The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-15
True Meaning of the Great Nor
thern's Branch Lines.
OUTLET FOR MANY MINES.
Route From wenatchee Up the
Okanogan Is the Key TO System
That Will Furnish Transpohta-
tion TO n Vast Mineral and Agri-
I'm Connection with Big Camps.

Special Correspondence Post-Tntelligencer.
LOOMS, Wash, Aug. IA report from
Spokane states that the Wenatchee route
has been selected for the Great Northern
extension to Republic. and reader not
conversant with the surveys made by that
railroad during the past year would be led
to infer that Mr.. Hilfs sole object was to
give Republic rail communication. II IS
apparent, however. that Mr.. Hin is seek
ing. by these surveys to give an area OF
more than rs 900 square miles railway facil-
tiles. and at the same time forestall any
move that might be made by the Northern
Pacific in extending the Washington Gen.
trail to the Columbia river and thence up
the Okanogan to the international bound
airy line. II being conceded that the CON-
pany which first builds an extension up
the Okanogan will control a large mineral
and agricultural tract. II is understood
that in selecting the route from wenatchee
Mr.. Hill first will build the main branch,
following the west bank of the Columbia
river to near the mouth OF the Okanogan.
thence up the Oksnogan to a point known
as Parry's, about fifteen miles due east
or LOOMS. From this point II Is about
forty miles TO Republic and Toroda, and
thirty miles from Chesaw and Bolster.
nfteen miles to Loomis, thirty miles 10
the Golden Zone mine. at the base of Mt
Chapacca. fifteen miles 10 Conconully.
and Ruby and twenty-five miles to Keller.
while from Ives landing on NE Columbia
river. to Winthrop and the Methow mines
Is between thirty and forty miles. Thus,
by the building this year OF 100 miles Of
railroad from Wenatchee to Parry's. upou
a water grade. which can be constructed
at minimum cost the Great Northern
can forestall all ether lines, and can take
It's time to build subbranches TO the Me-
thow. Keller. Chesaw, Ruby. Conconuily.
Republic, LOOMS, Orc. Bolster and TO
rooa, ana at such time as the development
OF the country will warrant the expendi-
ture. The survey has been made so tho.-
oughly that 1t is known that each ana
every one Of these places can be reached
upon peg cent grade. and the total
length OK these subbranches will not ex-
ceed 200 miles, while the entire Is 100 sauare
miles will be amply supplied with rail
transportation. and with less than 400
miles OF railroad. the construction OF
wnich VIII be at surprisingly small cost.
TO those most familiar with the sltua-
ton 1t Is not believed that Mr.. Hrl vii,
construct more than the first 100 miles the
present season, and may not do so until
the coming lprfng. Much will depend
upon what action the Northern Pacific
may take with reference to the Washing
ton central: but that he will certainly
construct this fall or next spring Ia known
as surely as such matters can be known.
In this connection II would be well to
recognize the fact that this system OF rail-
road Is being puilt. not for the sole benefit
OF any one OF the various mining camps,
out TO assist in development OF territory
containing iozen mining communities.
each or equal Importance. and not only
Will II assist in developing the various
mining camps, but there Is also an inn
mense agricultural acreage to be served.
as well as grazing lands, and the various
other industries arising from the growth
OF all. Nor will the benefits OF the sys.
tenn OF railroads above outlined be wholly
to the interests Of the SECTION pene,,stni
Seattle and spokane Will equally benefit
by II, as 1t will be a field favorable 10
wholesale merchants OF each Certain N
is this part cf Washington now only
needs rail connection with the outside
world to make II one Of the most I'm
portant sections In the state II not IN the
whole Pacific northwest.