The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-12-19
correspondence of the RIVER PRESS.

correspondence of the RIVER PRESS.
LErHBRIDGE, n. w. Ty, Dec. 10, 1888.
At this season, while the people of Fort
Benton are basking in the warmth Of
g Birch creek and Belt creek coal, at cost
Of from $40 to $12 per ton, and those Of
Winnipeg, distance Of 750 miles from
here, are paying ST per ton for more su-
perior article shipped from Lethbridge,
the people of this infant but thriving city
are deriving the same comfort at cost
of only $3.50 per ton for the best quality
of coal taken from
THE GAIT MINE.
As every eye and ear in northern Mon
tana as we'll as in this section of the
o Northwest Territory, are directed to the
progress and development of the exten-
sive coal fields Of this section, few facts
and figures furnished your correspondent
by Mr. w. Stafford, the clever accommo-
dating and efficient superintendent of the
celebrated Gait mine, will certainly not
fail to interest the $500 readers of the
RIVER PRESS, who, like unto yourself, are
looking forward with pride and pleasure
to the near future when this same coal
will be
WHIRLED INTO BENTON
over the Gait railroad and delivered at
your doors. There are at present in the
employ of the n. W. G. & n Co. about $50
men. Of this number $50 are employed
within and about the mines, and 100 on
the narroW-gauge railroad, over which the
coal is transferred and delivered to the
Canadian Pacific at Dunmore. Twenty
head Of horses and mules are employed in
the mines in drawing the coal from the
point where it is mined to the foot Of the
incline. from where it is holsted by steam,
screened and Eloaded upon the cars for
shipment.
THE DAILY OUTPUT
of the mines is 45O tons of lump and so
tons of nut coal per day. The monthly
pay roll of the company amounts to S24,-
900, which is paid in cash to the employees
on the 18th of every month. The miners
are for the most part Hungarians, who
claim from one to three days out Of every
month as holidays and are as general
rule steady and trustworthy laborers.
The groupings Of this immense body OF
coal. the vein of which is five feet thick,
can be traced for about half mile south
and ten miles north. and from other evil
q dences there is a sufficient quantity
TO LAST FOR 200 YEARS
at daily output OF 400 tons. About
three-quarters of mile east OF and 300
feet above the level of the main entrance
to the mines the company has diamond
drill, and has bored to depth OF 800 teet'
passing through two veins OF coal and
striking the third, which is at present be-
ing mined. AS the coal land is purchased
from the government at a cost OF $40 per
acre. this drilling process is done partly
to ascertain as near as possible the actual
amount Of coal lands and for other rea
sons.
THE TOWN OF LETHBRIDGE
is completely undermined by seven or
eight tunnels, the longest OF which IS
about half mile and connects with a
shaft sunk from above to the depth OF 80
feet These tunnels run nearly parallel
with each other and are connected Dy
cross tunnels, all Of which can be better
described by comparing them to we'll
laid out city, with its blocks, streets and
alleys. In the main and cross tunnels
small steel tracks are laid, on which the
rakes. or small cars, loaded with coal, are
drawn from the different parts OF the
mines to the entrance.
THE N. w. C. N. COMPANY
is certainly most liberal in It's views, ana
while it is exerting every effort to build
up the largest industry in the northwest,
it is also doing great deal to build up
their town. which is now in it's third year.
The company has no stores, no butcher
shops, no bakeries and no saloons. Inc
$4,000 which is paid to its employees ev-
cry month is spent by them anywhere
and in any manner they may desire.
A SYSTEM OF WATER WORKS,
such as Benton has, is much needed here,
and could be easily arranged. The town
is situated on a high bluff, overlooking
Belly river. and all the water used by the
inhabitants is delivered by wagons after
the old style. In the chain OF necesslIies
for the better development Of the I'M
mense and valuable coal fields by Whlcn
the town Ii surrounded, and for the future
growth and prosperity OF the city, there y