The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-08-05
i GLANCE ALONG THE LINE.
Montana Interests Gathering Strength
New FIeTds Of Enterprise Open
Ing ap West OF the Rockies.

ing information and sketches for his
periodical since May s. During his trip
Mr.. Smalley and his staff have visited
forty-three towns along the Northern
Pacific main line and its branches, ana
along the line of the Oregon Railway and
Navigation company. The Dakota
towns, Mr.. Smalley said, are rather dull,
but are exceedingly hopeful on account
/ Of the uniformly good prospects for a
large wheat crop Some of the old Da-
kota enthusiasm seems to be returning
TO the people of the territory, in fact,
and there was a general prediction there
that the good crop and fair prices for it
would start next year another great
wave of immigration. The Montana
towns, he says, have scarcely felt the
effect of hard times, the principal indus
tries Of that territory being more pro-
ductive than ever. The output of preci-
GUS metals is larger than ever before
and the range cattle business is con-
stantly increasing in magnitude The
cattle towns in the Yellowstone valley,
such as Glendive, Miles City and Bill
lings. are growing steadily, and in them
are being put up noticeably substantial
and handsome brick buildings for banks
and general business purposes. ALI
through the mining regions, the gentle
man says, he heard reports of the dis
covery of new and very promising leads
of quartz and galena, and Of enterprises
for putting In smelters and reduction
works. Butte is enjoying very re-
markable degree of prosperity. The low
price of copper has caused many Of the
mining companies to go to work in sill
yer leads, which are proving highly
profitable.
Helena is growing rapidly, its recent
development being distinctly shown in
the erection of large hetels and of many
handsome private residences. Reduction
works are being erected there, which it
is expected will draw to the town the
low grade ores of very large district of
country Reduction works are also be-
ing put up at Tosten, new town in the
Missouri valley between Helena and
Bozeman, which win open an entirely
new quartz mining district On the
western side of the rockies many valu-
able discoveries of quartz and galena
have recently been made, especially in
Gospel mountain, near Deer Lodge, and
at points near Thompson's Falls and
Clark's Fork There are many indica-
tions that this country is on the eve Of a
great mining boom, similar to that en-
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prosperity is restored in the east and
capital becomes more bold. The Ceur
d'Alene mines are progressing in slow
steady fashion, sending out about $4,000 |
worth of placer gold per month. The
great need is capital to put in bitches.
One important ditch enterprise is now
under way, which will furnish water to
about eleven miles of placer territory on
Beaver Creek.
The wheat crop is the largest ever
known and harvest was well advanced in
Wal,a Walla country when he was there
early in suly. Many fields would yield |
forty-fye bushels to the acre. The
south of Snake river is COM
paratively old wheat region. That north
of the river, tributary to Spokane Falls,
Cheney, Sprague and Ritzv1lle, is COM
new and has hitherto had no
surplus wheat to send TO market In
deed. it has had no market facilities un-
til this year. Now the Northern Pacific |
Elevator company is putting up elevators
and warehouses and is going 10 ship |
grain eastward from this section to Du-
luth. The opening of this outlet for
wheat is of immense Importance to the
and general prosperity of
region of country half as large as Mime
sofa. 1t will undoubtedly result in the
rapid settlement Of what is known as the
Big Bend country, lying between the
railway and the great bend Of the Col
nmbia river, well adapted for the growth
of grain. ~
Mr. Smalley thinks it will 1e ey ident
to any ONE who has looked with any
care to tile country tributary to the
Northern Pacific railroad that that road
has touched bottom for its earnings, and
will make henceforth steady progress.
It will have this year, he says. about 10
per cent more grain to move than last
year; p per cent more mining products,
and probably about 20 per cent more
cattle. Several new sources Of traffic
have been opened up. One is the trans
portation Of cattle from Oregon and
Washington territory to the eastern
Montana ranges about 2s,00O head has-
inc been moved during the past five
months This will be a regular move
ment. Oregon and Washington produce
surplus cattle beyond the
needs of their towns for beef consump-
ton. Hitherto, however, thestock busi-
ness has been limited pretty closely to
the demands of the local markets. Now
that an eastern outlet has been opened
the industry will be very largely aug
mented. Another new source of traffic
is the transportation Of grain and -four
eastward to Duluth, from eastern Wash
. 4 =. 49,
Butte win undoubtedly give very
heavy traffic to the road in lum-
Der from the HeIlgate and Clark's Fork
valley. and in fire wood for the settlers
in Butte
The Chester News nndoubtedly means
-