The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-29

this syndicate are Joseph L. Colby. of
Cleveland, and Charles L. Colby and Col
gate Hoyt, of New York. Made up of
men of large incomes, this syndicate has
back of it practically unlimited capital.
The Colby iron mines at Ironton. IN
Northern Michigan, among the largest
producers OF iron ore in the United States,
are the property of this syndicate.
The estimated cost of the fifty-six miles
of railroad between Monte Cristo and Ev-
erett is between 81 800 900 and 100000,
and the road is built for the single purpose
of opening the mines of Monte Cristo. 1t
requires but a trip along the line and
glance at the topography of the country
at its eastern terminus TO perceive that the
road could well have no other purpose.
The valley of the Stillaquamish is narrow
for the most part not more than two
miles wide--and shut in by high ranges on
either side. Though the soil is rich, the
limited cultivatable area would support
no large population. The valley in which
Monte Cristo lies is still narrower, and
would hardly admit of cultivation at all.
The extension of the line eastward again,
to join a trunk line, is practically barred
by insurmountable mountain walls. So far
as Monte Cristo itself is concerned, the
prohibition is absolute. The district forms
perfect pocket. to which there is but one
opening-that to the west, through which
the railroad gains admittance. To the
east are barriers 5000 feet high-barriers
for which five miles of tunnels would
hardly provide an exit. 1t has been sug-
gested that a spur could leave the present
line at the "summit'-that is to say, at
the low pass between the Stiiiaquamish
and the Sank, six miles below Monte
Christie, cross the river and run along the
beach down the south fork to the juno
ton six miles below, turn about up the
north fork, over Indian Pass and join the
Washington Central extension of the
Northern Pacific. The route is not I'M
feasible. and Indian Pass is one of the
lowest through the Cascades. But its
eastern slope is difficult of ascent, and it is
for this reason that both the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern have, after ex-
tended surveys, chosen higher but more
accessible over-the-mountain routes.
But whatever be the feasibility of the
idea noted, there is slight probability that
it will be put into execution at any early
date. The Monte Cristo road is built sim
ply as a connecting link between the
smelter and the tide water at Everett and
the mines here. The site for the smelter at
Everett has been chosen and the work of
construction begun. A smelter company
has been organized with capital of $780,
OO0-Joseph L. Colby, president; ]. III.
Hoyt, vice president: A. L. Dickerman,
consulting engineer; c. F. Rand. secretary,
and w. G. Butler, general superintendent.
The personnel of the company is the same
as those controlling the mines here. Three
eighty-ton furnaces and five roasters will
be erected at once, provision being made
for enlargement as fast as the shipments of
ore shall demand. The site chosen is on
the waters edge. with ample dock space
for receiving foreign ores.
The general character of the Monte
Cristo ores is largely concentrates, at q
rough estimate about 60 per cent, and &C
cordingly at this end of the line a large
concentration will be erected at once. 1t
will have present capacity for the reduc-
ton of 200 tons of ore per day, and will
cost about $3.50, 900, with ore bins and all
complete. Provision will be made here
also for enlargement to meet the produc-
tion Of the mines. The site selected is on
Glacier creek, about 500 feet above the
"forks."
The mines range up the two basins at
distances above the concentrator varying
from the Rainy, about 1000 feet, to the
Pride of the Mountains, about two miles.
To convey the ore from the tunnels to the
concentration and shipping bins an extern
sive tram system will be employed. Be-
tween three and five miles will be put in
place as soon as the appliances
can be shipped The trans will be
automatic in their nature, carrying
the ears up and down by main force of
gravity. Many of the tunnels are at an
elevation Of two and three thousand feet
above the coal bins. The trans will carry
the ore from these heights sheer across the
town, dumping at the foot of the hill.
Upwards of 5000 will be required to put
in the trans already provided for.
So far as the present activity of the camp
concerned, the very large part hinges
on the coming Of the railroad. With the
iron horse will come all the heavy ma
chinery required for the concentrators and
other work, and most of all, cheap sup
plies. AT present everything must be
hauled over mountain roads by wagon, a
distance of fifty miles from rail. Feed as
well as food, everything, in fact, has to be
teamed in. AS the inscription on the
hairless head of the historic small boy ran,
'there is nothing here"
There are at present between IS and 100
men employed in the mines and on the
townsite. Until the new clearinghouse is
done this is all that can be accommodated.
After that, what with graders and car
penters the town will doubtless be lively
enough. The present indications are that
the railroad will be through and trains
running by the LIST of December. Super
inteudent Allen. Of the road, was here the
other day and risked his reputation for
yeracity, besides. l believe, suit of
clothes, that the line would be in at that
time.
This means an active camp this winter.
Night and day shifts are now at work on
some twenty-five tunnels. in order to get
them in shape to work after the snow
comes. Concerning this snow you will be
told some tail and deep tales-eighs and
ten feet of them. or the snow, on the dead
level. and twenty-five or thirty feet on the
hillsides up to several hundred in the can
yons. Last winter the fall was unusually
heavy, and the snow still lies on the tons
about, flashing u white radiance each,
whittier the eye turns.
THE SITUATION AT COAL CREEK.