Source: The Mining Journal, Marquette, Mi., October 30, 1886, Saturday
More About the New Railroad
Concerning the new railroad to be built in the Upper Peninsula between Duluth and S. S. [Sault Ste.] Marie. The contract for which was one of the results of the sale of the M&M RR. [Mackinaw & Marquette Railroad Company], in this city last Wednesday, mention of which was made by the Mining Journal, a New York dispatch to the Chicago Tribune has this further intelligence. A syndicate of which C. R. Cummings, president of the Union National Bank of Chicago; Calvin S. Brice and F. P. Olcott, of New York; James McMillan of Detroit, and Norman Ream of Chicago, President Samuel F. Thomas of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad; George I. Seney and A. D. -duttiard are members, has purchased the DSS&A [Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railway Company],for the purpose of establishing a line from Duluth via Superior City, Ashland and Marquette and S.S. Marie. Its length will be 410 miles from Duluth to S.S. Marie with a branch 50 miles long to Mackinac. Mr. Calvin S. Brice said today: "This road will be a very important link in the transportation system of this country. At its western terminus it will connect to the NP [Northern Pacific Railroad Company], the Manitoba, the St. Paul & Duluth, the Omaha, the St. Paul and the WC [Wisconsin Central Railway Company]. At its eastern terminus, it will connect with the MC [Michigan Central Railroad Company] and the Grand Rapids division of the Pennsylvania. By the construction of a bridge across the S. S. Marie river it will connect with the Grand Trunk and with the CPR [Canadian Pacific Railway Company]. On Wednesday the syndicate bought as a portion of the line, the M&M RR., 125 miles in length, all completed and they have arranged with the NP for the use of its branch from Duluth to Ashland, 70 miles long. Brown, Howard & Co., have contracted for the building of the remainder of this line. They have purchased the steel and have established their headquarters at Marquette. The work will be pushed with all possible rapidity.