The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-16
CITY NEWS AND GOSSIP.
A Government Omcial is Here After
Information About the Mis-
souri, River.
Are Death Traps In Disguise Being
Erected on Main
Street?
The Hunting Season Has Beeun-what is
the New Chemical Engine For?-
Industries for Helena.

JIG. Sanford, secretary of the Missouri
river commission, arrived from st. Louis
yesterday, having spent a day at Great
Falls. His mission is on business connect
cd with the survey of the Missouri river now
going on under the direction of Engineer
Mari. In the river and harbor bill now
pending in congress Representative Carter
has had inserted provision for setting
apart an appropriation for the work of rem
dering the Missouri navigable between Hell
ena and Great Falls. Mr.. Sanford il now
DESTROYS of ascertaining the views and
wishes of the residents of both Helena and
Great Falls in this connection and is inter
viewing the citizens of both places. So far
the subject has not met with much favor, as
it is believed at both ends that no good can
result from it, as there will be nothing to
ship, and besides the Missouri is very I'M
certain as to depth of water in certain sea
sons, for navigation purposes. It is be-
lieved, however, and will be urged upon
Mr.. Sanford, that great deal of go cd
could be accomplished by damming the
river and maintaining storage reservoir
for the purpose of bringing under cultiva-
ton thousands of acres of table lands
that only require irrigation to make them
productive. To-day Mr.. Sanford will visit
the scene of operations at the Missouri
River Power coppany's dam at Stubs
Ferry. It is the general opinion that gov
ernment appropriation to render the Mis-
souri,, or portion of it, useful for irriga-
ton purposes would be of far more benefit
than the idea of expanding millions of dol
lars in establishing navigation to Great
Falls from Three Forks.
The city council, at its last session, ap-
pointed, through President Steele, a COM
mittee to cooperate with like committees
from the Board of Trade and Chamber of
Commerce to investigate and devise FEAST
BILE plans for attracting eastern capitalists
to Helena, with view to the establishment
of manufacturing industries. 1t is hoped
that the business mems organization will
appoint their committees. They will find
ardent supporters in the present council to
any plan that has for it's object the build
ing up Of Helena, and hurrying it on to that
stage of industrial Importance which will
give it foremost lead among the new
northwestern cities.
The numerous fire alarms that have been
sent in lately have been the cause of giving
the 6remen and the horses some good ex-
ercise. The people generally take note of
the appearance of the department. and are
quick to criticise anything that they deem
to be worth finding fault with. Some time
ago q new hook and ladder truck equipped
with an arial ladder was purchased by the
city council. Several trials of the appara-
tus were made and the ladder worked in
very satisfactory manner. A chemical
engine was also added to the fire depart
ment. When an alarm is sent in all that
can be seen of the department is hose car
riaRe and the old hook and ladder truck
trailing along after it, pulled by one horse.
The game season opened yesterday. One
attractive feature is the pursuit of the prai-
RE chicken, which is attended with exhilar-
ating joys of various kinds, and it is not
surprising that the pursuit of this wary
bird appeals particularly to the hunters of
Montana. Game is said to be scarce down
in the valley. number of Helena hunts
men have gone to Townsend, where the
prospects for good shooting are better. Big
game, such as deer, is reported to be plenti-
full in the vicinity of Elkhorn.
The taking of testimony in the case of
O'Donnell Va. Mcbride g. Haldorn, by Ref
cree Cation, at Butte has been concluded.
Concerning the case the Butte Mining
Journal says: When O'Donnell began his
disbarment proceedings against Mcbride d
Haldorn, the Mining journal stated it
would end in a farce. This was proven yes
terday when O'Donnell refused, in response
to the subpoena of Haldorn, to take the
stand and verify his accusations under
oath. We do not agree politically with the
supreme court, but We not think that when
O'Donnell said that he wanted to consult
with one Of the justices of that body that
he was stretching the truth, for it is certain
not one of them would consult with him or
any one else, in advance, upon case that
was to come before them. As the matter
stands the poor fellow O'Donnell is to be
pitied, for the people who instigated the
prosecution have deserted him and left him
to continue contest that should never have
been begun. His case is an exemplifca-
ton of the old stanza:
"Fools rush in