The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-08-29
THE CITY OF THE GREAT FALLS.

THE CITY OF THE GREAT FALLS.
A very candid and intelligent Ohio gen
tleman who visited this city few weeks
since has written the subjoined letter
over the signature az to the Fremont,
Ohio, Messenger, under date of Great
Falls, Aug. 10, which will be found in
teresting to our readers, as being the re-
suit of the observations of careful and
disinterested traveller:
This is pretty city lying on the right
side Of the NJ issouri river about 100 miles
from the confluence of the jefferson
and other mountain streams. The streets
are wide and regular, the site generally
undulating ana surrounded on all sides
by mountains, some of which are always
snow capped. Here begin rapids which
extend down the river about fourteen
miles and at times form beautiful water
falls. The water power available is very
great aud may he made to turn machin-
cry at little expense.
The great volume of water in the river
and the fall combine to give natural adj
vantages seldom equaled. The town is
new but claims 5000 to 1000 population,
has water works, which supply an abund-
ance of the finest water we have used
since we left St. Paul, and electric lights.
Boating, fishing and hunting furnish ex-
cellent opportunities for amusement.
AS before stated the city is at the first
rapids. This morning in comfortable
rig, with a driver who proved competent,
we were early on our way to take in the
sights down the river. First we halted
at the Giant spring. 1t is as wonderful
as Niagara. The waters that flow from
it are from three to five times greater
than those of the Sandusky and are as
clear as crystal and deliciously pure and
cool to the taste. The spring lies about
ten feet above the waters of the river and
covers space of one-fourth of an acre.
Next to Niagara it is the most enchanting
work of nature we have ever looked up
on. Once seen it will never be forgot
ten. Here is located the Great Falls
smelter, destined to be the greatest ore
reduction works in Montana. Its sur
roundings arc most fortunate. The great
spring furnishes a never failing supply
of purest water and the mountains hard
by, coal, limestone and ore.
1,oin %bo I. D.,:, ,1,~ g~11
of fifty feet and most beautiful pic
ture it presents. We now gradually as
cend to the "benches," as people here call
the hills and the river plunges into mar
row chaNn. An hours drive and wo eau
again hear the roar Of water and our
guide informs lis we are near the Great
falls. We alight and begin the descent
with faint hope Of reaching the river
bed below the falls and 200 feet below us.
There are no steps, not even beaten
path and our guide says we better not go
down. But we try and get down perhaps
seventy-fsve feet, and are on the brink of
a bluff that prevents going further. We
are too weary and discouraged with falls
and climbing to seek another route or
make u second attempt. Far below
us is the river and up stream one-fourth
mile we have good view of the falls.
Our guide says they are ninety ight feet
and we do not doubt it. Guides out here
are not given to exaggeration, more like
ly to not tell the whole truth, lest they
are not believed. Tho falls extend from
bluff to bluff.
We returned to Great Falls by more
direct route and passed through several
prairie dog to .'ns getting good views OF
the little fellows and hearing the bark OF
alarm. We also see several focks OF
prairie chickens and wish heartily
for a gun as the birds refused to fly as we
''shew" them and wave our hand.
The route travelled yesterday from Hell
ena to this place, through Prickly Pear
canyon, presents the finest scenery in the
mountains. 1t is much of the way down
grade and is made at great speed, but
passengers are so occupied gazing upon
the mountains that the dangers are not
thought Of. But they have no railroad ac-
cidents here. Men of nerve and skill
control.