Omaha daily bee., 1890-01-19
SALT LAKE NOTES,
Unusual Activity in Railroad Buiid-
ing-Wonderful Eeats.

Unusual Activity in Railroad Build-
ing-Wonderfui Engineering Feats.
SALT LAKE Cry, Utah, Jan. 1~4.-[Special
to The BEE. Nothing is more significant as
an earnest of future growth and enducing
prosperity for a city like this. than the eager
endeavor of important railroad lines to reach
this point. ] wrote in a former letter about
this subject, but it may not be out Of place
to call attention to the great Importance
railroad building has for Salt Lake City in
particular. Our mountains, bare aud rugged
though they are, vet harbor in their bosoms
the richest stores which, in great measure,
IRE absolutely valueless until the iron horse
makes the transportation OF ore and coal
practicable.
Since last July some 1000 men have been
at work changing the gauge of the Rio
Grande Western, from a narrow gauge to u
regular broad gauge, a distance of 325 miles.
Including the necessary rolling stock, this
accomplished. will amount to So, So, 0GO.
The entire line, 1t is stated. is being laid
with sixty-six-pound steel upon u solid bal
last of rock, and is in every sense an en-
tirely new construction, involving new grad
ing, new ballast, new ties aud new rails, and
IN many places new surveys, as the distance
has been shortened a fraction over twenty
five miles between the termini Of the line
by the reduction of the curvature, necesslt-
ating a great dealo of additional tunneling.
But while this great work was going on,
the marrow Ruage road never ceased to be
worked, and the trains with their valuable
contents kept on without ceasing TO traverse
mountains and valleys, bringing life and
prosperity to the villages and towns along its
line.
1t Is claimed that the Rio Grande Western
stands unrrvaled In the west as a daring feat
of engineering aud construction its bands
OF steel penetrating the most picturesque
and enchanting mountain scenery know to
either cOntinant. haf1inp tho efhnnnInrs i'm
pediments OF rugged, precipitous mountains.
traversing almost impenetrable, tortuous.
serpentine canyons, which presented to the
engineer and builders bold. forbiuing masses
of rock aud iutting granite. 1t represents
the victory of man over nature. In its dare
devil ascent over apparently impassable
mountain ranges, whose highest peaks are
covered at oil seasons with q mantle of vir>
Rin snow, the Rio Grande Western repre-
sents the very incarnation of matchless
daring.
During the past year tourists have been
docking to Salt Lake city in greater numbers
than ever before, and it IS only u question of
time that we shall see the steady stream of
tourists for the east and Europe DETECTED, to
a large extent, to the matchless beauty spots
OF our picturesque west. The unrivalled
situation OF salt Lake City, her admirable
climate, equally far from the vigorous winter
cold OF the Mississippi vale" az from the
ennervating heat of the coast, free from
billiards., tornadoes and thunder storms, (the
latter are q rarity mild and yet bracipg, the
air thin and light on account of the altitude
and vet perfectly delightful to inhale; the
vicinity of the Great Salt Lake with its un-
rivalled chances for invigorating baths, our
sulphur springs superior TO any on the CONT
lient, only excepting those of Glenvale on the
Rio Grande e. Western railroad, which are
about as good; our wide streets and the
present facilities by electric cars to reach tie
different parts at slight expense, all these
things combine to make this place one of the
great centers of tourist travel, ana for all
who seek variety, the purest pleasures and
health.
Our city is seemingly well provided with
the very best class Of hotels, but the build
ing of new hotels on a vast scale is neverthe-
less a necessity, because Salt Lake City is
bound TO attract thousands who will come
here for no other reason than to enjoy exis-
tence in this beautiful region. In addition
10 the DIX hotels planned for the central
part OF the city, another which should be
on even q larger scale, seems to be called for
Mt some distance, on the rising ground either
north or east. for the special benefit of health
seekors. II rs sure to built sometime, for this
aspect OF the advantages of our city Is only
now becoming appreciated at its Just value.
In view Of the anticipated early completion
OF 1.-THE Chamber OF Commerce building, tho
chamber itself has been reorganized, q now
board OF directors elected, and q new pro
CRANE OF efficient work laid out.
transfers OF real estate average about
s15O. QUO a day, indicating an increased activ-
ity far 10 excess of anything hitherto recor.
ded. On one day last week the recorded
sales amounted to S26S, 99l. One of the
Items was Sl65, 900 for part of lot z, block SO,
plat A,the site for the recently planned, Mam-
moth hotel on the west side, which must not
be- COMPOUNDED with that on the east side, a
description Of which ] give in these notes.
1t is generally believed that the natural re-
sources Of this city and SUR ounding country,
together with the Immense amount of capt.
tai that has recently been invested, or is
actually seeking i~nvestmen, guarantee a
steady advance in prosperity, especially as
prices OF real estate are still quite moderate,
and the influx OF population Uninterrupted and
steady.
1t is not likely that the county election,
February 10, no matter how it turns out, will
materially alter the condition of things.
G. A. EGGRRT.
Patrick Wins the Suit.