The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-12
THE SENATOR is HERE
Mr.. Squire Visits Seattle Purely
On Business.
HIS FINE FARM CUT IN TWO.
Belt Line Road Has Cut q Ditch
Through Broad, Rich Acres-Set-
Element by Arbitration.

Senator Watson G. Squire is at the Raj
nier, having come over from Olympia on
the evening train. After his arrival he
was surrounded by friends, although no
announcement had been made of his COM
ing.
MY visit is purely business one" said
the senator to PosT-INTELIIGENcER re-
reporter W no found him in the hotel lobby
shortly after the arrival of the train. you
see, tomorrow is the day set for the arbi-
tration of a case between the Belt Line
railroad and myself, which is of such ma
ture that my presence is almost absolutely
required. The Belt Line. which is to skirt
the eastern shore OF Lake Washington,
cuts through my farm southeast of the
city. This farm is a pet of mine. 1t is
where have spent portions OF my
summers for at least ten years.
| have worked upon it myself, have hewn
out a pleasant home from wilderness.
Here | have broad acres of rich bottom
land, brought to q high state OF cultivation.
Where twelve years ago | found stumps
and tangled underbrush now have splen-
did Yields, and | take pleasure in 1T, be-
cause il is in part the result of my own
toll. Here | have Line grade cattle, and l
take more pride in the returns from my
farm than l do in hearing from any other
private interest | have.
when the Belt line was surveyed the
line was run right through the center of
my place, cutting swath 10 feet VIDE. l
was informed that, as the bottom land
was low. a trestle would be built most of
the way. This was bad enough, as 1t
would greatly deface the beauty of the
level stretch, but the advantages of the
road were so great to the contiguous terri
tory that did not feel like making COM
plant. Now ! ind that instead of tres
tie great ditch is cut through the entire
length OF my farm with huge embank-
ments thrown up that can
neither be crossed over nor I'M
derneath. You can imagine the
annoyance caused by this. 1t shuts my
stock from water, cuts my farm into two
parts, closes out my view from many acres
and works many other advantages that
will be appreciated by farmers who have
had similar trenches cut through their
lands. Although | keenly feel this dam
age to my place, | could not bring myself
to the point of becoming an obstructionist,
and although | rather would pay many
thousand dollars than have the damage
incurred, for | realize that the building
of the road means the enhancement
of many farms along the lake and the
opening of many acres that would other
wise remain uncultivated for years. Look
ing at the matter in this light decided to
submit to personal sacrinces and accord
ingly arranged with Mr.. Ashton, attorney
for the Northern Paciic and Belt Line, to
have the matter settled by arbitration.
The appraisers have already been ap-
pointed, DR.. il. Il. Bagley on my behalf
and Mr. Charles Burnett to represent the
railroad company. They will meet today
and as soon as the hearing is under way
shall return to Olympia"
Senator Squire, before he leaves. will
look after several other important business
matters. He is now arranging for the
placing of big electric light and steam
heat and power plant in the basement of
the Squire Latimer building, designed not
only to supply his own property, but adj
joining blocks as well. He also has many
other interests that have been neglected
for senatorial duties, and his few hours
here will be busy ones. He will, however,
take time to greet his friends and, as
usual, will be happy to see them.