Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-11
THE HILL PARTY.
What Mr.. Hill Said in an Interview
with q ssMiner,' Reporter.

ASSYVA -
A reporter of The MINER called upon
Mr.. James ]. Hill yesterday afternoon
while he was at the rooms Of the Silver
Bow Club. Approaching the TACT that that
gentleman is largely interested in the build
ing of railroads in Montana, the question
was aske. him if he contemplated an ex-
tension of his lines in this direction. The
gist Of Mr.. Hills reply was in effect that he
al here
TO SPY OUT THE LAND,
and the matter was under consideration.
I He remarked that he did not have much to
say; hat he appreciated the fact that
Butte desired increased transportation
facilities; that it was possessed OF immense
resources in it's wonderful mineral deposits;
that these resources could be made much
more rapidly productive by an additional
railway. But there is an obstacle in the
way-a high and
ROCKY RANGE OF MOUNTAINS TO CROSS.
that can make a profitable business in a
country. do not think that limit has
been approached in Montana. 1t appears
to me that the mine owners are paying
more here to get their products to the
railroad than it costs the owners OF SINH
lar properties III the Lake Superior region
to transport their bullion from the mines
to the market. have no doubt the North
ern Pacific and Union Pacific are doing all
they "a for you. I consider they labor
under disadvantages. The question is,
can get a good easy grade for our road to
Helena
WHETHER WE ILL COME TO BUTTE
or not l canuot say positively but We are
not SO far away as We were one year ago.
l consider Butte q very inviting field. Ii
the road comes it will come because we
think we can come with advantage to our
selves and the country. You annot run d
railroad on charity. l think the time has
passed when you can afford to pay the
prices for fuel, for transportation OF your
compelled to pay in the past. To contin-
ue to pay such prices you will not have
much left. A railroad helps the industries
all along its line and there seems to be a
country between Helena and this place
that will rapidly develop and contribute
largely to the business Of a road extending
it's line in this direction.
H RECEPTION.
The party arrived at Stuart on No. 6
passenger, where arrangements had been
made by Marcus DAILY to have the car side
tracked and ruin up to Anaconda. Here
the parry was met with carriages and
driven to the smelling works. After an in
spection they returned and came into Butte
at 1925. The party was met at the train
by Messrs. Joseph K. Clark, T. P. Fuller, |
A. j. Davis and Marcus DAILY, who escorted |
the gentlemen to the Parrot, Anaconda, !
Moulton and Lexington mi es and mills.
The gentlemen took a birds eve view of the
city from prominent points. They were cor
daily invited to dine with the Silver Bow
club, but being pressed for time were COM
PEELED to decline.
THE PARTY. |
The gentlemen composing the party were
Jas. J Hill, OF St. Paul; j. s.. Kennedy, Of
New York; Samuel Thorn, OF New York;
Hon. Smith N. Weed, son OF the late Thur
low Weed; Col. Chas. A. Broadwater, presi-
lent OF the Montana Central. and Hon.
Martin Maginnis- By special invitation
Capt. T. P. Fuller joined the party at Butte
and will accompany it to Helena and
Great Fails. The gentlemen left in their
private car which was attached to the $40 |
train on the Montana Union.
MIR. HILL n HIS WORK.
James J.. Hill is OF Scotch descent, and
twenty-five years ago was II clerk at the
steamboat landing in st. Paul. His first
money was made in u wood contract on
the St. Paul & Pacific, OF which he after
wards became superintendent. While
manager OF the road he in connection with
a Canadian syndicate in Montreal, secured
the controlling interest and formed what is |
now known as the St. Paul, Minneapolis &
Manitoba Railway. Mr.. Hill is now Presi-
dent OF the road and is reputed to be
worth over Sc, DOC. 900. He has one OF the
finest stock farms in tie Northwest and
has the finest herd OF Poll Angus cattle in
The world. He is also owner OF the stone |
bridge across the Mississippi at Mime
apoiis, the finest structure of its kindin the
world. He is a nan apparently about 81
years OF age, solidly built and full OF vigor.