but no heavy
cuts nor Filings are needed, and no known
pass presents fewer difficulties. From Boze-
man the road would descend the gradual
slopeof Gallatin valley, thirty feet TO the
mile, to Gallatin City. The crossing Of the
main range by this route may be best des-
cribed In the words OF Col. Roberts in a re-
port kindly furnished the writer by Col.
DeLacy:
"The approach to the main chain of the
Rocky Mountains through the jefferson val
ley and along the valley Of its tributary, Di-
vide creek, up to the Deer Lodge pass, is
very remarkable, If not unprecedented. Our
lines show that we can pass from the head
Of the Missouri to this very favorable divide,
uistdHcc Vi i4A mlfeS, Win an average
grade of sixteen feet per mile, and q maxi
mum grade on the upper twelve miles of on
ly forty feet mile. without allowing for
any cut on the summit, the total rise from
the lowest depression in the Jefferson valley
to this summit Of the Rocky Mountains be-
ing only 1,776 feet. On the western side IL
descends 500 feet i'm the first thirteen miles,
which makes forty-three feet per mile, but
by careful final location we shall probably
descend into the valley of the Deer Lodge
with maximum grade of not exceeding
forty feet per mile for twenty-four miles.
The only objection to this portion OF the
route Of the railroad is its length, although
this Is In part the element which enables u
to overcome the backbone of the continent,
with grade on each side Of only about forty
feet to the mile"
The altitude of the Deer Lodge Pass Is
5,S0S feet, and for gentleness of slope no
other pass in the Rocky Moun,ains cam for a
moment compare with 1t. A considerable
saving in distance might be made W cross
ing the Pipestone $3.50 feet) or Boulder
passes but either of these Is very difficult,
and would involve steep grades and ne tun-
nels. There Is therefore little doubt that
the route up the Jefferson, across the Deer
Lodge pass, will be adopted. IF q