The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-03-16
Railroads in
North Dakota.
Extensions Will Be Made By the
Various Lines.

GACellolOilo VIII Dc MoAiG Dy 1nC
Various Lines.
A North Dakota correspondent
says tt e following Of the substan-
tial increase in railroad mileage
this year: During the winter and
early spring period the editors
have been regaling their readers
with some pipe stories of exten-
sion, but in all the chaH there is
considerable wheat, and the peo-
pie Of the state are feeling posi-
tive of much good work being
done by the Northern Pacific,
Great Northern, 500 and the
Washbnrn road.
The. Northern Pacific is expec-
ted to do more than the other
roads. There has been more spec
ulation about the future extension
of it's Minor line from Oakes than
any other work. Last year
when the line reached Oakes it
was reported the company would
do no more work in that section,
as it merely wanted to connect
the gap with the branch line from
jamestown to Oakes.. Since then,
however, there have been rumors
Of extension; at least to the Mis-
souri, river. Glendale people hoped
to secure the line through that
town, but others have asserted
that the exten sicn vculd be direct
from Oakes to the Standing Rock
Indian agency, few miles beyond
which have been recently dis
covered the. best coal beds in the
state in enexhaustible quantities.
The coal there is beyond the hg-
mite stage and compares favorably
with Iowa and Illinois soft coal.
With branch line tapping the
fuel beds i'll that territory the
Northern Pacific would practically
CONTROL the coal trade of the state.
Added to this have been rumors
lof still further extension Of the
line into Montana to connect with
the main line and form a shorter
route to the Twin Cities than the
existing one. Of course the lat
ter is regarded as chimerical.
Other reports of extention to tie
Missouri river country in the
southern part Of the state have
been rife. Some have: supposed
that the present Southwestern
branch would be heightened from
Edgeley into Mcintosh county
and then into the new coal fields.
This would open up a. splendid
ranch and farming country now
controlled by the 500. Still others
have discussed the probability Of
the company continuing the ex-
tension made last year, southwest
from Casselton, and running that
line to the Missouri. This would
give the shortest route to. Stand
ing Rock, but would not strike as
good section of the state.
It is practically certain. that the
Northern Pacific will do more
work on the Sanborls-C Cooperstown
line, which has been built to Nc
Henry. Engineers have been max
ing survey from McHenry to
Oberon on the present jamestown
Northern branch pf the Northern
Pacific. This would connect up
the brauch lines and the new line
would run up the Antelope valley,
whice is one Of the best wheat Sec
tions Of the state, not even except
! ing the Red river valley.
The Bowdan branch, west from
Darlington, via syKeston, will be
made longer and run into McLean
county to accommodate the thou
sands Of new settlers going into
that section. II may 90 as far as
iWashburn.
Besides the work outliucd, there
is q revival Of interest in the old
!! plans to.shuilI an i addition to the
III aiqestown e. Northern lips to
Leeds straight torth toward Dun.
ssith, lin the Turtle inpnnt tain
country Effcrts have be5n made
for a uu'uler IS yeayas y secure