Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-09-20
FROM ST. PAUL
TO PACIFIC COAST
Continued from last issue. J

Continued from last isSue.)
At Helena we took on another en-
| gine to make the climb over the
highest part of the Rockies. Here
we crossed the continental divide and
without any warning this time, shot
into tunnel and were left in utter
darkness, as there was scarcely any
body but women aboard, we might
have waited in vain for the romantic.
We had with US bridal couple, but
| they had both been through the mill
before and were not at all interesting.
Trip Becomes Exciting.
Here the trip commences to be very
exciting. We pass through narrow
valley with high walled mountains on
either side or follow narrow raSs
alongside of deep gorge two hum
dred feet in depth, make several
horseshoe bends, where we can see
engine and rear coach at the same
time. We are coming to another
tunnel, the conductor orders all win
dows closed TO exclude the smoke and
gas from the engine. This tunnel is
known as the Mullan tunnel, which is
1875 feet in length and has an alti-
tude of 5,548 feet. We apass through
| this tunnel and find ourselves on the
Pacific slope. The train stops and by
looking back we can see the exit from
the tunnel from which exudeS great
volumes of smoke left behind by our
train. 1t reminds one of the crater Of
volcano. How one appreciates the
fresh air and the sunshine. We come
out on plain surrounded by noun
tains and go down quite an incline,
one engine is all that is needed now
and has only to keep out Of the way
of the train. The other one is sent
| back to Helena to be ready to take
the next train over this ascent. This
region near ElliStOn abOundS in bear,
deer, trout and small game. A little
further on, near Drummond, we
come to the Granite Mountain mining
! region, about thirty miles to the south
are located numerous granite mines.
The Granite Bi-Metallic Consolidated
Mining Company, has in constant
operation one hundred stamp mill.
A Typical Mining Town.
Drummond, is typical mining
town, located in a beautiful valley
and shut in on all sides by mountains.
At a small place near Drummond,
| Montana, we see the first western
Indians. They are all dressed in the
Eoriginal Indian garh, moccasinS,
blankets, beads and feathers, but look
very gentle. They were selling orna-
mented buffalo horns; their own work.
Now we are nearing Missoula, Mon
tana. very fertile tract of country,
which is llSaid to be great game
country, deer, bear, mountain lion,
and grouse are found in abunda nee
here.
The sun is going down behind the
mountains and our only regret is that
1T cannot be all daylight, so we will
miss nothing. We are still over five
hours late, but the conductor consoles
US by saying. ''that nothing of special
interest will be passed during the
night. unless it be sSpokane." This
time we go to bed near Missoula,
Montana, and wake up, in or near
Lind, Washington, having passed
through Idaho during the night. We
find we have also passed Trout Creek,
Montana, the line of division between
mountain and western time, hence
our first duty is TO set our watches
/ back one hour.
the Sage Bush Land.
| We have reached the land of the
sage brush, no mountains in sight
now, nothing to be seen but miles
and miles Of sage brush and wherever
one sees COW or horse or team, great
clouds OF fine white dust completely
Ienvelopes them. Here and there are
great patches of ground perfectly
barren which are closely allied to
a desert. They arc said to have sand
storms here, when the sand drifts just
as snow does in our own state. How
people can abide in this particular re-
gion is more than can see, yet where
fthis sort of soil is irrigated it produces
fruit, vegetables and alfalfa crops ir
abundance. but if l were going t6
locate in this region, would want tt
locate where the land was already
we'll irrigated and even then it mus
be running a great risk to have tn,
management of the seasons in YOU
own hands. One of our party left Vi
here to make her home among tn,
dust and sage brush, my sympath,
went with her.
Irrigated Farms.
West of Kennewick, Washington
we can see from the Car window.
great irrigated farms. 1t is magnifi
cent sight. The n. P. l. Compan,
has just completed fine canal in thi.
vicinity which throws open 14,OO
acres of fine fruit and alfalfa land
Itc rrov;rn;fy tn tho Cascades r; VOC |;