Source: The Daily Mining Journal, Marquette, MI
Friday, August;10, 1888
PWPL Micro Film Reel 33

Over It's Own Track

Mr. J. A. Latcha, chief engineer and superintendent of
construction of the DSS&A, has just received instructions
from vice president Calvin S. Brice of New York, to go ahead
and build the road into Duluth or rather West Superior, as
quickly as possible. The road is all ready completed and in
running order to Iron River, in WI, where it makes a junction
with the Northern Pacific. It has been the intention to use
the track of the latter from the junction to Duluth, 43 miles,
but the recent changes in the DSS&A Ry., ownership, it has been
rather evident that the Northern Pacific people were not
disposed to put themselves out any in an” endeavor to
accommodate the South Shore route. ‘The determination to build
at once and to be entirely independent of any other company -
is undoubtly caused by the facts stated above.

A very careful preliminary survey was made some time ago
from Iron River to West Superior, a line being found which is
shorter than the NP, easier to build and easier to maintain.
Mr. Latcha has telegraphed Mr. John F. Stevens, the chief
assistant engineer, and three or four parties will be put to
work on the locating survey immediately, The line will not
start from the junction all ready made with the NP, but ata
point several miles this side, where a more direct line can
be run with a savings of about three miles in the distance
between Marquette and West Superior es compared with the route
via the South Shore and the NP. From the Iron River to the
Brule is a sandy country, easily built over. At the Brule
the South Shore will again reach the NP, the tracks probably
running within 600 feet of each other there. From the
Brule west the line runs through a clay country and the
construction will not be as easy. Eetween the 15% and 20% of
this month Mr. Latcha expects to have the contracts for the
construction of the whole forty miles let to some responsible
party and active work commenced. There will then be about
ninety days oefore snow flies and every effort will be put
forth to have the iron laid and the track will be ballasted
by that time.

The decision of the company to build its own line to
Duluth will undoubtedly result in a postponment of the new
line west from Nestoria, at least so far as through train
service is concerned. As there are many homesteaders along
the line and a certain amount of local business to be done,
the company eill undoutedly put on accommodation trains
for the time being between Nestoria and Iron River Junction.
The immediate construction of the line into West Superior
will please every one interested in the road. Marquette has
pe 2 Over Its Own Track, August 10, 1888

a little selfish interest in it because it will prolong the
residence here of Messers. Latcha, Mitchell, Hurlburt and
others connected with the construction headquarters, besides
bringing a good deal of additional business into the city this
fall.

DSS&A Ry.