Madison Street Gets a Cable Line
A new franchise is granted to build a cable railway from Front Street to Lake Washington.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
On Saturday a franchise was granted to J. M. Thompson and associates to construct a cable railway on Madison Street, from Front Street to Lake Washington. The company which is to build the road will be organized during the coming week. Among those interested in the formation of the company are Bailey Gatzert, Jacob Furth, H. G. Struve, A. B. Stewart, J. M. Thompson, J. C. Haines, Judge J. P. Hoyt, M. J. McMichaels, R. H. Denny and Dr. M. P. Mason. The intention is to incorporate with a capital stock of $200,000. It is proposed to make this road first-class in every particular. The cars will be fitted up in the most elaborate and tasteful manner for the comfort of passengers. The power will be located either half way out to the lake, near Kenyon’s claim, or it is to be built at Lake Washington.
“The cars will be fitted up in the most elaborate and tasteful manner for the comfort of passengers.”
This marks the birth of one of Seattle's most vital transit arteries. Madison Street remains a primary corridor, evolving from cable cars to electric trolleys to buses, reflecting the city's perpetual growth machine.
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