Old Missoula

A Notable Man

Connected directly and personally with the construction of both the Northern Pacific and the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget Sound roads through western Montana is one man whose record in this particular is without parallel in the history of railway building. W. O. Winston of the Winston Brothers company was in charge of the building of the original line of the Northern Pacific through western Montana, twenty-five years ago; the driving of the golden spike at Gold Creek brought to a successful completion his part in the work. This month, within a mile and a half of the spot where the last spike was driven in that notable work, Mr. Winston was a member of the party which witnessed the laying of the last rail in the transcontinental line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, which he had built through the same country in which he operated in constructing the first line so long ago. The record is interesting and the fact is in testimony to the worth of this man whose life has been spent in railway building. While congratulations are due Mr. Winston upon the completion of his second successful undertaking in this district, it is equally due to Missoula to be congratulated upon having had so good a friend in charge of both pieces of work which were fraught with significance so great to herself and her future.

The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian May 30, 1909.