The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-03-01
BENTON AS A M ARKET.

Benton i,:.,ituated in the center of a section
of country destined in the near future to be
populous and wealthy. Its development does
not depend an any one industry but upon
many. The agricultural, mining, cattle and
shee p interests combine to aid in its advance
ment, and this alliance is certainly sufficient
to insure rapid progress. Benton is the nat
ural nucleus of this favored section having a
radius Of more than a hundred miles, and
hence its natural market and supply point.
But II has something more than a central po-
sitiOn 10 recommend it as such. Other con-
sideralions combine to render Benton not
only the commercial center of Northern Mon
tana but the very best market in the Terrific
ry. And this will mold true in time to come
as we'll as at present. The advent of the rail-
road will not take from it one jot or title of
It's prestige as a purchasing point.
The location at the head of navigation on
the great Missouri river is the first and most
important consideration in Its favor. The
river will always be a check to high tariffs
by the railroad TO this point and we doubt it
the latter Can at any tune Or under the most
favorable circumstances compete with the
toimer. The fu,taer and needed improve
ment OF the upper river in the next year or two
will tend to render Benton's claim as a mar
ket undisputed.
But in this article we wish chiefly to con-
c;dnr thn ~ ua.f.rao nnr tour ar1Nuo q a
commercial center t. the present time, before
the railroad has wrought its changes. Unless
We except the railroad towns in the Yellow
stone valley, and we are not certain that we
should, Benton is now undoubtedly the best
market in the Territory. The two items of
transportation and business enterprise render
it such.
Benton merchants can have their goods
Louis during the boa'ing season for 81 40 a
hundred pounds, while these same goods de-
livered in Helena hy railroad and wagon
transportation will cost at the lowest estima-
d ference OF two cents a pound in favor Of
Benton. A ranchmen desiring to purchase
supplies to any considerable amount could
well afffurd to gn LOO miles farther TO marke,
if needs be. for the difference indicated.
Freight down the river is even much lower
and hence our dealers always pay more fol
wool and other products than those of neigh
boring towns. The wool grower secures
here a better price for his crop and is enabled
to purchase supplies at lower figures than hs
can elsewhere in the Territory. The advan
t.ge is q double one. In plantation phras'
the coon is caught "a comm and \ gwine.
This easily accounts Tor the fact that sheel
men living within fifty or sixty miles from
tn . Capital come 10 miles to Benton to mar
KIT their clip and lay in the years supplies.
Ii is Benton's good fortune to have as he
! aiding spirits several Of the most energeti
and enterprising business men in Montan
who nave aided largely in spreading the jus
tame Of our tow as q cheap purchasinI
point. Among these merchants, each O
whom buys goods to the value of hundred
Of thousands Of dollars . year. there is
frit molly but active competition and as q re
suit Or, fits are confined To a reasonable NAL
gin. Their annual purchases are so larg
that they are enabled to buy at reduced fs
ures in The eastern mart and q very sma
per cen. on their yearly sales is in fact