The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-09
MISSOURI AND MONTANA
Representatives of the Sister States
Feast at the Banquet
Board
Words eand Expressions OF
Friendship Cordially
Exchanged.
How the Kansas City Visitors are Being
Entertained-They Will Visit
Marysville To-day

It was very fitting that the party of Mis-
sourians now sojourning in Helena should
sit down at the banquet board with
party of Montanians and indulge in this
pleasant way in feast of food, wine, wit
and wisdom in that now famous hostelry,
the Broadwater hotel, the pride of all Mon
tana.
About eight o'clock last evening the Kan
sas City party, with an equal number Of
Helena's prominent business men. assem-
bled there. Choice music from Prof. Ro
mandy's orchestra whiled away pleasant
hour, when the party repaired to the ban
uuet. The caterer had covers laid for fifty
five, and all places we're occupied. Grace
fully entwined in the center of the long row
of tables were fragrant flowers. With the
aid of polite attendants. ample Justice was
done bountiful and elaborate spread, in
numerous courses. Helena man sat be-
side each guest, and the evening was most
eniOyably spent in conversation. At An OPP
perfume time Mr.. E. w. Knight, that prince
of after dinner speakers, presided as toast
master, and in his inimitable style made
some happy remarks.
People Of Missouri are always welcome in
Montana, and it is only meet that they
should be for to that state Montana owes a
debt of eternal gratitude. There is no state
in the union that bears closer relations to
Montana than Missouri. The grand con-
Meeting link of our empire with it is the
mighty Missouri river, which finds its head
waters in the Rocky mountains. It was
alonp this stream that Missouri enterprise
and brain, often with great suffering, hard
ships and danger from Indians came to PEN
citrate the confines of Montana, and bring
it from an uncivilized and wild region. up
to its present greatness and wealth. For
many years the Missouri river afforded the
only means of communication with the
east, and Missouri was the objective point
in all commercial relations. That state
''blazed the trail,'' depopulated the terri
tory of its wild hordes, and supplied the
brains which made Montana the home for
many happy thousands. And to-day num-
bered among the most prominent men of
the state are to be found many who proudly
was that state which gave the first home
rule'' governor Montana territory ever had
as we'll as the first governor Of the
new state and for many years
the leaders in Montana's legislative
halls have been Missourians. These are
the things that closely unite the two states,
and the recollections of them will always
assure warm spot in a Montanian's at
fections for her people, And while they
are true, Montana has last no opportunity
to reciprocate. The greatest silver mine in
the world they have given to Missouri peo-
pie and Montanians are glad to know that
her biggest bonanza has made st. Louis
people rich. The most fertile valley In
Montana is called the Missouri valley and
what will prove the most important cleo
trical plant in the west will be
the outcome of the Missouri River
Power company, an enterprise which will
turn the eyes of the western world with
envy upon the Queen City of the Noun
tains, and which will place her in the front
rank Of important industrial. commercial,
railroad and financial centers of the north
west.
These were some of the sentiments ex-
pressed at the banquet last night by Mr..
knight, the truth of which is beyond dis
pute. It was whole-souled and royal, but
modest welcome that Helena men gave to
the visitors. That the hospitality was APP
preolated was indicated by the heartiness of
the responses to the toasts. Governor j. X.
Toole had been invited to attend the ban
quet and make an address OF welcome, but
the governor found it impossible to be
present with the gathering which included
some of his schoolmates. Another good old
Missourian did the honors, in the person
of Prof. G. G. Swallow, than whom very few
men stand frmer i'll the hearts of Mis-
sourians. DIR. Swallow, who is now "a years
of age, but who under the balmy influences
of Montana air, reiuvenates with the pass
1uX years. WIS lA Alo OcSO Vc1Al AdsO Aikub
and made happy talk, mingled with wit
and anecdote. He reminded the visitors
that forty yesrs ago he shot a
buck where now stands the Kan
sas City court house. 1t was
then forest. The eminent
frequently paints her glories and possibili-
ties with his facile pen, spoke enthusiasts
tically of Montana's matchless mineral re-
sources and the opportunities she still
holds out to young men who are industrious
and ambitious. He extended q most Cor.
Helena.
Mr.. L. r. Lancaster. of st. Joseph, wa,
called. upon by Mr.. Knight to respond il
behalf of the visitors. He said he neve
made an after dinner speech in his life, bu
his maiden effort made a reputa.
less be called upon in the future
He but voiced the sentiment o
each guest, he said, in saying
that he and they were pleased and gratitiet
beyond measure at the treatment they hat
received. To him it seemed that west o
the Missouri river the hearts of the people
seem to grow bigger. 1t was not quite tw'
years ago, he said, that a thunderbol
struck the nation. 1t had its origin in thu
halls of congress and swelled out and ex,
tended until for the first time III history
the eyes of the English speaking world wer'
riveted upon Montana. Until then Mon
tana was known only within a very small
circle, but that speech of Joseph X
Toole. when he spoke for Montana HON,
rule" continued the speaker. filling up will
emotion, electrified the entire country
II was that one speech. more than anything
else, believe, that gave to Montana tina
home rule which she now enjoys. And W,
people of st. Joseph We're proud of our Joe
and prouder still to see him governor O
the state which he so dearly loves Rount
after round of applause greeted Mr.
Lancaster. He predicted a brigh
future for Helena and hoped sh
would attain everything her ambition
craved and promised that he would not b
backward in letting his people know of tn
present and prospective future.
The Rev. J. w. Deyall, of Kansas City
being called upon put the assemblage i
continued good humor by a happy tall
The reverend gentleman has a fund 0
story. In starting off he told of a Sunda
school worker who had class III a peniten
tiary. He was always DESTROYS of sayin
something pleasant to his class by way q
greeting. and on this occasion remarked: "
am glad to see SO many of you here Til
put the party in a roar of laughter and I'll
gentleman continued making a very plea.
ant address. In concluding with wis
that Montana should become a big stat
he wanted the people of Montana to be,
in mind that Missouri is the hub and MOI
tana will be spoke.
Judge L. c. Irvine, who is an eloquel
talker, made the closing speech which pro
cd I'm orr for tina pnp