The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-08-10
Am OPEN
TIA Vice President OaEaes, OF the North
erD Pacific, Fav0rtng tine Beneau
@ Route.

We observe that all the papers of the Ter
ritory, except those Of Benton, are crying
out for the Northern Pacific railroad and Just
now during the visit Of the Vice President
Of the road, are setting forth the advantages
of their respective localities and the pariicu-
lar per cent. the N. z. would enjoy by taking
certain routes.
The RIVER PRESS IS willing TO grant to Mr..
Willard the right to build his road where he
he chooses, but lest Benton's golden silence
on the subject should be taken as an indica-
ton that this section Of Montana is devoid Of
resources" we are prompted to speak our
little piece in the premises. We don't pro-
pose to stand by
"As idle as q painted ship
Upon q painted ocean,
and listen to the polished boasts of Helena,
Butte, Bozeman and other villages without
saying something for Benton. By nc means.
We have been struggling for sometime to re-
press our feelings on this subject and thus
spare MIR. Cakes q terrible affection, but can
hold in no longer. 1t must come and hence the
following
" OPEN LETTER
to Henry Willard, Gen. Cakes and other mag
mates of the Northern Pacific railroad
BENTON, August. s, 1881.
Gentlemen We address you in humble
ness of spirit, but with the consciousness of
representing an idea that, though bold il
conception, may, we sincerely trust, lead to
the solution OF a problem that you have
doubtless been cudgling your brains about
these many moons, viz: what will be the
route Of the Northern Pacific across the
snow-capped peaks Of the Rockies ? II you
are subscribers of the Helena and Butte pa
pers, the NeU North West, the Ay0nt Cour-
Ter and the H~usbandmnn, and have carefully
perused them, you. could not but have noticed
several frivolous suggestions about routes
q 4 great deal Of diluted nonsense con-
corning the wonderful resources Of their re-
spective towns, all Of which should be taken
with considerable allowance. II these gen
tlemen Of the press gang have been trying to
pull the wool over your eyes, forgive them,
for they know not what they do. They are
absolutely frantic, and the editors annual
pass has something to do with it.
But this is not to the point. III you would
build your road at the least possible expense
and through the richest country under the
shining sun turn northWard from the Yellow
stone through the verdant valleys of the Mus
scleshell and its tributaries, and continue in
this direction until you reach Benton then
strike for Helena by the old road and you
will have no particular difficulty in reaching
the capital.
By taking this route you pass through a
country IS fertile as the valley of the Nile;
you take ia Benton with her wonderful and
varied resources you can back your cars up
to the judith mines and load a million of
them with gold and silver bearing quartz
you can supply the world with wool from the
sheep ranches the broad pasture lands adj
iacent will furnish meat for the Western
Continent q side track to the Barker Dis
trict will put you in connection with mines
richer than old Crusus worked in the bed of
the Pactolus-in fact, gentlemen, this is the
only route that will insure you q profitable
investment and at the same time is the east
est Of construction. Come and see for your
selves. Very Respectfully,
MANY CITIZENS.
We feel that we have done q duty in pre-
senting the above. Gen. Cakes will have
himself to blame if he passes by the sugges-
ions unheeeded and listens to the siren
voices Of other papers. We await the issue.