The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-05
Artesian Wells.

and some Of them partially developed,
for supplying Fort Benton with a
system Of water works, and q full sup
ply Of the indispensable aqueous ele-
ment. We have heard fully discussed
the plan Of raising water" from the Mis-
souri, by means OF a stationary engine;
a ditch from the upper Missouri a
ditch from the upper Teton; and a tun-
mel through the bluff north of town to
the Teton. All of these plans are per-
fectly feasible, and with enough capital
to construct them in the first place no
doubt any one of these projects would
ultimately become a paying institution,
and would certainly supply this city
with the much wished for water.
The trouble with these schemes seems
to be that they all take considerable
money for a starter, a good many thou
| sand dollars in fact, and in Montana,
where money commands from "A to
two per cent. a month, capitalists think
| twice before making an investment
which does not promise big returns
from the very first.
Another method of obtaining a sup
ply of water, from artesian wells, has
| been discussed and tried in the towns
along the Yellowstone, and it would be
we'll for us to profit by their experience.
Water has lately been struck in the
second artesian well at Miles City, and
that at a depth Of only $50 feet. The
cost Of such a flowing we'll would only
| be a small fraction of the expense of an
engine, of digging long bitches or tun-
nels, and if an underground vein OF
water was struck, which would flow
several feet above the surface Of the
ground, it would prove a big thing for
the fortunate oWner of the well. Arte-
sian wells are now in use all over the
world, and their value and Importance
as furnishing a regular and never-failing
supply of water is everywhere recog-
niZed.
It is a much cheaper plan to utilize
a natural force to bring up subterranean
bodies Of water than it is to use power
full pumping machinery for the same
purpose. OF course there is some uncer-
tainty attending the boring of an arte-
sian we'll they do not prove a success
everywhere. Water is not always found
in sufficient quantities or under sutfi-
cient pressure to bring it to the surface,
or itmay carry some mineral in solution,
as iron or sulphur, which would make
it unfit for use. Tt is a case of nothing
risk, nothing have" and there would
either be large returns from the small
investment required, or none at all. For
that matter there is no enterprise which
has a dead sure thingn as regards leav-
ing a balance on the right side Of the
ledger at the end Of the year. There is
more or less uncertainty attending all
money making schemes, and boring ar
tesian wells is no exception to this gen
eral rule.
Although we have the mighty Mis-
souri, flowing by our doors, yet Fort
Benton needs some system of water
works. The water in our wells is hard
and contains some alkali, SO that for
household uses most Of our families have
to depend for their daily supply upon
the troublesome and expensive water
wagon system. Then again we need a
full supply OF water in order that we
may beautify III town with growing
trees and gardens. Such ornaments to
a city do much to attract desirable citi-
zens and induce them to locate in our
midst. The growing of fruit or orna-
mental trees and gardens in Fort Benton
except in a few favored spots, cannot be
called a success as yet. and mainly on
account of the lack of water during
July and August in each year. A bOun-
tiful supply OF water would entirely OBJ
viate this difficulty. IF there is not
capital enough to invest in the more ex-
pensive systems Of works, why not try
an artesian well. IF successful in strik-
ing a flowing well it will be the big
gestn thing ouU both for the town and
the owner of the we'll.
On the 2lst Of February a snow slide
Ecame down the mountain side about
half way from Gardiner to Mammoth
Hot Springs. A team with seven men
was passing on the road at the time and
were covered with the ieecy mass. Four
Of the mel escaped without any injury,
two were slightly injured and n man
was taken ont dnad.