The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-09-24
Fort Benton

HI.C
ing all OF the natural requisites which
constitute a first class stock farm.
Fort Maginnis is built entirely of
wood, in the form of square It is, as
Is the case with all military posts, a
model OF neatness. The officers are
pleasant and accommodating gentlemen,
tney being very popular and are held in
high esteem by both the citizens and sol
dlerS of the fort
The new store of Broadwater, McNa-
mara q Co. is the largest and best stock
ed OF any between Fort Benton and
Billings.
Taking the short cut to Maiden from
Maginnis, passed the Collar company's
works, which are at present standing
| idle, the cause Of which is attributed by
the citizens OF Maiden to the wilful
mismanagement of the present direc-
tors rather than to the lack of funds, as
was generally supposed.
Maiden is now recovering from long
period of inaction, and business in gen
eral is assuming a healthier tone.
The Montana company have about
com mpletion, under the direction Of Mr.
Essler, as rapidly as possible, ten-stamp
mill, which they expect to have in oper
alton about the middle of November.
The Smelter company, organized sole
ly by the energetic citizens of Maiden,
have purchased complete smelling
outfit in Chicago, having capacity OF
ten tons per diem. The smelter is now
in Billings and will be delivered on the
ground selected for the site as soon as
the necessary transportation can be
furnished. They propose to have the
smelter turning out bullion during the
fore part of the coming winter, if possi-
BILE. The citizens of so small mining
camp as Maiden are surely deserving of
the highest commentator for their en-
terprise in establishing and furthering
scheme involving the outlay Of the am
cunt Of capital necessary for the erection
of a smelter. However the completion
Of the above mentioned enterprise willl
be practical illustration of the UNI
bounded faith entertained by the pro-s
iectors of the scheme in the ultimate
future of the camp, which is, in my
opinion, judging from the numerous
rich specimens taken from the mines OH
exhibition in the many ore cabinets,
very bright.
In addition to the numerous saloons,
which seem to be doing fair business,
Maiden has business houses carrying
stocks which would be creditable 10
towns double the size. Among the most
noticeable might be mentioned the
clothing house of N. T. Dinsmore, for
mer Bentonite, containing large, neat
and well selected stock. Almost direct
ly opposite is the hardware store of
Brainard & Gardner, which is particu-
larly we'll stocked with miners supplies.
Chas. Boissonneault, farther up the
street, is fully prepared to supply the
demand in the grocery trade. Pfandt-
ner, the tobacconist, at one time in the
same business in Fort Benton has neat
little shop we'll stocked with the weed.
On the same street will be found meat
market, bakery, restaurant, two barber
shops and news stands.
On the street running parallel with
the gulch is the large and we'll stocked
general store of Louis Belanger, con-
tanning full assortment Of clothing,
groceries, hardware, jewelry, besides a
warehouse full Of furniture. Opposite
Mr.. Belanger is the grocery of F. A.
Smith, and adjoining is the Internation-
al hotel, which, under the new manage
ment, is credit to the town. The table
is fully supplied with the best the mark
ct affords The rooms are comfortably
furnished and are models of neatness.
On the same street is the office of the
breezy little paper, the Mineral Argus,
which is always on the alert where the
interests of Maiden are concerned also
photograph gallery, drug store, livery
stable and other business houses too
numerous to mention.
Three miles below Maiden is Ander-
sonville, where the saw mill of Ben
Dexter is in full operation. Mr.. r.
Mills, we'll known in Fort Benton, who
is running hotel opposite the mill, has
lust returned from the Little Rockies,
and expresses himself well pleased with
the new camp. He claims that by res
ervoiring the creek SO as to utilize all of
the water, the pay ought to average an
ounce to the man, which is the opinion
of most of the prospectors whom met
upon their return from the mines. The
majority of loose men, numbering about
thirty, had left Maiden, and more were
preparing to leave for the mines. The
general opinion through this part of
the country is that they will prove very
rich, and were it not for the fear of the
soldiers driving them out the number of
stampeders would be much larger. It
is reported that quite number of pros
pectors have left Wolf creek for the
Rockies. w. e. ID.
Stolen Horses.