The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-06

iron TRUSTEES this season where in former
wears their flags were seen in all parts OF
the river. Along the levee are warehouses;
of solid construction, but empty OF Rooos.
Front street, which lies along the llver
bank, is a sad reminder of former Gays.
Once marked by the hurry of activity, u Is
now deserted, lifeless and all but memory
to the citizens who for long years nave 80
hopefully chung to their town. from tne
River Press Office to the crumbllng ruins OF
the fort are solid rows of empty business
houses. Some of them built in brick with
a view to permanence, are In excellent con-
dition, ready to open tomorrow II business
could be found. The others are cheap
wooden affairs built in a hurry. IN an, tne
windows are boarded and the doors are
shut perhaps forever. Only a few weeks
400 CANS & Klein closed out their branch
store and removed the goods to more proht-
able fields. Other merchants, intending
the long established 1. G. Baker Co., are
preparing for similar cnange' anu .ne
remaining ones are nursing like antlclpa-
ton. Among them is a druggist who lost
$1,000 in his business last year because
OF tyrannical opposition. Merchants
who handled exclusive lines of goods have
been compelled to leave from year to year
result of this emigration has left sad
spectacle of what was once the busiest
thorouphfare in Montana. From the former
brick blocks of Murphy, Maclay d Co. to
the poorest business shack the street with
few exceptions is row OF deserted struct.
ures. OF the thousands invested IN real
estate in prosperous days there is hardly q
tangible sign of real value. In the distance
beyond another grass-grown business street
are two architectural beauties that seem
strangely out of place. A stately court
house OF brick and the finest school build
ing in Montana are there to proclaim that
Benton once had citizens, both prosperous
and philosophical.
l tried to picture the Benton of former
days from these evidences, when we'll
known and wealthy citizen of the town in
terrupted the restrospection by asking how
"What is the matter with it," enquired.
''The Powers
'The what?''
do you see that brick building on the
other side Of the street? Well, that is the
store of r. G. Power d Bro, or Tom Power
this town."
general inquiry revealed tho fact that
there were many who believed this.
In the early sixties, as we are told in his
his campaign history, Tom Power started
out from Iowa for the wild northwest. He
came up the Missouri river and commenced
his fortune The fact that the foundation
of this was laid by selling whisky to the
Indians does not appear in the biography OF
this great man. As his wealth grew he
branched out into business and then his
brother John appeared on the scene: With
that keen business agility characteristic of
his life Tom Power kept control of every
thing and made Johns relations to him
much like that of bottle holder to prize
fighter. Tom let John in and when the
Helena business was started John remained
in charge at Fort Benton.
In 1875 Mr.. Power sent out train of
goods from Fort Benton to Fort Macleod
under the charge of Wagon Boss James
Gray. As the election would occur before
their return he instructed Mr.. Gray to stop
the train at Fort Conrad and make the men
vote the republican ticket. When the train
reached the fort the wagon boss called the
men together and repeated the great chiefs
order. In conclu ding he said: Now | am
going to vote the democratic ticket. and you
fellows can do as you please." They fol-
lowed suit. and when they returned were
DISCHARGED by Power for disobeying orders.
1t is no exaggeration to say that John w.
Power is the most thoroughly disliked man
in Cho,eau county, now that his brother is
" resident of Helena. After their estab-
lishmsn, in Benton they started ont to run
TRAINS stage lines; everything in which
money could be invested. Up to this time
Benton was one of the most promising
towns in the state, with all indications OF
becoming the leading city in Northern Mon
tana. Those who believed in the
future prosperity of the city found
many reasons for their faith. Benton he'd
the advantage of prestige, established
trade. river navigation. promised railroads.
fine surrounding country, and. i'll short,
everything, to make great city. The
brainiest business men in Montana came
here to establish and fine growth sprang
up in a very short time. Then the freezing
process began. When Colonel Bron(iwater
wanted to establish an immense lumber
plant man, said to be in the Powers en-
ploy. jumped the island on which he had
planned his location. Another lumber con-
Germ was frozen out by simi!ar methods.
monopoly of the transportation facilities
resulted i'll exOrbitant freights TO other
merchants. When such vigorous and
public spirited men rs Paris Gibson wanted
every possible obstacle in his way. But for
them the Montana Central road would have
its northern terminus here, and Great Falls
might never have been heard of. Other
men like Colonel Broadwater. who has
always beaten Tom Power, with the excep-
town and built up All over Swallowing rival.
This policy of encouragement has re-
suited in driving away men with n
little money who came here to estab-
llSn IN particular Inc OF business.
Joe Sullivan, the popular saddler, at one
time insisted that Power 4 Co. sho uld re-
lmburse him for damage done to certain
goods which they had transported. They
declined to pay reasonable value, and
when the discussion grew warm John said
II will make you walk out of this town.
This was in 1885, but Mr.. Sullivan is still il
town doing good business, though he ane
Power are not on good terms. The Power
carry every thing from collar button to
bale Of hay. The result of all this is tina
they run the business OF the town afte
running others out. People in the sur
rounding country are going to other points t.
trade. One business man said to me to-day
III the day comes when the Powers will leav
this town Benton will again resume hel
prosperity. We will get another railroad
here, business will come in and these empt,
houses will again be open. But this vii
never come until the cursed rule of tn.
Powers is at an end"
These incidents partially explain the op-
position that will be fed out to John W
Power on election day. There are few thing,
beyond the control of the Powers. The,
have not yet succeeded in changing the
- kho ..x,a IA.