The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-03-21

have been able to devote, during the busy
moments of the day. It is needless to
state that / am now addressing the
representative business men of the Oldest
town in the territory, and that long before
Montana and Idaho enlisted, Fort Benton
was known and through the columns of
the Press, frequently heard from When
was school boy, and all this surround
ing country, even down to the Dakota
line. was called Washington territory,
Fort Benton had place upon the maps OF
the day. This leads to the suggestive re-
Election that with the choice of all this
vast section from which to select site
for a commercial depot, the great COM
pany, whose crumbling building attracts
the attention Of every visitor, must have
discovered peculiar advantages in this
spot, when decision was made to locate
here The wisdom of the fur company's s
agents was fully demonstrated in later
years, when our town became the entrepot
of all Montana, and is further exemplified
by the fact that to-day we have three busi-
ness houses whose sales are not surpassed
by those Of any similar establishments in
the territory. There is little doubt gen
tlemen, that Fort Benton stands in some
bodies way just now, and there are not
lacking enemies who would gladly de-
throne her. They cannot succeed. The
~ r,n1
establishment Of this city, will maintain
it while time shall endure. This brings
us down to the present, We meet here,
for the purpose Of celebrating an i'm
portant event in the history of our city,
one that does honor to the enterprise of
our citizens, and marks an important era
in the advancement of our town; an era
that places her in line with the pro-
gressiye cities of both east and west. [
refer to the introduction of electric light
and water works. [ feel / would be want
ing in courtesy, should fail to mention
the name of gentleman, who though
stranger in the territory, was quick to see
money to a sum closely approaching one
hundred thousand dollars Geo. E. Wool
ston Qoud cheers. The gentleman, does
not travel for his health, nor gather where
he strews not. He has put good hard
coin into our city which is evidence that
he shares with us in the belief Of bright
future near at hand.
After a song in which all joined with
will, Mr.. Ell. G. Mcintyre was called
upon to respond to the toast 'The re-
sources of Northern Montana" The
"visiting statesman" wasted no time and
in a witty and humorous strain dwelt
at great length upon the many varied re-
sources Of the territory, surrounding and
tributary to this city. In concise and
pointed language, he explained why it
was that trade must inevitably drift to
this great commercial center, and clearly
demonstrated that water navigation was
the power behind the throne, SO far as
railroad tariffs are concerned in Montana.
He believed that within few years this
would be a jobbing city Of great impor-
tance and predicted brilliant future for
the city.
Mr.. Jos. A. Baker responded to the
sentiment 'The stock interests of north
ern Montana" After few pleasantries
the gentleman said:
It may be thought by some that the
duty devolves upon me this evening OF
pointing out to you safe, judicious and
profitable stock investment and | feel that
I can heartily recommend to you the stock
Of the Geo. f. Woolston Water Works
and Electric Light Co., Of the City of
Fort Benton-a stock that will always be
above par; stock that will pay big divi-
dends every year; stock that every man
in Benton will be proud to own, and a
stock that will always remind US of the
stranger who came into our midst and
by the liberal expenditure of his
money signifed his confidence in the ul-
innate greatness Of our city, situated at
the head of navigation on the mighty
Missouri, the key to the commerce of the
territory Of Montana, vast and grand as it
is; key that cannot be lost or stolen;
key the more you use it the stronger it
becomes; key the value Of which the
inhabitants Of the whole territory are just
beginning to discover will unlock the door
of competition and let loose the benif-
cent results Of this most potent factor to
all commercial interests. We have the
key in the door now; it has turned the
ock and we have opened only crack, and
the first gust that came out was felt and
TO, as we all know from the
late cutting of freight rates. When this
loor is flung wide open there will be such
i rattling Of dry bones, such rush to be
n on time, such building of railroads
nto this town, such towing Of barges
up and down this river, such locating Of