Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-12-15
CLEARWATER SHORT LINE
Something About the Northern Pacific
Branch Which is Heading for
CamaS Prairie.

is still operated by the construction
department. The telegraph line
has been completed to Orofno, a
distance of 30 miles from Potlach,
which is the point where the
Clearwater Short Line leaves the
Palouse branch. The Clearwater
Short Line is the official name of
the road. and seems rather sig
nifcant in view of the proposed
cutoff from Missoula.
An order has recently come
from Chief Engineer McHenry,
changing the names of several
of the new towns. The naming Of
new towns is the exclusive prerog-
alive of the chief engineer, and
Mr.. McHerry has evidently decid-
ed to follow out the fad Of Indian
nomenclature. Once in a while
he drops into geology. The town
OF Basalt is geological, as is also
the name Contact, for this is where
the basalt meets the granite form
alton. Somebody called the
settlement at the mouth of the
north fork Of the Clearwater,
Joseph, in honor Of the Indian
chief. There was big kick from
Agent Stranahan, who does not
want to see Joseph held up as a
distinguished hero, on account of
old scores against him as a rebel
opposed TO the general government.
Chief Engineer McHenry called
the place Ahsahka, meaning
"mouth'' in the Nez Perces Ian
guage. Grcer's Ferry has been
changed to Weippe, which means
Gland of the camas." Kamiah is
an Indian name, and is not
changed. The good Scotch name
of Stuart is changed to Kooskooskie
which means ''little water" The
town of Orofino remains the same
and is Spanish for "Iine gold
With the completion Of the tele-
graph line from Potlatch to Orofino,
that part of the Clearwater Short
Line is practically finished. AS
further evidence that the Northern
Pacific intends this road for it's
main transcontinental line, the
magnificence of the depots now
being built and the extent of the
side tracks that are being laid are
cited. All the depot buildings are
handsome from an architectural
viewpoint, and are larger than any
present demands would warrant.
The big rock cut, over which
there was SO much trouble from
land slides, is almost clear again,
and ready TO receive the rails.
Construction trains have been
running around the obstruction on
q "shoo fly.0 The grading has
all been finished between Orofino
and Stuart, where the middle and
south forks of the Clearwater
meet, a distance of 33 miles.
Track laying is to be hurried
along. Rain has interfered seri-
ously with construction work, for
laborers refuse to handle pick and
shovel in the rain. The Orofino
tunnel caved in again, and it will
take fully month to get daylight
through the hole once more. Nell
son Bennett has the tunnel contract
but is not losing money. On the
contrary, he made the profane
remark that God was on his side,
for he gets the price of rock work
while removing loose earth.
The last cave-in of the tunnel
was AN unfortunate thing for the
construction department. The
hole, which is 32O feet long, was
all clear, and the portals were
ready to put in, The workmen
had laid down their tools and wert
preparing to go to the clubhouse.
Suddenly there was crash and
the whole side of the mountain
came tumbling down. Immense
pine trees fell fully 1000 feet
down declivity that was almost
perpendicular. 1t was fortunate
that no lives were lost, because
there was no warning of tn,
avalanche of earth. Even if til.
portal had been in place, it il
>lusfttful if it could have withstoot
Lbe force of the shock.
mis- estimated that track layin,
will be finished by January 5. Ii
the first 10 miles there are three
bridges and trestles. At jim
Ford creek there will be a della,
Of three days for bridge building
At Big Canyon, there will be ,
long trestle and at Lolo creek, i
bridge 120 feet long is to be built
For the next ten miles there vii
not be even eulvert. The las
Ii miles has numerous bridges
Kamiah bridge will have two span
of 155 feet each and draw 20,
feet wide. This will be tn,
bridge across the middle fork o
the Clearwater. At Lawyers can