The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-05-12


of that camp, and the only possible way
that any practicable or feasible route for
wagon or rail transportation can reach
this district. Ii does not alter the facts
one iota, as to the route advanced and
recommended by those opposed to this
right of way, and we say, honestly and
without fear of contravention, that such
is the fact, not from hearsay CT rumor,
but from actual knowlege of all the pro-
posed route. The one or two advanced
by the people of Billings, via Clark's
Fork river to the mines is the only one
that is possible, let alone practicable.
We concede that other routes look well
and feasible ON paper, and will further ac-
knowledge that the grades are easy ana
practical to the canyon of the river some
so miles south of Billings, but there
they are stopped, so far as usefulness to
the mines is concerned, by perpendicular
walls hundreds of feet high. This diff
Guilty we too acknowledge can be over
come by fine engineering with millions
to back it. From the canyon to Cooke
City is a distance of 40 miles through
heavy forests, up hills and mountains
until an altitude Of at least 5000 feet is
reached at the divide between Clark's
Fork and Soda Butte creek. This could
all be overcome with the necessary capt.
tai were it not for the immense snow
fall in that particular country, which
seldom melts, even during the hottest
summer months. This route might be
made practical, but such is the fact, and
a railroad could not possibly be operated
more than three months in the year and
we again say that route is utterly inn
practicable for these reasons.
Some others have proposed a route up
saltwater River, which is practicable for
80 or 40 miles, then tie same difficulties
are met; in fact. the old mountainous
say, ian eagle could not fly over that
route" Still another reason why rail-
roads could not be built over either of
these routes, is the fact that they are
over the Crow Indian reservation, which
title would have to revert back to the
government before even survey could be
legally made, This last is only cited to
show the policy of the incorporation
known as the Billings, Clark's Fork &
-naal.a ni4s. Rail-pAaA- Il..4-.e-ee,s>l-s-->c
Billings, by their action in these matters
are very ignorant of the country they
propose to build railroad over, or are
maliciously misleading the eastern pub
lie TO the injury Of every person now
interested in Clarks Fork mines.
The right of way through a part of
the National Park, now before congress,
is of vital interest to the future of the
New World mining district, which has
been fettered and bound down, from its
discovery to the present time, by virtue
OF inaccessibility. Those hardy, honest
miners that have staid with their claims,
enduring all kinds of hardships for from
five to sixteen years, ask that after all
these years of plivation and waiting,
when hope was almost gone, the iron
horse" at last entered the borders of our
beloved mountain home, Montana.
Then these same men could see
in the far future realization of some of
their hopes, in sending to market the
wealth that they had during all these
years unlocked from the bosom of
mother earth. Now, because they have
brought their situation before congress,
and ask for simple relief by right of
way for railroad through a part of the
nations pleasure ground" subject to
the prior rights of this class of pioneers,
that has made it possible not only for
the advent of railroads, but the proud
station that the mining industry has
attained throughout the world-we say
because they ask this and nothing more,
the 'tenderfoot" and eastern "dude"
sent out to investigate and report to
some of the departments of the federal
government as to the feasibility, neees-
sity, etc." of this right of way, some
hing they know nothing about-we
refer here particularly to the report of
W. G. Phillips to the Interior Depart.
nent on this matter, he recommends
hat this right of way 'be not granted"
rs it will destroy the beauty of the Park
md many points OF interest therein, be-
tides increasing forest fires by sparks
rom locomotives, etc Now, it is a no.
,orious fact that the government en-
oloyes in the National Park, from the
down are against this
'elief to this district, and we dare say
hat if the whole facts were made known
Mr. Phillips report emanated from or
through the same source. What their
motive can be in this matter is hard to
urmise, unless thej imagine that this
abroad might cut some figure in secur-
ng a large appropriation for wagon
DAD to the same destination. This we
10 know and fearlessly say, that Mr.
Phillips report was mainly If not who'll
y untrue. No sane man can truthfully
ay that the right of way asked for
ouches single point of interest except
possibly what is called Soda Butte Spring,
which is located about 20 miles from
Joke City, near the mouth of Soda
Butte creek-an interesting spring flow
ng from the bed of the creek, with not
tree large enough for shade within
nile. Its principal feature is millions of
and buffalo gnass that hang
yer the spring and valley like cloud
Turing the summer months. Not one
ourist in thousand goes to it or near
/. for all the interesting points are from
0 to 70 miles Southwest.
We are surprised that such papers as
be Spirit of the Times and Forest and
tream have editorials against the right
+ way. The former Of April 10th has an
rticle on the Park that voices the ssnti-
rent of every Montf nian as TO Hunters
+ all kinds" and the Brigands Of wall
tres" but they are wrong on this bin
the senate. We cannot any they are