Spokane Falls Fights to Be the Gateway to the Coeur d'Alene Mines

The time is near at hand when that arrogant corporation, aspiring to be chief among the towns at this upper coast, will be compelled to play second fiddle even to the despised Spokane Falls.

An item has again had circulation through the channel of some over-zealous paper giving the distances to the mines from various points on the railroad, in which Spokane Falls is put down at ten miles from Eagle City, and other places at shorter distance until the trip is cut down to 30 miles. Despite this false statement, made for the purpose of misleading strangers, those who wish to get into the mines with the least difficulty and hardship come to Spokane Falls to make the trip. At the present time there is no good trail into the mines. When we say this it must be understood that we do so on account of the terrific storm that has raged hereabouts for some days, which has had the effect of making all the routes difficult to travel. However the impediment is only temporary, and in a few weeks the spring thaw will erase some of the snow and ice. When that change takes place it will be discovered very rapidly from what point access can be gained to the mines with the least difficulty. We have no fears regarding the accessibility of the mines from Spokane Falls. Men are now out making surveys and preparing for the necessary grading to lay out a direct stage road from the Post to Eagle City, a continuation of the road from this place, and when in shape, which will be in only a short time after work is practicable, Spokane Falls will have two routes into the mines, one by the way of the lake and another overland, with stages running directly into the camp. The new road crosses the river but once, and that near Eagle City. In the spring, when other roads will be impassable from swollen streams, the traveler will find a direct route from Spokane Falls to the mines with a distance not over 70 miles, that will be made in easy riding coaches in a few hours.

We have watched the attitude of the Portland daily papers, with the one exception of the Standard, in reference to the connection of Spokane Falls with the new mining district. They never have one word to say in favor of this place as an outfitting point to the Coeur d'Alene mines, and take every opportunity to call attention to some other point on the railroad as a better place from whence the camp can be reached. It would seem hardly possible that the would-be city on the sluggish creek, with the amusing importance of a Chicago or New York City, and a real existence founded upon a very uncertain future, is envious of our back-country frontier town. While all the efforts of these papers have had no perceptible effect in turning the tide of mining immigration from the Falls, yet in every way they have persistently pursued has had for its object the injury of our city. In spite of the frantic efforts of various stations on the Northern Pacific road and the aid extended by Portland, Spokane Falls continues to hold its place as the outfitting point to the mines, and, moreover, when those other places are lost in memory, this city will continue to be the chief and best supply centre for the great North-west.