The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-01-01
THE MANITOBA
AND
\ 1l0ntana Central RAILWAYS,
SCENIC ROUTE OF THE NORTH.
WEST.

That Great Falls is destined to be
numbered among the great inland cities
OF the continent is now beyond all ques-
tion. 1t is already the metropolis of that
immense empire Of agricultural, meadow
and grazing lands recently opened for
settlement, known Is the great Northern
reservation. Twenty million acres of as
good land a. can be found in the Union
here await the coming hosts of sturdy
young American home-seekers.
That practical, far-seeing, sagacious
railroad magnate, James J. Hill, upon his
first visit to Great Falls less than four
years ago, took In the situation at glance,
saw the possibilities and the beauty of
the city site and predicted that here
would be built great and prosperous
manufacturing and commercial metropo-
lis. So sanguine was he in the future of
Great Falls, even before survey was
made for the city, that he at once de-
clared that, within three years from that
time he would have the Manitoba loco
motives and trains rumbling along over
the tablelands, down the gentle slopes to
the Sun river and Missouri basins and in
to the city of Great Falls. His predic-
tion was fulfilled. The work was accom-
plished. The city of Great Falls had
hardly been founded ere the great Mani
toba came laundering at her doors. One
year ago there was no railroad here.
Now we have three railways terminating
here, a fourth under construction, and
roads and rumors of roads to connect us
with the north and south, the east and the
west, fill the air as with the melody of
the spheres.
Railroads are indispensable adjuncts in
the growth ofAmerican towns. They are
primary consideration with manufac,
turers and merchants when selecting new
locations. They are of vital Importance
to those industries whose products must
seek distant markets. With these points
In view, We present some details regard
ing the position which Great Falls holds
! as railroad center.
In the first place, Great Falls is the
western terminus of the Saint Paul, Min.
neapolis g.. Manitoba railroad, commonly
| called the "Manitoba," which is widely
| known rs an extensive. well-managed
system, that earns about $10,O00,000 :
year and traverses rich, productive
country in Minnesota, Dakota and Mon
tana, connecting important towns and ex
tending steadily with the growth of the
country. Mr.. Hill, the president of this
railroad. and some Of the large capitalists
associated with him therein are largely
interested in Great Falls and are aiding
materially in its advancement. The
founding of Great Falls and the develop
ment of its great industrial resources
have been linked with the construction o1
the Manitoba extension and that Of the
Montana Central railroads. This city
serves az terminus for each Of these
roads, and 10 expected by its trade, re
duction works and industrial products te
supply large part Of their traffic. Grea;
Falls was founded first, and the new
roads were constructed in accordance
with It's interests, which were identica.
with those Of the Manitoba system.
The Manitoba railroad, as already in
dicated, CONNECTS Great Falls with Sain
Paul and the network Of railroad line'
that concentrate there. The track is vel
constructed and the grades are light. The
distance by this route is 1,073 miles. The
freight rate for merchandise Of the frs
class is two dollars, which is thirty five
cents less than that by any route from
Saint Paul to Helena. The Manitoba has
| in fact, dictated the rate to Helena ant
| caused the general reduction which il
now in force.
The Manitoba railroad affords the full
lest facilities for procuring raw materia
for manufacturers by way of the grea
lakes and Duluth, or from Saint Paul
Chicago, and the east generally.
The relative position of Great Falls t,
the country that lies between it and th'
Pacific coast also insures that a railroat
will be built from here in that direction
The city may also regard as part of he
commercial territory the extensive British
provinces which lie north Of her. Grea
Falls will naturally be the terminus o
the starting point for the railroad that vii
connect Montana with that vast stock ane
grain producing region and the Canadian
Pacific railway system, already assuming
tangible prospect Of early construction
and it is not unlikely or impossible tba
ere another New Year shall have dawne'
upon US, our citizens may have the privi
lege of visiting their Canadian cousins Oh
and along the mighty British continenta
line, over the Great Falls and Calgary
lightning express.
| OF the Manitoba grades and road bee
from Great Falls to St. Paul, it will no
be negatived by any one who has travel
ed over the route, that, whilst the ballast
ing and equipment are equal to the hes
roads in the country, the grades are easle
and the country through which it passe
incomparably more inviting than that @
any other Of the trans-continental lines
1t is but what is already an accomplished
and admitted fact to say that the Mani
toba Pacific is the favorite route for tn
tourist and traveller. as we'll as the short
est and quickest for the merchant, bust
neEs man and immigrant. between TIN