The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-03-22
He Wants 20 Know, You Know.

Mr.. W. B. Settle received the following
letter the other day and deeming life TOO
short to MAKE the response he turned 1t over
TO us. The writer's bump Of inquisitlveness
i, certainly well developed. His catechlsm
ia complete, but we will take the trouble
answ er his questions seriatina as the letter is
but a sample of many received by our cni-
zens. The epis.le runs as follows:
DENVER, COL, March l, 1882.
Mr.. Sethe:-In locking over one OF Fort
Benton's papers, the RIVER PRESS, | con-
Guided I would like to learn q few things
about your town and country with the view
of going there. l looked over the cards OF
some of the business houses and selected
Won 70 write 10 for the desired information.
|. What is the population of your town ?
2. Is it growing?
3 Ia there much building going on?
4. Have you a good sign and general
S. Could a good, steady man do we'll
there?
s.. How near town is there good land that
can be homesteaded
7. How near could one get a range suf-
fcent tor q sheep ranch!
s. Could there be sheep got there to start
with and at what price?
8. Can steamboats, run the year rouno on
the river?
10. How near can one get to Fort Benton
by railroad?
II What does staging cost per mile
12. Which is the best way to get to your
place from here?
Is. What does it cost from st. Louis or
Kansas City by river to Benton ?
IA. What length of time to make the trip!
nave now asked all the questions you
will probably care TO answer. perhaps more.
But if you will be 80 kind as to give me the
information I will be ever 80 much Obliged.
Yours truly,
1. About 1900.
2. Yes. very fast.
3. Yes, the RIVER PRESS recently gave q
list of the buildings IN contemplation, to be
erected the present season, with the estimated
cost of each, and the total footing was nearly
$3.50, 900.
4. There are three or four painters here
and they are kept busy.
5. A good, steady man, no matter what
his occupation, would do we'll here.
6. Good upland can be obtained within
two or three miles; desirable bottom ranches
can be obtained within ten or twenty miles.
7. Within a half a days ride. This is the
best sheep country in the world.
s. Yes, at from So SO TO $500 per head.
8. Steamboats, runs only during the sum-
mer season, from the first of April TO the
first of October.
10. Butte is tire present terminus of the
Utah & Northern, about 225 miles from Ben
ton; Miles City is the terminus Of the North
ern Pacific, about 300 miles from Benton.
Both roads are making for this point and
will be here In less than three years.
II. From ten to twelve cents.
10. Go by rail to Bismarck, Dakota, and
there take the steamboat. THIS is the pleas
ATTEST and cheapest route from the States to
Benton or Northern Montana.
Is. The fare, first class, from Bismarck to
Benton, by river, is $40.
IA. 1t requires from ten to fifteen days to
make the trip from Bismarck to Benton.
In addition to the information given above
we will state that the stock, mineral and az
ricultural resources of this section of Mon.
tana are unsurpassed anywhere in the great
North west, and by their further and rapid
development Benton will maintain her posi-.
ton az the metropolis and commercial center
Of Northern Montana.