Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/296

 the Pacific Coast in 1893. Mr. Villard gave the Northern Pacific the benefit of his financial genius, but not until James J. Hill, a controlling factor in its affairs, became its manager did it realize the hopes of its first stockholders. For many years, Mr. Hill perceived the advantage of a "down grade" route to tidewater and when the time was ripe he began the construction of the North Bank line from Spokane, Washington, to the Columbia River at Pasco and thence down the north bank of the Columbia River. This was a most difficult engineering task; but Mr. Hill was a man of indomitable energy and great foresight, and all obstructions were finally overcome.

Completed by James J. Hill, This enterprise called for the construction of bridges across the Columbia River at Willamette below Portland, but they were built, and the "James J. Hill Special" crossed the Columbia bridge on December 5, 1908, the event being celebrated at Vancouver with speeches, brass bands and fireworks. The bridge was put into regular service on December 1 7. 3oon afterward the North Bank road acquired the Astoria and Columbia River railroad which gave the "Hill interests a continuous line from St. Paul to the sea on a down grade route through the State of Oregon. This was the consummation of Mr. Hill's great desire, and gives all Oregon, together with its other railroad connections, the advantages in transportation which its natural position commands and deserves. Mr. Hill will be JAMES J. HILL