The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-21
Party 81 Townsend Citizens Ex-
anime Thoroughly the Pro-
posed Routes to the Camp.
lsess Than Fifty Miles Of Road
Neoessary Over the Route
Suggested
representative Of the G. B. = q. Met
g Castls-The Mining Camp
Very Busy Place.

paasss and points suggested as of especial
ndvantage on the proposed Townsend and
Dry Greek route, q party of citizens of this
plaoe, headed by County Commissioner
VIM. 3. Tiernsy and Colonel Jas. L. Fisk,
thorough an examination as practicable of
Tho nifty miles of space lying along said
Gsneral line between Townsend and Castle.
The party returned here at sunset Satur-
day, enthusiastic over the results of their
0xtendsd reconnaissance. They assert that,
~ shown by Engineer Keerl, and which is
plaHnly apparent to all visitors, the route
mp Dry creek itself, as we'll as the surpris-
inglv low divide at the Belt range summit,
may be accepted as unequaled in dlrectness
and grade advantages by any other line or
route that can be mentioned. 1t should
prove practical feeder to the important
industries and trade facilities growing up
in and about our grand capital city, or as
an additional outlet for the increasing pro-
pass or summit at the head of Dry creek,
situated in the heart of one Of the most
picturesque and fertile basins in our whole
mountain system, is nearly zoo feet lower
than any other known for distance of
more than hundred miles along the great
10 out down to bedrock entirely through the
range by Sixteen-mile creek, but the lower
half Of which runs through precipitous,
almost impossible canyons and leads out
into another canyon out of sight Of every
body, few miles this side of the three
forks Of the Missouri. This magnificent
upper Dry Creek basin is already the home
and paradise of large bands of range stock,
all d which are fat and sleek. The late
citixens' survey resulted in examining the
two highest passes, one at the head OF Spring
creek. the other on the northwest side of
Wall mountain, requiring climbs and de-
descent of some $50 feet from the low divide,
The other two passes, which were not thus
examined, those of Rattle Snake canyon,
on lower Spring creek, south of Tierney's
iu a so sa Of stewsrt's both Of witch cut
deep holes through the Wall mountain
spur below the basin swamp, and lead out
around and down in to Sixteen Mile above
it, worst canyons, were examined by
Msssrs. Fisk, Tierney and Robinson and
with the old and accepted survey made by
the Northern Pacific forces two years ago.
There is no doubt that the upper water
courses Of Sixteen Mile can furnish the
best grades and most feasible approaches
to Castle, though it may here also be sug-
gested that the intermediate country be-
tween the west side of Belt range and the
Castle mountains' gateway can be traversed
with much directness from the head of
Spring creek to pass through spur at
Whites ranch, instead of going around by
Mayne's, saving six miles, thence across
the divide between the heads of Smith river
and Sixteen mile ETC.; yet as before stated
the grade through Rattlesnake canyon
around on to Upper Sixteen mile creek at
or near RObinson's ranch. thence up Six
ceived most worthy Of especial investiga-
ton.
This route via Townsend, as suggested,
would bring Castle within total distance
Of about eighty miles from Helena and less
than fifty miles of road to build from the
saving of forty miles Of construction over
any proposed Independent line from Hell
ena. Really, Helena's connection with
Castle via Townsend will be as close as
Livingston's would be via Shields River.
while the latter route would divert the line
to point 100 miles eastward from the
great plants and commercial center of our
state. and hence seriously tend to q dis
traction of the immense trade benefits of
the giant Cumberland and companion
mines away from the state entirely.
The party extended their reconnaissance
through to Castle, where they were most
cordially received. They stopped there two
nights and day, visiting the numerous
mines and prospects, also the smelter
They found great influx of people from
every point of the COMPASS. six distinct
linss Of stages running in daily loaded with
and '.the woods are FULL" the hotels ant
restaurants crowded beyond their capacity
Many outside dwellings were being char
tered for public accommodation. Mercan
tile trade and all the places where people
do congreRate were doing rushing bust
ness. Many buildings going up, but lum
ber was scarce, yet in Castle itself there il
An undisRuised feeling Of suspense and I'M
certainty as to maintaining their genera
present status without the Immediate con
struction of the all-desired railway, which
shall afford a practical outlet for reduction
of, and speedy returns from, her unequale'
supply of the precious ores.
While at Castle parties of outlooker
we're met representing the Chicago, Bnrline
ton d Quincy, also the milwaukee," com
bination, who had been reconnoiterin
routes through to these rich fields of Mon
tana. They found that both interests we're 81
aiming the communicating grades between
the heads of the Musselshell, Smith Rive
and Sixteen Mile. They inquired eagerl
for pointers as to the most feasible rout
to Helena. One of these lines will reacl
the Yellowstone this fall with its track an,
rolling stock.