The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-31
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.
THE Or 4 SPLENDID REGION.
4 HEALTH RESORT and GREAT M|nNG AND AGRCl TURNL CENTER

mined on White Sui bur Springs as the
right location for n commercial and trade
centei. and here they builta town. Among
the names of these far-seeing founders we
md Messrs. Il. N. and w. III. Sutherlin,
who had successfully published u weekly
paper at Diamond; Senator William Par
slclan; Jonas Higgins, who died after ac-
cumulating "A fortune; Hon. L. H.. Collins,
now the wealthy president of the
First National bank of Great
Falls; Almon Spencer, n leading and
wealthy merchant; Harvey Spencer, T.. Ii.
or Jack" Maloney as he is best known To
hosts of friends; j. j. Hennessey, now a
leading real estate dealer; John w. Dun
ham and John OMAR, u prosperous ranch
man. Every one of this little band has
prosnered beyond measure, rs well as the
citizens who have since come to the town.
While the prosperity of White Sulphur
Springs is largely due to the natural re-
sources surrounding it, it il in no less
measure duo to the brains and energy OF
the men who came to the town and re-
manned with it. All who worked have
worked have found reward.
To-day Il glance from over the hills re-
veals ons of the prettie5t as we'll as one OF
the most prosperous villages in Montana.
The view shows a compact and we'll ar
ranged gathering of substantial business
blocks and pretty dwelling houses. An
hours drive from the divide over a good
road brings one to the main business street
down TO one OF the excellent hotels. The
Higgins house, which stands as a monE-
ment to the historic name of Higgins, is II
fine brick three-storv structure and il we'll
cared for by j.. T.. Sa1ton d. Co. The
Spring House, opposite the sulphur
springs, is another excellent hotel
presided over Max Shower, who
is we'll known i'll Helena: After a
good dinner the menu of which is made up
OF products of the valley fresh rancho eggs,
rancho butter, rancho beef II vegetables
we stroll down the street to look at the
city. Perhaps tho most striking feature at
first glance is the street itself. 1t is as
straight as an arrow and of more than
usual width. 1t runs down to the river and
1t is finely graded and as smooth as u par
floor. There is no fine driving boulevard
in Montana go far as comfort of travel and
scenery 90. An easy walk between the
business blocks brings to the open coun-
try through which the street is well graded
for a mile OF more. Or the right a short
distance from the springs is the beautiful
brick residence of Mr.. Almon Spencer.
There is no more charming dwelling place
i'm Montana. To the left are the springs of
which something will be said late'.
Beyond on a commanding hill is a hand
bOL2c SCuJO pullulHR. IL IN SOUu GVlQEICD
that the people of White Sulphur fully an
p~reciate the value of educational advan-
tapes. iThe building is Of modern constitute
ton IN brick and cost $1S,0O0. 1t wonll be
an ornament to Il city many. times larger
than White sulphur. Although newly built
and equipped with five teachers, tho town
has grown SO fast that more room must be
had. A movement is now on foot to provide
for this addition. Near the school house id
II substantial court house. Within are
found the county officers. except the sheriff,
who's office is in the Jail adjoining.
A glance from the hillside bring to view
many new buildings. These are mostly
dwelling houses. built after modern styles
Of architecture and located on wide streets,
several of which have been recently opened.
Several of these new residences are
built in the Queen Anne and other
styles 80 Common in the suburbs of large
eastern cities.
sumed the appearance of a commercial
thoroughfare. The false fronts of wood
are giving way to fine brick business
blocks. At the corner near Spring park, is
the fine brick building of the First Nation
al bank. Directly opposite is the hand
some brick house of the Rocky Mountain
Husbandman with a brick block adjoining.
On the street farther up are several Other
brick buildings, until the Higgins Hou % is
reached.
While the enterprising c~itizens of. White
Sulpur Springs are fond of discussing pos
sibilities they feel a becoming pride in the
present condition of the city. Considering
that the tow is forty miles distant from
a railroad they rightly think tho growth of
the city in II commercial and business
sense something surprising. Here are bus
mess firms that located a few years ago in
small shacks with stooks of goods SO
small that one man could handle all. Now
fhau n1r y{nab ualual ~ frnr,, eNrk,, = -
ssyenty-fve Thousand dollars and do a
business of from $150,0o0 to $500, 900 Il
year and are heavily interested in mines
besides. The citizens have shown their
confidence in the surrounding country by
investing every available dollar in the
town and III mining and agricultural re-
sources. The mining camp OF Castle was
built almost wholly by capital from White
Sulphur Springs. The great Cumberland
was purchased by White Sulphur springs
men, and is now being operated With their
money. The mining properties surround
ing are being developed by the same
source. With all of this. these people have
built their city and beautifed it without the
Investment of outside capital until recently.
They are alive to modern improvements.
One of the features in this line will be
n complete water system. Last year a COM
pnny was organized for this purpose, but
changes were necessary and t, new incorpo.
w "ith VIII IN IL COII
pany will run water from the pure and ill.,
.txhaustlble Smith river. A reservoir, at a
to afford ali requisite pressure,
will be built and with this Il good system of
protection from fires will DO insured. An
electric light company 10 also talked OF aud
Will doubtless soon he i'll operation. The
town ia Incorporated and is working under
the government of an efficient mayor and
council.
Atelephone line owned by local capitalists
the city with Castle and Townsend.
As "a place of residence it would be diff
cult to imagine a plensanter city than
White sulphur Springs. No better society
can bs found In any Montana town. Many
of the citizens are among the oldest resi-
dents of Mengher county. They nave lived
hero tho greater part of their lives; made
their money and educated their children,
and found that life is quite us ENJOYABLE
here rs elsewhere. Indeed there is every
thing to make life pleasant. Besides the
springs, which cont ibute to the always
good health of tho community, theie aio
other sources OF social enjoyment.
Thore are secret societies and the usual
social circles. The religious societies are
The churches are tho Methodist. Episcopal
and Presbyterian, the Roman Catholic and
the Episcopai. The TO mer churches have
resident pastors, while the latter ale sup.
Piled. There are three neat church build
md two Sunday schools. The services
are always we'll attended and there il much
in religious matters.
No section III tho west affords more OBJ
for the enjoyment of healthy
outdoor sports. Within n radius of but n
few miles are many streams filed with