The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-07-21
A zaoEepAG;E AROUND TEzE FALLS.

The Helena daily L,dependsnt of the
18th ;ustant has an article on Capt. Braith-
wus's proposition to run line ofsteam-
crs above the Falls connecting with boats
vn the lower river by portage around the
Falls. In tie course . the article the
Independent says:
"a 4TAa Question haweyer-- sghieh the
people OF Helena, and indeed the whole
Territory have the greatest interest is this :
is It the best plan by which we can further
the object OF cheap trans p0rtaton? Does
1t superccde the necessity OF building a
railroad from here TO Benton? VIA It be
q feasible undertaking and will it answer
all our commercial needs p
We have no information from Captain
Braitbwaite that we are at liberty to pub
Iish, but froIa knowledge obtained from
other sources we are justified ii asserting
that the enterprise is impracticable, from
the fact that the meagre advantages TO be
derived from it would not justify the ex-
pense attending it and it is even ques-
tion whether ii you'd facilitate the delivery
or lower the present rates Of freight.
A portion of the Missouri river above
the Falls is navigabe for small steamers,
but the Hghtest sIlif cannot with safety
pass over the shoals and rapids which ob-
struct the channel at various points. It
wouM take $50, 900 TO remove these obsta-
cles, and about $4,000 to build boat
adapted to the river. These amounts
would have to be paid by the people Of the
Territory-prov.ded no appropriation was
made by the general Government for the
improvement Of the river-as 40 person Or
number of persons would invest forty-ivc
thousand dollars in an enterprise where
there is no certainty # success and no sci
curity for the money.
Below the Falls steamers can only run
as far as Benton except at the highest
stages of water, when they can reach a
t45-si-4s ii.
The Steamer Tom 6teygns aid tLiS in the
year 1858, but the experiment was attend
ed with great difficulty and danger, aud 40
similar attempt has been made since. AL
Iow;ng, however than ], ATS conla rnn close
up to the Falls, this would not do away
with the necessity of \ portage ~ connect
with the steamers on the upper river, aud
with two lines Of boats, connected by q
portage trsi ght would have to be handled
about three tines where 1t is now handled
once mus S''oi'l5 nls''e5laiiy 70 'he cost OF
trans 'o''"''on anu Eae i1aol'lty to INJURY
anu 0&l"4se, y lNe oo4'S oh 'he lower
river only came 10 benton 're'gn6 "0old
nave 10 De 'fanS PoF'eo IN wagons 10 the
mo"'H o. oNn Rl'ef, a distance g a. least
h'ty alies. 1sShonld also oe enlemoered
'n''s sN'S route EoQ+o ohly oe aRalaole
~0''Dg d A,gn S'ase q "''se.' - <1ools @ :
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..iy.:1l.' .r.S. l,.t. -t,,r,,s,, d.,
80 @-,,(1. lTJs Sbogine i i o,,;5an. tba+
the people Of Montana cannot ,eeora 4
Give Subsidy ofa45 ooo i .,v ;-;1aal
Or corporation for tba nnrnase of establish.
ing a lire Of boats above tile Fails Il
would be wiser to spend the money IN re-
moving tic distractions from the lower
river above Cow island. but s.ju more ad.
visable 10 invest il with otbor can;taI -
Helena and Benton railway.
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