Feeling somewhat anxious, of course in the interest of the readers of the SENTINEL, to know what progress had been made since the railway work commenced last May in this locality, we left Emory Tuesday morning for the Suspension Bridge, 13 miles above Yale. The day was cool and pleasant, and we enjoyed the trip.
In consequence of some uncertainty, as yet, as to the particular approach to Emory, the road work is not quite to the town site limits; however, we understand the answers to certain queries is daily expected from Ottawa, when, no doubt, the road will tap Emory at one point or the other.
The road near Emory passes along the west bank of the Fraser river, sometimes near the edge, and again a few hundred yards in, giving, all the way to Yale, a splendid view of the water as it rushes towards the Gulf of Georgia. The distance is about 4 miles between Emory and Yale and no great difficulty of an engineering character has to be overcome to build this part of the road; both the earth work and rock cutting are, comparatively, light; hence the force of white men and Chinese that have been employed have made good headway—the bed of the road is ready the greater part of the distance, and timber and ties are being got out as soon as possible. In the meantime the rock cutting, etc., progresses favorably.
Passing Yale Creek, in the east end of the town, work is far advanced to No. 1 tunnel at the Gorge, left elbow in the Cariboo road; the temporary track is here laid, as many places west of Yale, and the dump cars are utilized. The tunnel now assumes shape, and already 32 odd feet are entered at the west end and 34 at the east side, so that at no distant day the opening from end to end will be completed. The work is steady, and great care taken to see that all is safe and the work well done. Notwithstanding the men in immediate charge are experienced, Messrs. Onderdonk and Bray pay constant visits and see that their instructions are carried out. A few hundred yards up the road is No. 2 tunnel, at the next bend in the Cariboo road. Between these tunnels considerable work had to be done to keep the wagon road open. At the west end of No. 2 a commencement is fairly made, but at the east end of No. 2 over 30 feet have been entered, and, as the tunnel is to be a small one, a short time will see it completed.
The first company boarding house is near Yale Creek, where Mr. Murphy in charge accommodates over 120 men, and close by are extensive stables for the railway teams, which are numerous and well provided for. The next boarding house is 1 ½ miles up the road, and is commodious, two stories high, and can house several hundred men. The Chinamen, as west of Yale, are by themselves, in tents along the road. Of course blacksmiths’ shops are to be found scattered all along the line of the road, especially near tunnel work where sharp drills are so necessary for progress in rock cuttings. We understand the rock in the tunnels, so far, is of a hard nature, requiring strict attention. The blasting generally takes place toward evening, when a certain number of holes are ready to let off at a time, thus economizing time and guarding against accidents.
Near the 3-mile house the railway follows the old wagon road for a distance, and it was found necessary to construct a new wagon road, which was done accordingly, a fact that is the case at many points along the line. At the time the Cariboo road was built in ‘62-3, etc., the edge of the river had to be followed, sometimes quarrying out a passage along the foot of a mountain, again filling in along the edge of the water, forcibly reminding one of the American Skagit route along Devil’s Hole. Sour Dough Mountain, and places where, report would have it, travellers have to cling to the edge of rocks, if not "hang on by their eye-brows."
It required good engineering in early days to build the Cariboo road, and it certainly calls for first-class talent to construct a railway along the same route. We know something about railway difficulties east end of Canadian Pacific Railway, but they are not to be compared with the work up the line in this country.
The 5-mile boarding house is pleasantly situated, with a fine stream of water form the hill-side conducted by a trough into the building. Here we met our young friend Mr. Alfred Whitlock in charge, whom we had met in early Spring going up the Skagit route. Convenient to the 5-mile post Mr. Cambie and party are tented, and have certainly a nice location upon the bank of the river. As we passed along we met part of the force busy staking out work for the railway men. Continuing along in that locality, we occasionally passed men at work, mostly Chinamen. At places considerable headway had been made with railway construction, while at other points it seemed as if work had just commenced. We soon reached the pioneer lime-kiln, and found Mr. James Lemmon and his assistant busy turning out that article, which is pronounced to be of superior quality. It was at this place the lime was burned that was used in building the Suspension Bridge in early days. A mile further up the road Mr. E. Suske and force have burned two kilns, and has a quantity of No. 1 on sale; the same party are, also, extensively engaged in burning coal. There is an abundance of wood, some of Douglas firs being very large.
We soon reached Spuzzum, (which derives its name from a Chief,) 9 miles from Yale, and here we found a few scattered buildings along the road, with a small church, occasionally attended by the Rev. Mr. Good, while in the valley at the mouth of the creek is quite a flat that looks as if it had been washed there from higher places. The remnant of a few inferior structures are in sight. The land looks as if something might be raised, years the river was not too high. The "Spuzzum Bridge, 1875," is over a very attractive stream that comes foaming from the mountain side, and only that this country has so many beautiful scenes one would love to linger around such places. Crossing the bridge and ascending the hill we found, on our right, half a dozen neglected-looking buildings of small size, one receiving a new roof would look like brightening hopes for the natives—while to the left quite a number were busy upon railroad work; the location is pleasant, and, doubtless, enjoyed by the celestials.
A short distance further brought us to Mr. McLeod’s camp, where the "tented field" was again brought to mind; but here was one of Nature’s delightful spots, and every tent looked "so cozy," the velvet sod around, and the cedar branches covering the floors of the tents, while the trees cast their protecting shade above; books, pipes, pictures, etc., were visible, but more pleasant still, the pleasant looks of Mrs. McLeod, Mrs. Binder, Mrs. Bushby, and the merry voices of the children, all indicated the contentment that reigned in that quarter. It was here we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. S. T. Tilley and Mr. J.W. Mitchell, both gentlemen evidently enjoying excellent health, and pleased at their present abode. But alas! another week breaks up the pleasant party, as Mr. McLeod is under orders to move to Spence’s Bridge, some 70 miles up the road, where it is hoped he and his friends will find another pleasant place.
At the 11-mile post we found Mr. Oaks busy starting up the first railway saw mill, and witnessed the first slab cut off; the patent is "Union Iron Works," San Francisco, and is evidently a genuine article; furnished with plenty of steam power, the extensive forest of fine trees will be gradually turned into desirable lumber, now much wanted along that line. Mr. J.K. Nelson is the sawyer. We noticed three yoke of fine large cattle drawing up logs. A mile further on we found Mr. Isaac Van Volkenburgh with a force of men preparing the shop, yard and slaughter-house for his company to enable them to carry on their railway contract and supply the neighborhood. Quite a large force of white men and Chinamen are engaged in that vicinity at present, working upon the road, cutting timber, making ties, etc.
Reaching the 13-mile suspension bridge we found excellent railway stabling and feed for our horse, and an excellent dinner for ourself. We had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of Messrs. W. Trayner, R. Jesse (in charge of office); Mr. Fitzstubbs, etc., and spent a pleasant hour. Close by is No. 4 tunnel, about 50 feet, and a couple of miles further on the 1,600 foot tunnel, supposed to be the most difficult upon the road; the approaches upon either end, also, will be nearly 200 feet. Mr. T., who has had an experience of a score of years of railway work, stated that he had never seen such a difficult road to build; however, he is preparing roads to the large tunnel, and will have an increased force at the tunnel work in another week. Steam drills are coming from San Francisco that will make the "mammoth rocks quake."
We believe Railway contract Section A to Boston Bar is 29 miles; sec. B to Lytton 29 miles; sec. C 4 and half miles above Cook’s, 28 and half miles; and sec. D end at Savona-ferry, 40 and a half miles making the 127 miles. Mr. Keefer’s party is located 17 miles from Yale, and Mr. Hamlin’s party at Boston Bar. Mr. Bray goes up the line next week to open work at a couple of additional points. It is intended to prepare for fall and winter camps near Boston Bar and other up line places. At present Messrs. Onderdonk and Bray are up and down the line almost daily and their stretches will soon be lengthened. Generally speaking the railway work is progressiving favorably. Occasionally some of the white men get riled at school tax levies that bears unjustly, as we have pointed out last week, and the late dissatisfaction among the Chinamen was cause by some of their own countrymen trying to take advantage in trade. However the work goes steadily forward.
We understand that there are a trifle over 1,300 names upon the Railway Company pay roll; a little over half that number being Chinamen. A few Indians and half-breeds are also employed, principally assisting to get out timber, or chopping along the right of way. In localities along the road fine timber is squared and stored for bridge purposes, etc.
To those of our readers who are not familiar with the Cariboo road we would say that the scenery, so far as our observation goes, is grand beyond language to describe: to the right is the river bounding and dancing along as it foams past the rough rocks bathing their feet in its turbid water upon either side. Upon our left hand are to be seen ‘oceans of rocks,’ while across the river ‘a sea of mountains’ towers up into the air—some times bald and bare, with a rough look, and again covered with shrubbery, often presenting a pleasant sight to passers by. Numerous streams dart down the mountain side and are white with foam when they commingle their crystal water with the dirty Fraser. While gazing at the juvenile Niagaras one has to put the check-line upon poetic ideas or the imagination might take flight and enthuse thusly: "What a glorious place for washing sheep N-i-a-g-a-r-a Falls would be!"
