Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-18
THE LINK TO GALLArlN.

Inc lucid exposition OF the opportunity
almost within the grasp OF Butte's citi;
Gems to have the link between here and
Gallatin on the Northern Pacific built
ought to set the business men OF the com.
munity to thinking out a plan to realize
the immense advantages to this city that
tho building OF that link OF railroad
would confer. The advantages in the way
Of obtaining q short cut to one of the best
coal beds in the West, the Rock Creek,
which are pronounced by competent
judges the equal of that at Rock Springs,
Wyoming, is alone incentive enough to
make this community anxious to see the
link built. With only one source OF sup
ply, as at present, situated twice as far
away as that in Montana, coal consumers
are at the mercy OF the railroad that
brings that coal, and which, at this season
OF the year, is every now and then threat
ened with q total suspension of supplies
from snow blockades. The Rock Creek
coal banks, even by the present round
about route OF the Northern Pacific and
Montana Union, are closer to Butte than
the Wyoming coal banks. But they would
be fully a hundred miles nearer by the
cutoff from Butte to Gallatin being built.
This is only one item Oh inducement for
active exertion in the matter by Butte
people. The Gallatin and Yellowstone Val |
]eys are known and acknowledged all over
the Territory as rich agricultural sections.
This link to Gallatin would make Butte |
the most desirable market for their pro.
and bring a large amount OF trade
here from that part OF the Territory. It
would render Butte the entrepot for the
now built and certain to spring
up along the Northern Pacific. They have
no love for Helena which has lost no op-
portunity to cripple them and they would
naturally deal here where there are already
such large stocks of goods. These results
are patent to the most casual observer.
They do not need to be enlarged upon to
plainly understood.
Butte business men have been deferred
rom action hitherto in this matter by an
dea that the Northern Pacific officials
we're committed in favor of Helena and
would not entertain a project that prom
SEES to relegate the present capital to a
way station on the line. But the circum-
'tances are changed. The Chief Engineer
ron whatever cause, concluded to
I'm the main line through the expen-
i've and dangerous Mullan tunnel rat her
han through Pipestone pass, is super
eded by a man who will naturally desire
o shine as the rebuilder OF q most i'm
'ortant part OF the great Northern Pacific.
I no can be persuaded to See the advan.
ages to the road that will be derived by it -;
nd the people OF Butte from building this
the thing is assured. It il not the =,
l~terests OF the operating officials of the
Dad that are to he considered. They ,
lay have all the means they can spare E
1vested in town lots in Helena or else- :
here. fChief Engineer Kendrick can be ,
to the true faith it would be
ell worth while for Butte to put mission
ries on his track at once. 1t is rre-emi-
emily such work as the Board of Trade =
light undertake.. 1t is understood that it q
as by the active exertions OF the Board of a..
rade OF Helena that that town WAS :;
referred when the Northern Pacific route ;,
as selected by General Anderson. The :.
led for building the link to Gallatin is :
and its necessity more apparent b
'-day than it was seven years ago, before :,
le decision in favor OF Helena was made. :,
he great bulk OF the immense output Of
lls camp would unquestionably have
und it's way over the Northern Pacific. =
if the Northern Pacific road cannot n
induced to see it's advantage in this way, II
ny should not the Bozemsn l. Butte +
ail,oad scheme Of last year be revived? p
Inscriptions for such a road could be 9
ised between the two towns whose II
'althy citizens possess sufficient capital :,
spare to invest in such a paying enter a
Use as this is sure to DO. It is chiefly to. q
e interest Of Butte people to have the n
built, and they must take the initia. u
re in the work of agitation for it. CT