Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-03-22
OUR TRIP TO HELENA.

Two weeks ago last Monday ourseli
and Dr.. j. B. Morris, who had been
design ,ted BY the board Of trade Of Lew
iston to meet a delegation from the
Walla Walla board of trade, at Palouse
Junction, and accompany them to Helena
70 interview the manager Of the Mani
tuba railroad, 10 regard to the extension
of the road westward towards the Pacific,
and to present the wishes Of the two
boards of trade respecting their coming
through one of the passes in the Bitter
Root mountains at the head waters Of
the Clearwater and extending their line
down that stream to the open country,
aud thence on to the Columbia river via
Walla Walla. By a misunderstanding
Of the message the Walla Walla delega'
,ion understood that we were to meet
them on Monday evening at Palouse
Junction, when our message designated
Tuesday evening. The Walla Walla del
egation mot finding US at the junction on
Monday evening, proceeded o" to Helena,
and 70 arrived at the junction and not
meeting them as We had expected, also
proceeded on to Helena, where VIC fund
them. They had had their interview
the dsy before VIC arrived with COL
Broadwater, the resident manager Of the
Western Division Of the Manitoba, and
One Of their number had started home.
The other remaining to meet us when
No arrived aud TO confer with US. The
next day We Of Lewiston had our inter-
seiw with Col. Broadwatcr, apart from
D. w. Small Esq the remaining dele
gate from Wa!la Walla, while he went
to Boxeman to meet friends and to re-
turn on the next day aud accompany us
ON our return. The Lewiston delegation
had their interview on Thursday after
noon, which lasted about two hours.
We found tho Col. a very adable gentle
inan, ago about IS or 81, well informed
Of matters 10 that section o. country,
having been practically conversant with
Il for the last twenty years, and claimed
TO have visited this section Of country and
the country west Of this. and since he has
been ID tha interest Of the Manitoba had
been able to collect, by and through en-.
ployes, very many statistical facts relative
to our development and resources, and
spoke 10 the highest terms Of our natu-
'ial advantages Of soil and climate. But
he cave us to distinctly understand that
his company had not determined upon
any route west Of Butte; that they
would not construct their line west Of
Butte tho present year. Meantime
they propose to examine the various
routes west from Butte with great care,
and choose the best they could end for
low grades, and where any route had d
superior low grade they would be likely
70 adopt, aud il any section had superior
agricultural and other advantages, out.
aide. they proposed to supply it with
short feeders from their main trunk line.
Low grades has been the object to attain
Tor their trunk line as far as they have
built up to the present time. They
claim that they can haul more freight
over their line, already built, with one
engine, 10 weight, than the Northern
Pacific can over their line with three
engines, and in less time for the same
distance, and At less cost. That they
have already demopstrc.sd that at cost
Of 81 400 t..sy can haul over their road
~aore freight than can the Northern
Pacific over their line At cost Of 1000
and hence they seek low grades for their
line. We gave to the COL, much in.
formation as We had in regard to the
Clearwater route. which, in some respects,
was more favorable than he had before
received and he said that they would
Examine the route with great care as soon
~ the season was favorable and seemed
to be pleased for the Information We gave
to him, aud said he would be pleased to
have Us give to him by letter or other.
wise, any additional facts We might learn
10 relation to the country, and routes,
and the resources Of the Clearwater
country, although he claimed that he
was pretty vel posted in regard to the
Gestures Of the country. and its
A1eaneaen for q railroad. We men.
ti0ss1 thst the Union Pacific and North.
~ Psd6c had already made preliminary
spyeys Of portions Of the lower Clear.
ssatsr, asd then changed their plans, the
Nenhsra RsGic 10 the days Of jay
Cock, and The Union Pacific under chief
R;ietensderfn, but have not extended
Il .>....s A. I:.:l. l.