The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1884-01-26
The CHur d'Alene.

EDITORS BILLINGS HERALD:-Af-
ter leaving Billings, coming west,
enroute l stopped at Helena foul
days and met the Yellowstone del
egates who were well spoken Of and
will do credit to the county l am
sure. TIE people of Helena that l
have conversed with on the subject
say that the present constitutional
convention is composed of better
looking and more intelligent men,
bers as whole, than any legislature
ever assembled in Helena.
This town, Spokane, where stop
over three days, is said to be one of
the best, if not the best in eastern
Washington Territory. 1t has two
large Touring mills and room for
100 more and splendid sites for 20
Immediately near town. The mill
ing facility and water power is sec
ond only to that of Minneapolis,
and there is no doubt that this must
become a large city. l am inform
ed that -four is only $3.50 per barrel
here. There are two weekly and
two daily papers, two churches, two
banks, two private and one public
land offices, ond quite number of
fine brick buildings. and they claim
a population of $500, but l think
1000 would be nearer the fact, and
vet the town don't seem to be much
larger than Billings; and, by the
way, | heard very intelligent gen.
tleman say that Billings is the pref
tiest and best looking town he saw
along the road after leaving Mime
apolis. He was enroute to Port
land.
For awhile Spokane and Missoula
will probably divide the trade to
the mines on account of being the
nearest large towns on each side.
Old experienced miners say that
the CGur d'Alene mines will more
than rival the Leadville mines, that
they are chiefly noted for the large
extent of country they cover and
their immense richness. At the
mines at present provisions and
supplies are sold at fabulous prices; !;
barrel of -four selling for SO.
One of the points of departure for
the ,nines is Rathdrum, but il is
now claimed that Trout Creek, a
station east OF Rathdrum is the
nearest. 1t is said to be only 80
miles from that point to the mines
over q newly discovered trail.
At present the heavy shipments
are made from here (Spokane) by
way of Fort Cnur d'Alene, thence
over the lake U4akc Ceur d'AleEel
to a point six miles from the miaes
called Eagle City. n number of
steamers are now being built near
Fort Ceur d'Alene and regular
line will be established from the
Fort to Eagle City.
A man without some capital
should not come to the mines at
present, but man with capital can
do we'll by bringing a supply of
goods or by buying them here for
that matter.
Here in Spokane q regular stam-
pede to the mines is expected ia
the spring and the same is said at
Missoula and all along the road.
The city council here has justau,
thosizcd the building Of gas and
water works at a cost of 100000;
the water wosks to be the Holly
system. 80,
Mr. Garrison, our old towns.narls
and Charley Zoller, who was form
erly with Clark & Co., are here.
Garrison is running fine pack
train and informs me he is now pre-
pared to take any one to the mines
bag and baggage. and anyone in
tending to come can save time ny
dropping him letter or postal card
informing him when they are COM
ing and where they want to start
from, Rathd:um or here.
There is no doubt that big for
tunes will be made and lost in these
gold fields. Even now from four to
six leave the train daily at Kath-
drum, two or three at Trout Creek
and six to ten here, all for The mines
and when the train was on stop
ped at Trout Greek mss tod thai