The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-05-18
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.

DO you Old-tlmers reC0llect now party
of us In 1860 drove nearly to the Mouth of
Little Blackfoot and met Thos. N. Garfield,
Esq, Col. w. Miluor Roberts, chief engineer,
genial old Sam Wilkinson, secretary, and q
few more Of the FIRST Northern Pacific mag
mates that had explored Montana? They
were cordial, approschable and appreciative.
We had q pleasant time. They made head.
quarters here few days, meantime driving
under the guidance of Granville Stuart
across the Deer Lodge Pass TO where Wun-
derlich's station now Is, and never knew
they had passed the summit of the Rocky
Mountains until the direction OF the stream
attracted::their attention,an rattlesnake, a
viper never seen on this side of the noun
tains, whisked into camp and gave his from
tier serenade. Mr.. Garfield was then . d.
rector of the company and really Its direct
ing spirit. Jay Cooke awaited the report of
this party before entering strongly into the
great enterprise, which he was carrying when
the crash Of 1876 caught and crippled him.
Mr.. Garfield was here again few days ago,
expecting TO accompany Mr.. Cakes west, but
the illness of that gentleman, and important
business matters compelled him to return
to his home In Burlington, Vermont, with
out extending his trip. He Is still large
stakeholder In the Northern Pacific, and gave
us some interesting facts concerning the In
ception of the transcontinental road now 50
nearly completed. He says the credit Of SO.
lecting this route belongs to Edwin r. john
sen, who in 1853, we believe, was chief en-
gineer Of the Northwestern Railroad which
Mr.. Garfield and associates were then build.
Ing. johnson became an enthusiast on the
northern route to the Pacific coast, and was
so earnest in Its advocacy that the matter
was finally brought TO the attention Of the
Government, and Jefferson Davis, the Score.
tary Of War under Pierce, with q strong
leaning toward the southern route, directed
the three exploring expeditions across the
continent, Ex-Governor Isaac Stevens being
placed In charge Of the northern route ex
petition. The result Is well-known. The
Northern Pacific charter was granted and
johnson was made chief engineer. Colonel
Roberts had just succeeded him when the
exploration Of 1869 was made. Mr.. Can
field was more than satisfied with the route
and Wilkinson was enthusiastic from The
start, but Roberts, chief engineer, upor
whose report all depended, never by word Of
animation during the entire trip expressed
his approval or disapproval or gave any init
nation Of bis impressions. "He seemed to
s.see everything, and his memorandum book
s'was in constant requisition, but until aftel
1--WE returned to New York and his repor
'became public through Jay Cooke, not ont
'sof as had any idea of what his report woult
"be." That 1t was an endorsement of th,
route In the highest terms Is now well known
but we can fancy the anxiety Of his compan
ions, personally enthusiastic and jubilsnt
travelling week after week, in daily contac
with sphynx, upon whose word all depend
cd, and never having an intimation Of hi
impressions. Mr.. Garfield who hiss neve
wavercd in his faith, sees now In the imme
diate future the realization Of his hopes o.
thirty years and Is still hale and vigorous
As one oftke originators and chief Standby
Of the great enterprise we hope IL will ad,
TO his fortune and that an appreciative Direc
tory will link his name with some one of thu
important towns established on the route.