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The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., September 16, 1905, page 3
Map Showing the Proposed Northern Pacific Route Through Klickitat County

NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL ROAD TO BUILD
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WILL CONSTRUCT LINE DOWN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COLUMBIA,
BRIDGE THE RIVER, AND GAIN NEW ENTRANCE TO PORTLAND
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TEAMS AND EQUIPMENT SENT TO BEGIN WORK AT CAPE HORN,
AND PERMENENT HEADQUARTERS AT VANCOUVER RENTED.

A "tip" from Tacoma has keyed up to the highest pitch the expectations of those who have had inside information concerning the Northern Pacific's plans.
The information was indefinite and confirmed statements that have been made exclusively in the Portland Journal to the effect that the company will build down the north bank of the Columbia, cross that stream and the Willamette river over a new drawbridge, and enter Portland with new terminals for railroad and steamship traffic.
The information is that the next move in the great enterprise would be made by the construction forces. The campaign has already begun. This company has put surveying parties in the field between Vancouver and Lyle, the only stretch of territory along the north bank from Wallula Junction to the site of the proposed Columbia river bridge that has not been acquired by the Northern Pacific for its new line.
The Columbia River & Northern, whose recent sale to a Wilmington, Delaware, banker, acting for the Hill lines, caused a lot of speculation, figures in the game only as a feeder for the proposed north bank line of the Northern Pacific. This road, from Lyle to Goldendale, is said to be out of the question as a main line trunk, but it was in the way of the larger undertaking, and was picked up to be utilized as an important branch line in controlling the business of southern Washington territory.
Mr. Upright, the right of way agent, has been working on the right of way matters since the middle of May. He says that he has everything cleared up, with but one or two exceptions, at White Salmon, and one piece of orchard land in Clark County. Cash payments have been made for the right of way land and Mr. Upright holds a bunch of options on which he is securing abstracts of title. The proposed road, Mr. Upright says, will leave the Northern Pacific at Kennewick and follow the Columbia river to Vancouver.
The company forsees the successful termination of the government's plan for deepening the ship canal through The Columbia river bar and when this is accomplished Portland is certain to become the greatest seaport on the Pacific coast.
There is no longer room for doubt that the beginning of construction work is at hand.
When this comes to pass the railroad that has the easiest haul between Portland and the east will command the traffic situation from an operating standpoint. The North bank line, the Columbia river and Willamette bridges and the new terminal grounds and ocean docks in Portland are the main features in the Northern Pacific's plan, which is to be worked out as fast as future developments will permit.
An Oregonian dispatch from Vancouver, on Sunday, says:
The people of Vancouver have again revived their lost hope of a railroad up the north bank of the Columbia River, and are becoming enthusiastic over the matter, and besides and they have fond hopes for a bridge at this point.
From several recent movements on the part of railroad officials it is evident that some enterprise is under way. Three carloads of horses reached this city today, and it is reported that eight more will arrive some time to-night. They will be sent by boat tomorrow up the river a distance of about 27 miles to Cape Horn, where it is stated it from reliable authority that work will start Monday morning.
Constructing Engineer Bethel of the Northern Pacific, has leased rooms at Vancouver where he will establish permanent headquarters.
Every indication, however, points to a fierce and long-protracted struggle, but there is no one who doubts that ultimately the Northern Pacific forces will gain what they are going after; that this company will have a direct line from Portland to St. Paul, enabling it to meet future competition by the Milwaukee, the Northwestern and the Union Pacific with their shorter mileage and easier grades between Portland and the east.
The many preliminary surveys made by the Northern Pacific within the last year on the Portland peninsula have covered every foot of ground and offered a solution to the problem of the most economical entrance for the Northern Pacific into Portland, with a crossing over the Willamette river as the main obstacle to be overcome.
The plans of the company, says the Portland Journal, are said to be practically complete, and when consummated will have involved the expenditure of upward of $1,000,000 to make Portland its principal Pacific coast terminal.