The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-09-05
MILWAUKEE MAKES
PUBLIC ITS LINE
NORTH YAKIMA ON BRANCH ROAD
Will Shorten Route to Coast BY
Using Lind CutoY to
Ellensburg.

After many months of delay the
route of the Chicago, Milwaukee G.
st. Paul from western Montana
through eastern Washington has
finally been announced, and con-
struction work will Immediately
be commenced at Rosalia, Whit
rlan county, by Grant, Smith
& Co., which firm has su3-
contract from H. Henry of Seattle,
who has been awarded the main con-
tract from the Bitter Root mountains
to the Columbia river.
Neither North Yakima nor Spo-
kane will be on the main line, but
both Of these cities will undoubtedly
be reached by branch lines. The
identity of the mysterious corps Of
surveyors working in the Mckee val
ley last month is believed to be dis
closed since the announcement Of the
route has been made. Railroad men
now declare that 1t was undoubtedly
a Milwaukee corps running line to
connect North Yakima with the pro-
posed main line.
A most interesting feature OF the
route is that the Lind cutoff will be
used. For many years the Northern
Pacific has been running lines, seek
ing to obtain satisfactory grades over
the cutoff, but without success.
The Milwaukee will shorten the
distance over the Northern Pacific
line between Lind and Ellensburg
by approximately 95 miles.
The road will parallel the North.
ern Pacific's Occur d'Alene line from
Missoula, Mont, to point near Sal
tese, Mont, Just east Of the Idaho
Montana line.
From Saltese the line runs south
by west past Stephens peak through
the Bitter Root mountains. Engin-
GERS have reported that it will be
the lowest pass that has been dis
covered anywhere without a long
tunnel.
After getting over on the west
slope Of the mountains the line is
said to come down the north fork of
the st. Joseph river and follows
down the st. Joseph itself past the
town of Terrell or st. Joe, as 1t is
variously called.
From that point, it is said, the
road continues down the ricer
toward st. Maries, but near the
latter point, cuts to the west
ward and goes over the rolling
hills to Tekoa, Wash. This would
take it through the Occur d'Alene
Indian reservation.
At Tekoa the st. Paul would con-
meet with the o. R. & N. II, as re-
ported, the st. Paul should come I'M
der the Hartman influence, the ST.
Paul might use the o. r. & N. for
getting into Spokane, pending the
completion of its terminal line. Te-
koa Is 40 miles from Spokane.
From Tekoa going west the main
line of the st. Paul will reach Rosa liza.
As miles from Spokane, where it will
intersect with the Northern Pacific
and also with the western or Colfax
stem of the Inland Empire electric
railway. The Palouse stem of the
same system will be crossed between
Tekoa and Rosalia. 1t Is not i'm
probable that some arrangement will
be made by the st. Paul for an in
terchange Of passengers with the
electric line at Rosalia.
From Rosalia west the route con-
tinues on through a splendid stretch
Of wheat growing country. and trav-
erses Rock lake on its southerly side
There is considerable speculation
as to where the Columbia river will
be crossed. It is believed, however,
that Crab creek will be followed
down the east side to the great In
land waterway of the state.