The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-05-13
RAfLHOAD TALK.
The Gossip That Flies in the EAGER Air.


~ was disappointed with the New NORTH
WEST last week" "Why?" Because there
was nothing in 1t about railroads."
This was said to Ills since last ISSUE Doubt
less many feel a. did our friendly critic.
There IL profound interest throughout all
this portion Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Madison,
Gallatin, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Lewis and
Clarke and Deer Lodge counties-regarding
the route of the Northern Pacific and of the
Utah and Northern. Ii we knew where the
roads were to be built we would gladly in
form our readers; If we believed anybody
knew we would endeavor to find out. We
are satisfied of these things: ~ The North
ern Pacific win DO built from the mouth Of
Little Blackfoot to the Pacific coast ~ that
the road will also be built from Bismarck to
some point on the Yello wstone, from which
point to mouth Of Little Blackfoot the route
is not yet selected and will not be until seve-
raj surveys are made, which will take some
weeks or months ~ that the Utah & North
ern will endeavor to reach Butte notwith-
standing the defect in the charter; t4) that
otherwise it will not be extended northward
further than the old located line of the North
Deer Lodge side, until the route of the North
ern Pacific over the Mountain Division Is
definitely determined. Then, we believe, the
Utah and Northern will, If the Northern Pa
cifc should run ria Helena, connect with 1t
both on the east and west sides of the noun
tains. FIX s&
Pending this the Utah and Northern win
be pushed rs rapidly as possible towards
Butte, but the detention by food this spring
will delay the completion of the road to that
point, or to Silver Bow, as may be determin-
ed upon, until September, at least, instead of
July or August, az at first anticipated.
Col. J. T. Dodge recently made an explora-
ton of the Dry Cottonwood Pass for route
for the Northern Pacific from Deer Lodge 20
Three Forks. We give the following distances
and grades the former obtained by baromet-
rical observations ~ furnished by gentlemen
who accompanied him:
GRADE PER MILE. DISTANCE.
Dser Lodge to Dry C.Pass......90 ascent. .25
Dry G. to Junction. 80 descent. 3
Junction to Bush's Station. .66 .' 10
Bush's station to Boulder Pass.45 ..13
Boulder to Wickhams.........36 /" lib
Wickham's to STUNT Shoddy X 80 ascent.
SUMMIT to Shedd's Bdge g Fks) 80 descent. 30
Deer Lodge to Three Forks. ...........gl
This IL the shortest route yet explored and
is stated to be easily practicable east of Dry
Cottonwood Pass On this side the pass there
will be another exploration made before be-
fore ordering survey. The pass Is 22l5 feet
higher than Deer Lodge and IL il estimated
that quarter mile tunnel would reduce this
f..at W. nxra he Il
the Helena, Butte and Pipestone, or Deer
Lodge Pass routes, with which to institute
comparison. We know this route must be
much the best, all things considered, or that
1t will not be selected, ~ the Northern Pacif-
ic Company for business considerations
would give the preference to the Butte or
Helena routes. The Pipestone route Is assert
ed by some to be impracticable, but the engi-
neers may find otherwise. The Helena route
Is IS miles longer than the Boulder route and
the Deer Lodge Pass route In the longest of
all. Mr.. G. A. Kellogg, a competent civil
engineer, who has been called here on bust
ness, will In few days run line of levels
between this and Dry Cottonwood pass, when
the exact elevation will be ascertained and
other data obtained that will give better ba-
sis to calculate from than now obtainable.
Thegraders for the iClarkes Fork divisio N
of the Northern Pacific are not yet on th
ground, but Mr.. Fisk IL here and preparing
for work. Instead Of starting at mouth Of
Little Blackfoot, grading will be commenced
on the farm Of John Geerdts, one mile below.
This was determined upon for the reason that
If the road goes up the Little Blackfoot it
will probably be built under the bluffs on the
north side Of the river; whereas, II 1t con
tinues up the Deer Lodge valley, the road
will probably cross the He'll Gate to the south
side below the point, thus saving some heavy
work at that place. .
Mr.. Chenoweth's party reached Sweetland's
on the Little Blackfoot last Monday, having
encountered considerable difficulty from high |
water AMI brush, but found very good line.
They will likely reach the summit of the |
main range at Railroad Pass-near the Null |
Ian Pass-by next Monday, unless a survey is |
made of Priests Pass. |
This In about all the railroad news there IL |
current this week in this vicinity. |