The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-01

ably predominate at the present time, in
the minds of the general public, al
though tnea proposed connection of the
two oceans by the ship canal, under the
direction of the United states govern
ment. suggests many political aspects
similar to those surrounding the joining
together of the Atlantic and Pacific by
bands of iron in 1861 When the de-
tails of the construction of thousands
of other railroads shall have faded in
TO oblivion. those of the Overland
Route" will become more prominent
The comparatively short interval be-
tween its original building and the more
recent construction by the Hartman
syndicate, will. as time passes, blend
into one historical event immOrtalizinS
those connected with the work in its
entirety.
The writer was recently one of a party
of railroad men accompanying General
Grenville NJ. Dodge on a trip over his
early locations of the Union Pacific
railroad. where the general viewed with
great interest the bold fills, deep cuts
and costly tunnels, carrying the line on
ne. thirty years ago, believed it should
have gone Stress of circumstances
and government intervention prevented
his professional skill and engineering
pride from taking it along these covet-
ed paths. The chief engineer at one
time resigning his position for the rea
son that those higher in authority
changed his line to the contour of the
country, undoubtedly for economical
reasons. ne was only induced to remain
by promise from Durant that no more
changes would be made.
When it is considered that Informal
ton relative to the country could be oh
tanned from the inhabitants who consist
ed wholly of hostile Indians some of the
difficulties of reconnaissance can be imag
med The Sioux were especially active
and killed a number of the locating par
ties. The army finally captured an old
chief and part of his band that had been
especially aggressive. When confronted
"A
self up to his fun stature, and drawing
his hand, edgeWiSe across his face. grunt-
ed with stocia1 satisfaction that he was
1uH OF engineers up to his mouth and
General Dodge came overland from Salt
Lake in 1861 TO meet the party consisting
of General Y. 5 Grant, Lieutenant Cen
eral w. T. Sherman. Major General Phil
T. Sheridan, Brigadier General William
Porter. Sidney Dillon. Thomas c. Durant
and a number of other prominent peo-
The wooden bridge across Dale creek. Il
Few miles west of Fort Sanders. was one
at that time. 1t was later replaced with
an iron structure and more recently with
- = - siiiltS, Soli
tanning over Sutyl0 yards, $50 feet wide al
the base and 125 feet high, with three
lines OF six feet cast iron pipe for cul-
vert Ihls MI contains enough gravel to
ballast 600 miles of ordinary railroad.
The road on the east summit of the
Black Hills has now been reDlaced with
double track the latest Improvement in
automatic e1ectro-gaS block signals pre-
Sentins a remarkable contrast to the orig
mai work band of Sioux Indians
chased General Dodge. in company with
his faithful guide. Leon Pallady, from
TINS point east down the ridge. between
the South Crow and Lone Tree creeks He
had for days been looking for 4 location
on the east side of the Rocky Mountains
and in this way discovered it. they being
able to reach the main Crow without a
break in the foothills 1t is remarkable
1act that there IS no other practicable
way the line could have gone.