Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-07-23
HELENAsLETTER.
Mattsn and Things at the State Capital
Rounded Up by Our Special Correspondent
HELENA, July 12, 1891.

HELENA, July IL, 1881.
ED. ARGUs:-The first subject upon
every ones tongue on meeting nova
days is the weather. upon which point
Montana is evidently intending, as in
so many other directions, to make a
record for herself Besides the large
amount of moisture which has fallen
since May 27th, the season at Helena
has been remarkably cold. Among
other unusual features has been the
remarkable number of severe thunder
storms, accompanied with dangerous
freaks by the lightning and partial in
undations by semi cloud bursts.
Three people have been struck by
lightning,-though none killed,-sev-
eral buildings have been struck, and
many telephones burned out, and the
electric wires burned off. The part
which -he innumerable telegraph, tele.
phone, electric light, and electric mo-
tor wires play in regard to the safety
of city in times of atmospheric elec-
trical disturbances has yet to be fully
known and understood, but it has
been observed here in Helena during
the storms OF this season that the
lightning and thunder were more vio-
lent directly over the city than in the
neighboring country. Such facts are
powerful arguments as to the desira-
bility of putting all wires underground,
to which result many eastern cities
are fast working.
One result of the cold wet season has
been, necessarily, to detract from the
business and attractions of Helena 5
summer resort, the Broadwater Hotel,
and the same report comes from the
many other resorts Throughout the
state. That Montana is to become a
great summer resort for eastern peo.
pie and strangers upon our American
shores is a fixed fact, and the Broad
water is cutting, and will cut, no small
figure in Fastening the day. Nature
and Uncle Sam give the state great
prestige with the tourist and pleasure
seeker, by means of the glorious Ma
tional Park, but our attractions with
out that are unequaled. There are
few cities of the size of Helena in the
east from which the people are able
to and do not flee i'm summer for com
fort and rest, but the residents of this
city never dream OF such n thing; on
the contrary, those absent necessarily
gladly return here. But it must be
confessed Montana's record for sun
shiny days is getting something of a
black eye this season. Yet too much
much OF a good thing can be borne
with q better grace than too little, as
has been the case with the rainfall for
the past two years.
Montana is evidently to have a will
case that is to rank with so many
others in the oft repeated story OF
bitter litigation, family disunion,
fraud, and sensations; with the usual
pictures of poverty forced to sit, with
her hands tied, within easy reach of
the rich mans table: of greed inviting
perjury and forgery to the prospective
feast; and of the lawyers only aole to
vigorously nibble at the disputed
piece of cheese. The argument before
the supreme court i'm the Davis will
case has excited more than ordinary
interest in the case, in that it has been
used by the Helena journal and Butte
Inter Mountain, with very poor taste
on both sides, to excite sectional Bit
terness between the two cities. The
contestants allege bias and prejudice
on the part of Silver Bow courts and
people, whereat Butte wakes indig-
nant, and the Journal and Inter
Mountain enter the charmed circle
with the Red Lodge Picket and Arizona
Kicker, and call one another names.
The presence of Col. Robert G. In
gersoll, who may be literally called a
gospel FOUNDER" as an associate
counsel in the case, has given the peo-
pie of Helena several opportunities to
hear him. He impresses one rather
as a good advocate than as q great
lawyer. He has an impressive pres.
ence, about six feet tall, weighing
about two hundred, large head, rather
bald, with gray hair. nearly white
smooth shaven face, rather full, be-
speaking good living rather than
brilliant intellect. In his address Inc
has perfect self-possession; q good
strong voice, well modulated; graceful
gestures, frequently, almost continu
ously employed; and an earnestness
coupled with great good humor. He
allows little half smile to precede his
humorous remarks, which, though il
found no response in the set faces o.
the bench, was rather attractive, and
is probably effective with other audi
ences. He has great fund OF good
humor, which does not become bitter
when he uses it in sarcasm or irony
He impresses one as a shrewd, clear
headed man, of large public expert
ence, successful and kindly disposed
taking life easily and pleasantly. On,
of his daughters, a rather pretty CIR
of eighteen or twenty, with her father:
good nature and intelligence, but
lacking in positiveness of expression
was here with him. Altogether, they
left q very favorable impression OF
Helena people.
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