The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-09
All the Preliminary Work Done and
Affairs In Shape to Build
the Darn.
The Desirability OF Locating Tho
Parrot Works Near Helena
Suggested.
hiuuH Interest Taken In the Plans Of the
Power Company Iy All Glasses Of
FeOplo-SOme Views.

ing the proposed location of the Parrot re-
finery on the Missouri river, about twelve
miles from Helena, had the effect of calling
renewed attention to the plans of the Mis-
souri, River Power company, organized last
year by Helena capitalists. There il an
idea in some quarters that the prosecution
of the work has Eeen Abandoned; but it is
not SO. Last year the company spent some
thing like $4,000 in surveys and examina-
tions by experts, besides purchasing the
land where it is proposed to construct the
dam. In addition a tunnel was bored to
test the solidity of the rock formation. All
the Ian the company will need, save right
of way from a few owners of mining claims,
has been secured, and the actual work Of
building the dam can now be commenced
at any time. To build the dam and get
things in shape to utilize the power at that
point it is estimated that $25O,0O0 will be
necessary. This, the men in the enterprise
think. and a canvass among the progressive
men OF Helena shows they are right, can be
secured in this city. After this is done, it
will be an easy matter to sell the bonds of
the company in the east, the proceeds to be
used in building a line of railway from
Helena to the dam, putting in an electrical
plant and bringing the power to the city.
AS to it's entire feasibility there is not the
remotest question. The most eminent en-
gineers in the United States have carefully
looked the ground over, and they are unan-
imous in the opinion that $4,000 horse
power can be developed at the dam, and
1900 horse power brought to the city. The
company itself is composed of men who
| ara not anfhugIpafH Init nf a 0nncnrvn-
tive views, who are noted for carefully in
v~estigating any enterprise before going
into it.
Mr.. A. M. Hotter, the president of the
power company, and one of the directors i'll
the Parrot Mining Co., was shown the dis
what he knew about it. "~Isuggested to the
Parrot company some time ago." said he,
THE desirability of locating any new works,
in case they are built, on the Missouri
river, and 1 believe they could be as
advantageously located twelve or fifteen
miles from Helena as anywhere else, if the
power there is utilized. The plans of the
Missouri River Power company, when car
ried out, will furnish sufficient power for
any works of this kind. AS to what the
Power company intends to do, just now
am not prepared to say. We are waiting
on some matters pending at Washington.
I am glad to know that an interest is being
o"AOLA IA VILE A1upUCl ny HCOPAO vi lACl-
ena, as the utilization of this power will be
one of the greatest things for the city.
Just what the Parrot company will do l
cannot say, but if there is a chance to get
the works located near Helena we should
not let it pass"
MI. VIM. Muth, who was one of the lead
ing spirits in the power com any last year.
and is still largely interested in its affairs,
in speaking of the plans of the company
yesterday, said that Mr.. Parchen, the vice
president, and one of the stockholders,
would be in Helena on the 18Th, n that a
meeting of the company would be held
shortly after his arrival. "The Inaugural
completion. means more for Helena
than most people think. With
this power we will nave every
thing any other city in the northwest
has, and more beside, in the way of natural
resources, and as an attraction to the capt.
talist and homeseeker. Every engineer
who has examined the proposition has
heartily concurred in it's practibility. 1t
means not only power for rettneries and
manufacturing enterprises at the dam and
later in Helena, but it means irrigation for
a large section Of the valley below the city.
The people of Helena can we'll afford to
put $780, 600 in the work of putting in the
After that is done there will be no trouble
in disposing of the bonds in the east to
carry on the moro expensive parts of the
enterprise"
John W. Thompson said yesterday, con-
corning it: II nave not looked carefully
into the matter, but from my knowledge of
the plans OF the Missouri River Power Co.
1 believe when carried out they will be of
great benefit to Helena. We should utilize
this power, and if there is a chance to get a
refinery there, we should see that it is not
our fault if it goes elsewhere"