The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-04-05

the 500 miles Of road. Last year this same
firm (they are Americans OF course) con-
structed 900 miles of road over the prairies
| Of Dakota and Minnesota, and why then
should there be any question as to their
ability to complete this season . 500 mile
contract !?
The progress made by this road is simply
wonderful. The fact that at the end of this
year there will remain but 400 miles to be
completed to connect, by this far northern
route, Lake Superior with the Pacific ocean
will be refreshing news to most people.
Except in the sections tributary to the road,
the Canadian Pacific is generally looked upon
as a visionary and impracticable project, the
completion of which is a matter to be re-
corded by future generations, if even then
it can be made successful. The wonderful
progress made by the road is not realized.
Calgary, to which point it will be completed
this year, is on the same meridian as Mis-
soula, in this Territory, and another year
the company will have, estimating branches
already completed, over ], 700 miles Of road
between Lake Superior and the Pacific ocean.
At present there are also employed some
z, 900 men on the central division connecting
the present eastern terminus with Montreal,
and if the Northern Pacific folks do not be-
stir themselves their northern rival will be
the first of the two to span the continent
with the iron rail.
The company that is constructing this road
under contract, is really the st. Paul, Min
neapolis & Manitoba company, which is
rapidly covering the Red River valley with
its net work of lines. They have now 1,020
miles of road in successful operation and
will add three hu ndred more during the sea-
son. 1t is a colossal system of roads and
the only American connection with the Can
adian Pacific lines, being virtually under the
same management. It is the st. Paul, Min
neapolis 6 Manitoba company that is looking
to an extension Of their lines through north
ern Montana, having Benton as an objective
point, coming by way Of the Missouri river
and Milk river valleys, and opening up one
of the most productive regions in the New
Northwest. The reason given for not push
ing this road through at once is that the
company have their hands full in the con-
struction of the G. P. and they are only
| waiting to conclude that contract before be-
| ginning the new enterprise. If there is no.
thing else in the way it is evident that the
commencement Of the project is not far in
the future.
These lines, the Canadian Pacific and st.
Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba, will open up
a new and vast empire for settlement.
Wherever they have extended their lines thus
far the country is filling up with people, and
the tide of immigration will continue to keep
pace with the track layers. In q few years
Benton, instead of being on the northern
frontier, will be a central point in a rich and
populous country, intersected in every
direction by railroads, while the frontier will
be removed many hundred miles north and
west. This will be but the natural result of
the construction of the great system Of rail
roads that are re aching out their arms into
the vast region of the northwest.