The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01

raeo.na 10 Stuck junction, where it met the
seattle line. This short line became famous
the orphan road. there being NO
aa.norlzed parentage, as the Northern
racine had no franchise for a branch road
line. u Tue MAN
IL soon became evident that the sole
purpose of the corporation was 10 au;et
me endtavors still being made 10 wrest the
unearned Lands from it. When the neo,,le
awoke TO realization of the real rnotiva
their indignation knew no bounds AL
though the rails were actually laid anlv
the uirnsiest pretense was made Of RUNNING
cars over it. In 1854 vigorous effort was
made by Seattle. A fund was subscribed
TO send Hon. w. H. White as a speeial
emissary to Washington Civ. A ,ele-
gram was received during the meeting AT
which the resolve was formulated from.
President Harris of the Northern Pacific
promising to push the Cascade division ia
completion. Seattle offered to coutrihute
$4,000 toward completing the road
through the Stampede pass. which was in
keeping with the old agreement and
was a test of the company,s sin
cerity. The effect would have been
fork east of the mountains. of which one
prong would extend to Tacoma and the
other TO Seattle. This was not accented
Mr.. White reached Washington CITY inst
about the time the corporation had sue
ceeded in inducing President Arthur to
appoint commission to examine the Puy-
aliup road with view to its acceptance as
part of the Northern Pacisc. 1t was 1T
once seen that the result would be comm
nation to the company of their claim to
oi0,oO0 acres of land in King county, valued
at Slo,ooD,O00. The Seattle Chamber of
commerce, under the Craftsmanship of A.
MacKlntosh, telegraphed a vigorous re-
monstrance to the president, at the same
Tune resembling its previous friendly reso-
luton, on the ground that 1.-THE representa-
lions made TO the chamber were false. and
the company was not acting in good faith"
L he action was effectual, and the road has
never gained its Object.
Seattle suffered very much during the
next TWO or three years, however. The rail-
road was powerful enemy, and it re-
sorted 10 every device TO keep the city in
check. Tacoma was growing fast and no
pains were spared to develop it at the ex-
pense OF the older city. Not only were
lreightrate burdensomely heavier, but de-
lays and annoyances of all kinds harrassed
Seattle merchants Trains missed connec-
ton, goods were unshipped at Tacoma and
LETT In warehouses, TO be sought for by cor
respondence and messengers. mails were
sent astray. and for time it looked as if
Seattle must succumb.
With the untiring spirit and courage
which has characterized her people, how
ever. another attempt was made, and the
Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern railroad be-
gun upon the limited capital of 100000.
1t took year and half TO get the scheme
into shape, and was long known
as the paper road" 1t was con-
ceiyed at a time of extreme depression,
however, and served TO stimulate the peo-
pie. 1t was hard work competing with
traEscontinental line subsidized by mill
ions of dollars worth of land. Capitalists
in the East who had no interest in COM
mon with the people of Seattle, looked
upon the project as chimerical in view of
the apparently impregnable position of the
Northern Pacil4c. It served cool pur-
pose in its time, and although it has passed
practically into the possession of the old
enemy of Seattle, the city has grown 10
such proportions that it can command a
certain amount of respect from the CON-
pany.
This, in brief, is the history of Seattle.
1t is story full of incidents which have
only passing interest for the 10000 peo-
pie who have settled within the city's
limits since that period. 1t is a story,
nevertheless, which should be known to
every newcomer. The grand record it az
fords of hope under the most dispiriting
circumstances. of pecuniary sacri-ce, of
patien. endurance and undaunted cour-
age. cannot be surpassed by any COM
munity. Ii explains why the city has
grown from hamlet to metropolis so
rapidly, il accounts for the strong fellow
ship existing between the old settlers who
endured and fought side by side, and it
must inspire all who read its pages with
the same pluck and determination TO
grapple with obstacles which beset the
career of the individual as they beset the
career of the indomitable people upon
whose efforts have been laid the nrm
foundations of great city.