The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-03-15
THE TIDE OF ~TENDERFEET
Is Already Flowing into Montana, and
Premises to Swell to Vast Pro-
portions.

1t is estimated by knowing ones that 3d.
900 people will come to Montana this season,
and the indications at this early day are that
the number will far exceed this estimate. The
pilgrims are arriving already in large num-
bers, even before old winter has taken his
departure, and the tide will swell rapidly
with the approach of pleasant weather.
BY THE UTAH AND NORTHERN.
The following from the Butte Lnter-Moun-
tam will give an idea of the influx of new
corners to the Territory by the Utah and
Northern route, and the tide Of travel has
but fairly started
From Mr.. W. Pinkham, who arrived last
night from Dillon, it is learned that the pill
grim immigration is beginning this year at
an unusually early date. For the past four
days the Utah 81 Northern passenger coaches
have brought into the Territory an average
of 100 newcomers, coming from all parts of
the Union. One-third of the number leave
the line at Dillon, intending to leave for Vir-
ginia City, Bozeman, Silver Star, Helena and
other minor points. The company has great
trouble in furnishing the required transporta-
ton facilities, and is even unable to accom-
modate its own employees whose business re-
quires their presence at various points along
the road. As q result, an order has been ls-
sued to pass only ten employees on each train
In addition to the heavy passenger traffic, an
immense amount of freight is being hauled
Duar tho road 4bno ov:or tho vo1t;pr cfooL
to its fullest capacity. Last night four pas
senger coaches, containing IS passengers and
seven car loads Of freight arrived ct the
Butte depot, and the railroad forces are kept
busy night and day"
BY H NORTHERN PACIFIC.
This seems the more popular of the rail-
road routes, if We may judge by the reports
FURNISHED nv our Yellowstone exchanges.
The Glendive Times says over 800 immigrants
anded at that place on Friday of last week,
making 1900 arrivals in the three weeks
prior to that date. Bat this is only the ad-
vance guard Of the grand army coming, not
only for settlement in tho Yellowstone valley
but in various portions of Montana, north
and west. The new mining districts tribut-
airy to Benton-the Barker, Montana, Judith
and Yogo districts-Wlll attract thousands
who will enter the Territory by way Of the
Northern Pacific. The movement promise s
to assume The proportions OF a stampede, a
considerable start IN that direction having
been made already. By the first of August
the N. P. will be completed t. Coulson, and
will tnen aft rd the shortest and easiest route
to Northern Montana, when a large share of
travel by that line may be expected. AS the
amount of business aad travel will doubtless
demand it, there will then be a first class
stage line from Benton to Coulson, and a
Journey to the States will be shortened from
two to four days. Our mails will also come
this way, arriving several hours sooner than
by the other route.
THE RIVER.
There is still another inlet to Montana-the
riyer-and it will play qultesa part this sea-
son in swelling the population of the Terri
tory. The travel to Benton direct will be
mostly by this route. 1t is also the cheapest
anu most convenient route to the Barker and
Maginnis mines, and doubtless many Of the
fortune hunters will take advantage of il. 1t
is only seventy miles from Benton to Barker,
and the Maginnis mines are but forty miles
from the river. Those who 60 by way of
Glenoive, Miles City or Coulson must travel
over many ! weary mile before they reach
the mineral fields, and the expense will be at
least double. But apart from the immigra-
ton to the mines a large influx Of people to
Benton by the river route may be expected.
They will come to engage in business, stock
raising Or agricultural pursuits, and no better
field for operations is presented in the bound
less West.
STOCK ITEMS