Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-04-19
CAPTAIN JOHN MULLAN.
The Northern Pacific Path Finder /
Tacoma,


Tacoma.
The Tacoma Daily Ledger of the 18th
inst. contained the following interesting
sketch of Captain John Mullan, who was
in Sacramento during the last session of
the Legislature
There was written ON the register of The
Tacoma on Friday evening last, in chirogra-
ply as bold and rugged as the life-work of
the man has been who penned it-a man
whose name is inseparably linked with the
history OF the Northwest, when Washing
ton was yet part of Oregon, and the Ter
rltories of Dakota and Idaho vet within the
lines of Nebraska. The man who wrote
the name was John Mullan, practically the
trst engineer of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road, one OF its incorporates, the man who
built the famous Mullan road, after whom
1t was named, as is the Mullan pass and
Mullan tunnel, cow the special agent in
washington OF California, Oregon, Nevada
and our own Territory.
AT an age when a majority of Young men
are yet properly the objects of parental care
and nurture, he, a talented graduate of West
Point, or the same class with Sheridan.
Crook and Others whose names 90 to make
up history, assumed duties with rare
fidelity and an extraordinary capacity for
endurance that has made his name hon
ored and beloved in the veriest hoyel of the
most remote frontiersman.
In long interview yesterday afternoon
with representative of the Ledger. Major
Mullan spoke entertainingly of his explo-
rations that began IN 1852, and ended only
with the outbreaking of the rebellion
Night after night" said he, g l have laid
out IN unbeaten forests or on painless prai
rles, with no bed but few pine leaves,
with no pillow but my saddle, and in my
imagination heard the whistle of the en-
glne, the whlrr of the machinery the
paddle OF the steamboat wheels as they
plowed the waters of the Sound, and in NV
enthusiasm saw the country thicklv ponn-
lated and thousands still coming, still pour
ing over the borders to make homes in this
1ar-oH western land. The Northern Pacific
Railroad practically follows the road |
Planned and built with SO much toll and
so many hardships more than thirty wears
ago.
. always contended that the Coeur
d'Alene pass was the proper one to follow.
and when the road is Strengthened from
spokane to Missoula, as infer it will soon
De, 1t Will actually shorten the distance be-
tween st. Paul and Tacoma fully 100 miles
making it the shortest transcontinenfai
route. Congress first appropriated, in 1857.
$50, goo with which to commence the road
which bears my name, 100000 in 1858. and
another 100000 in 1859. l organized. com
blned and worked out the situation like the
several elements in mathematical pro-
blem. l endured hardships of which no
tongue can speak, yet at all times harness
ing the energy Of a blacksmith to the acute
ness and insight of tactician successfully
supposed to be acquired at West Point, I
always had faith in my work, the success
fui outcome of my achievements. | ALWAYS
clsregarded what was impractical, what
was spectacular, and faced treachery from
those who should have assisted me and
submitted to its consequences, making no
sign.
| consider next to the building of the
Mulian road the opening up of the waters
OF the upper Missouri the most successful
OF my achievements. 1t was first attempted
by one OF my staff, young officer named
Grover, brother of Oregon's Senator.
Prior 10 this the United States had been
rendezvousing their soldiers at New York.
sending them TO San Francisco via the
lsthmus, and from California distributing
throughout the Northwest 1t was at nv
suggestion that this route was changed. and
when the men came directly to the North
west, instead of massing in New York TO be
forwarded by the tirst-named route, | was
assured my work had not been in yain |
Two of my stanchest friends during my
explorations were Isaac I. Stevens the first |
Governor of Washington, since dead, and
Senator Henry A. Rice of Minnesota. still |
living. To both of these statesmen Wash. |
ington owes more than it can ever repay |
Major Mullan intends leaving for Olym-
pla tomorrow TO be the guest of Governor |
Moore. He is man perhaps 65 years of |
age, of restless energy, so characteristic of |
an American, and was appointed to West |
Point from Maryland, in which State he |
was born. Both his hair and whiskers are |
snow white, and he looks when his head |
is uncovered not unlike the late John B. |
Cough. He is man who would be picked |
out anywhere in a crowd as being one |
above the ordinary run of man,
Captain Mullan, of the Nipsic, which was
lost at Samoa, is brother of Captain John |
Mullsn. who is now at The Tacoma. He
was ordered from Callao with his vessel |
last November