The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-09-16
PLANS OF THE 90"
Chief Engineer Weeks Says 1t II Headed
for Helena Now.

Chief Engineer Weeks Says 1t Il Headed
for Helena Now.
A good deal has been written about the
Intention Of the Chicago, Burlington d
Quincy railroad western extension. Ap-
parently but little has boon said or written
that came from an authoritative source.
consequently an interview with Chief En-
ginser Weeks. Of the Blu 'lington, will prove
interesting reading 10 those who have been
watching the westward proerssa OF the 90"
mayor Huson. Of ] scoma, and Chief Engi-
NEE Weeks rode In the same Pullman car
from It. Paul to Billings the Inter part OF
July. when the mayor was returning from
his eastern trip. Mayor Huaon had an In.
terestinR talk with Engineer Weeks, at that
time. about the B~urlingten's extension.
The other day he gave q Tacoma Ledger
1eporte the substance of the interview.
which is now made public for the ii ST
time. Engineer Weeks formerly lived in
Tacoma. He and Mayor Huson worked
together on she Northern Pacific. En-
SINGER Weeks built the Missoula division of
the Northern Pacific when Engineer Huson
Was hulldln4 the Caeosde division and gu.
perintending the boring of tho STAN ede
tunnel. The part built by Engineer Weeks
extends Il ON Gar ison to Sand Point, Ida
no, and included some of the very heaviest
work on the :oad, suoh as building over the
hell Gate from Gnrrison to MISSOURI, and
down the Ciark's fork of the Columbis. the
other side of Missoula. Mr.. Weeks was
stationed In Tacoma in 1885 and 1886 as
chief engineer OF the Cascade division, ana
was succeeded by MIR. Huson in 1856, when
he left tho Northern Pacific to enter the
service of the Darlington. 1t Is hardly nee.
esanry to add that the two mon are old
friends. He 8 Is what Engineer Weeks
told Mayor Huson about the Burlinaton's
extension
II said that at ono time the Burlington
vas looking towards the coast with an in
teution of building through" sail Mayor
husou, but that just now they wee SEEK
lnR to build only hs far rs Billings, hlont.
ILey expected, he said, TO make arIangs-
ments TO get into Helena, but he said moth
ing about going 10 Butte. think myself
that the burlington WAS just on tao verge
OF builning TO the coast when the financial
strin9ency closed in on them. LOOKING tan
years ahead it looks pretty certain 10 mo
that the Darlington will ultimately get out
here. told Engineer Weeks that, but he
shook his head and SAID he thought there
were ttanscontiuertal roads enough for
these hafo times. be was not inclined to
salk about the future.
"As | understand II the Burlino-
ton d Missouri RIVER railroad Ia now
building from SherldEn, Wro.. usar the
Montana line. ard in the Big Horn valley
to Billings, on the Northern Pacifc's main
me. Inc ulSthUce Is hEont 100 miles, and
work is now being carried on. Engineer
Weeks came out TO Billiugs in July to in
spect and map out the WORK.
"A company has been organized to build
a railroad from Helena to Billings, a dis.
lance of about $50 miles. l think this ia
called the Helena Il Nilsson River Rail
road company. 1t is wo hing now. | be-
lleVe at the Helena end. The Burlington &
Missouri River railroad is said 10 be be-
hind this COMPANY. and | take il that this
is the way the Burlington intends getting
into Helena.
"EnGineer Weeks told me the two things
which caused the Burlington to ex-
tend to Billings were: First. they want
the Montana ores to mix with the Black