The Struggle to Free the Snoqualmie Pass

An action was begun by Prosecuting Attorney John F. Miller yesterday in the superior court in the name of King county against the Seattle & Walla Walla Trail and Wagon road to condemn that portion of it which runs from the village of North Bend to Snoqualmie Pass in order that it may be made a county road. The complaint alleges that the defendant is a corporation, and that about the year 1888 it constructed a toll road; the complaint asserts that the road was improperly constructed and that today it does not in any degree meet with the needs of the people. It is claimed that, by reason of neglect, the defendant has allowed fallen trees to lie across the road and has done nothing for the removal of pools of water, leaving the road at times wholly or partially impassable for public travel. The plaintiff sets forth that it is desired to build a public highway for the convenience of a large number of citizens who have settled along it, and that such a highway would be of great use in the facilitation of commerce. The complaint concludes by praying for the appointment of a jury to condemn the needed land and to appraise such damages as the defendant will suffer by reason of the taking of the land for this public purpose.