The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-12

Station buildings, section and hand
| houses $3.50
Hand car and track tools ................... 325
| Track laying .-....................... 45,OO
| Surfacing NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 225O
! Right of way @............... 10000
| Engineering, superintendent, office, and in
| cldental expenses ..........-.......... oooOt
Total .................s s2,co2 45(
or $14 3O3 in a round sum per mile
/ GAO M. Of course this is wild esti.
mate in regard to the clearing, grading
bridging, and right of way, as I have
never been oyer the proposed route, and
| | have made these figures in accordance
with what | have heard of the country
between Helena and Benton, and [ am
| satisfied that the actual cost will not ex-
ceed my estimate. Moreover, [ claim
| that | can save on this total estimate at
| least 10 per cent, if not more.
MI. Cakes. who saw my proposition,
considered it a good thing for private
parties to undertake.
The first twenty miles would be COM
paratively cheap i'm construction, and [
estimate the grading, bridging, tieing,
&C., OF the first twenty miles north Of
Helena, including branch line to Marys-
vile, at $S5 900, and completed ready
for operation at 100000.
This is a very liberal estimate. You
gentlemen acquainted with the country
and the business to be derived from the
operation of said first twenty miles ought
to judge if this first part Of the line op-
Grated would be paying from the first or
not. In my own opinion, from my in
formation, it must pay if it is properly
managed.
Having secured a paying road of 20
miles in operation, it would be an easy
ttor to 1yo n fc for
for the prosecution of the work towards
Benton.
A railroad from Helena to Benton is
of the greatest importance to the mer-
chants of Helena, and it would secure to
them a competing line by the Missouri
river boats for several months during
the year. A daily raj, communication
with Marysville and Silver City must
also be Of the greatest importance to the
merchants of Helena.
There is only one practical and feast
BILE line from Helena to Benton, and
this lime ought ITO be secured by all
means as early as possible by the home
company before any other company oc-
Fcupies the ground. In my opinion the
Northern Pacific is not anxious to have
the Benton line built, as it would open
a competing route via the Missouri river
boats for good part of the year, as be-
fore stated.
Of course, to make the enterprise
paying one, a very economical manage
ment in the construction as we'll as in
the operating must be inaugurated and
maintained, and the receipts must not
be absorbed by large number Of staff
officials.
Now suppose home company can be
organized for the construction of said
road from Helena to Benton, with cap
ital of 100000 for the commencement,
the project with proper management
must prove success, and at the same
time must pay profits to those who in
vest money in the enterprise, by pro-
ceeds derived from lots and new town
sites along said line of road, and mer-
chants who advance money towards the
enterprise could ship their freight and
have the charges applied to their sub
scriptions until reimbursed.
Gentlemen, [ come before you with
my proposition as a stranger, and proba-
bly, assume too much in soliciting your
but you can easily ascertain
my standing, my ability, energy and
as [ have been connected with
the Northern Pacific construction de-
partment for the last four years, between
Mandan and Livingston.
If you feel inclined to take any inter
est in this project, please sign your
names hereunto, which will signify
your willingness to attend called meet
ing for the purpose of taking this mat
ter into consideration.
Very respectfully,
Y. BAUSENWEIN.
The following gentlemen were called |
upon in the order named, many of them
with excellent suggestions :
Mayor Morris, Col. Bausenwein, j. I.
Murphy, A. M. Voolfolk, E. w. Toole. |
M. Billiard, W. F. Wheeler, r. III.
Kleinschmidt, E. D. Egerton, Chas. D.
Curtis, DR.. Cole, J. B. Sanford, Thomas |
Cruise, and Fred Lehman.
Upon motion committee of five was i
appointed to prepare articles of incor-
ooration and an address. The chair APP |
pointed as such committee, E. w. Toole,
r. T. Murphy, A. M. Voolfolk. w. f.
Wheeler, and L. D. Edgerton.
The following resolution was offered |
~ Moses Morris and at once unani-H
nously adopted H
ResolUed, That it is the sense Of this !!
Meeting that il railroad, to be oWnedIl
md controlled by home company i
should pe built from Helena to BentonI
1t as early date as possible. II