The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-06-18

ut1llzed as water power, and estimate:
that the Black Eagle falls alone ar,
capable of furnishing water powe
nfty times greater than that of St
anthony falls at Minneapolis. Mr.
Hill says he branded the first barre
OF hour ever turned out at Minneapoli:
now the Touring center Of the cont
nent-only tWenty-seyen years ago, anC
It IS not, therefore, a matter Of surprise
that he has faith in the water power a
Great Falls and believes that in years tt
come it will be the great manufacturing
center OF the new northwest. Such is
his faith, and the combined eloouence
OF the land could not convince him tC
the contrary.
A RIVER PPEss representative re-
turned Wednesday from Great Falls
where he had the pleasure of meeting
Mr.. J. j. Hill and hearing much he had
to say about Montana and her magnifi-
cent resources, as they presented them
selves to his active mind. In this arti-
Gle we have only time and space for a
general resume of matters of interest
connected with Mr.. Hill's visit to Cho-
teau county, reserving the details for
another narrative.
| Mr.. Hill was accompanied by Mr.. D.
| {. Sheppard, of the firm of Langdon,
Sheppard & Co., that built seven hum
| dred miles of the Canadian Pacific rail-
road last year, and who is one of the
Wealthiest men of Minnesota Col. c.
A. BrOadWater also accompanied them
from st. Paul and through to Great
Falls.
Mr.. Hill is simply delighted with
the country. When asked his opinion
Of the territory in general, his reply
was, Montana is revelation to mel"
After catching a glimpse Of Sun river
valley, the Missouri, Sand Coulee, the
coal deposits, and last but not least, in
his opinion, the falls Of the Missouri, he
could hardly restrain his enthusiasm,
and was prolific in expressions of praise
and admiration. It is quite safe to say
that no man, in SO short a time and on
so quick a trip, was ever more ''stuck
on" Montana.
AS result of his favorable opinion he
promises great and good things for this
section of the territory. If he has ever
hesitated about extending his magnif
cent railroad system (the Manitoba) up
the Missouri and Milk rivers to Fort
Benton, he will do so no more. This
project, is now moral certainty, and he
can hardly hold back till the reservation
is opened AS matter Of fact he will
not wait. He proposes to build a broad
gauge railroad from Butte via Helena to
Great Falls and Fort Benton this to be
western section of his proposed great
transcontinental road), and full COM
plement of engineers will be put into
the field AT ONCE to locate the line. Col.
Dodge, who made a reconnaissance of
the proposed line a few days ago, was
sent out by Mr.. Hill, and it is probable
he will have charge of the field work.
Mr.. Hills enthusiasm, without the aid
of the ColonePs very favorable report, is
sufficient to insure the commencement
of operations at once. He is man who
makes up his mind quickly, and does
not tarry when he starts in on an enter
prise.
The party started on the return trip
on Tuesday evening, spending but a
portion of one day in looking over the
ground. It was Mr.. Hills purpose to
visit Fort Benton, but his time would
not permit. He promises, however, to
pay us visit this summer, and will
make the trip overland from DEVILS |
Lake to this city-his proposed railroad
route. He says he knows by his study
of the map, without seeing the town,
that Fort Benton is a strong point. Its
position at the head Of navigation on
the Missouri gives it immense leverage
and the certainty Of numerous railroad