The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-31
estimate Of orc in a light IL regarded as con.
A CAMP,

A PROGRESSIVE CAMP.
A Glance Mt the Situation and Social
Features OF Castle.
The town Of Castle ~ situated in a gulch
just below the Cumberland at tho beginning
of the great carbonate belt. 1t is a pictur-
esqus situation. Above liz the great noun
tain with a natural cupola OF two giant
rocks looking not unlike castle towers.
This resemblance suggested the II anne Of
the mountains and town. The mountain
drops down into n gulch and here tho town
WAS located. Miles away in another direc-
ton looking down the main street can be
seen the snowy caps Of the Crazy noun
tains. The picture OF the moon rising. over
this white ridge ID like a scene from q land
scape painting. The view on other sides
is the wild and rugged mountain
The camp very nstu rally
was located as near the first big
strike as possible, and like all other mining
camps little attention was given to desira-
fortunate than most mining towas in this
respect, for there is n ine plntoEu near by
where the business center will probably
move before long. The Town just now pre-
SCENTS a picturesqe appearance. The main
street running toward tho Cumberland il
houses, while over the hills are soattered
new residences, which for the most part are
frames though there are still some log
houses which will be useful hereafter as
marks for historic purposes. The
camp is fast passing into a town
for the population has trlpled
written a year by people who have come to
stay. The population is made up of live,
wide-awake and intelligent people who
have come to be in on the ground floor.
Every day the road to Livington and
Townsend is lined with trains of big white
covered wagons drawn by six. eight and
hor:s. each: IN q ride TO townsend w we
for Castle. The most of these are loaded
with freight for IN normous f%reightinR
business is done between this town and the
Other wagons were packed with
and guarded by families on their
way to Castle; Several of the wagons, 90
from the Cumberland. Thu freight rates
are forty-fve cents a hundred pounds.
Four lines of coaches run
from the town; one to White Sulphur
Springs, another to Martinsdale, another to
and one to Townsend. The
name for the old Gilmer & Salisbury firm,
will soon put a coach on between Townsend
and Castle, and will carry a direct mail.
This change is very badly needed, for the
should be improved and a more di-
rect route should be given to the mail
which now loses a day by going over the
White Sulphur route. This is of course all
preliminary to tho introduction of a rail
way. bnt the live citizens of Castle are on
the move for all improvements.
The town is full of active and bustling
life. In the evening when the shifts change
the streets are filled with workinRmen, the
stores ara crowded and there is business
everywhere. Yet it is one Of che most Or
derby mining towns in the country. Not a
man has been killed since the camp was
struck. An efficient police force, which is
part OF an excellent local government, is
maintained, any tough characters who
come into the town are given notice that
move on. Concert saloons, where music
and drinks and dispensed, are blazing with
light and are filed with customers. Next
week a variety theater will be added to the
attractions. The gambling saloons are
there, of course. but they are quietly con-
The population is far better than
hat of other mining camps in
Montana and no man need fear to take his
family there because Of communicating in
frenccs. There are 40 bad features of the
old time placer camps about Castle. TIT
people VINO have come there are in the
great majority honest, hard working
miners, who come for business only.
There are pleasant social circles and pro-
visions for social enjoyment. The religious
are we'll represented, and are in
limo with progress in their plans for i'm
provsment. Ths Congregationalists, the
and the Ep~iscopals hold regular
The former society will build a
church in the King addition, while the lat
ter organization have plans under way for
a new church ediics.
The secret societies have Furnishing
here. The Modern Woodmen
lave a fine lodge with a large membership.
fhhA nIl EollNlyu hnun or, nvNo1lnr< 1nl,,o
of thor order and the Masons expect soon
to nave a lodge. The Good Templars and
the SONS OF Veterans also have ranohes in
Castle. There is a large n progressive
miners union made up of the best class of
miners that ever worked in a camp They
are we'll paid and thus far no labor roubles
have arisen to disturb the contsnted lot of
workmen. Nor are such difficulties likely
to arise for the companies are generous and
fair with their men and this treatment is
appreciated. The wages for competent
are $3.50 a day and other workmen
are we'll paid. The COST of living is not
great as would be imagined
the distance from a railroad. Goods
are sold for very reasonable prices and
many of the workingmen nave saved money
to invest i'll Il pleasant little home. The
hills are dotted with pretty houses we'll
and we'll cared for.
The educational advantages are excellent.
llbSt NGul q lkAO U oShSSA u was pOllt |
vt a cost of $4,000 on the King addition.
capable teachers are employed and
the accommodations are ample for the at
at the present time. The school
is thoroughly equipped with all modern
for instruction. The residents
have seen enough of Castle to Know that
the town is there to stay and they propose
that nothing shall be left undone to make
it a pleasant town for residence purposes.
The city governments has taken up
the matter of street grading with a vigor
is needed in some other Montana
that might be mentioned. The town
arranged and named in good order, while
other local Improvements are added rs fast
is possible. The mayor, II. j. Griffin, is q
i've, progressive man, and makes things go
with n snap.
Two water companies are already or
and within a few months an ample
supply of water will be furnished for all
ourposes. The Carbonate Camp Water
company is pushing work with all possible
'peed. This could hardly be otherwise with
'uch energetic incorporators rs D. A.. Lar
ION, u. p. Suydam, James Addle and DR..
The articles of incorporation call
n 2bO,00O shares of two dollars each.
\ splendid supply of water sufficient
or years to come will be taken from Boul-
Ter and Cumberland creeks. and a pressu 9
If $50 feet will be had. Two reservoirs
will bs built on the hill near the center of
he town. The surveys AVE been made,
have been ordered and a force of Atty
non will room be put TO work. The other
has been organized by james
King, this we'll known Helena capitalist,
sho il n heavy holder of Castle real estate.