Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1876-01-20
BozRMAN, NJ. T., January II, 1876

BozEMAN, NJ. T., January II, 1876.
To the Editor of the Herald:
In Territory of such extent as ours it is
but natural that each section should have its
pet schemes for improvement and develop
ment; but while these may have special i'm
portance for one particular section, they
mus, if carried out, result ultimately in ben
It 70 the entire Territory. We have had
enough of sectional jealousies and quarrels
in the past, and better feeling seems to be
growing up. The position your paper has
taken towards the Yellowstone Transporta-
ton scheme has been gratifying to this coun-
ty, and as the Governor devotes one-third OF
his message to this subject, it is evident that
he also considers it of great Importance.
Situated, as we are, on the Southeastern
frontier of the settlements, we look naturally
towards the East, and although We have to
reach good many hundred miles, we con-
slider the outlook very hopeful.
First in importance to US comes the nayl-
CATION of the Yellowstone. 1t may be too
early to call this an assured success, but it is
certainly in fair way towards it. Dr.
Lammes boat is now building and will be at
St. Louis, ready to load, April 1st. Other
parties, at Sioux City, seem anxious TO en-
bark in the same enterprise; and if General
Sheridan succeeds in getting an approprla-
ton for building two large forts on the Vel
lowstone, it will require number of boats
to do the business, even the first season. Ii
we are not disappointed in our hope Of land
ing goods twenty-five miles above Pompey's
Pillar, we will have shorter distance to
haul our goods than you have from Benton,
and portion of the Virginia freights will
soon be turned into this channel, or Bozeman
merchants will underscll Virginia in her own
market, just as Helena is doing to-day to us.
The rush into the Black Hills must result
in the reopening of the old Bozeman route
along the base of the Big Horn mountains.
We know how Montana was settled. From
the mines of Colorado disappointed miners
scattered North and South, restlessly seeking
new localities. The same story will be re-
peated in the Black Hills, let them be ever
so rich. The man who makes an ounce
day will sell out to seek a new place where
he can make two. Enough is known about
the country above the head waters of Powder
River, Tongue River, Clark's Fork and the
Rosebud to make it reasonably certain that
gold will he found there in paying quantities,
and the very indefniteness of the informa-
ton will only make the attraction greater.
Mines will probably be found, and the at
fractions of that section, the fairest portion
of Montana, are so great that it will never
more be abandoned to the Indian, if once
again penetrated by the whites.
Last, but not least, comes the Northern
Pacific Railroad. Eastern Montana will
reap the first benefits from its completion,
and our faith in it has been the strongest
Through all delays and discouragements we
have clung to the hope that its affairs would
be arranged SO as to enable it to 60 ahead.
Our faith is to-day stronger than ever. When
this letter reaches you, Messrs. Stark and
Roberts will probably be with you. Col. Rob-
erts is we'll known here, Mr.. Stark no less
so. A year ago he was President of one
of the best paying Massachusetts roads, and
is considered one of the foremost New Eng
land railroad men. On the organization of
the Northern Pacific Railroad he threw up
his position to join this road, and it was then
the general impression in Boston that some
thing would be done, or Stark wouldn't have |
gone into it. Since then he has been promi-
nent in the management of the Northern Pa |
ciic and is now its vice President The con-
tinued connection with the road of an engin-
eer like Colonel Roberts seems also favora-
bic indication that it is yet alive.
Now what reasonable conclusion can be
drawn from the journey of these two men out
here in midwinter? Their object is, of
course, known to all. They come TO inter-
view the Legislature, to get subsidy, if pos
siblc. But it is evident that no subsidy which
he Territory could give would justify the
Northern Pacific in resuming work. 1t might
hasten their progress little, and with suf-
icient guarantees and safeguards it might
oay us to grant a subsidy. But this subsidy
becomes of importance to the road only, if
hey are seriously thinking of going on. Then
! million or so is worth looking after. Other
wise it is not. While the Company may not
'et have perfected arrangements for building
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