The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-18
IIN RAILROAD CIRCLES
No Decline in the Northern Pa
cifc Passenger Traffic.
NOT so MANY KlONDIKERS
The Weather Clerk Is Standing In With
the Railroad Men-Al the Rivers
Are Within Bounds-An
Improved Service.

NiiSSVhias Ia hil' ~ ~
pected decline in the Alaska emigra-
ton has come and there are fewer
klondikers on the west-bound trains
these days than there have been since
the first of the year. the coast-bound
business of the Northern Pacific con-
tinues to be heavy. There are many
people travelling this spring. more, in
fact. than would be expected under the
circumstances. The trains are not run
ming in two sections any more. but the
single sections that pull in from the
East are all well filled. and the east
bound trains, too. are carrying "A full
quota Of passengers. The local bust
ness of this division lis still holding up
strong and heavy and the opening of
the mill season has added to IL. The
new Copper City Limited Is doing more
business than was expected of IL so
early in the season and IL bid fair to
Justify the predictions of those who
have been trying to secure thiss service.
As the season advances the passenger
business. as well as the express traffic,
will certainly increase to a marked de-
gree. The Butte and Anaconda people
are already approaching the advant-
age of the new train and many of them
have made the trip this spring who
have not been i'm the habit of coming
oNtl lnlS way. IL " nDUtu lndl more
OF them VIII come and learn what "A
splendid region there is within a few
hours ride Of their homes.
The Weather clerk seems to be stand
ing i'm with the railway people his
spring. for the water is running of i'm
a manner that brings JOY to the hearts
of the trackmen. While there have
been several threatening days. when
the water in the rivers on the west
slope have approached dangerously
near the limit, i'm each instance this
far. there has followed "A cold night
i'm the hills that has checked the thaw
and held back the rush of waters. The
Blackfoot is the most dangerous of all
the streams at present. II has risen
considerably and has sent down a hood
of water that has scared the track de-
partment for a time. The st. Regis.
contrary to all precedent, is this spring
done any damage or even threatened
TO do any. The Flathead and Jocko
are within bounds. and the other
streams that the trackmen have
learned by experience to watch close
~, have not yet given any sign of
trouble.
The new passenger engines are Civ
ing good satisfaction, as far as can be
learned. The engineers seem to like
80 ~ fsA'' ~ ~ y III u al
lot of work, n doing 1t easily. The
ease with which they start heavy
trains and the speed which they main
tain almost from the start. is notice
able. even To "A layman on the train.
The service has improved much since
they have been put on and IL is now
more regular than II has been for slime
months.
One of these new Engines nearly
caused the death of n fireman on the
Idaho division Sunday. According To
the reports that ave reached here.
the crown sheet dropped and the cab
was filled with fire and steam. The
engineer made his escape by the run
ming board. but the fireman had not
time To get away before he was fear
fully burned about the arms and neck.
The fire was blown away out over the
and the train looked like y fur
mace for a short time. Another report
that the trouble was caused by
bursting OF n flue. The engineer
was not injured beyond "A few super
fetal burns.
There has been some talk of organ
IZlng an excursion from Missoula 10
the camp at Helena. hut IL is now so
late that IL il not likely that the plan
viii be carried out. The troops will
undoubtedly move before the excursion
is organized.