The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-12
GREAT NORTHERN PLANS.
Will Double Coast Extension Be
Established in Western
Montana
Why the Montana Central viii Be
Extended to Ana
conda.
How the Great Northern In Opening and
Developing New Country-New
Helena Depot.

O6VSlOpl0G new COunIfy-N0"
Helena Depot
1t is generally conceded that the Pacific
extension of the Great Northern will be the
most gigantic undertaking in railroad build
ing that will occur in this country for many
years, unless it will be the building of a
transatlantic railway. an undertaking that
is very unlikely to be mentioned within the
present century. While it is pretty gener-
ally understood that James J. Hill, presi-
dent of the Great Northern, will have a
transcontinental line that will traverse the
upper Flathead and northern Montana and
Idaho regions-a practically new and unde-
veloped yet wonderfully productive and
1esou1ceful country of natural wealth-the
question that is now agitating the minds of
western Montana settlers and miners is,
will the Great Northern be satisfied with
this one track through Montana; will it's
and productive region from Butte
west, via Anaconda and the
rich mineral district along Warm
Springs creek, on to Georgetown, the
Flint Creek and Boulder valleys and west
to the great timber region of the Bitter
hOCU valley, Through W UU0 C0cuE u alcucS,
thence tapping the main line at point
near Spokane Falls! That is the problem
which is interesting those who have conf
IDENTIFY expected that the northern route
would be rejected in favor of the more
thickly populated and developed region
through the country last named. The idea
of double Western Montana track has
been frequently talked of, and at times
these rumors have emanated from semi
official sources, and while the big undertake
taking of traversing the northern region
has practically been inaugurated into active
operations, there are still those who firmly
believe that the Anaconda, Bitter Root and
Western project has in no wise been aban-
doned. AS a revenue maker, this route has
many advantages. as first and foremost, it
would find business from the start, in haul
ing the ores from the numerous Deer Lodge
county mines to reduction works, besides a
big tonnage Of supplies and
merchandise and the building to the Bitter
Root country would place it in position to
command the freight business of that i'm
mense timber and agricultural region, or it
could at least be a competitor for large
portion of the lumber business. The out
come of this talk of building the Great
Northern from Butte westward, as we'll as
from Anaconda, will be watched with great
interest, but while the ultimate consumma-
ton of this may not occur for some time to
come. it is a matter of very small doubt
OCtOEO duOUucT UWclVc-mOIVu IOllb
around Col. Broadwater's Montana Central
railway will be running into Anaconda.
1t seems to be pretty we'll established
fact that the day is not far distant when q
large proportion of the Anaconda company's
reduction and refining works will be located
this has been referred to. Some months
ago John r. Toole, in an interview
with an INDEPENDENT reporter said
the company had been rendered a
y Imposition to avail itself of the unlimited
W6ter power and other cheap facilities
duction. It was also stated by the gentle
man that the Three Forks proposition did
not commend itself to the favorable con-
sideration of the Anaconda company's en-
gineers, as a requisite water force could not
be maintained. or words to that effect. 1t
Less an authority than the Anaconda Stand
ard. that the Three Forks land, said to
have been purchased for the Anaconda
company, would be very desirable locality
for the raising of fine cattle and the estab
lishment of creamery.
From careful review of the situation it
will be readily observed that Great Falls
offers superior advantages as an ore reduc-
ing and refining center, a fact which has
been appreciated by the Boston d Montana
company, which is now establishing plant
of immense proportions and to which, this
tuue uoXL y6AI, luc V1Onttu0 OcuVIdl TAIL
way will be hauling daily from Butte at
least ], 600 tons of ore, and in two years.
time $500 tons per day, or an amount
equal to the Anaconda company's present
output.
First and foremost, the chief factor in
Great Falls destiny as an ore reducing Gen.
ter is its cheap and unlimited natural water
power: another important item is that, there
fuel can be obtained at a cost Just about
half what the Butte companies are now,
and will continue to pay for it. 1t is under
stood from a reliable source that the Ana
or its Rock Springs coal, whereas an
equally good article will be laid down in
Great Falls for just half the money-not
the Sand Coulee coal, but that from Leth-
eridge. via the new narrow gauge line, the
Great Falls 4 Canada. This is said to be a
superior coal for smelling purposes, while
the Sand Coulee screenings are said to have
no equal for generating steam. These are
the important factors which prompted the
assumption that the Anaconda company
will in the near future look toward Great
Falls as the one and only available point
manufacturing the red metal. 1t ia pretty
certain, therefore, that the Montana Cen
tral railway will be extended to Anaconda
in the near future, and the consequent es-
tablishing of big metropolis at the young
Giant City.
1t has also been stated, and by one in a
position to know what he is talking about.
that the main machine and car shops of the
Great Northern will be built at Great Falls.
This alone gives further color to the state
Ment that it is the intention of President
Hill to build his road through the
lnter-lnountain region from Butte west
ward to and across the Bitter Root range.
The Great Northern has an immense field
one already developed and the other to be
developed, and that it will be a factor of
no mean proportions in building up and
developing practically untrodden domain
is clearly evident from the great work it
has already accomplished in providing
homes for thousands IN the expansive Milk
river valley and the building up in eighteen
months of a city of COCO people-that of
Great Falls-which is destined to
outriyal even Butte in numbers and
commercial importance, though it cannot
rival the great camp in mineral wealth. But
1t hes an embryo Butte city. within its
reach in the Belt mountains to which the
iron horse is now forging ahead with rapid
strides. To the north of this future rival
of the Twin cities stands out in majestic
grandeur most bounteous gift of Proyi-
dence,-eighteen million acres of land,
given away free to all that will take il up.
1t is there, fertile and productive and at
present in many places the paradise of vast
herds of cattle that eat and roam at will
amidst its luxuriant growth of nutritious
bunch grass. The immigration to this
great valley the present year has already
set in and before snow flies it is estimated
that ]. eco families will have taken up their