The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-03-31
A Great March Flood--Thou-
sands of People Seeking
Homes, Are Attracted to
Missoula by Its Won
derful Resources.
a County With the Finest Agri-
rIcultural NalleyS---The
Best Mines and the
Largest Forests in
All Montana.
a City, the County Seat and Center OF This
Enormous Natural weaIth-A city
DEFINED to Have a Remark
able Growth.
IBy Leased wire.l

lby Ifaspu nh'.l
CHICAGO, March S.-A recent
number OF the Arkansaw Traveller
contained the following article regarding
IN important railroad center Of Montana;
Missoula is destined to become great
abroad center. She cannot escape this
lestiny. Her situation commands the
,asses through the Bitter Root and
3eaverhead ranges Of mountains, and
through these passes the roads must
ome. II is becoming one OF the most
important points on the Northern "a
| ,ific system. and not only because OF the
magnitude of its traffic. but as a basis
4 operations for the building OF new
ines. The Bitter Root Valley branch
liverges here and runs up the valley iif-
cen miles TO Grantsdale. IL will soon
"a extended about forty miles further
o the head of the valley. The new cut
| fl line TO the Cuur d'Alene mining
owns also leaves the main line at Mis-
oula. Running down the valley for
bout seventy five miles, OF which TWEEN
y-five are completed, il strikes up the
| Il. Regis de Borgia river, crosses the
Bitter Root mountains. and comes down
Mullan, at the head OF the South
'ork Of the Ceur d'Alene river, l25
niles from Missoula. This road, con-
lected with the line from Mullan to
| Spokane Falls, already partly finished,
/ gill effect saving OF sixty-iiye miles in
listance over the present route by way
' 4 TIE Pen d'Orellle, and will, as con-
equence, become the route OF the
| h ough trains TO the Pacific coast. 1t
lill be completed this year and will at
nee enable Missoula TO secure much OF
he trade Of the C9ur d'Alene camps
4 nd towns.
The Northern Pacific has projected
ne through the Flathead vallay 10 the
ne agricultural region and the coal
. elda nortb OF Flathead lake. which
MI be OF very considerable help in the
| uilding up Of Missoula. This road
t ill be about $50 miles long ending close
the British boundary. There is no
uestion as to its early construction.
The Washington and Idaho line of
he Union Pacific already com pleted to
N 81 as Mullan, has been located as
lissoula, paralleling the Northern Pa
. iiic's new line The question OF further
Construction has not yet been deter
lined by the Union Pacific manage
lent. IL the road comes 10 Missoula il
. ill undoubtedly go on TO junction
ith the Unions old line, either at Gar
son or Anaconda.
The Manitoba Company, now called
1e Great Northern. has determined TO
Lart from Great Falls this year for the
acigc coast The route is not yet set.
ell. One survey, and the easiest for
rossing the Rockies, takes the road up
ne Dearborn river, through Cadotte's
ass and down the Big Backfoot TO
lissoula. Another runs north by way
{ the Flathead lake country and the
ootenai valley. A choice Of route will
robably not be made until spring. The
ulding OF the road through Missoula,
pening a second trunk line east and
est. would be Of enormous advantage
} the place, but even in case the north
IN route is selected the development ~
arms and mines and lumber in the
orthern part Of Missoula county that
ould follow could not fail 10 be of great
enefit TO the city. Its present suprema-
as the distributing point Of western
lontana would not be endangered. and
le new towns that would spring up
ould only add to the trade Of this
atural trade center.
HE GREAT AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OF
M1ssouLA.
The valleys of Missoula county are
ld will continue 10 be the pride Of
ontana. Southeast from Missoula the
NOUS Bitter Root valley is capable Of
lpporting a population OF hundreds OF
iousands from agriculture alone. Lat
al valleys penetrate the mountain
nges on either eide, affording homes
r thousands besides what the valley
'oper will support. The soil is n rich
luvial. producing grain, grasses, yege
bles, etc. with minimum of labor
ld maximum Of yield All small
uits, such MS strawberries, blackber
srrics, currants, etc. as well as apples,
ars; plums, prunes, grapes. etc, do
ell and bear abundantly The climate
the Bitter Root valley is noted for
iIdness and the seasons open some
onths earlier than further south and
ST. Farmers find no trouble in dis
sing OF all they can raise for cash. and
good prices, as the miners require
ore than can be supplied with the
,esent farming population and meth
Is. The towns of Stevensylle, Cor
Ills, Victor. Grantsyille. etc, up this
LEY are tlourishing, growing places.
I'll the valley is not one fourth settled. !
itented land OF the very best quality
n be bought for from ten 10 fifteen
liars per acre all ready for the plough. !
ater for irrigation can be had any
here. On each side OF the valley the
ountains are full OF miners and pros
ctors, thus assuring good market at
cry door,
Ii has generally been admitted that
past year was the dryest ever
lown, but this did not prevent the
rmers Of Bitter root valley from rails
2 225,0O0 pounds OF small fruits, which
nd a ready sale. Oats there Yielded
)m seventy TO eighty bushels per
re; wheat. twenty-five 10 forty bushels
d the hay fields yielded an average
o and half tons per acre. Thes
reals find n ready sale, and hay is now
inging go per ton.
For further particulars write or call |
on
MCCONNELL, COOK & CO.,
Missoula, Montana.