The Montana post., 1868-09-18

I and now has a population of 5000. We
did not see the 1900 houses, but give il
as il was impaired to us. Two railroads
at present have their terminus at Coun-
Gil Bluffs, the branch Of the Chicago and
Northwestern from st. Johns. and the
connecting road from st. Louis. These
latter place Omaha 125 miles nearer TO
St. Louis by rail, than Chicago, and we
had il from good authority that freights
| from St Louis to Sioux City, will be re-
duced one half cent less than from Chi
cago 20 get back the trade, if possible, of
which so much slipped through the fin
gers of the former city this year There
| rs still some question as TO the location
of the railroad bridge across the river,
and the transit is still made by ferry.
One hundred and one miles from
Omaha by rail is Sioux City, . bright
business town, and the present tavorite
shipping point for goods destined Tor
I Montana. 1t has a thriving appearance
and the road leading TO it traverses the
broad valley of the Missouri. as rich in
agricultural resources as the finest pra-
| iries of Illinois forty bushels of grain to
| the acre being about an average yield.
Although numerous farms are being
opened up along the route, it is % be re-
gretted that 8 very large proportion of
the richest lands are held by spectators
and the railroad company, and are not
in the market. The consequence is that
emigration is, to a great extent, drifting
past Sioux City, and crossing the Big
Sioux into Dakota, where q better sys-
TEN prevails, and large tracts of land
cannot be purchased by speculators and
held out of the market. Along the road
unimproved land can be purchased
at from So to S12 per acre, and there is
an abundance of most excellent timber
at about $50. We do not know a more
inviting field tor agriculturalists than
the lands of northwestern Iowa and
southwest Dakota, and are not surprised
at the rapid settlement of that section.
During the coming summer it is expect>
ed the railroad now completed from
Dubuque TO Fort Dodge, half way to
Sioux City, Will be continued westward
the remaining $50 miles. thus opening
up a magnificent, and, as yet, unsettled
region. Mr.. John l. Blair, of New Jer-
sey, is the great motive spirit of the
Iowa railroad, and has so far manipu-
lated his projects with skill that is
filing his pockets when corporations
would starve. As an instance; the
Northwestern railroad from Boone, Iowa
is subsidized py the government as
Pacific road, with lands and money, the
to cross the Missouri, near Sioux CITY,
and strike the line of the latter near
Fremont, AZ miles west of Omaha. Mr..
Blair built it down to within three or
four miles of the river and stopped. He
then obtained subsidies for a twenty-six
mile branch from the end of the road
south to Omaha, and also for a seventy
FIVE mile branch north to Sioux City.
while the main line was left incomplete.
Ii is his intention the coming season, il
is said, to continue the main line direct
ly across to Fremont, making forty. six
miles shorter route between Chicago
and Salt Lake than by Omaha. This, |
Omaha will oppose vigorously, as the
result would be TO throw trade and
travel far beyond the reach of that city, |
and establish dangerous rival farther |
up the Missouri.
Sioux City feels comfortable over a
trio of suspicious anticipations-the 1
completion OF the road from Ft. Dodge /
10 that place the settlement of the rich |
lands in the vicinity, and the assurance |
of that point monopolizing next season |
the shipments and river trade TO Mons
tana. The more than anticipated sues
cess of the n. w. Transportation Com
pany last season, and the universal salts I
faction given to shippers, justifies their
most sanguine expectations. The Com
pany this year shipped-ten steamer loads
to Fort Benton-the quickest time made
being that by the Deer Lodge-221 days.
Capt. Joab Lawrence, the protector, or
ganizer and President of the Company,
and one of the most thorough going and
successful steamboat men on the west
crn waters, is so well assured of in
creased patronage the ensuing season.
4 Iar RI. laer r,fS 81 hs.f
creased TO either eight or ten, and ar
for placing the former num-
ber on the route have already been per-
fected. Those used the present season
Will be placed in complete repair, and il
is the intention To lengthen the Deer
Lodge thirty feet, making her the most
boat on the upper river.
Capt. Lawrence also informed us that
a new system will be instituted next
season, which will meet with the fullest
approval of shippers and travellers.
Every steamer OF the y. ". Il. Com
pany will be limited 10 one hundred tons
freight, and the average time from Sioux
City to Benton must be inside of twenty
Eve days. Il believe il to be the better
plan TO make three quick trips than two
slow ones, and am willing 10 sacrifice
amount of tonnage TO quick speed"
Such is Captain Lawrence's declaration,
and he will do il. The company last
year shipped from Sioux City at an
average OF } cts. from Chicago, q CITE.
from New York. s cts. giving through
bills of lading from all :he principal
cities TO Fort Benton The rates of ins
surance on Montana shipments were
and 4-10ths per cent, and diff
cult 10 obtain now, through the estab-
Dlishment of this shipping point, 1000
miles nearer Fort Benton, above the
most dangerous part OF the river, and ;
through the efforts of the President of
The Company, they are quickly taken at
per cent. aud the tact that only one
steamer load of goods ont of the 20 or