The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-09-12
Special to the River Press.

Special to the River Press.
HELENA, September 10.
The committee appointed by the citi-
zens of Fort Benton to wait upon Pres
ident Willard of the Northern Pacific
railroad performed that duty on Friday
evening. The address was read to him
by Mr.. Collins, and was as follows:
TO Henri V5N0rd, President, ". p. r. r.:
SIR,-It is saying, oft repeated, that
enterprises Of great magnitude radlate to
the benefit Of points even remote from
the immediate sphere OF operation, as
we'll as tend to the promotion and ad-
yancement of the place of fulfilment.
With this in Yiew-and fo" reason of our
desire to express our appreciation OF
YOUR great task-we, the people Of Cho-
teau county, deem it meet to unite with
those of the other counties of Montana
in congratulating you to-day upon the
successful result OF your great work
the completion of the Northern Pacific
railroad-and in bidding welcome to
YOU, your co-laborers and distinguished
guests, at this happy period OF Montana's
prosperity.
w y
Mr.. Willard, from the pleasure that, on
this day, you must derive from the con-
temptation of the successful result of
your great undertaking, or from the
business pressure that may arise there
from, we take this opportunity to invite
your earliest attention to our prosperous
county of Choteau and its principal
town, Fort Benton.
We are aware that you are familiar
with the extent and resources OF our
county, and the attractions it may possess
for line of railroad, still we thiEk that
the presentation of few figures and the
recital of a few facts in relation thereto
NAV induce you to further and closer
Investigation, with the view of connect
ing Fort Benton with the main line of
the Northern Pacific.
Choteau county has an area of l., ,000,-
600 acres of agricultural land, including
the country reserved for the Indians
to treat for which, however, commits
sion is now in the territory, SO that the
speedy restoration of the reservation to
the public domain may be looked for
The population of the county is about
1900 The Indebtedness is nominal and
could be wiped out in one year by the
levy of an insignificant tax. The assess
ed valuation is So, ,250,0 900, and is steadily
increasing.
Over 200, 900 cattle and 100000 sheep
now feed on our ranges. Over twenty
five streams, creeks and rivers, includ-
ing the Missouri, Milk river, Marias,
Teton and Sun river, flow through the
country, opening up valleys upon val
leys, sufficient in extent and fertility to
sustain vast population.
Immense coal fields and mineral re-
gions, developed and undeveloped, are
within the confines and upon the bor-
ders Of the county, to wit: The coal
helds of Belt creek, Deep creek, Milk
nVer Missouri river and the Marias
the mining districts of Barker Montana,
Maginnis, Bear Paw and the Sweet
Grass hills.
Although agriculture is yet in its in
iaacy in the county, the yield of grain
thls season will exceed 55, 900 bushels.
Fort Benton the county seat of Cho-
eau county, has population of 5000,
ana an assessed valuation of 81 ,5OO,OO
l. has ho municipal debt, and has erect
u and in course of erection the finest
1 public buildings in Montana. 1t has
! pius school fund.
II - SSaooH, Unity WV oICoAi01o uAA
tnpaded at the levees of Fort Benton for
ne trade of the town and tributary
TToantry l7,43S,O00 pounds of freight.
last season-1S82-the amount OF mer
Inandise received exclusively for the
peal and surrounding trade of Fort
nehton was Is, ,463, ,693 pounds, being an
increase in favor Of the local trade this
year Of 1914, ,3O7 pounds.
few Of the consignments Of the
ssaefchants of this town, via the Missouri
ppeer, this year are worth noting: L. c.
psker d Bro, 100000 pounds; [. G.
psher saar d Co., 3,5s3,000; w. S. Wetzel,
oGa op'O 700; Murphy, Maclay & Co., ,400,-
A nj r, v. II. Burgess, 100000.
Il hihe exports via the Missouri river,
bnn. season, were as follows: 119 tons i
nnloh l,l28,000 pounds wool, besides a
se amount of hides, furs and peltries. |
IA rort Benton is provided with two |
3ghs-the First National and Bank of |
3prellnern Montana-whose capital ag-
sate ooo s3lO, 900; deposits, $500, 900; loans,
ana9, 10 reeite the business transacted an
aaiiy by the merchants of Fort Ben