Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-12-18
ERE it takes its second leap,
us a spring Of sparkling water,
"Like a river. broad and deep.

river frontage of five hundred feet, Is
highest in the center and slopes off or
three sides. Lewis and Clarke, its discoy-
erers, refer to it as ''a large fountain, boil
ing up from underneath the rocks, nea1
the edge of the river, into which it flows
forming a cascade of eight feet" Its
water is of perfect clearness, Of blush
tint, which it tenaciously preserves for
half a mile in the midst of the Missouri
About hundred rods above the point
where the main volume of the suhter-
ranean river is discharged, is another ex-
actly similar spring, the power of which
can be realized from the fact that it stays
the rapid current of the river and main
tains its individuality throughout its whole
extent.
The temperature Of the Giant Spring,
throughout the year, is about 500 T. and
its volume has never been known to vary.
| Sometime there must have been bed of
solid rock in the place of the spring, but
now the water rushes out from every
BY some engine Of myriad horse power
To the rocks at the bottom of the spring
cling plants (the algae predominating) Of
various shapes, sizes and colors, the effect
of which, as the morning sun casts its
genial rays upon the pure waters, is beau
| tiful beyond power of description. The
scene reminds one of a huge prism, pois-
ed in the most favorable light. Upon any
one who has the slightest love of the
beautiful in nature, this magnificent
| spectacle grows, each time he is permitted
to feast his eyes upon it. Situated within
three miles of town, its accessibility COM
bined with its phenominal attractiveness
will make it a very popular resort. Its
waters have been analyzed by Prof.
Montgomery, of the University of Dakota,
the result of whose examination he states
as follows:-Organic matters, 0; chloride
of sodium, Q; sulphate of magnesium, 0;
clay (siiicate of alumina &c), 0: sulphate
of lime, very small quantity; carbonate of
lime, a trace. The professor adds:
at may be seen from the foregoing, that
the water is very pure indeed, much more
SO than the water OF city supplies usually
is. Its entire freedom from organic mat
ter (Whether of plant or animal orgin) is
Of the greatest importance. By carrying
no saline matters it contrasts strongly, |
with much Of the water obtained on the
western prairies. 1t is notquite as soft as
rainwater, because Of the small amount
of lime it contains; yet | have no doubt,
it will answer well for washing purposes"
From the Giant Spring we may look for
the future inexhaustible water supply of |
Great Falls It's waters perennially flow /
ing from the earth's cool cellar, can be /
conveyed to the city by pipes which can
be easily placed, as the grade is favorable
Already, several acres forming a beauti
full park about the springs have been en-
closed, the trees carefully protected and
piers built out over the springs, permit
ting full view thereof By another sea-
son a pavilion will be erected there,
where the many visitors can be pleasantly
refreshed. It will be the sfavorite resort
of youthful lovers, of careworn business
men who seek respite from the day rush
and worry, for the weary laborer who
will there find rest in contemplating the
beauties of nature and vigor in quaffing
the cooling draughts of pure water.
GOLFERS FALLS
We must not forget the next in the series
of cataracts, which would, Of itself IF not
found III such imposing company, be con- i
sidered sufficient to warrant the future of .
a town and draw hundreds of tourists to ,
view its strength and beauty. This is the /
cascade which stretches across the river /
for quarter of a mile with smooth de- |
scent of fourteen feet. This. we arrive at {
almost before the blue tint Of the Giant t
Spring has disappeared from the river. s
The name of Golfers Falls was bestowed i
lpon it by Mr.. Paris Gibson. the founder G
If Great Falls in honor of the hardy hunt I
IT and explorer who accompanied Lewis S
Z Clarke. In Irying's astoria" we find t
| thrilling account of one of his adven- S
ures, which in this connection will bear t
epeating. Mr. Irving says in substance: t
With the hardihood of a Irregular trapper, a
otter had cast himself loose from the c
'arty of Lewis & Clarke inthe wilderness. g
lie finally fell in with another trapper, n
AIMED Potts and they agreed to keep to- b
ether. One night they had set their traps o