The semi-weekly miner., 1883-06-20
Arrival in Montana and the
Towns on the Yellowstone,
Etc ETC., Etc.

The Northern Pacific is doing an
immense passenger and freight busi-
ness, which will be largely increased
when the connection between the
Eastern and Western divisions shall
be made. The company has richly
earned all that it now enjoys or that
it may enjoy in the future in the
shape Of traffic. 1t has met and over
come an opposition to its progress
that would have swamped less per-
sistent and energetic companies,
and has opened up to settlement a
country which in area and une-
qualled mineral, grazing and agri-
cultural resources is an empire with
in itself. One hundred and forty
towns and cities have sprung up on
the line of the road between st. Paul
and Helena, which are rapidly be-
coming the centers OF prosperous
communities. Some of them will
soon rank among the large cities of
the country. As the country the
rnad traverses east OF the Missouri is
growing beyond all precedent the
local traffic is enormous. Lumber,
wood, coal, farming implements,
household goods, provisions, in fact
everything that is necessary to build
homes and pursue the industry of the
country is brought upon the ground
by the iron horse.
JAMESTOWN.
Is one of the most promising towns
in Dakota. It is situated on the
James river, and about midway be-
tween Fargo and Bismarck. The
country around it is noted for the fer
tility of its soil, which is especially
adapted tv the raising of wheat. 1t
has fifteen hundred as energetic
and enterprising people as can be
found in any other town of its size in
the country. It has five hotels, two
daily and weekly newspapers, two
churches, fine school building,
three banks, a brewery, Touring
mills, three lumber yards, brick and
lime kilns, and a foil complement of
stores and business houses. A branch
of the Northern Pacific is being built
from Jamestown to DEVILS Lake,
rich agricultural country about IS
miles north of this place. This road
will be completed this season. It may
be extended further next year.
Lines of stages leave the place
for points not yet reached by rail-
roads, thus bringing to itself pas
ssnger trade not enjoyed but by few
owns in the Territory. Altogether
the place has that air of thrift and
prosperity which are seen only in
those surrounded by superior advan-
tages. Its newspapers, the Alert
and the Capital, bear evidence of q
generous patronage, which fact it.
self is proof of the intelligence, enter
plise and wide-awake and go-ahead
character of its people. Its geo.
graphical position and beautiful sur
roundings should have brought the
Capital prize to its doors, but its of
fers to the Territory, it appears, were
made too late. There are fourteen
embryo cities on the line of the road
between jamestown and
BISMARCK.
Each is backed up by excellent
farming and grazing lands, and ALI
are thrifty aud enterprising. But
Bismarck Is bound to overshadow
them all. Its location, it's CONNER
cial advantages, its capital, and the
energy, push and enterprise of its
people, have given it prominence
and prestige which will, in the not
far distant future, make it one of the
most prominent points on the line
of the Northern Pacific. It's mag
nifcent bid for the Capital is evi-
denee of the character of its people.
The population of the place is about
5000. It has several fine hotels, four
two banks, a daily and
two weekly newspapers, court house
and town hall, an artesian well and
several branches OF trade represented.
lines of steamers receive and
discharge their freights at this place
to and from points above on the Mis-
souri,. The surrounding country is
well adapted to grazing and to the
raising of wheat, oats and vegetables.
The Northern Pacific crosses the
river at the point on the great iron
bridge, costing $1,5OO,OOO. 1t is
structure and a model of
engineering skill.
Mandan, on the opposite side of
the river, and five miles distant from
is beautiful town of
about 1,5CO inhabitants. It is the
headquarters of the Missouri division
and has the usual complement of
round houses, car shops, etc. Pass
ing from Mandan westward the
traveller enters what are called the
bad Lands" For what reason
such discouraging name was ap-
piled to this strip CT country is not
so apparent. There are excellent
grazing grounds in them and there
is every reason to believe that the
grOtesquely shaped if not picturesque
hills and mounds, seen upon every
hand, rest npon inexaustible beds
Of coal. These bad Lands" have
their uses besides furnishing ground
for railroad bed, and may vet prove
productive of wealth that will draw
within their seemingly inhospitible
confines 5usy and prosperous COM
munities. The first station the road |
reaches in Montana is called Keith.
AS We passed it in the night time its
as commercial centre |
escaped the notice of your correspon- |
lent. There are several other small |
owns on the line of the road west !
ward from Mandan which are grow
ing into importance as distributing
centres, but there are none to attract !
he special attention of the traveller |
until he reaches
GLENDIvE.
To Montanian who has "done"
he east and is longing for breath
# the pure mountain air and the
light of familiar scenes, Glendive has
J peculiar interest. Not that it diff
ers from other towns to the eastward
II enterprise and dash, but simply
'ecause it is in Montana. One feels
ike reaching out and shaking it by
he hand and inquiring for old ac-
|uaintances and taking a drink. The
old timer" feels that he is home
gain. He can see the grand old
and the tall pines in the
istance, and the luxurious bunch
rass 1T his feet, and the great herds
f cattle on the 'thousand hills" and
1hisky is two bits . drink. There is
lore In the latter fact than the aver
&c tenderfoot imagines. 1t brings
, his mind the flush times of early