Daily globe., 1883-05-02
WONDERLAND.
The Magical Development of the Country
Hong the Line of the Northern Pacific.
BOHEMIAN MoN April 26. 1858.


Probably few of you are aware that
Bozeman is the best town in Montana, ex-
cept Helena, and that it is among the most
thriving and prosperous. One year ago it
contained less than 1 200 inhabitants; now,
it boasts of over three thousand and is
increasing rapidly, with fine prospects for
the future. Numerous additions are being
plated, the Northern Pacific Railroad
company alone having over eight
hundred acres, most of which has been
divided into lots and will be put upon the
market some time next month. Of course
"big boom" Is anticipated and every real
estate man is preparing for the 'fray"
with a super-abundance of cheek and con-
fidence. The end of the track has now
reached beyond Gallatin City, thirty miles
from Bozeman, and is progressing rapidly.
The Northern Pacific have really pushed
the road forward, through all kinds of
weather and the most difficult passages,
with vim and energy that is remarkable.
In fact we do not know that the rigors of
the climate stopped work entirely for even
single day. New towns are springing up
all along the hill and the developments are
amazing. There is scarcely any doubt but
that the two ends of the road will be closed
up by August, if not sooner, as the balance
of the work is comparatively light. The
first efforts of the company have been di-
rected to putting the road through, and
after that they will turn their attention to
improvements, etc., along the line, so we
are credibly informed. The National
Park division is also being pushed
forward with great vigor and
energy. Several new towns are
springing up On the National park
line at least in contemplation, the princi-
pal one being Gardeners, at the terminus
of the branch near the park. Already,
prospectors and tourists are making head
way for that region and the Clarke's Fork
mining district. Both places are antici-
pating big rush in less than two months,
and they will doubtless have their antici
pations realized. The Benton branch of
the Northern Pacific from Helena, is now
regarded as fixed fact and it is said on
good authority that work on that branch
will be commenced Immediately. Great
activity is being manifested everywhere
along the whole line in the way of securing
land for agricultural purposes and general
business. At the rate this country is now
being settled up, in less than ten years it
will be vast empire of marvellous extent,
but still quite capable of supporting a
dense population. For agricultural pur-
poses, in general, it is not equal to the
eastern section of the country, but for
stock grazing it is quite unsurpassed.
Much Of it, in fact nearly all, will need to
be irrigated to be serviceable for cultivat-
ing crops, and the first expense is usually
considerable, but when all is ready, then it
is found to be far better and more relia-
BILE method of dependence than rain.
The great trouble in most of this west
ern country is the extortionate prices
charged for everything. People actually
seem to think that in business they must
skin each other, and this is the principle
they carry out in all their dealings. To
new comers the prices are fright
full, and business, trade and employ
ment will not justify it. Already
the ''old timers" are cursing the
railroad, being in mortal fear that it
may ruin their chances on account of low
ering the prices. Really, in the past, the
prices have been atrocious, but fortunately
both work and money we're plenty, which
somewhat ameliorated the situation. Before
| the railroad 'freighters" did tremendous
| business, hauling goods over the country,
but the "iron horse" has caused stampede
among them and they are leaving for more
| remote places, where railroads are almost
! unthought of, much less cared for. Be-
| fore the railroad merchants could scarcely
| get a sufficient quantity of goods to supply
the demand, but now they have a super
| abundance, and trade has become dormant.
Even gaming houses and saloons are no
| longer doing a thriving and fourishing
| business, but have partaken of the relapse,
and they are compelled to economize. We
| know of one mammoth gaming institution,
said to be the finest west of Chicago, and
costing over $4,000, that two months ago,
| was crowded and thronged with men of the
sporting fraternity and the receipts were
from $500 to $500 every night, and whose
owner hired one of the finest bands to dis.
course most charming music, and who now
finds himself almost completely deserted
and instead of running four or five gam
ing tables almost incessantly, nov only
runs one, and the room looks as forlorr
most of the time as deserted theatre hall
Such is an example of the enormous fall
ing away in the gambling and soloon
business. Only one year ago a little
side-board soloon was a fortune. Now
to run large saloon and carry on the ex
pense, it would almost burst millionaire
unless he exercised considerable economy
In fact, business of all kinds is getting
down to 'hard pan" and fancy prices cal
no longer be expected. One of the serious
drawbacks to living in the west before be
coming accustomed to the situation anC
the methods Of doing business is, that 81
much time is required, if much travel il
necessary. and then mails are so Otter
delayed and so frequently irregular, tina
one almost feels that he is out of the palt
of civilization. Papers occasionally arrive
and letters get along after a leap-hazart
style. Like much of the western life anC
experience it is very much of a chance
business, though many succeed. Really
there is no place where q man can create
bonanza sooner than in the west if he onl,
| knows how, and no place where he car
make! worse failure if he doesn't. The mar
who comes west for the purpose of agricul
ture or the raising of stock is almost certain
to accumulate considerable property in
few years, with ordinary management, bu
with the speculator and other tmen, it i
uncertain, unless they possesses consider
able capital, or are willing to encounte