The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-08-27

mitted its managers to the resolve to max
the time between New York and Sa
Francisco twelve hours shorter than BY th
other sky y-clmbing lines. There are owe
$40, 600, 900 on hand to push the work Il
its different divisions, and plans have bee
made for $40, OO0, 900 more If needed. Thes
millions are to be spent as rapidly as line
and levels can be determined and men an
materials concentrated at the points of con
| struction.
1T 1s A GREAT WORK.
great in its bearings On finances, on the de
voiopment of the country, on the trade OF
Asia with Europe and America, on the poll
tical relations Of the Pacific slope with the
rest of the United States, and perhaps great
est of all in its influence on the domestic
welfare of thousands of families that will
fud in 1t a new avenue out of the want OF
Europe to the plenty of America The whole
project will move forward under the direc
ton of one mind, and it is planned to bring
| it
ALL TO COMPLETION
at one time 1t is mortally certain, too
/ that the bind and adventurous brain which
| has thought out this great combination, i.
! already thinking out continuation of il
! that viii beyond Lake Superior to the
Atlantic coast what will be truly the first
transcontinental line of the United States
UPWARDS OF 2,0CO MILES
in operation in the Oregan Railway &
! Navigation system TO feed the Northern
/ Pacific when that is ready to take the traffic
of the Pacific coast. These feeders will at
once, MIR. Willard calculates, add $4,000. 600
a year 10 the receipts of the Northern Pacific,
and their tribute will grow early
/ In the vast stretch between Eastern " ash
I ington and Glendiye, on the Yellowstone, no
! plans have yet been made for branches, with
| the exception OF one 20 the National Park of
about lO0 miles in lmgth. The main line
has not been built through this important
part of its route. But the valleys of Montana
| are SO fertile and their population is already
/ increasing so rapidly that a great many
/ branches viii have to be put by the North
ern Pacific into that Territory before many
years.
In Dakota and Minnesota, definite plans
have been made for branches with an aggre-
gate mileage Of about 1000 miles. Work on
them is already unler way. Railroad meets
railrold in the rich valleys of tie Red and
James rivers. Aneager contest is already
begun between st. Paul, Minneapolis &
Manitoba, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St
Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, and the
Northern Pacific, to see which shall pre-
emPt most Of the territory in Western
Minnesota and eastern half of Dakota. All
understand the value Of the prize to be
gained, and surveying and engineering part
les are being deployed over the country like
the advance gnards Of hostile armies. In
this sort Gf q contest the Northern Pacific
under the old regime, was at a great disGd-
vantage branch lines, according to the
agreement with the preferred stockholders,
could be built only out of the net earnings,
and the bonds placed on the property of the
Company could be used
ONLY TO COMPLETE THE MAIN LINE.
The Northern Pacific had to stand still and
see its competitors marching over its ter
ritory without being able to defend itself
But Mr.. Wizards brilliant idea Of the Oregon
d. Transcontinental, with its 10000, 900 of
stock all subscribed for, and $40. .OOO. 900
more to be issued if it is wanted, has provid
ed an ample fund for the immediate and
Simultaneous building of all branches that
can be needed.
At jamestown, surveys have been made
80 miles north for road to run $50 miles
up the James River Valley to the Mouse
River country. The branch will be extend
ed south OF the Northern Pacific to a dis
tance not yet determined. Other roads are
competing for possession of this valley. The
maps of the Northwestern Road show that
it has branch line out to Ordway, south of
jamestown. The st. Paul has made surveys
for line up the valley towards jamestown.
The Manitoba Read has line projected and
party surveyed that will cross the northern
half of the Jim River Valley at its best
point-that near th e Mouse River country.
The fact is, though not yet widely known,
that there is here is here region not second
to that of the Red River. The Casselton
BIanch of the Northern Pacific, built for
thirty-one miles out of the net earnings, has
been surveyed twenty-five miles further, and
Will be at once pushed by the Transcontin-
entail up to the Canadian line. The laid
here much resembles that of the Red River
Ii is too rich to cultival easily. The Fargo
Southwestern Branch has been graded for
twenty-five mills; twenty-five miles more
are under contract, and its further length is
simply question of time and expedency
This road will cut into the territory of the
Manitoba's, Breckenridge and Standing Rock
Branch. Another branch, called the North
L
run from Wadena to Fergus Falls and
Bieckinri5ge, and ultimately to the Black
Hills, with branch up the Pelican Valley
to Pelican Rapids Grading is eing done
on the Pelican Rapids Branch and on the
piece between Wadena and Fergus Falls. A
description has been given in a previous lei
ter of the Little Falls & Dakota Road, Of
which dr. Willard bought the charter during
his recent visit a st. Paul. It has a land
grant Of 500, 900 acres of what are called
swamp lands, bat are really only low lands,
and subsidy from the counties through
which it passes of about $4,000 mile. 1t
viii run l20 miles southwest from Little
Falls to Big Stone Lake, and perhaps fur
ther. This branch cuts into both the Mani
toba end St. Paul Roads. A northern branch
of the Northern Minnesota viii be built from
Detroit northward, bu5 its exact route and
length have net yet been determined.
THE EXTENSION TO SUPERIOR CITY.
An outlet of its own to Lake Superior, is
part Of the original plan of the road that has
not yet been carried out. This outlet is
now being secured by laying track from
Thomson TO Superior City. This work viii
be finished this year, ard the road will he
carried beyond, 10 TIE IeSal terminus at
Montreal river, with as little delay as nos
sible. Beyond Montreal River, by connec-
tion with the Ontonag0n 4 Montreal Rivers
Railroad, the Marquette, HoUghton & On
tOnagOn, and the Detroit, Mackinaw & Mar
qaette Roads, the Northern Pacific will
reach the Canadian railroads at the Sault
Ste Marie, lake navigation at the Straits.
and the railroads like the Michigan Central,
that come up the Michiagn Peninsula. At
Superior City, Mr.. Wizards road is already
,crt ain of inAar1anan-t n,ntIn4.