The Industrial Engine of Snohomish

Without doubt, the firm of Blackman Bros., composed of H. Blackman, E. Blackman, and D. E. Blackman, in their extensive lumbering, milling and other operations, have done more to stimulate the growth of Snohomish than any other firm or individual that could be named. They are natives of Maine, and located here with their families in the fall of 1874. In the spring of 1876, owning a fine body of timber surrounding a small lake about a mile north of this place, and also the right of way for a logging road from the timber to the river, they commenced the construction of the first logging railroad—on which wooden rails were used—that was ever successfully operated in the Northwest. The now famous 'Blackman First Car Truck,' which was the result of the inventive genius of 'Cap' Blackman, was first used on this road. The car was brought to its present state of perfection after many expensive and discouraging failures. This firm has also patented a locomotive for use with the car, and several are now in successful operation on the Sound. The railroad and cars introduced by Blackman Bros. are rapidly superseding the primitive skid road as a means of moving logs from the woods to water, especially in Washington Territory and British Columbia; the mechanism of the car being such that it can be used on a road that costs but a trifle more than a common skid road. Two span of mules with a car can haul as much as eight oxen can on skids, and do the work more easily and quickly; while with an engine that costs not over twice as much as a first class team, quadruple the work can be done.