Daily globe., 1879-02-10
.ARMY TRANSFORMATIONS.
Meeting of the Upper Missouri River X inSs
in st. Paul for the Annual Bidding.

Meeting of the Upper Missouri River IL in.s
in st. Paul for the Annual Bidding.
Promptly at II clock NJ. to-day, in Lieut..
Col. G. Fl. Tompkins' office, at military head
quarters in this city, transportation bids will
be opened for the transfer of government mer
chandise in the department of Dakota, eni-
bracing the upper Missouri and Yellowstone
rivers, the State of Minnesota and the Terri
tories of Montana and Dakota.
The following named gentlemen, prominent
ly identified with the transportation interests
OF the Northwest, and at present at the Metro
politan and Merchants, will appear personally
at the time and place above designated
At the Aetropolltan:
Commodore Culson, Mr.. Martin Cuison,
Capt. D. W. Marratta, and Mr.. A. G. McVay, of
the Culson line of steamboats,, operating on
the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
MIR. 1. G. Baker, representing the Baker line
of steamboats,.
Mr.. H. G. Akin and Mr.. G. X. Peck. of the
Peck line.
Mr.: Charles G. Wicker, president of the Da-
kota Southern railroad.
Mr.. George E. Merchant, general superin-
tendent of the Dakota Southern railroad.
Mr.. John T. Murphy, operating wagon line
Mr.. William Harmon, trader.
Commodore T. G. Palmer, Capt. J. G. Barr.
and Capt. James McGarry, of the Painers line.
together with Hon. John A. Mclean Bismarck,
and DIR. W. A. Burleigh, Yankton are at the
Merchants.
Commodore KOuntz is also in the citv the
guest of his sOn-in law.
The scene presented at the above named
hotels last night was exceedingly animated,
speculation being rife as to the probable chances
of the bidders. Small knots of INTELLIGENT
looking men were to be observed earnestly en-
gagged in discussing the situation, the conversa-
tion being of course, restricted to those iden-
f1t led wit h
GLOBE representative presented his compli-
ments to one party consisting of Commodore
Culson, Capt. Marratta, Mr.. 1. G.. Baker and
Mr.. j. L. Murphy, and was accorded hearty
welcome. conversation ensued upon the
transportation facilities of the Northwest.
during which it was ascertained that, consider
ing the obstacles encountered, and the compar-
atively short time in which communications
have been systematically established, the trans
portation business of the Northwest is in a re-
markably progressive and fourishing condi-
ton.
In referring to the stock-producing country
of the Northwest, Mr.. Murphy, who is perhaps
the most extensive general operator in Montana.
assured the reporter that the last named Terri
tory is eventually destined to be one of the
greatest stock,and wool producing sections in
the Union 1t IS only a few years since re-
marked that gentleman, when few head of
sheep had to be driven into the territory to sup
ply the wants of the inhabitants. Last
year the amount of wool shipped
is estimated at 25O tons, and the shipments for
the current year will probably reach 400 tons.
In speaking of cattle raising, the gentleman
said that for grazing purposes, the country is
unsurpassed.
Mr.. Murphy is also engaged in the wagon
transportation business, and states that the
managers of the lines who accepted the bids
last year had lost considerable money by the
operation.
AS before stated. the bids will be opened
to-day, when the fate of those in waiting will
be finally determined