The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1891-11-27
Helena Visits Neihart.

Though the thermometer ranged
about zero in Neihart yesterday, and
the snow came down steadily, while
there was almost blizzard prevail
ing, the wind cutting like a knife,
the reception given the Great Falls
and Helena excursionists was so cor
dial and the hospitality so generous,
that no one was heard to complain
of the elements.
The party was joined at Great
Falls by Col. w. F. Sanders and G.
w. Cannon, and while numerically
the Helena crowd was not large, vet
it was a representative and very
jolly one. The Great Falls coaches
had no decoration, but Helena had
learned a lesson on the Cnur d'Alenc
trip, and her cars were gorgeous
with flags and streamers. One of
the mottocs was: 1--WE Go to Set
Another Gem in Montana's Crown"
Another was, "Neihart--a Business
Proposition, and Helena is Strictly
In It.'
When the train left Great Falls
the thermometer was ten above, with
quite snow storm prevailing.
Those who have been over the route
in pleasant weather say it is jour
ney repletc with beautiful scenery,
but the storm was so severe thar it
was possible to see only short dis
tance each side of the track and
everything was covered with snow.
About midway between Great Falls
and Arlington the road strikes Belt
creek and follows it all the way to
Neihart. The country, until the
Belt mountains are reached, is roll
ing, extending for fifteen miles each
side of the railroad, and affording
excellent grazing for stock. Though
just completed the roadbed is in
excellent condition and being rock
ballasted the cars run without jolt
ing. There are only three Or four
trestles on the line and these are
comparatively small, while there are
no bad grades. In addition to the
gold and silver leads which have
been uncovered in the Belt noun
tains, there are immense bodies Of
coal, said to be Of superior quality,
opened at many places, showing the
coal deposits cover great scope of
country.
Without a mishap, and after a
jolly ride, just at II o'clock, the
train pulled into Neihart.
A committee, representing the
citizens of Neihart, boarded the train
at Monarch, and during the ride
between the two towns, pinned a
badge on each cxcursionist, at the
same time giving him ticket good
for dinner at any restaurant or hotel
in the city. 1t was the intention to
have big reception at the depot,
but the cold prevented this, SO the
hotels were Immediately sought.
Previous to dinner the ceremony of
driving the silver spike was per-
formed. 1t was done under the
auspices of the Belt Mountain
Miners Union, and was witnessed
by about 800 people. The spike
was pure silver, weighed sixteen
ounces, and was made from silver
taken from various mines in the dis
trict. After this dinner was in or
dir, and there was no lack, either in
quality or quantity. There are
three frst-class hotels in Neihart
and a number of smaller ones. At
all the hotels the menu was equal to
that served in Helena on Sunday.
After dinner the formal part of
the celebration took part i'll the
Miners Union hall. This hall will
probably accomodate 300 people,
and it was crowded to the door.
The Neihart brass and string band,
well-drilled organization, was pres
ent and played a number of selec-
tions in excellent style.-Helena In
dependent Nov. l6.