The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-15
A WEEK In THE SNOW.
Great Northern Train Arrives
After a Hard Time.
DELAYED BY MANY M.sHAPs.


After weeks delay IN the snow OF TIE
Cascades the Great Northern passenger
train due in this city week ago yesser-
day arrived here 81 5; 10 O'Clock yesterday
afternoon. Attached 20 the train was the
private car Manitoba, containing General
Traffic Manager W. W. Finley and his
party OF Eastern agents Of the road, now
on an excursion to this Coast in the interest
OF the road. The following general or dis
trict agents comprise the party w j. Byrth,
Cincinnati: Z. III. Tucker. Cleveland; l.
W. Lake. New York City, j. III. McAdoo.
Pittsourg: ]. II. Grace. Philadeiphia:
Jane. Young. Milwaukee, and L. W.
Campbell. Chicago, besides F. Sincone.
Mr.. Finley's private secretary. The party
registered at the Rainier hotel and Will re
main in the city couple of days. after
wards visiting the coast towns from Van
couyer 10 Portland. Mr.. Finley acting Is
"chaperone," TO use his own expression
The story of the blockade was told py
Ar. Finley at the Rainier las. evening.
His party arrived at the mountains on
Thursday and found the road blocked. the
difficulty having been caused by an acct
dent two DAYS before. An engine jumped
the track between Berne and Cascade tun-
mel. which are five miles apart. the latter
place being the beginning OF the switch
back on the eastern slope. The engine
was derailed while running Of the main
track and at place where it was difficult
TO work TO get the engine Up. All
the rotary snowp!ows were below. toward
Leayenworth. and the derailed engine
prevented them from passing up to keep
the track clear Of snow. When the track
was finally cleared the train went on to
Cascade Tunnel, where the rotaries passed
ahead TO clear the switchback, where the
snow had been aecumulating tor twelve
hours. In doing this the rotaries got off
the track several times At the different
switches. causing vexatious delays. The
passengers meantime remained at Cascade
Tunnel, where the business portion of the
town consists of grocery store, a saloon
and boarding house. Each day the train
from the East brought in more passen-
gers. who were transferred to the
waiting train. which consisted of
hrst-class sleeper, tourist sleep
er. iirst-class coach and privats car.
besides the baggage car. Mr.
Finley says the dining car was welt sup
piled with provisions and the passengers
Jared we'll, amusing themselves by taking
EXCISE in the snow and snow baliing each
other. On one occasion a large party
went some distance TO an old barn and had
dance. quite number of ladies being in
the party. When the swiichback was
finally cleared the train passed over the
summit in raging snowstorm, left the
snow at Skykomish and came on to Seattle.
the passengers numbering eighty-six per
sons. Among them were ID. II. Gilman,
on his way home from Wenatchee, and ].
+. Pratt, engineer of the coast and geodetic
aurvey, returning from Washington City.
Mr.. Finley says that but for the acct
dent which prevented the rotares from
reaching the switchback aud allowed the
snow TO accumulate. there would have
been no delay. He thinks there wall be no
difficulty in keeping the line clear in the
future.