The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-18

Eventful Trip OF the Paymaster Over
the Great Northern.

Eventful Trip OF the Paymaster Over
the Great Northern.
+. A. Davis, of ST. Paul, paymaster of
the Great Northern road, and X. II.
Nowlan, of Spokane, assistant to Superin-
tendent Farrell. arrived in the city last
night and are stopping at the Arlington.
Mr.. Davis trip was eventful and one long
to DE remembered. Speaking of it last
night he said:
left st. Paul Just three weeks ago tomorrow
We were showed in for nine days IN the Rockies.
east OF Spokane, and encountered the coolest
weather ever experienced. The thermometer
registered ~ deg. be- zero, ana strong wind
was blowing. We encountered more snow in the
Cascades, but the weather was warm and
not breath of air was stirring.
The snow was damp in falling and chung to
everything 1t touched. The forests were clothed
in white, every stump had a cap upon it and
the scene as whole was very beautiful. The
snow was very deep, ranging from seven to
twelve feet. We had hard work coming up the
summit from Wenatchec and we were three
days going seven miles, from thirtieth siding to
couple OF miles this side of thirty first siding
and We had two hog engines. one standard loco
motive, a snow pillow and gang of eighty men.
At this point. which is the first siding on the
other side OF the switchback. we could go no
further, and we started to hoof 1t through the
snow. My car was sent to Spokane and, with
eight men to break trail, we started up the
hill. The snow was about ten feet deep and it
was slow work getting ahead. We started
at o'clock in the morning and 1t was dark
when We got to thirty-foursh siding. which is
on this side of the mountain, about eight miles
from where We started. We stayed there that
night and next morning resumed our journey,
reaching thirty-ifth siding at noon. Here we
met Superintendent Farrells gang working
eastward and came down in his Car yesterday.
gang of ffty-nine men had been imprisoned
by the blockade at this place before we came
along. In order to get something to eat they
had to break their way through ten feet OF snow,
using boards to rake the snow down in front
and taking turns about in the advance work.
West of the thirty fourth siding we struck an
avalanche after it had come down the mountain.
1t is about 600 feet long and extends clear down
into the valley. which is filed up. and is now
about fifty feet deep OF the track. The gang at
this end OF the road has just about reached this
big snowslide, which will take a long time to
clear away. There are no rotary snow plows on
this side of the mountains, and the work must
all be done by hand. East of the Cascades we
have four rotaries. but one is now in the shops
at Spokane being repaired. When it comes out
it will not take long to clear away
the snow on the track until it
reaches the avalanche on this side.
Here the snow Is too deep. and no doubt there
are rocks and trees mixed amongst il, which
would prevent it's operation. The work of re-
moving this mass by hand will be very slow, as
il must be showed on to cars and only few
men can work Mt a time, Just like driving a
tunnel. Moreover, the mass OF snow above the
track will be likely to come down fast as it is
cleared away
The men along tho road were very glad to see
US, as most of them had run very low in funds
on account OF the delays along the road. Ishall
II
Spokane over the Northern Pacific. where will
take my car back home.