The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-04-02
The Demonstration at Stockings
Hall Last Tuesday.
rhe Most Enthusiastic Mass Meet
ing Ever Held in This City.
Fort Benton Pledged to Do Her Full
Portion Towards Making the
Enterprise Success.


nassing in magnitude and enthusiasm
onv Dublic demonstration ever before
held in Fort Benton. Stockings large
hall was fairly crowded, the number of
people in attendance during the even
inc being not less than three hundred.
Prior to the NEE ting large bonfire was
buiIt in front Of the hall, and credit
/ able display of brilliant fireworks, to-
| oether with music by the martial band
helped very considerably to enliven the
/ occasion and attract the great crowd that
| participated in the demonstration! Ii
there have been any doubts ~aeout Fort
! Benton's zeal and enthusiasm in regard
to this railroad enterprise last nights
meeting puts them at rest. The capital
of the city was fully represented, while
the speeches made and resolutions adopt
ed conveyed no uncertain sound.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. T. E. Collins, who nominated Mr.
Chas E. Conrad as chairman. Judge
Tattan and E. G.. Maclay were appointed
TO escort the gentleman to the chair.
On motion Of Mr. Ell. r. Buck, Mr.. r.
A. Luke was chosen secretary.
In response to calls Judge Tattan
stated the object of the meeting as he
understood it and urged the necessity of
Fort Benton doing something to pro-
mote the success of the enterprise. He
for one would do what he could, and If
necessary would give one-half OF all he
had to encompass the success of the en-
terprise.
Col. Donnelly being called said that
in order to obtain an expression OF the
sentiments of the meeting he would
move that committee of three be
appointed on resolutions. At the sug-
gestion of the chair the committee was
increased to nine ana the following gen.
tlemen were named: Ell. R. Buck, L. A.
Cummings, III. G. McIntire, L. i. Col
lns, Jos. A. Baker, j. J. Donnelly, }.
w. Tattan, E. 6. Maclay and j. I'll.
Rice.
The letter received from the Helena
committee by T. Z. Collins and E. G.
Maclay was then read by the secretary,
as also the proposed articles Of iRcorpo-
ration
Mr.. Collins said that in responding to
this letter the Helena gentlemen were
assured that the incorporators named
for Fort Benton would unite heartily
with them in the enterprise, and that
they pledged the support and earnest
cooperation of the city of Fort Benton.
This meeting was called to give further
expression to that sentiment, and he
was glad to see it SO largely attended.
The speaker expressed his belief that we
can get railroad speedily if a proper
response is made on the part OF our peo-
pie, and that it will prove one of the
best paying lines in the northwest, as it
will tap country that is not excelled
in the territory in the extent and variety
of its resources.
A recess of fifteen minutes was taken
at this stage of the proceedings to give
the committee on resolutions time to
prepare their report. Upon their return
the following was submitted by I'll. r.
Buck, chairman of the committee
WHEREAS, The citizens Of Fort Ben
ton have in mass meeting assembled IN
response to call from the citizens OF
Helena in order to give expression to
the general sentiment OF this city
touching the matter of a proposed rail-
way between the cities of Helena and
Fort Benton; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of Fort Ben
ton are deeply interested in the proposed
construction of such railroad and fully
realize the Importance thereon, not only
to the said cities and their tributary
country but also to all Montana; there
fore be it
Resolued, That 1t is the sense of this
meeting that railroad between this
CITY and Helena has become an absolute
necessity as we'll as a means of extend
ing the beneficent influence Of water
communication throughout the territory
and for the development of the vast lat
ent resources of northern Montana.
That the people of Fort Benton send
greeting to the citizens Of Helena, and
while heartily thanking them for the
energy and enterprise displayed by them
as shown by the initiatory steps already
taken, we pledge ourselves to support the
movement to the extent of our means,
and will when the time comes, show by
acts what we now promise in words.
On motion Of Col. DOnnelly the reSO-