Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-10-10
% LINE TO THE COAST.
To be Extended from Cheyenne
to Gray's Harbor.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Absorbs
the Hunt System, and VIII Build to
the Coast by the Clearwater Pass.
Spokesman.

Spokesman
:. The Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy and the Hunt system
of railroads have joined in a
mother great transcontinental
line. Within two years the %
system will extend from Chi
cago to Portland ,witha branch
line from the Palouse into Spo-
kane Falls.
The 'Q's' determination to
build to the coast was made
when the Northern Pacific and
Wisconsin Central were con
solidated as one line from the
Pacific to Chicago. 1t was "a
bout the same time the close
traffic arrangement was made
between the Chicago & North
western and the Union Pacific.
The @ and the Chicago, Rock
Island 4 Pacific were badly
frosted by these two combina-
lions. Its rails were already
pointed far toward the Pacific
northwest. 1t was not an i'm
possible task to extend TO the
coast, and meet its rivals on
equal ground.
The first long stretch was
from Cheyenne westward. The
northern route was selected,
and the contracts for building
the line from Cheyenne to
Butte, a distance of some 800
miles, have been let.
In Washington and Oregon
is the Hunt system of roads.
Some time ago Hunt attempt
ed tohoat so, 100000 ofbonds
for the extension of his system.
The Northern Pacific stoutly
opposed the scheme. All the
influence Of the Northern and
Union Pacific was. exerted to
: prevent the bonds beingplaced.
Hunt was on the point of sue
cumbing to these great corpor-
ate influences, and it was even
announced few days ago that
he had failed in his mission.
Now comes the announcement
that the bonds have been pla-
ced in London by the aid Of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quin-
cy. 1t means that the Hunt
system has been taken under
the protective wing of the o.
and that powerful corporation,
backed by unlimited millions,
has taken hold Of the system
to be operated in connection
with its Pacific coast extension.
Between Butte and the ter
minus of the Hunt system in
the Eureka flats the Burlington
will have comparatively easy
railroad building. From Butte
the line will run directly for
Lolo river and work its way to
Lolo pass,a place that seems to
have been made by nature for
a railroad.
Then the line strikes the
Clearwater river and follows
1T to Lewiston. There the
Clearwater joins the Snake,
and the line follows the Snake
until it meets the Hunt line
somewhere in the vicinity OF
Dayton.
!. The so-called Hunt system
had its inception in a short
line between Walla Walla and
Hunts Junction, near Wallula.
1t was called the Oregon 4
Washington Territory. Hunt
never had much money, but he
secured liberal appropriations
from towns through which his
road was to pass. and by the
aid of outside capital he push
ed the construction Of new
lines. His last extension is to
Portland along the north bank
of the Columbia river. Port
land gave 100000 for this
line. 1t will be extended to
Gray's Harbor. That port will
be built up as a rival to Taco
ma and Seattle in the Asiatic
trade. With the Burlington to
push Gray's Harbor, it should
be a point of much Importance.
In connection with this pro-
ject is a branch line from tie
main line to Spokane Falls