Nov. 21, 1923: Indians would quit trails for good automobile roads

-Colvilles may ask to have their money spent for outlets to railroads

The Colville Indians, whose reservation lands bordering the Canadian line and extending south more than 100 miles, are largely isolated from the outside world through lack of railroads and improved highways, have become good roads converts and are considering petitioning the federal government for permission to use a portion of the $165,000 due them from grazing permits and other sources to construct two highways to link up the rich Colville Reservation valleys with railroads to the east and west.

This is the word brought here by O.C. Upchurch, superintendent of the Colville Reservation and himself a good roads enthusiast.

Work now is under way by the Biles-Coleman Lumber Company on a standard gauge logging railroad from Omak to Moses Mountain, 18 miles, to tap the timber country recently acquired by the company. This company purchased 500,000,000 feet of Colville Reservation timber for $1,500,000. 

HOME MARKET

The proposed highway to connect the rich Nespelem valley with the logging railroad would be about 12 miles in length and would cost approximately $20,000, Mr. Upchurch estimates. The timber workers would furnish a market for all produce raised in the Nespelem valley for the 20 or 25 years it will take to log off the land, it was declared. 

"A second highway is proposed to lead from the Nine Mile valley through Keller to Inchelium, about 50 miles, and connecting with the Northern Pacific from Keller to Wilbur, or with the Great Northern, Inchelium to Addy. This highway would cost the Indians about $25,000," said Mr. Upchurch. "Ferry county officials have agreed to do all engineering work on this highway and to assist in its construction.

"There is a movement on foot to circulate petitions in favor of requesting the government to permit use of Indian moneys for construction of these two highways. If such a request is presented by a representative number of Indians, I have no doubt the department will advance the money. I know of no better use to which the Indian funds might be put. Indications are that the request will be presented and it is not unlikely that it will be granted and work on the highways started next spring."