The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1884-03-15
CLARKE'S FORK MINES.
A Neglected Estate.

So long ago as the first conception
of an important town in this valley
the Clarke's Fork mines were con
sidered the precious gem in its in
heritance. The natural position O
this glittering prize of trade is Ger
tainly tributary. Clustered around
Cooke City, which is the western
limit of the mining district, are 81
well known and prom sing mineral
locations in porphry and granite
formation. Cooke City has two
smelters. Among other sales in
mines, the Homestake sold for
100000; Daisy was bought last fall
for $4,000 and during the past win
ter one-eighth interest was disposed
of for 100000; Black Warrior re-
fused S55,O0O; Fisher refused the
tempting s25,OOO0, but War Eagle
scared away for a consideration of
s25, 900; while the Great Republic
cleared for it's owners 100000,
By reference to map and scale
of distance this mining district is
found to be about as near to Bill
lings, in straight line, as is its
more western outlet to the main
line of railroad. But, assume a
point at the mouth of the Clarke's
Fork, on the Northern Pacific rail
road and follow the valley and
divide of this stream, which is
natures natural roadbed, and note
the nearly direct line which it in
dicates, of say IS miles to Cooke
City; then compare this with the
roundabout course necessary in
reaching ;hc railroad 115 west of
here; this must demonstrate the
proposition in favor of our point;
and more, the western route must
pass through very rough country,
which calls for a narrow gauge in
making connections with Cinnabar,
on the National Park branch; in
this it follows the only accessible
route far to the southwest, then
northwest through the sacred
National Park, then north and east
oTer the standard gauge National
Fork branch to the main line at
point over 100 miles to the west of
our eastern outlet. This western
route not only presents the disad-
vantage of a narrow gauge and its
transfer and one-horse business,
through country difficult to build
and operate in, but as well its GER
tain liability to snow blockade for
about half the year. In comparison
our route offers easy grades and
curves, following directly out of the
mountains down Clarke's Fork and
in the line of travel to the east.
The charter of the Cinnabar &
Clarke's Fork railroad has been
procured and the company are
anxiously awaiting the action of
Congress for permission to cross
the Park. The distance of this
new proposed road to the terminal
on the Park branch must be nearly
equal to our proposed Clarke's Fork
route. Our magnanimity is such
that we wish the rival enterprise
SUCCESS and hope for a favorable
action on the part of Congress;
still, the antipathy of our legislators
to railroad building in the Park is
well established; therefore, if this
project fails the suggestion is that a
move be made to push OUR route,
which road will be trebly valuable
in opening up mineral at Cooke
City, the best of coal on Rock creek
and most valuable farming land as
soon as the inevitable regarding
the Crow reservation takes place.
AS the reservation must be opened
to settlement the opposition on that
score is as mirage or imaginary.
Gen. Sheridan and others in their
practical study of the subject are
emphatic in it's favor.
Regarding our prospects, which
are so near and dear to our hearts
and fortunes, we must be the gain
ers, for the diverting Of trade to
this valley must revert to our ad-
vantage, even should a junction
town spring up 10 miles above us,
for have we not already the estab-
lished business, the prestige and
the county seat? 1t is secure with
in the bounds of our own beloved
infant Yellowstone county.
l quote an extract from Prof. Hay
den's report safeguarding the Sec