Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-03-15
RAILROAD ROUTE.

The operations OF railroad companies
are very often cnigmalical to the general
mind with reference particularly to tx
tsn,ions; especially IN this western
country. Usually in the cast we see
roals that are to be trunk lines carried
in the r,ost direct and straight course
and, wherever practicable. following
water courses; so when VIC see the
various roads in this country climbing up
md around mountains, down into prec'pi
tous canons, while the low, even grades
Of river lines are Stunned, it does seem
% if the systems heretofore practiced,
either we're experimental failures or that
engineering was now revealing in startling
feats that shall bewilder genius. 1t is
true, our rivers are not bordered with
vide valleys and the passes along their
course are often narrow, and yet the
adjacent country beyond the breaks is
easily accessible, and naturally, traffic
tends toward the water flow. The Col
umbia, Snake and Clearwater rivers
afford as fine a natural way to form
connection with the eastern traIfic as
could possibly exist. Duo west from the
headwaters of the Yellowstone, and but
a narrow water shed between, through
which are several low passes, makes this
route, at once, the most feasible and
economical Of any yet constructed, and
the capability Of demonstrating the
enormous traffic that would Immediately
be developed, ought to attract the atten-
&ion ofrailroad managers throughout the
country. From the moment road
touched the Clearwater country, on the
east, it wonld have paying traffic IN
the magnifccn. timber and mineral pro-
ducts, and as it progressed down into the
valley, there would open up an empire
Of agricultural richness unequaled any
where. There are 100000 acres Of
land 10 this district, all valuable, either
4 Is agricultural, grazing or timber; one
half Of it probably could be utilized as
homes for actual settlers. There are but
100000 of it surveyed, and ! 100000
located by settlers 1t is all tributary to
the Clearwater, which runs nearly
through its centre. No other route
could possibly developc SO great traffic
as this. The gradient of road through
here would be the minimum Of all roads,
from the Pacific to the western base oil
the Bitter Root mountains; the grade
would average but seven feet to the mile
then for about thirty miles, twenty fee
per mile; thence to the summit tn
maximum is about forty-seven feet
\ This line would be exceptionally fire.
from snow so much Of it lying alon:
rivers, whcss altitude is something nca
1000 feet at the base Of the mountains
600 miles from lido water. Here VI
have 600 miles Of river line, where th
cost Of grading would be at the yer.
minimum, and every acre Of land payinl
tribute to it. Not the least indust,,
developed by this route, would be tn
lumber traffic. All streams flowing Il
it, the vast forests would TEEN with tn
activity Of beo hive, and the tilnberles
sections would be brought into immedi
ate connection with our inexhaus.ibl
supply. Every hill side along the wa
could be turned into vineyards tina
would rival the best products Of SUM,
France. Tho whole water way coul'
furnish power enough to run the mill
Of the world.
There are mines Of gold, silver, cope
and coal that would employ all the su,
plus Of labor in the country and over
burden a railroad with traffic. Jus
think Of an attempt to develope quart
mine, by packing the products upo'
mules forty or fifty miles, thence b.
wagon seventy miles to connect will
steam transportation to get into market
yet that is what is now being done witt
paying results. All the immense wcaltl
contained in our mineral bell must "a
main locked up until railroad sha
have been built through it. Give u
such road and we will ask no discount O
our Cocus dAlenc neighbor or on
bonanza friends Of Montana.
That this route will be occupied
only question Of time, as several com
panies are considering it and its ieasibili
~ Is certain, but what we desire is tina
no time be wasted in its consummation
the hardy pioneers who have opened u
the way wish to be rewarded in som
measure for their many sacrifices an,
toilsome hardships.
THE SOUL OF A NEWSPAPER