St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-13
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.


As late as 1870 the only means of
transportation northwest of st. Paul, in
that vast region now known as the
Northern Pacific country, was the Red
river cart. There were no settlements
for agricultural purposes west of Du-
luth, nor in the Red river valley, where
the lands were still covered by Indian
titles, and the hostile Sioux had UNI
molested sway from the Missouri to the
mountains. Indeed. as late as 1876 Gus
ter and his brave band marched to their
death from the frontier post situated
within five miles of what is now the
capital Of North Dakota.
The country then almost unknown,
northwest and tributary to St. Paul.
has become the greatest grain-produc-
Ing region on the face of the earth. In
every portion of the globe reached by
rail or water the products of its mills
are found on sale; and from the sup
posed barren plains and the bad lands
thousands of carloads of fat cattle are
annually shipped. Farms and ranges
have been opened, and towns, villages
and cities have sprung up, and frontier
settlements have grown into states.
The Twin Cities, the pride of ali who
know and appreciate the Northwest,
have had greatness thrust upon them by
and through the development of this
great Northwest, resulting from the
railroad construction Of the past twenty
years. They have been the great agen-
cies TOR development. leading the way
to the prosperity which followed.
The Northern Pacific had its early
griefs, from which it partially recovered
and was pushed on to completion, so
far as connecting the lake and Pacific
ends of the line was concerned; but its
track requl red surfacing, its bridges
were temporary structures. the mount
ain divisions required the construction
of expensive tunnels, it had no terminal
facilities, its credit was again ruined,
its stockholders clamoring and its bond
holders alarmed.
This was the condition of the North
ern Pacific when Thomas F. kes was
called into its service as vice president
and general manager in 1888, and
through his wise discretion it was then
kept out of the hands of receiver.
Through his well-directed energies its
track was surfaced, its temporary
bridges replaced by perma nent Struct-
ures, and new ones built--that at Bis
marck costing $1,000. 0O0-splendid ter
minal facilities were provided at st.
Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth. Superior
and Tacoma; tunnels were cut through
the mountain ranges. and other perma-
nent improvements added. For these
purposes fully Sl5, 100000 was required,
but the credit of the company, main
tanned by his careful and conscientious
management, was sufficient for every
emergency.
Branch lines reaching out toward and
into tributary regions added largely to
the business OF the road and were neces-
sary to the completion of its magnificent
system.
Then came another time of depres-
sion. Business interests in every line
and in every part Of the continent suf-
fered. Some of the strongest financial
institutions failed. Railroad intereste
especially suffered, and scores of lines
passed into the hands of receivers. The
Northern Pacific suffered with others.
There was the natural loss from the
prevailing conditions, and the further
loss resulting from the two newly es-
tabliShed competing lines the Great
Northern and the Canadian Pacific
both contending at all of its terminals
for through business. 1t is not surpris.
ing that under these circumstances it
too. went into receivers hands.
Mr.. Cakes was wisely appointed one
of the receivers, but just now there is
pressure to displace him, but nc
greater harm could come to this mag.
nificent property than the accomplish.
Dent of this purpose. His management
has been careful, honest, popular; and
| until the present fearful times came
upon the country there was no failure
| to provide for any maturing obligation
or anything essential to the good OF the
company or its patrons. He is popular
on the line. but has become especially
endeared to the people of the terminal
cities. He has listened courteously to
every interest claiming his attention,
and has justified every legitimate hope
that he would do the right thing at the
right time.
His retention is decidedly in the in
terest of the property he represents, as
the parties interested will practically
| and sorrowfully learn if he should be
| displaced.