The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-07-26

Oregon and Northern Pacific companies
have formed i construction company for
the purpose Of building these branch
lines, and they have thus become inter-
ested in all the unknown regions north
and south OF the Northern Pacific belt.
The original scope Of the Northern
Transcontinental survey in consequence
has been Widened. Instead Of the mar
row belt, the field of explor-
alton now consists of Il territory
of 800 miles i'll extent from east to
west, and 500 miles rom south to north,
more than half q million square miles in
extent.
The idea Of the survey is strictly
utilitarian. The agricultural andmineral
resources, soils and their adaptability to
farming. the kind and extento of timber
lands, temperature ard rainfall, entomol-
ogy in its relation to agriculture, coal
deposits and their value for manufac-
turing purposes, and the like are en-
braced III the scope Of the exploration.
The work is of greater magnitude than
any exploration ever undertaken by
private enterprise, and no government
expedition, unless it be that of Clarence
King along the fortieth parallel, ever
undertook to achieve the results antici-
pated from this undertaking. 1t is to be
a work of years and millions. Unlimited
funds are at the command Of the ex-
plorers, and probably 100000 will be
spent in completing the work snapped
out.
PROF. PUMrELI1.s PART.
The professors party at present is a
small one, consisting only Of himself
and James McEntee, Of New York, Il
well known artist, who is taking sketch
es Of the country through which he
travels, together with their assistants.
They left Helena several weeks ago,
and going by way of Fort Shaw and
Old Agency proceeded almost to the
headwaters of the Marias, and to within
a short distance Of the line Of the Brit
ish possessions, returning by another
route to Benton. They express them
selves as highly pleased with the coun-
try seen, and make special mention of
the upper Marias and Teton valleys. In
a couversati on with q RIVER PRESS re-
porter both Prot. Pumpelly and Mr.. Nc
Entee expressed the fullest confidence
in the future Of Benton, citing her adj
yantages as the head Of navigation on
the river and the center Of a great tribu-
tary country rich ia various resources.
"Nhat are our railroad prospects,
asked the reporter.
'You will have u OF probably two
railroads next year was the satisfactory
reply.
Mr.. McEntee fully endorsed his COM
p%anion's opinions, and further stated that
he expected Benton to grow into a town
Of the greatest commercial Importance,
expressing establishment at the amount
of business that is even low. transacted
here.
The party viii leave this morning,
going through the Judith Basin and the
Musselshcll, to the railroad, and prob
ably to Wonderland. They are not
making N special explorations, the
object OF the professor being simply to-
get a general idea OF the country, with
the view of being better able TO direct
his various surveying parties. When
the reporter saw him, he had not fully
made up his mind whether or not to
!stake in' the coal region of Belt creek
and Sand Coulee. We are pleased to
know, however, that the distinguished
gentlemen leave Benton more than
fayorably impressed with its import
ance as aAcomnnercial center, and conf
dent OF its future growth and prosperity.
II CANADIAN PACIFIC.
This is one of the railroads in which
Benton is interested, and it is in the
range of the possibilities that a branch
from this line will be the first in Benton.
Meeting James Colvin, a supply officer
who is now in the city, a representative
of the RIVER PRESS proceeded to gather
from him all the information possible
which would be OF interest to readers of
this paper. Mr.. Colvin, although not
pretending to be in the confidence of the
managers, is firmly of the opinion thata
branch will be extended to Benton next
year. He is employed under Chief En-
gineer G. +. Perry, one Of the most
proficient Of his profession, and who