Chapter III: Scenery

The aesthetic side of railroading has undoubtedly a large commercial value, and in this instance it will be secured without additional expense. It will certainly prove a valuable factor in the obtainment of passenger traffic. From the city of Seattle to the Columbia River an ever changing succession of magnificent and surprising views will meet the eye of the traveler. Indeed, I believe that the scenic attractions of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway will stand pre-eminent among all the railroads on this coast.

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Mr. Mohr's report opens up a region almost unknown heretofore, which is shown to abound in the finest timber, to possess superior agricultural lands, and to give indications of rich deposits of coal, iron, and the precious metals.

All the reports I have seen from Washington Territory confirm the impressions I first received in regard to its wonderful resources.

W. H. RUFFNER

LEXINGTON, VA., Dec. 13, 1880.

SEATTLE, W. T., Jan. 9, 1889.

DR. W. H. RUFFNER.

_Dear Sir_: In relation to your request for such additional data as
may be of interest in connection with your Report, especially such
data as relate to the changes in population since the time of your
visit here a little over a year ago, likewise relating to new
developments in the plans of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern
Railway Co. and other matters of interest, I respectfully state the
following:

The immigration into Washington Territory since December, 1887, has
been very heavy, and while there are no statistics showing the
number of immigrants, except such as have taken up their residence
in the towns and cities, I am, I feel sure, not far from the truth,
when I estimate their number at 65,000. Of this number,

Spokane Falls has received about 8,000
Seattle " " " 10,000
Tacoma " " " 7,000

The remaining number may be assumed to have been distributed about
as follows:

To the various small towns east of the
Cascade Mountains 7,500

To the various small towns west of the
Cascade Mountains 6,000

To the agricultural and mining regions
east of the Cascade Mountains 16,000

To the agricultural, timber, and mining
region west of the Cascade Mountains 10,500

The usual proportion between the populations of country and towns
in Western States and Territories is as three to one (roughly
estimated); this would indicate that the towns and cities have
received more than their fair proportion of the entire immigration,
and this is true. The consequence will, therefore, undoubtedly be
that of the immense immigration predicted for the year 1889 a
correspondingly larger percentage will reach the rich agricultural,
mineral, and timber lands of Washington Territory, and thus
restore the proper balance.

Since Mr. Whitworth's report and yours, an additional cable
railroad and an electric street railway have been started at
Seattle, and quite a number of new enterprises have been commenced.

At Spokane Falls considerable terminal facilities for the Seattle,
Lake Shore & Eastern Railway have been added, a system of warehouse
and mill tracks has been agreed upon between the Northern Pacific
Railroad Co. and the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway Co. to
be built and operated jointly by the two companies, a new cable
street railroad has been projected and partly built, and about five
miles of street railway has been placed in operation. Extensive
improvements in the development of the water power are in progress,
several new bridges have been built, and a general air of
prosperity pervades the place. To indicate the importance of the
business of Spokane Falls it is only necessary to state the fact
that this city has paid nearly $1,750,000 to the Northern Pacific
Railroad during the year 1888 for freights and passages.

The Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway Co. has decided to build
a branch line from some point near the crossing of the Grand
Coulee to the Okanogan mines (Conconnully district), about seventy
miles, work to be commenced as soon as the main line shall be
completed. This feeder will command a very extensive business,
perhaps equal to the enormous business of the Coeur d'Alene mines
which is now enjoyed by the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Since Mr. Whitworth's last report to you, considerable development
work has been done upon the Grand Ridge mines 2-1/2 miles east of
Gilman and adjacent to our railroad; the vein developed is four
feet thick and furnishes a hard, compact coal, superior for
domestic purposes to any coal yet found in that section. Shipments
commenced last month, and the prospects for a heavy output are very
flattering.

The Spokane Division of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway,
extending from Spokane westwardly, a distance of forty-five miles,
is practically finished; trains are running regularly, and as soon
as our motive-power and cars can be disengaged from the work of
"ballasting" we will be able to do considerable business.

Very respectfully yours,

PAUL F. MOHR,

CHIEF ENGINEER.

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TRANSCRIBER NOTES:

Missing punctuation has been added and obvious punctuation errors
have been corrected without note.

Archaic, obsolete and misspelled words have not been changed.