MAY 29, 1911 – Yesterday was another gala day on The St. Paul – the inauguration of through passenger service to Chicago via the Olympian and Columbian trains, both of which offer the utmost in luxurious traveling accommodations.

Having some business to transact in Spokane, I rode that far on the Olympian. Coming in on the train I read with great interest a pamphlet issued by the Railway entitled "New Towns and Business Opportunities." It described openings in all lines of endeavor in the towns that have sprung up along the transcontinental line. It is evident that the St. Paul is very active in bringing new business and professional men as well as farmers to Montana, Idaho and Washington.

I found Spokane's amazing growth typical of northwestern enterprise. Downtown streets were crowded with the wagons of farmers, beer trucks, heavy drays, carriages and even automobiles, indicating the city certainly is prospering.

OCTOBER 18, 1914 – President Wilson's proclamation of neutrality seems to assure our staying out of the war in Europe ...  The St. Paul and other transcontinental railroads have had quite a surprise that undoubtedly will be reflected unfavorably in their earnings. The Panama Canal has been opened to traffic of all nations at a nominal toll and is not restricted to military movements as many of us thought it would be. It looks as though the government intends to foster inter-coastal shipping at the expense of the Railroads.

Images from

"The Trail of the Olympian"

- Entering the Rockies, Montana

- Emerging from the Cascades

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