The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
[IIB RAILROADS
Far of Unprecedent-
ed Construction.
\ TRACK, s72.l4 MILES.
4 Mileage Under Construc-
ton, 951.41.
e OUTLAY. sI2.I5o, gao.
Mileage of Railroads in the
State, 2,080.93.
/ Ylleage of Railroads in the
State, 2,o80.93.
sIsns Of the Great Northern, Union
80. northern Pacific and Other
a,..ds : Three Transcontinentai
- pesignate Seattle as Their
am rcrmlnus-R Relation of Rail-
..1sts Development of state-Open-
4. o new and Rich Territory
- Part Of Washington Has .
- b the General Constructive
,arlvity--Historicai Review.

- trsnscontinental railroads have
Sc he year officially located their
~ coast termini at Seattle, viz: The
Northern, because this city is the
ADVANTAGEOUS outlet TO the Pacific
tor q transcontinental route; the
s Pacific. because it desired TO secure
s. Of the heavy freight and passenger
already established, and the North
ltrihc. because the policy of discrinai-
g for Tacoma and against Seattle was
II. and coming competition made il
1uus not TO foster and secure as
Is possible of the business of the
4 and most important city of Wash
d the design Of this article TO present
uplele and impartial review of the
Ne era of railroad construction in
Ainnon during the year just closed.
ucld be impossible TO give sketch of
sorry, condition and prospects of all
psd enterprises; and, therefore, mem
x the more important only can be
y Ifthis article is devoted largely TO
nd operations in and about Seattle. il
eunse Seattle, as metropolis of the
Is directly concerned in all legiti-
nilruad movements, and the devel-
hats Of the year have been of particu-
IA vital interest to the city. Conn
"details cannot be given in an article of
Eope; and the purpose will be more
billy TO give general information as
\ nilroad situation, the development
z,oad enterprises, and their relation
material prosperity of the state.
history Of railroad development in
5urthwest is the history Of the later
Spment of the country. No other
has been so powerful in adding 70
hilton, in opening UP new and rich
hcsy, and in developing market for
ns products. Until there were rail-
the greater part of the Northwest
argion of remote and scattered set
mts, With crude means of communities
sith unconventional ways of living,
Without many OF the better influences
cdern civilization. In this country of
rivers, steamboats, were early used TO
z the products of river lands; and the
station was naturally connned almost
asisely to lands on navigable water
mes The fertile soil few miles hack
70 all practical purposes. q barren
q aud the mountains of coal and iron
~ Is vel have been hills of sand. The
dsrfal covering of timber, spread over
entlR region west OF the Cascades,
iN only part of the abundant wealth
country that WAS at all available;
therefore, numbering was the earliest
aiacturlng industry. 1t has been
zsary IN later years, however, 10 pene-
ne vast forests with logging roads in
10 secure the best timber; and
iore, railroads have performed
nall part in the growth and mainten-
o. this primitive pursuit, now en-
2 INTO an industry of gigantic dimen-
Railroads have brought hither
senihs Of our new population; rail-
are expected TO be the chief factor in
'ng aud transporting the immigration
iutare. In the construction and
snon Of railroads vast sums are ex-
go ana disbursed, and the effect of
expenditure is invariably prosperity IN
slches OF business. The activity and
1'ai prosperity of every community is
a0eat N a very large degree upon
was No encomiGm can be heaped
me energetic men who build rail-
'n31 more than do justice 20 their
pflse, their hberahty or their public
40 acknowledgement of the vast
nee and Importance OF their projects
= made that will allow them too
credit or do them TOO great honor.