The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-25
TIES AND TIME CARDS
Interesting Talk About The Railroads
at MisSOula
BUSINESS is VERY GOOD
Division Headquarters Tell Once
More of Prosperous Times
Troubles with Landslides
and the Like.

ouarters have n lively look once more
after the comparatively easy time that
has been the result OF the light tralnc
during January and the early part oil tue
present month. On both the Bitter Root
and Coeur d'Alcne branches there has
been decided revival of business lately
and as these lines are important ieeuefs
TO the business of the main road AT inns
point, traffic has responded all along me
line and trainmen are buster than they
have been since the rush of shipments be-
fore the holidays. There is larger de-
rnand for cars on the coast, and empties |
are being sent westward as fast as they |
can be obtained. No delays have occurred |
for n long time in the handling OF tho |
roads business, except one OF seven |
hours last Wednesday, which was the re-
suit of the wreck of the %, the cast bound
freight. in Washington. No. was just
behind il and was held until tho track
could be cleared. The wreck occurred 10
miles north of Ellensburg, as the tram
was running around curve. a mass oil
earth and rock, loosened by the frost, had
fallen upon the track and was not discov-
cred in time to stop the train. 1t was
O'Clock at night and darkness hid the OBJ
struction until it was too late.
The accident would not have oc-
CURED in daylight, but happening rs
, itadid the wreck was complete. Engineer
Hendricks Jumped and told Fireman Fitz-
morris TO do likewise. Hendricks struck
on his head on the rocks and was knocked
senseless. The fireman has not yet been
found and he is supposed to be under the
engine in the Yakima river. A brakeman
also Jumped and broke his leg at the
mike. Five freight cars and the loeomo-
tive we're thrown in the river and num-
Der of other cars were badly injured. EItz-
morris had been firing in the Tacoma
yards. This was his first run to Ellens-
burg.
This sliding of earth and rocks from
entertainments and cuts is the greatest
danger with which railroad men have to
contend at this season OF the year
Watchmen are stationed at the most dan
perous points, but the jar of train may
loosen a mass of rock after the Waterman
Inns passed and the track may be blocked
before the next train comes along. EX-
treme caution is necessary on the part OF
eucinemen and trainmen, and the run
from Missoula to Hope is hard
one for them just now, the
constant vigilance that is necessary
requiring the unremtting attention of the
men from the time they get their clear
ance at Missoula until they pull into the
yards on the shores of the beautiful lake
at Hope. Superintendent Crimson, in
speaking of this matter to STANDARD
reporter the other day, said: 1--WE have n
very careful lot of men on the road, and
thus far not a single accident has oc-
Cured as a result of the effect of the warm
weather on the slides and loose banks.
There are certain points along this dit
vision where we naturally expect sides,
al n watched
great care. big stone usually is tho
landmark which the trainmen select, and
il this changes ever SO little II is regarded
as an indication that the bank is loosen
ing, and the roadmaster is informed"
The fact that there has been so little
snow on the hills this year, while 1t obvi
ates the danger from snow slides, makes
the liability of damage from frost all the
greater, and there are already evidences
that the section men will have plenty oil
work this spring in getting tho road5ed
into shape again. The trains are all run
ming close to schedule time, however, anC
the road is said to be in better shape nov
than ever before.
Chief Dispatcher Donkin took advan
tagc Of the brief respite afforded by thu
lull in business last month TO have his of
fees renovated and now they are brigh
with all tho efTulgence of new paint an,
calsomine. II doesn't look natural, but /
is n decided Improvement. Seated at hi
desk in tho midst of all this unaccus
toned splendor, Mr.. Donkin talked rlil
roading tine other day to a STANDARD re
porter. III has been the best winter tina
We have ever had said he. "rhere ha
been no snow AMI the blockndcs whic
have annoyed Us in past seasons hav
been entirely unknown this time. Eve
on the Occur d'Alcnc branch, our train
have been on time and II seems as IL W
wore to make mp this year for all Oh
troubles of last season. Everything
running smoothly and there has been II
hitch on this division. Ii is n might
pleasant change from year ago, whe
the floods and the Coxeyites and the strik
were all upon US N rapid succession"
The Missoula depot Is a busy place LAT
IN the afternoon now that the net
schedule is IN effect. The Bitter Ro,
train comes in at AIS and the CoeI
dAlenes at :J5. Almost before the rus
of the transfer of express and baggas
has been made, the overland cNprc'
pulls IN and the easibound passenge
who have come an on the branch train
leave at once for their destinations wit
out the tedious delays which were niece
saryunder the old ume card. 1t is, Z
the whole. the most satisfactory arrang
rncnt that has ever been made for th
town and the prospects are ihlt there "
be no change made this season, the pre-
ent card being perfectly satisfactory To
concerned.
The convenience To the travelling pub
il great aud there has never been lc
kicking over time card than there
over this one. But the greatest loo
benefit Of tho present arrangement
probably that which the Bitter Root sh
pers enjoy. They are now able - gath
their fruit and vegetables IN the morui
and land them m Anaconda and Bu
before 10 o'clock the same night. /