The Railroad That Stole Our Land: How Seattle’s Interests Blocked Snohomish’s Future

THE LAND QUESTION.

We ask all renting of the Public Lands. We risk all renting of the Public Lands for the benefit of anybody, should be made available and become sources of wealth to various settlements in this end adjoining counties. Our correspondent has hinted at the reason why these lands have not already reverted back to the Government, viz: the opposition of Judge Jervis. There is a more subtle reason still. Judge Jervis, Seattle, the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad Company, and a majority of King county, opposed having it reverted back to the Government as they united the more grant to be turned over to the tender mercies of the last named road.

Now, we would like to see the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad built; but if it can not be built at present without robbing Snohomish, Island, Whatcom and Jefferson counties of one-half their landed heritage, nine-tenths the first agricultural region of Western Washington, and second to no other region in point of mineral wealth, then let it not be built at all. These railroad lands will revert back to the Government. There is no doubt about that. A portion of King county's lands are gone to the Northern Pacific Railroad, and no doubt Seattle would like to build her railroad across the mountains at the expense of the counties north of here. The people here will have something to say about these chestnuts. They will not allow their paws to be burned for the benefit of Seattle and the Walla Walla Railroad if they can help it.

DEAR SIR:

August 13, 1870, the N.P. Railroad Company had its withdrawal of lands made, under the Act of May 31, 1870, from Portland to the north line of town 25 north. In February, 1872, this withdrawal was extended north to Bellingham Bay. After the Company had selected Tacoma as its terminus, the Company had its withdrawal made through the Skagit Pass for its branch road over the Cascade Mountains... Sometime in May last the Company decided to change its route for its branch road over the mountains from the Skagit Pass to the Natchess Pass, and on November 24th filed its abandonment of the former route and its relinquishment of all claims to lands by reason of the withdrawal therefor...

The intelligent sentiment of the Territory, without regard to locality, is in favor of the land; it appreciates the many advantages which will speedily follow the completion of the railroad East; it realizes that the franchises given the Company have cost the Territory nothing... The people believe the paramount interest of the whole Territory is to have the road constructed, and to that end will endorse, earnestly and urgently, the passage of the bill for the extension of time with franchises as granted originally by Government unimpaired.

I believe I have given you all the information asked for, relative to the present and prospective status of the odd sections in your locality, together with the reasons why they have not been relieved of the claim of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company before this time.

Very truly, L. P. SMITH & SON