The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-15
Over the Divide on the Occur
d'Alene Branch.
IT BEGGARS DESCRIPTION
: Scene Beheld Once Only in Life
time-Ihe Climb Back in the
Early Morning Over
Dizzy Trestles.

over the Idaho Montana divide on the
Occur d'Alene branch. 1t is a magni-
ficent ride at any time, and at this sea-
son OF the year, with the mountain tops
all around tipped with snow and the
valley below green and free from any
suspicion of winter. it is especially at
tractive- Last Thursday night, as the
train from Missoula pulled over the
summit and started down the steep
grade ON the other side for the quick
drop into Mullan. the scene was one that
beggars description. Behind the lofty
peaks of the western mountains, ahead
OF the train, the sun was setting in
clear sky. Below. the valley was dark
ening In the gathering twilight but all
around and above the mountains We're
bright with the last rays Of the spring
sun. Gradually the clear light changed
to pink and then faded into gray as the
train dropped down the grade into the
damp of the valley. When Mullan was
reached ii was late twilight, but the inn
preston created by the picture that was
presented to the passengers as the train
mounted the divides crest fingered with
the travellers and was the theme for an
animated discussion
1t was such scene as is beheld only
once in a lifetime. Every condition was
perfect and the ordinations OF delight
from the passengers We're frequent and
did not cease till total darkness encom-
passed the train and the terminus of
the long ride was approaching. Then
supper engrossed the minds of the pas
sengers. but their thoughts more than
once reverted to the picture that 1t had
been their good fortune to witness. Ii is
not likely that any of them viii ever for
get ii. Even the brakeman who sat
on the top OF the last car as the train
rolled down the grade-and he has seen
years-was constrained to remark that
1t was pretty thing"
Another view of the same landscape
Is presented in the morning. as the train
climbs back out of the Occur dAlene
valley, ii the traveller is sufficiently
awake to take an interest in 1t. Satur-
day morning, as fife train pulled out of
Mullan with its load of ore from the
mines of the tributary camps, a Stand
ard reporter climbed into the cab of the
big hog" that, under the control of En-
gineer Cheney. draws the daily trains
back and forth over this wonderful
piece of railroad DESTROYS Of seeing the
country from the front md OF the train.
He was slowed away on the swing seat
of the fireman and, wrapped in a great
coat that a brakeman had given him
and with cap pulled down over his
ears, the newspaper man settled himself
TO enjoy the ride.
1t was early, too early. In fact. But
the Northern Pacific runs these trains
as best suits its own convenience and
does not consult the wishes of even the
newspaper men in making UP its sehed-
ules. IL it did. this train would not
leave Wallace SO early. As il is. the
only way that n man can be sure of
catching it Is to sit up all night for II.
lie can do that easily enough in Wal
lace and have plenty of company. They
-. n
they would not have ii man sit up and
be lonely. even IL they had to go home
after the departure or the train with
stories of sitting up with sick friend.
Well, this particular newspaper man
had caught the train--no matter how.
lie was awake and Was Snugly settled
in a corner of the cab of the engine and
was ready to enjoy the trip. The load
behind the hog was an average one
There were 10 cars of concentrates IN all
and they We're heavy.
Daylight was just breaking when the
huge locomotive started out of Mullan
with its laden train. The picture of the
previous night was reversed in the gray
light of morning. The shadows of the
evening scene had become the strong
lights and the points that had reflected
the bright rays of the setting sun We're
now in the shade. II was like Il differ
ent place entirely. Up the grade from
Mullan station the engine tugged it's
load. Past the ruins OF the old Hunter
mill; out into the woods, where now and
then tie camp was passed or little
settlement OF men who set out timbefs
Tor the MINES WAS passed, ON through
Inc deepening timber. damp with the
moisture OF innumelable springs that
send down their waters in myriad
streams around the first wide sweep of
the track as II winds It's way up the
mountain side-the engine laDofing all
the Whiie ike magnificent animal en-
uoWea Win intelligence.
AS the tram takes this turn glance
backward reveals the line Of the track
as IL mas ITS way up the narrow val
icy. winding IN ana out along the little
stream whose course ii follows. and "A
look ahead and upward shows two lines
OF toftuous railway hnding It's way to-
which, AT best, rs steep enough.