Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-08-01

points from the car WINDOWS is su-
perb; as we swiftly glide along its
shore for distance of twenty miles.
At one point we caught glimpse
of stern-wheel steamer, built when
it was thought that the mining trade
would justify steam navigation to
the nearest point for supplies.
Soon after leaving the lake we
strike Clarke's Fork, q tributary of
the Columbia. The scenery is fine.
Cottonwood lines the banks of the
stream, and fir and pine clothe the
benches and mountain sides. The
hills are mostly conicsl in shape, but
they are grouped in such wild confu-
sion that the eye never tines of the
rapid succession of picturesque
views presented as the train rapidly
winds its way along their base.
When the second night closes in,
we are at a small la "n named Ra-
valli, sos nc iIes from Portland. The
night run of 1G2 miles is made
before we reach Helena, when We
arrive at $50. might run" is
probably wrong expression, for
the dawn came several hours before
the passengers were astir, and some
of US enjoyed delightful view Of
the rugged scenery of the main d.
vide while yet reposins in our berths.
Just after day-break, our train en-
tered the tunnel of the Mullan Pass,
10 miles westof Helena. 1t is $3.50
feet in length and 5,547 feet above
the level of the sea, several thousand
feet lower than the highest elevation
on the Union and Central Pacific.
The passage is made in less than FIVE
minutes. but this is long enough to
send chill through the car from
the change OF temperature incident
to subterrsnean conditions. On
emerging we Immediately passed
upoh the Marent Gulch Bridge,
which is S66 feet long and 226 feet
high. Its construction required L.
900, 900 feet of timber. The route
now passed over is amid the sulches,
precipices and crags of the backbone
OF the continent. Two engines
were used in the ascent, and now We
see one that has been detached a
mile or so in advance, winding
around the mountain side like q
huge spider weaving his thread from
point to point. The cost of con-
the sections of road on the
main divide must have been enor-
nous. 1t is impossible to conceive
of any greater distractions than
Nature has here interposed to mans
progress. But the mountain spurs
have been leveled, the gulches filled,
and magnificent causeways con-
Quoted to carry the rails Of steel
upon which are to be borne the
worlds commerce. And this is not
all; when q wall of adamant inter-
vened with the command, d" So far
and no furtherr' mans knowledge
of Natures attributes enabled him
to bring 10 his aid powerful explo-
sives and skillful machinery, where.
by, after much waiting and toll the
/" Open sesame" was pronounced
and the mountain swung wide her
gate to the bold invader. While
these reflections were passing in the
mind we came in sight Of Helena,
the terminus of the Rocky Mountain
Division. 1t is a beautiful city of
about 1000 inhabitants, the capital
of Montana. 1t is situated 1T the
foot of the main chain of Rocky
Mountains, on both sides the famous
" Last Chance Gulch," from which
it is said that at least SIC, 600 900 in
gold have been taken. 1t is mainly
built of brick, and at a distance OF
half mile from the road presents
an appearance Of unusual thrift and
opulence. 1t is a nice city built
mainly of stone and brick, but is
said to be naughty as we'll, deriving
much of her revenue from licensing
gambling and other vacations not
to be mentioned in print. BY tho
way, we Puget Saunders generally
mispronounce the name of this city,
calling 1t Helena, with o long 9,
when it should be Helena, with tho
accent (sulphurous) on the first syl-
liable.
Passing into tho Montana Divi-
sion, nothing of special interest is
observed until we come to Painted
Rocks, Al miles from Helena, a large
cliff which has been blasted and cut
away for tho track, every foot Of
which may be separated into sheets
Of greyish stone bearing the imprint
OF ferns and leaves, which seem to
be indelibly stamped upon the
solid surface. Large quantities are
bought at tho station near by, when
ever the train stops, by tourists, as
curios and mementoes of the jour.
$500 r.. A.~:- III -