The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-09
only few simple and tenantless structures
are left to tell the story Of its rise and the de-
struction of It's hopes.

only few simple and tenantless structure
are left to tell the story Of its rise and the d.
struction of its hopes.
After the abandonment of the river bus
ness by the railroad, the interests of tn
"Commodore" began to rise in value, an
in 1878 the Helena was built followed i
70 by the Butte, and very recently the Blac
Hills has been added which now form lin
which has taken the lead in the upper rive
freightng, and which has given to merchant
and passengers excellent satisfaction.
The steamboat business IS hazardous, an(
does not have that profit that is popular,y sup
posed. -Four months is very good averag,
for the duration of the freighting season
and during great part of that time the wa
ter is very low, and boats are often detained
indefinitely by bars and various obstructions
which flow into the channel; and the channe
itself is treacherous and continually shifting
So that taking the years operations, there is
only very small margin of profit left, if il
does not result in positive loss.
Great credit is due this gentleman for the
pertinacity which he has shown in pushing
this troublesome business 10 its present
healthy condition, in spite Of the natural ob-
stacles and intense competition he has been
compelled to meet. No sooner was competi-
ton withdrawn by the Diamond 'sR." than
it began to be felt from the South from the
Utah and Northern, which during the past
season has been conducting its business with
view to defect the trade of Benton through
another channel, by carrying freight at ruin
ously low rates. But 50 much of dissatisfac-
ton has been expressed at the way the rail-
road has managed its business, and by fair
promises of good winter rates, inducing mer
chants of the Territory to buy small stocks in
summer, and ship by rail in winter, that they
are inclined towards the river again, finding
that the natural route is not only more GER
tain and cheaper, but is the only check upon
the extortion and loss entailed by railroad
scalping, and have taken lesson from the
past season which they will not soon repeat.
We expect to see a season of activity in
been previously witnessed, and believe the
exertions of Mr.. Power has had much to do
with bringing about the splendid indications
which the coming season promises.
The firm has branch establishment in
Chicago where the purchasing and contract
Rgsyb RRg yb2tah 3 ahdRl dfRl tie firm and the steamboat
Ft. Macleod, Ft. Walsh ia the British posses
sions, and at Belknap, Clagett, Helena and
some other minor points. They have all
grown rapidly in importance and will con-
tinue to Increase in strength as the country |
develops.
Their Benton business house is fine two
storied brick tuilding well lighted and COM
modious, the lower story being devoted to
its retail business, and the upper to the whole
sale trade. The basement is stored with
heavy goods, and the entire house is filled
to its capacity. In order to accommodate their
rapidly growing business here, they have
commenced the erection of q new bnilding of
similar proportions, which will be completed
in the Spring. Numerous warehouses, filled
with wagons and agricultural implements,
are situated in various points in town.
and Merchants lin New
York Opposed TO Monopoly
A new organization called the National
Anti Monopoly League, held meeting re-
Gently at the Cooper Institute &. L. Chitten-
len nrasiding Among those nresent were