The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-10-16
ROAD MEETING.
Gathering Of the Citizens OF Bitter Root ut
StevensviIle.
From the Missotila Times.

O1Inorluk Oh the ClIlzen9 OF bitNer hOot ~
stevensville.
From the Missoula Times.
STEvESsvILLE, Mont, Oct. 8, l8s5.-Notice
having been given that a road meeting would
be held at this place to-day, for the purpose
Of devising ways and means of constructing
y wagon road to Philipsburg and other
points, . large and enthusiastic crowd assem-
bled at the school house. Doctor Wells
called the meeting to order, and after stating
the object of the meeting in . few well
chosen words, the meeting proceeded to
elect officers for a permanent organization.
w. j. Mccormick was elected chairman and
Gust. Moser secretary.
w. J. Mccormick, on taking the chair,
made the folio wing remarks:
Gentiemen-At the time this project was
first talked OF. in 1868, I was the editor of the
Pioneer, a small paper published at Missoula.
did not think at that time that the road
could be built. There were very few people
in the valley and they had but very limited
means. passed over the route with my
friend, A. s. Blake, in 1868, and learned
something about the general character Of the
country over which the proposed road was
to be built. did not think that with the
limited means that could be commanded the
road could be built And, although q COM
mittee was sent to Deer Lodge and Butte,
and raised considerable means, yet I was
satisfied it could not be built, and therefore
opposed the construction of the road. i
knew the people of Deer Lodge and Butte
would not stand any more expense. But
since that time times have changed, and the
Bitter Root is now settled by lively and
energetic people. aud, although some may
be in debt, yet the majority will contribute
willingly and literally to the enterprise.
The first thing to be done Is 10 appoint a
committee with the sole purpose Of finding
out the actual grade to the road and approx
mate as to the cost of the same. The parties
that have gone over the road appro ximete
the cost at various sums-some as low as
So 900, while others are more liberal, and put
1t at $4,000. Ny own judgment is that 1t
cannot be built for less than $50, 900. 1t is
for the people of Bitter Root to say what
amount they can contribute to the construc-
matter was properly represented to the peo-
pie of Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Butte and
Philipsburg, they would contribute literally
to the scheme. There is but one thing in my
judgment to help Bitter Root, and that is to
find market for her produce. which can be
done If this road Is built.
Now in 1868 the people of Bitter Root con-
tributed about 81 900 to build the Bitter Boot
Direct, and all that they did was to make a
very poor trail from the Lafountaine mill to
Rock creek. A road they did not build, for
an empty wagon could not be hauled over It.
MY notion is that the old route will have to
be abandoned, but this will be for the COM
mittee to say. l have nothing further to say;
and although 1 am not a farmer, am as
much interested in Bitter Root as any one,
and the scheme will receive my hearty sup
port, both financially and otherwise.
John b. Catlin was next called on, and
said that he was one of the party that went
over the trail few weeks since, and he con-
sidered they had found practicable route.
He said his idea in calling this meeting was
to have committee appointed, and have
them 60 over the route and approximate the
cost.
Rev. E. J. Stanley said that he had always
considered this to be the paradise of Mon
tana, and although he had been criticised for
calling 1t such, he was satisfied II some of the
parties were to be here few weeks, they
would be convinced he was right. If you
build this road, you would find profitable
market in either Butte, Anaconda, Philips
burg, or any Of the mining communities over
there, for your produce.
Z. J. Hits said he was one of the party
that went over the trail few weeks since,
and was satisfied the road could be built.
Louis Clairmont also made remarks, some
thing to the same effect.
u o H.. said he had heard the opinion
of three of the parties that went over the
trail short time ago, and he said it sounded
very good to talk about 1t; but 1t did no good
and hence he would introduce the following
resolution:
Resolued, That a committee Of ten be ap-
pointed to 20 over this route, establish the
road, find out the grade, and approximate the
cost of the same.
The resolution was adopted, and the fol-
lowing committee was appointed:
John B. Catlin and Fred. Buck, Of Steve
Vile; Louis Clairmont, Ed. Carron and A
NJ. Hightower, of Burnt Fork G. T. Jones
j. L. Humble and Jake Golf, of Corvallis
Abe Mittower and Z. Hackett, of Victor
aud II. II. Grant, of Grantsdale.
The committee are to work without com
pensation.
The merchants of Stevensville agreed te
furnish provisions for the committee, and
Major Mccormick said the Fort Owen mill,
would furnish the -four.
A resolution was passed instructing the
secretary to furnish a minute of the proceed
ing to the Times and Missoulidn, and to thu
papers at Butte, Deer Lodge and Anaconda
The meeting then adjourned until October
18th, at which time the committee Is to re
port. GUST. MosER, Secretary.
| NASAL INJECTOR free with each bottle o