The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-03-16
THE CITIZENS MEETING.
4 Discussion of the Barker and White Sui
phur Springs Road Project, and an
Unanimous Opinion Of its Favor
able Features and Practi-
cability.

iect successfully llaugurated. After cOneid-
cradle buzzing and preliminary discussion the
meeting was called to order by unanimously
electing L. E. Collins chairman, and James
Armour secretary.
Mr.. Collins stated the object of the meet
ing III Il few pointed sentences: It was Vi
tally necessary, if Benton was ever to de
velOpe into more than a mere trading post,
that it connect itself with its tributary coun-
try by means OF common roads. None
were more necessary at present than the
one under contemplation from Benton to
White Sulphur Springs by way of the Barker
mints. It vas necessary for the people OF
Smith River, Chestnut valley and the Belt
district, and it was even more so to the de-
Velopment Of the mines. Tools, implements.
machinery and provisions were needed 10 be
transported to the mines, and ore would be
returned in vast quantities. TIL people Of
Meagher county wanted to trade in Benton.
where the advantages and relative cheapness
was recognized. They would aid materially
to build the road, and he thought that about
So, 900 would be applied for that purpose by
the people Of White Sulphur Springs. The
road in this county was nearly all made, but
that in Meagher was not. The new road
would shorten the distance about 90 miles,
and he thought the people would certainly
be asleep TO overlook the advantages of the
proposed route.
Judge Tattan proposed that as two OF the
leading firms were not represented at the
meeting it would be inappropriate to 60 on
without them. They had never displayed zeal
in such matters, and he suggested that Q coml
mistee be appointed to wait upon the gentle
men and request their presence.
Mr.. w. FL. Todd agreed with Mr.. Tattan.
and moved that such committee be appoint
ed. The motion prevailed, and Messrs.
Todd and Gibson were appointed such com
mittee, which in due time reported that the
head of one firm was Ill, and that the other
gentlemen was unayoidably detained by a
business appointment. They, however, ad-
visod the committee TO act for them, and ex-
pressed acqniescence in ali the meeting might
determine.
Judge Tsttan YVES called upon, and. said as
he was unwell, and did not feel able to say
much on the subject. The question Of the
value Of the road, however, was very evident,
but that there was TOO much division as to
the route the road should take. He briefly
reviewed the advantage TO be gained by such
and closed.
Mr. Waterman Was called upon, and said
that he was 3 stranger in the county and an
acquainted il Benton but he came to make
this place his home, and took as much inter-
est in the project as any OF the citizens. He
had taken some pains to get the best infor-
nation to be obtained Of the situation. He
reviewed all the natural advantages Of the
town and showed the almost certain event Of
it becoming the metropolis of the Territory.
But it was necessary, 70 secure that result,
that every means Of the furtherance Of high
ways should be energetically pushed-every !
E1an should take an active interest in the
matter and would be benefited, in a greater
or less degree, whether he possessed thou
sands Or only ten dollars. White Sulphur
Springs was only, by the proposed route,
"a miles. The present was 215 miles. The
road as contemplated would open up the
country direct to Bozeman. The resources
of the Smith river valley were $3.50, 900 8
year from the wool and cattle traffic alone,
and this road would bring all Of this into
Benton, instead of aiding, as the present
roundabout road undoubtedly does, the build
ing up Of q rival town under our very nose.
People from Bozeman came all the way to
Benton, $50 miles the new avenue would
reduce this distance 100 miles and would
bring all that vast country to Benton to trade,
as the natural waterway insured rates that !
could not compete with. The min
ing interests were the main incentive to action
in the matter at present under consideration.
The mines, though in their infancy, were
be most promising in the Territory. Every
one interested III the mines was di-
rectly interested in bringing them within our
reach, and We were equally interested in hay-
them come. This enterprise would also
place us in connection with the copper dis
srict in the Elk range. The farmers of Smith
river were DESTROYS Of seeing the road built,
and the lands OF this valley would prove
among the most productive in the Territory.
1t would also open up the Shields river and
Big Timber valleys and make them tributary
% this town for the supplies and machinery
needed by the people of those sections He
believed that the question of the route to be