Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-09-12
Opening OF the Northern Pacific.


The Importance of the opening of
the Northern Pacific railroad cannot
be over-estimated. Beginning at the
head of the great lakes, it crosses the
continent through a country which is
not surpassed on this continent for
natural resources. Through Mime
sofa it passes through rich farming
lands which are fast filling with an
agricultural population, and drawing
from the Mississippi river marts and
numbering towns on the head of Lake
Superior for large amounts of mater
ial for the construction of houses,
buildings and fences. Dakota, too, is
possessed of q fertile soil, and the
lands are being taken, not only for
grazing purposes, for which they are
said to be superior, but also for farm
ing purposes, wheat raising being a
great industry. This territory, too, is
also consuming great quantities of
Minnesota and Wisconsin lumber,
and is destined in the near future to
constitute an important State of the
union. Montana has fine climate,
much rich soil in the eastern portion
and in the western great mineral
wealth. There is not doubt that the
opening of this road will be followed
by the rapid settlement of the terri
tory and the development of the great
wealth which exists in its soil and be-
meath its surface. Idaho is crossed
by the Northern Pacific, but the larg-
er portion of the territory lies south
of the route and is tributary to the
Central Pacific railroad, but there is
a good deal of rich territory which
will feel the impulse of the opening of
the new route, and will be connected
with it by branches in the near future.
Passing through Washington territory,
famous for its grazing and agricultur-
al lands in the eastern portion, and its
coal and timber in the western, the
Northern Pacific debouches upon Pu-
get Sound, securing the advantages of
harbors unexcelled in the world. The
navies of the nations could ride in
safety upon the waters of the sound,
which are capable of floating the larg
est ship. There is being done upon
Puget Sound an immense lumber
trade, the quantity aggregating some
500,0O0,O00 feet, two thirds of which
are exported. The opening of the
Northern Pacific will certainly in
crease the demand for home consump-
ton and develope the lumber industry
immensely. The vast region travers-
ed by this railroad is exceedingly well
watered, and although in the main
high land abounds in fertile valleys
and plains. 1t is impossible that a
land SO we'll watered could be other
wise than fertile. The history of its
development can be forecast by con-
sidering the effect of the opening of
the Union and Central Pacific rail-
roads upon the country they traverse.
What has been produced in Nebraska,
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Neva.
da in twenty years will be accom-
plished in ten on the line of the Nor
thern Pacific, for the resources of the
country are greater and the world is
more familiar with them. Within
fifteen years at the outside the north
ern boundary of the union will be
belt of States instead of Territories.
The area of the territory traversed by
the Northern Pacific is as follows
Minnesota, three-fourths of which is
tributary, 81, 800 square miles Dako-
ia, Isl, 900 square miles; Idaho, &c.