The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-22

PENDENT reporter Of that gentleman. 1--WE
are trying to build railroad for these
people, and they don't want to let us do it,"
Mr.. Langford is Col. Broadwater's repre-
sentative.
It was soon developed that two companies
were DESTROYS of building railroad on the
same street. About O'Clock yesterday af
ternoon gang of workmen went to work
On Main street near Broadway, excavating
for street railroad. No trouble was ap-
pretended at the time, though the work
was progressing with all possible speed.
hauled and placed in position as soon as
the ground was ready to receive them and
pretty soon several wagons containing
johnson girder rails, emptied their loads
upon the street. The Helena Electric COM
pany, which is Col. Broadwater's, was do
ing this work; They claim to have fran.
street. Wallace & Thornburgh claim the
same right and while they had not yet begun
operations on their line, they started in to
build very promptly after they had con-
cluded that the Helena Electric company
proposed to do that very thing. No rue
ton occurred, and both sides had men at
work tearing up the street as fast as posi-
BILE, until the Helena company attempted to
throw rails along the workings of Wallace
& Thornburgh. The street was densely
packed with people, and while there were
many people ready for a fray and consider
able loud talk was INDUCED in by outside
parties, no collision occurred. The Broad
water faction had men at work from Grand
street to the Pittsburg block and from that
point down to the Gold block Wallace d
Thornburgh's men held the fort. Men
were hired to work as rapidly as they would
apply. Pretty soon squad Of Broadwater
men were put to work at the corner of
Sixth Avenue and Main street and these
men were strung out, one man to tie Sec
tion until they came in contact with the
Wallace u Thornburgh men. Pretty soon
a long line of drays, trucks and various
kinds of wagons came down the street.
These were hired by the Wallace q Thorn
burg men to drive over the workings of the
Broadwater men. Only few made the
trip, however, until they were stopped by
Chief of Police Beary and ordered to drive
to one side. Some attempted to re-
turn, but the chief told them they
The police were kept very busy all after
noon in clearing the streets for vehicles,
and had hard task. About half dozen
specials were sworn in and some extra dep
uties wereSalso hired. The only arrest
made was that of Alderman Wilmer, who
and Baker. 1t was claimed he was disturb
ing the peace. He gave bonds, however,
and was released.
Fully half an hour had elapsed and both
sides were busy consulting their attorneys.
During the excitement Deputy Sheriff
Richards read a restraining order from
Judge Galbraith to Foreman Conlon for the
by Judge T. j. Galbraith, of the district
court. The judge remained at court wait
ing to issue warrants of arrest if needed,
but none were applied for, notwithstanding
the work proceeded. By s o'clock the
Rroo n o&orv 0o~ liz -,
short time rails were laid and spiked in
front of the First National bank on Main
street. The admirers of the Rroadwater
faction greeted this apparent victory with
cheers. The Wallace q Thornburg people
were still working with might and main.
Several wagon loads of AKA timbers were
dumped off and men put to work saving ties
which were laid in their places as soon as
ready. The Broadwater people had their
rails strung Ont from Broadway to the Pitts
burgh block row, and also from Sixth ave-
nue. to near the Hotter block, and still the
street was crowded with spectators awaiting
Developments The Wallace d Thornburgh
people then secured some 7 rails and
spread them out for laying. The chief of
police was ordered to arrest the first man
who drove spike for T rail. It was
claimed that under ordinance No. Al no L
rails could be laid on Main street-nothing
but the johnson girder. No one attempted to
disobey the order, but Messrs Wallace g.
Thornbureh claim that in their franchise
1ney rails. are There permitted IS d dieren nss
of opinion on this point. It is claimed by
some who think they know that the coun-
Gil recently ordered that only the johnson
street. But later in the evening it was no
ticed that the I rails had been spiked, and
it was said by q policeman that the mayor
said they could proceed with these rails.
The situation now was peculiar. Half
the street had one rail and half the other,
The question then seemed to resolxe itself
into one Of possession, and accordingly the
men were strung out on Main
street, below Sixth avenue. The
Broadwater men had the street from
Seventh avenue, where it is proposed to
turn, north some distance. and Wallace d
Ihornburgh then concentrated all their
forces from point where the Broadwater
men reached south towards Sixth avenue.
1t was IL O'Clock at night when the men
were working there and both factions
seemed determined to stay with it.
At the city council meeting last night
petition from F. X. Wallace and others,
asking that the council designate the route
for the Wallace-ke franchise, was tabled
on motion OF Alderman Thompson, who
Thought as long as the matter was now
with the courts the council should not inter-
{tere. Asked for his opinion on the conflict,
City Attorney Smith said it was his
opinion that both parties had equal rights.
The council by its action had granted both
companies q franchise and now that both
companies were taking advantage of the
franchise. il would have to be left to the
district court to decide which company had
the right of way.
Public opinion ia considerably divided on
This trouble, but many were of the opinion
veatArday that with two aetR of rails On
Main street the thoroughfane will be rem
6sEed useles for any other traffic.
I'VE 1904 have beeoa she work several