Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-04-17
THE CEUR D'ALENES.
Thomson Falls and Belknap-A Journey
to the Mines Sights and Scenes by
the Wayside.


stroll about the place clearly revealed the
fact that the people were improving leach
shining hour" Hammers wre ringing, the
carpenters saw actively employed, while
business men had plenty to occupy their
attention and but little leisure to spare
The town occupies pretty location on
the north bank of Clarke's Fork, amid a
forest of stately pines. The growth OF
timber, however, is not heavy and the To-
cality being devoid of underbrush, more
resembles a park than wilderness 1t is
only about two months since the first
building was erected, but the place has
rapidly grown and now probably numbers
thirty or forty structures of various kinds.
as the utmost haste was used in their con-
struction no time or money has been de-
voted to ornamentation. All branches of
mercantile business are represented, thus
supplying every commodity required by
parties entering the mines.
Saloons, as is usually the case in such
communities, are conspicuous for their
number and the villainous quality of the
goods" passed over the bar. Many faro
tables and other games are in operation,
and considerable quantity of money is
constantly changing hands. The throngs
in the streets are a motley collection, such
as one would anticipate meeting, the miner
predominating though all classes and kinds
are represented. The value of town lots is
placed at good round figures, but this fact
does not prevent merchants from purchas-
ing for building purposes. Property own
ers seem confident of the future of the
place, though few can agree as to the pro-
portions it will some day assume. One en-
thusiastic individual assured me that the
town already had every luxury required
by modern civilization except Sunday
school and a gospel MILL" but stoutly
averred that he himself would import the
former, and get the latter running within
sixty days
Every morning a long line of sturdy men
are seen starting for the mines, each drag
ging a toboggan loaded with small guam
tity of flour, a piece of bacon, and such other
articles as are actually required. The to-
boggan in this section of country consists
simply of a light frame sled, made of pine
or fir, with wooden runners about an inch
and half wide.
A mile distant is the station of Allen,
which at the time of my visit was the de-
pot of the town. At this place is saw
mill operated by the Montana Improve
ment company, which manufactures daily
large quantities of lumber, lath and shin
giles.
More recently, however, side track and
depot have been located at Thompson, "and
the traveller now disembarks from the train
at point only about hundred yards from
the main business street.
Eight miles further west on the line of
the Northern Pacific is Belknap, of which
so much has been said during the past
few months The town is somewhat older
than its rival and the advantage gained is
apparent in the more substantial charac-
ter of the business houses erected. The
location, however, is not so good, as the
town-sight has been laid out in the midst
of dense forest, making it necessary to
clear up nearly every foot of land before
occupancy is possible. The bases of value
in each town, however, depends on the
merits of its rail to the mines, in the first
place, and if the second, upon the value
and permanence of the mineral discoveries
made.
But the reader would doubtless enjoy
trip to the mines and birds-eye view of
Eagle City and its surroundings, without
the trouble and expense which attends the
This wish is entirely natural
and shall be gratifed. We will start from
Imagine yourself then, if possible
horny handed son of toll" with your
small earthly possessions loaded on tobog-
gan, while Just across the towering sum-
mits of the range that rises before you, is
the land of promise and of gold. For some
reason portion of the romance is already
dispelled as you handle the ropes of your
sled but your resolution remains unaltered
and the journey begins. Leaving town
your course runs parallel to the
railroad for about four miles,
when Beaver creek is reached.
It then diverges, following this stream
distance of eleven miles to McGee's camp.
The first seven miles passes over gently
,olling and heavily timbered country, the
nils being short but steep. Through the
asst six miles the undulations are more
though the ascent is slight and
gradual. To this camp, where supper or
linner is had las the case may be, you have
rave.ed a well constructed sleigh road
made by shoveling out the snow to depth
If from four to seven feet. On your way,
some whose objective point is Eagle City,
nave passed you in sleighs, but at this
place all disembark and are put on COM
non level. for here the road ends and the
oboggan travel begins. 4
From McGee's the trail is about three