The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1897-08-19
ROAD TO TIE GOLD Hill
Civil Engineer Hall Says the Work is
Being Well Done.
LITTER FROM ROBERT BRUCE xILROY
Osher KsonAyke News wisH Lscal
Ceanecsloas Hop Transacsions
aaA Prespecss - Nsses RegarAing
she Dsnasng 81 swauk mines.

OF the printing and stationery for use of
the commissioners who have in charge
the construction Of the state road across
the Cascades at the Natcheez pass. was
$35. The HERALD printed this on au.
thority that WAS considered reliable, but
Mr.. Stephenson says the printing bill
was but SIS. This 10 not % bad, being
only about $l4 so in excess Of the sta
tionery really needed. There has been
considerable comment regarding the
manner in which the money is being ex-
pended upon the road. II it is being
placed to the best advantage the work
accomplished will be the best vindication
Of the state road commissioners. Mr..
Stephenson, however, wants to be placed
before the public in different light from
that in which some Of his critiques have
thrown upon him and 20 he employed
Engineer Hall to view the work and re.
port upon the same. The following is
the report:
Gentlemen: Having been appointed
by your honorable body to view and re.
port on the work Of the state road now
under construction in Yakima county
and known 40 the Gold Hill road, / beg
to report a. follows:
Commencing at this end Of said road
where it starts from the 2S-mile post. and
end OF the county road which passes up
the north side OF the Natcheez river, l
find from there to Hanging Rock about
seven miles OF almost finished road and
one mile of road lin short sections) vet
to be finished, one-half mile of which ia
very heavy grading, with considerable
blasting. From Hanging Rock, about
four and one-half miles, there is about
one eighth mile Of grade finished. The
remainder yet to be built 10 mostly easy
work.
l have made approximate estimates of
cost Of constructing said road, as near
as it could be done without making a
careful survey and cross section OF the
same. From point Of beginning to the
foot of grade near Hanging Rock, es.
innate the cost at $l4l5; from foot of said
grade to Hanging Rock, 800; cribbing
around Hanging Rock. $500; from Hang.
ing Rock to Edgar Rock, AZ miles. $7O4 ;
cribbing at Edgar Rock, 1888; making a
total from beginning to head of Edgar
Rock, 1902. From Edgar Rock to
Dumping River. from the best informa-
ton have been able to get, it will cost
approximately 5000, making a total cost
to Dumping river. q distance OF about
IL miles, OF 1862. OF this distance
there has been constructed and nearly
finished miles, costing $7193 81; leaving
. balance, to finish all work to Dumping
river OF 1882 63.
The work under construction, as we'll
q that already finished, shows that it is
being done in coed substantial and work
manlike manner, and will compare fav-
orably with similar road work where
there il only q small allowance to con-
struct rough and costly road. have
measured all the grades on that portion
that 10 nearly finished, and find them,
with one exception, no sleeper than sew
eral OF the grades this eide on the
county roads. The width OF road on
grades 10 as wide on the county road this
side, which in both cases in several
places should be little wider.
As to route Of location, there is not
much to say. In my judgment there 10
no better up the Nstchez river. There
can be no question rs to the north side Of
the river, even though the cost was much
greater, as it is altogether inpracticable
to cross and re-cross, as bridging is quite
costly and very likely to be washed out.
Ferrying at high water. Of the class tina t
would most likely to be used up there for
several years to come is always dan.
gerous.
AS to the proper tools to work with !:
They have about what 10 necessary for
that class Of work, and all in fair condi.
ton. The average number of laboring
men from beginning is IL to Is per day.
There were II men at work while | was
there. In my judgment there should be
from 20 TO 80, while in their present
camp, situated about one-half mile above
Hanging Rock. The laborers receive
81. so per day and board themselves, 1t be.
ing furnished them at So per week, which
is very reasonable, az most OF the sup.
plies have to he brought from North
Yakima. There are plenty of vegetables
to be had along the route, and at reason
able rates. The camp 10 we'll located,
and the cooking and dining tent seems to
be kept clean, provisions being furnished
on the tables well cooked and in as neat
manner - the surroundings will permit
The amount expended for labor, sal
aries, etc., is t7O9.37; incidentals, $40;
total $7l9.37.
Many thanks are due State Road Com
missioner Stephenson and Superintendent
D. A. Ball 70. favors extended in
the way Of information furnished, and in
showing me over the located route.
Very respectfully submitted,
j. N. HALL,
Civil Engineer.