The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21

OAvcISAuoU Wc6lUu AlKAu wCAA NO VIZ OASy
of any city on the continent. Nestled in 9
high prominence of the majestic Rocky
Mountain range her arteries of steel lead
out to tributary region that is as va
ried in its resources, and far more, than the
arteries themselves. Each highway leads
to a sepal ate and distinct industry. Draw
circle around Helena and the truth of
this statement is more readily seen,
Within distance of 100 miles, Immediately
south of Helena, lies the greatest copper,
gold and silver producing area that has
been found during the present half-cen-
fury. To the north are vast herds and
aocks and agricultural fields. Here also is
the young city of Great Falls, rapidly grow
ing. utilizing the waters of the Missouri
for power that will move the ponderous
machinery that 10 to make the Cataract city
place of vast importance as an ore-reduc-
ing and metal-refning CENTER, To the west
is an unparalleled region, rich in its wealth
of timber, its magnificent crops and it's vast
coal deposits. Lying to the east is the cow
boys paradise and the woolgrowers' Ell Do
RADIO, interrupted here and there with a
valley of FARMS vast measures Of coal and
mountains of mineral. In this region is
situated Castle, which will, the coming
year. be the greatest lead producing district
in the entire west.
In its distribution of natural wealth, ma
ture has bestowed unusual blessings on
Montana. How evenly and in due proper
ton are these great gifts divided! Is it any
wonder, then, that Helena has marched on
'~ ward with majesty that is the pride and
admiration of every citizen in the state?
Her record for two years is an index of the
prosperity OF the new state at large. Being.
as it is, the hub of Montana, it is sensitive
to every stroke of enterprise inaugurated
within the tire of gold and sill
yer which encloses the stores of
wealth in that vast circle of
industry. Helena has no rivals. She stands
as citadel secure and with Notifications
surrounding her that vanish from per-
adventure any question as to her future.
She stands to-day, in the position she has
always occupied, the financial, social, com
mercial, railway, educational, industrial
and political centersof Montana. These are
the gems set in her diadem. Nature has
placed them there and they will remain.
The Queen City of the mountains is
neither naughty nor selfish, but, Justly
proud of her position, she elories with
maternal pride in the grand growth and pros
perlty OF the empire surrounding,
made it possible for her to recite to the
3rld to-day story of achievement and
permanent growth that marks an era Of
prosperity enjoyed by few, il any, cities of
her own population. With the truthful
that Helena should have attained position
that is the surprise of every visitor,
Within the past two years Helena has
built, at cost of $3.50. 1000, sewage system
that drains an area of twenty FIVE miles,
The city being located in and on both sides
of Tho 81
possible to build q perfect system of drain
age. The people have made 700 house con-
nections at q cost of $4,000 additional.
Two years ago three companies supplied
Helena with water. Now one company
controls the water system. Within the
Water company has expended $4,000 in
improving its plant. Forty-six miles of
mains and laterals have been laid; hydrants
have been put in, for which the city paws an
annual rental of $4,000. Two large reser-
yoirs hold the water supply. One is used
always Allied in case Of ire. The past two
years have witnessed great improvement in
the water supply, and a new source that
will increase the supply 100000 gallons
daily is now being connected with the pres
emit system. The great water sheds south
aqua pura. One of the results has been a
material reduction of insurance rates in
Helena. The water company's plant is to-
day valued at two and one-half million
dollars.
Within the past two years the people of
Helena nave built mammoth smelling
plant at cost of $3.50, 900. With this was
the formation of East Helena. town of
1000 people, where the smelling works are
located-six miles east of the city proper.
Within the coming year this suburb will be
connected by an electric railway.
In the matter Of public and street i'm
provements vast amount of money has
been judiciously expended in Transforming
the once rugged Rulch into smooth aud req
ular thoroughfares. High embankments
have been cut away and streets graded en-
bracing an area of many miles. tits CON
provements within the past two years the
city council and private enterprise together
have expended $250.OOO. Helena has nm
wards OF forty-five miles of we'll graded
streets and avenues many affording de-
lightfui drives. The Hauser boulevard was
the finest drives to be found anywhere.
Many streets have been widened or straight
ened, az the growth of the city made it nee
essary.
Two years ago Helena had one solitary
street car track on Main street. In the lat
from the Northern Pacific depot to the hot
springs, distance of about i've miles, was
put in operation. To-day Helena has near
ly twenty-five miles of street car lines. The
present year has witnessed the Compilation
of the Broadwater electric line and the sinh
stitution of electricity for horse power. on
Main street and Helena avenue, and the
completion of double track system on
that thoroughfare besides the building of
new lines to connect with every part of the
city. No less than $350,OOO has been in |
vested this year in electric street RAILWAYS
IN Helena, giving to-day q more complete
street railway service than is enioyed by
any northwestern city.
The most important street railway enter. |
prise is that inaugurated by the Helena
Electric Railway company. This ia an or
ganlzation of recent date with capital Of |
$25O.OOO. G. w. Cannon is the president, |
his company owns all the tracks of the
old company and the Broadwater line,
which was completed this year at a cost of |
received new tiSs and rails and
been remodeled for electric cars. With the
new lines built the past summer thew have
now eight miles of track, and by the time
this appears in print electricity will. have
taken tho place of horses on the entire sys- |
tenn, with cars running every ten minutes. |
Five motor cars are IN use and as MANY
more have been ordered, thus assuring rapid |
transit in all seasons to all parts Of the |
RAPIDLY growing city. The steam motor |
line covers fully fve miles and the Union |
Electric Railway company will early in the |
spring have electric cars on their twelve |
miles of track, all of which has been laid |
this year and is still being laid. The in
vestments of these three companies in Hell |
sna is fully $4,000