, 1883-07-14
A NEW PROJECT.
HiruetInE a Marrow Gauge Rail-
road Between spokane Falls
and Medical Lake.

oAu "euAehA LAKE,
We have just come in possess IN Of
facts that leads us to believe that a
new railroad on the narrow gauge
plan is about to be constructed be-
tween Spokane Falls and Medical
Lake. There is no mere rumOr at
tached to this important scheme,
but a serious determination on the
part of those interested that war
rants us in mentioning the matter.
1t is evident from the largely increas-
ing travel to the Lake, not alone from
the Falls but all along the N. p. line,
that some more speedy and comfort
able mode of conveyance is demand
ed by the public. This travel is
bound to increase every year as the
country becomes developed and the
medicinal qualities of the Lake be-
comes more generally known. We
believe that the time is not far dis
tant when Medical Lake will be the
gseat sanitarium of the northwest,
where invalids, not only Of the Paci-
fic coast but Of the entire world, will
flock to test and be cured by the re-
nOwned curative qualities of the wa
ters. 1t has been demonstrated by
themost crucial tests that the health
giving waters that constitute the lake
are more highly tinctNred by the
many healing properties of mineral
ingredients than any of the many
famous mineral springs Of this con-
tinent, and only on account Of its re-
moteness from the line of railroad
travel has it been so long neglected.
At the present time hundreds Of
suffering invalids brave the rigors
Of an overland trip in order to secure
the benefits to be derived from the
wonderful waters. Besides viewing
the Lake from a health renewing
stand point it is safe to say that there
is not a more charming summer re-
sort in the Union, and it is only a
matter Of time until it becomes the
Saratoga Of the Pacific coast. It
combines a delightful climate with
the most beautiful scenery and all
the attractions that go towards max
ing it a popular place for recreation.
Even now great many people in
this new country, where everybody
is warped out of shape ny too close
application to business, go to the
Lake every summer, camp upon its
unsurpassable beach, lave in its mag
ic waters, row upon its placid and
transparent bosom, fish in the streams
abundantly supplied with trout,
hunt through the primeval forests,
and renew their waning strength
beneath the foliage of Gods green
woods, drinking in an atmosphere as
pure as the breath Of babes, and re-
dOlent with the fragrance Of fresh
ness. Such a place cannot long re-
main a wild. Men who have tested
its glorious properties go hence and
spread abroad among his fellows the
fame Of the spot, and by degrees the
pilgrims increase from a few score to
thousands, and one never spends a
few days upon the lake but what he
is sure to repeat the experiment at
his earliest convenience. In order to
throw this resort open to the public
and give a rapid means Of cOmmuni-
cation with it and the outside world,
a gentleman, who represents suffi-
cient capital to build a dozen such
roads, proposes to at once set on foot
movement to build narrow gauge
line between Spokane Falls and Med
ical Lake. This place has been Sc
lected as the starting point because
road can be built from here at less
expense, and from the fact that
through tickets can be purchased
from the east directly to the Falls.
The road will run directly west,
striking the southern end Of the
lake. The only obstacle to encounter
is the Hangman creek bluff, right
from the start, but engineering skill
can easily overcome that After
crossing the canvOn there will be no
trouble whatever, as the rails can be
almost laid along the ground over
White Bluff prairie without grading.
Beside the advantages Spokane Falls
and Medical Lake is to derive from
the line, we must not lose sight Of
the gain a road Of this kind will be
to a wide extent Of agricultural land
spread out on both sides, and 1t would
be the means Of more rapidly de-
velOplng that section. Moreover,
while the intention at present is to
make the terminus at Medical Lake,
there is no saying where the road
might eventually extend to, 1t could
be continued either north or west,
tap fine region of country and aid
materially in building up territory
that would require years to develop
under the present process, A fran.
chise will be applied for and the party
who advanced the proposition will
soon start east to lay his plans before
his co-labOrers and secure their sup
port in the undertaking. This COM
pany will go further and make ex-
tensive modern improvements on
the lake, thus preparing to receive