The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-30
The WORLD ON WHEELS.
Transcontinental Roads Predict 9
Big immigration During tho
Present Season.
General Passenger Agent Fec on
Railway Construction on
the Sound.


Ihe Northern Pacific officials are prepar-
mo for a biu business over their o this
year, General Passenger Agent Fee, who
passed through Helena Saturday, predicts
That the road will carry more immigrants
this wear than it has during any twelve
months since it's completion, save in lsSS.
I'm to the 25th Of March the road had car
ried more people than for the full monsn
last year, and the Indications are that April
and NAV, the two months most favored by
immigrants, will show a greater business
than last year. As heretofore much OF this
travel is bound for Washington, hundreds
being attracted there by the prospect of
work on the Great Northern extension. A
larger proportion of this business, however,
will some 10 Montana, than in any year
since the road was completed. The North
ern Pacific is not alone in showing an IN
crease. The Union Pacific and Great
Northern also show a better Montana busl-
ness commencing this year earlier than
heretofore. The agents of tho roads
are in receipt of inquiries from
all sections of the country about
Montana and Just now there is q greater
demand for Montana literature than for
that OF any other state or territory in the
northwest Unlike previous years, a great
many OF these queries come from the SOUTH
ern states-Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas.
Maryland, Missouri and adjoining states.
Heretofore the principal Immigration 10
Montana has come from Wisconsin,, Iowa.
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the Dakotas.
Five parties. each representing a weli-to-ao
southern colony, start for Montana about
the middle of next month to look over the
country. The Gallatin valley will be hrst
examined, then the northern part OF Lewis
and Clarke. Cascade, western Choteau ana
Missoula county will be visited. II a de-
sirable location is found, they Will come to
Montana. If not, the search will be oon-
tinued in Idaho and Washington. The adj
vance guard of a big German colony In
PENNSYLVANIA will also visit Montana dur
ing April in search of a location.
In addition to a large business with I'M
migrants all the roads look for a first class
tourist trade. They argue that the str1n-
Rency in The east will keep many people IN
America this summer who are in the habit
Of going to Europe every year, and as Mon
tana has been SO extensively advertised as a
summer resort, she will get a large share OF
thit business. The rush to Alaska by tour
lists is also expected to be very lively, the
Yellowstone park will attract many visitors
and the fame of the Broadwater hotel and
baths will induce many of these tourists Go
spend some time in Helena.
Mr.. Fee, in company with Mr.. Melien.
has been in the sound country about a week
looking over the work being done there.
He says the only way one can tell the ex-
tent of the new construction in that section
is by a personal inspection. AL the big
roads are engaged in the work, which is so
complicated that a map made of the rev
lines looks like a Chinese puzzle. Mr.. Fee
succeeded in fixing in his mind the new
feeders being built and those projected by
his own company, and on the road between
Helena and St. Paul he will endeavor to 10
cate the lines of the other roads. He has a
map, made by himself, of these new roads,
which is a wonderful and curious thing to
the uninitiated.