Daily globe., 1878-09-02
THE GARDEN OF THE WORLD.

LA MS1dSNl4Nu3 OIL Id
THE GARDEN OF THE WORLD.
What Gen. Toappkits Ssso Along the Li,se
OF the Northern Pacific Rattroad.
tCmcago Tribune.
Gen. Charles II. Tompkins, deputy quar-
termaster general United States army, and
chief quartermaster of the department of
Dakota, arrived in this city yesterday from
trip of about seventy days, during which
time he visited all the principal military
posts in Montana. As he had splendid
opportunity to observe the condition of the
country through which the Northern Pacific
Railroad extension is to run, having followed
the survey some $50 miles, Tribune re-
porter called on him at the Sherman House
yesterday afternoon to get description of
the country, and to learn if the projes was
feasible and practicable, and, if carried out,
if it would pay fair interest on the
investment. Gen. Tompkins received the
reporter very cordially, and at once signifed
his willingness to give the Tribune all the
desired information. The general stated
that he went up the Missouri river from Bis
marck to Benton. From this point he went
to Shaw, and thence to Helena. From
Helena he made trip to Missouri, and from
there to the former point. He also went to
Camp Baker and again returned to Helena.
He left Helena for good, and went to Fort
Ellis, and from this point along the line of
the Northern Pacific survey to Fort Custer,
and thence to Fort Keogh. He then went
down the Yellowstone river to Fort Buford,
at the confluence of the Yellowstone and
Missouri rivers, thence down the Missouri
back again to Bismarck. He found
in the vicinity of Missoula one
of the finest agricultural and
stock raising countries he has ever seen, and
it is already well settled. Between Missoula
and Deer Lodge the country is equally fine
and productive, and still more settled than
in the vicinity of Missoula. Deer Lodge is
quite thriving town. Between Helena and
Fort Ellis the country is perfectly beautiful,
and we'll watered. Thousands of cattle were
roaming all around. This portion of Mon
tana is excellently adapted for agriculture.
He found this part of the country also very
| rich in minerals, valuable silver deposits
having been discovered at the headwaters of
Jefferson river. There were also rich silver
developments in the vicinity of Helena and
| Missoula. Between Fort Ellis and Fort
| settlers, and the people are raising large
| crops of wheat, oats, and corn. At all these
points he stopped, and, conversed with
the ranchmen and settlers regarding their
future intentions. They all contemplated
raising large crops of oats, with the intention
| of selling to the government at good prices.
They anticipate a prosperous future. Be-
tween Fort Custer and Keogh there are also
| very fine agricultural and grazing lands.
| Here he passed over several natural hay
fields. From Keogh down the Yellowstone
the country is not so rich in the immediate
vicinity of the river, but there are spots
| vel timbered, and coal crops out in many
places, with indications of very thick veins.
Gen. Tompkins expresses himself highly
pleased with the country through which he
passed, and strongly advocates the extension
| and completion of the Northern Pacific road.
Not only will the carrying out of this pro-
ject greatly facilitate the transportation of
government stores to a large number of
military posts in Montana and the Yellow
stone country, but it will materially diminish
the cost of transportation. For instance, it
costs at present to move 100 pounds
of freight from Bismarck to Keogh
SO 69-lOO CENTS This is under an exceed
ingly low contract. Last year the cost of
transportation was double this amount. The
officers of the Union Pacific have guaranteed
to deliver the government stores at all sea.
sons of the year for the same distance over
their road for Sc cents per 100 pounds. Like
reductions to other points would be the re-
suit. The construction of this road would,
in Gen. Tompkins' opinion, also have a
great tendency to settle the Indian question,
as Indians proverbally recede from civiliza-
ton.
The above description of the Yellowstone
country fully agrees with the reports made
by Coils. James w. Forsyth and f. D. Grant,
who made an examination of that part of
the country by order of Lieut.. Gen. Sheri-
dan in 1876. Col. Grant in his report says:
"The country we passed through was of q
cretaceous formation (the latest formations
of the Mesozoic times, going up through
Cenozoic time and the age of man, for the
country is being severely washed by the
heavy rains of the present day., the valley,
of course, being, like the valleys of all rivers,
modified drift. The islands, of
which there are great many, differ
| from those of the Missouri in being
comparatively permanent. The Yellowstone
| valley presents many beautiful landscapes.
It is particularly grand when seen from the
AAOutu VI IOWueI TlVoE. =
'sThe Yellowstone valley can all, or nearly
! all, be cultivated, as the soil is rich. The
| islands, many of which are large, could also
be cultivated. There IS an abundance of
coal and pine wood that could be taken out
with profit. The water is fine, being melted
snow, and in the valley there grow large
quantities of wild plums, cherries, buffalo
berries, gocseberries, currants and wild
Strawberries
THE BATTLE OF THE NIOONsHINERs
| Farther Particulars of the Encounter Be
t,ree,s RerenMe officers and Illinois Dis
1 tilers II, Tennessee.
Nashville Special aug. 27) to Chicago Tribune
| Collector Woodcock tonight received the