The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-05-21
The Pioneer Excursion Over the
New Belt Mountain
Railroad.
GLORIOUS SCENERY ON The WAYs
The EXcursiOnists Admire the NObIt
Iron Highway to the Silver
Mines.
clear Air and Bright Skies-A Hearty
Welcome for the VisitOrs-A
Merry Company.

GeuS Oh Iredt Tdils, anu d udy WHICH VIII
mark the beginning Of a new epoch in
the prosperity of the city. At an early
hour e~xcurs,onists began to gather at the
depot and when the train of five coaches
started on schedule time it was heavily
loaded. Several gentlemen took their
families out and a number of the gallant
young gentlemen gave their lady friend,
the pleasure of the days outing. The
party was in good spirits and all seemed
bent on having a good time.
SPLENDID SCENERY.
As the train wound along up the Mis-
sour the islands, covered with vsrdurc.
the glistening surface Of the river and the
green hills rising beyond formed a beau
tiful picture. After the train had climb
ed from the Sand Coulee valley and
reached the bench lands beyond, the
scene changed from river to a mountain
view OF surprising beauty. To the east
the Highwood mountains, to the soutl,
and southwest rose the Belt mountains in
majestic grandure. The bright, bracipy
air, the peculiar tinge of the sky anil
mountains with their snowy crowns, al,
combined to form Il picture of repose and
ineffable sweetness. Windows were
thrown open and platforms were crowded
while many passengers rode on the en-
sine, tender and every outside place avail
able In order to enjoy the scene.
THE BEAUTIFUL BELT.
As the Belt creek valley was approach
ed the speed was slackened and great
caution was used in passing the first
curve, which takes the train out on the
face of the bluff overlooking the Belt
creek valley. Here the train stopped
and d few moments were allowed to "take
in" the scene. Immediately in front and
several hundred feet below lay the com
Portable homes of Mrs. Seifred, j. A.
lore and others then the eye Is
turned up and down the valley
which for miles is spread on,
The winding Belt river marks its course
through groves of green trees and fields
OF lately planted grain, while here ami
there up and down the valley the hospit-
able homes of the stockmen or farmers
5''S e"S q SudIIA u uOucSJlc
beauty. From the top the track winds
along the face of the bluff descending to
the valley by a heavy grade. On this
grade is the noted trestle work that spans
a coulee running into the Belt cree h.
This trestle is 1862 feet high and is bull
on a curve of about IA degrees, While
crossing it the tourist usually holds his
hat down to prevent his hair lifting it of.
Passing down the grade the prosperous
TOWN OF ARLINGTON,
surrounded by fertile lands and rich coal
mines, is reached. Here the train was
stopped and while the passengers were
flndlng seats, Germ d Davenport's band
made the hills echo to the martial music.
FROM Arlington the track follows the
valley up to Rlceviile. This valley is in
a high state of cultivation, being taken
up by the market gardeners and grain
growers. The road through the valley is
In good condition, being ballasted a good
part OF the way. 1t several places it was
necessary to change the course of the
river and at such places the company has
done some rip-rapping which insures a
solid road bed for years.
sLClCE BOA CANON.
Riceville is situated at the lower end !
OF the Sluice Box canon. AT this point
The road winds along the stream at the !. .
loot OF the cliffs, but a short distance up. e
me gorge narrows until it Is only a few !
[eet wide and at the bottom is the foam =
ng, rushing Belt creek. Here the track
s lald on a projecting ledge over-hanging
he torrent a hundred feet below. while q
ne o%eetllng cliffs rise hundreds of feet I
iDove: The timid tourist here shrinks 9
'ack from the window, holds his breath 8
awaits with suspense the passage ov- I
IT. the critical places. But all alarm is
Vltnout foundation. The engineers and I"
,u'lders have done their work we'll and n
mere Is not a particle of danger. On a
many OF the curves five rails have been -
ald and all the rails are double braced. h
An accident is hardly possible.
SEEM REVELATION. =,
10 the artistic eye this part Of the y
Quincy is a revelation. As the train ~
'lides along through the canyon, charm. N
ng views of picturesque scenery are con- b!
tanlly opening. The variety and beauty II
the scenery through this gorge is not Ia
'urpassed anywhere in the world. Much
las Deeh sad OF the beautiful scenes in h,
nc tricky Fear and Missouri CANYONS r.
II the montana Central line, and the n
razer, hicking-lIorse and Thompson 4,
asses on tAe Canadian Pacific road: but r.
assengers who have seen these famous 90
aces and who We're on the excursion Nc
y, SUNDAY, state that for variety of color tn
picturesque beauty, no CANYON in the -
oliu can surpass the Sluice Box canyon. m,
! the Missouri canyon there are larger
masses, greater distances and more
put that great variety, the bu
ghts ana shades and delicate coloring is In
isslhg, The sluice Box canyon com co
mes the grass-covered slopes of the fr'
Iickly rear and the rocky cliffs of the co
lssourl and has the additional charm of de
~ reaches OF timber, extending far IN sp
9 mountains. For nearly IA miles the do
Q Is delighted with new and ever. tn
Ianging views as the iron horse pushes go
snlougH the mountain gorge toward
FISH, GAME AND FLowERs. ira
Many delightful spots for canning nn
rites are to be found in the CANYON, az,
lere the tourists may find speckled be
autles in the water, or perchance bring
wn with his trusty rife a deer or ere
'uhtaln sheep from the Uncovered Sh,
pes above. Belt creek has been noted da,
an excellent trout stream, Nature col
ms to nave done her best to make of fur
canyon a veritable paradise, Wher. at
r there is a little cove or bench the
Is very fertile and nature has planted :
a a flowers with a lavish hand,
he eXcursionists brought in large
lches OF flowers. Among them were
ICED the dropping hearts ease. the
Iiing a%rbutus, the delicate wind flow
and the modest anemone. In some
ces larkspurs and bluebells hide the
IN while wild strawberries grow
rywhere' At the confluence of the B
I n Logging creeks is an excention- ar
beautiful spot which will grow IN lie
Ortance. ie
MONARCH. "
y r. ~-1 ~