The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-29
Helena Men to Organize to Bore a
Thousand Feet or More Into
the Earth.
Something About Previous At
tempts to Bore Wells Near the
Capital and Elsewhere.
The Money h Operation Will Require
Will Como Back to the City and
County q Thousand Fold.

more or less successful attempts have been
made to sink them. More recently the
success which has attended the work In Da-
hota has had the effect of calling renewed
attention to the subject in Montana, Gov
ernmcnt reports on a~rtesian wells in North
Dakota are to the effect that they have been
of incalculable value in that section, and
investigation has shown that the same con-
ditions as to formation exist in Montana,
and that the chances for getting water are
equally as good in this state. At Miles City
considerable money WAS expended on an
artesian well, but just with what results
cannot now be recalled. Some six or seven
years ago all artesian we'll WAS started on
the east side of Helena, but work on it was
only done systematically, and finally ceased
altogether, largely due to the fact that only
those in the immediate neighborhood took
any interest in tEes subject. Something like
a year ago the late DR.. Brooke
started an ~artesian we'll on an ell
ovation on the west side, which at
the time of his death had reached q
depth of l,oo2 feet. The result Of the ven
ture was watched with a great deal of in
terest by every one in Helena, and it was
hoped that the executors of his estate would
see their way clear to continue the work.
This, however, the executors cannot do,
and the go-ahead, progressive men Of Hell
ena, who recognize the great value, both
directly and Indirectly, an artesian we'll
system would be to the city, have con-
cluded TO keep up the work inauguratod by
DIR. Brooke, and demonstrate that artesian
wells are one of the many things possible
in the vicinity of tho capital.
Col. q. A. Broadwater, who is always
ready to enlist in every cause which will
advance the interests of the city and state,
having his attention called to the matter
yesterday, said:
Il am heartily IN favor of the artesian
we'll business and am willing to do my
share toward making a thorough test of its
practicability at or near Helena. / have
had some experience in well-boring myself
and know something about the difficulties
to be encountered. I purchased an appar-
atus several years ago to be used in the
Sand Coulee coal country, and had
in finding some one to operate it sue
cessfully. Finally l secured the services of
the Copeland Bros, two men who had
learned their business in boring artesian
wells in Dakota, and after they took hold
of it had no more trouble. One we'll I
These same men did the work for DR..
Brooke. As to the success of an attempt
to sink an artesian we'll near Helena, l do
believe there is a doubt. I taink it ought
to be started somewhere in the valley, not
far from Helena, but lower down than the
Brooke we'll. We might have to go down
1000 feet or perhaps 1000 feet. but when
the bore was made through the granite the
water would be found between the granite
and the limestone. Until the Brooke prop
osition was worked it was thought the
foundation WAS much broken; but that is
can be and it is only the question of boring
through it to get the water. do not wi
an acre of land in the vicinity of where it is
thought a we'll should be started, but SO
sure am l that is will be successful and will
be of benefit to the city n country, hat I
will give $500 in cash toward the enter
prise"
A great deal of the land adjacent to
Helena is owned by people living in the city
and all those seen yesterday are heartily i'll.
favor of the we'll proposition and willing to
contribute toward it. John S. M. Neill will
guarantee $500; Ed I. Zimmerman, of
Schwab d Zimmerman. says his company
will do it's share; G. j. McNamara will do
his share: JAS. Blake is ready to come in,
and so with all those in interest. +. r.
Wallace is in favor of sinking the we'll, and
is also prepared to put up his share when
needed. Il. A.. Harlow will join in the
| ente, prise.
1t is recognized in all quarters that if the
first well is a success there is no limit to
the number that may be bored, and the
Iflckly Fear valley can pc maze the most
productive in the state. If successful in
the valley, they can also be bored in the
city. When Denver's first artesian we'll
spouted there was great rejoicing in the
city, but when it was suggested that another
be started in the same vicinity there was
objection based on the fear that 1T would
affect the flow of the first. It did not, how
ever, and though the number increased each
year the first, one kept up its original flow.
The matter has got 30 far along now that
there will be a meeting of property holders
adjacent to Helena in a few days, to which
all who take an interest in the matter will
be invited. At this meeting it will be pro-
posed to organize a company, say the Arte-
sian Well company, with a capital stock of
from $1,000 to $50, 900. those who are un-
able to put up cash making their subscrip-
tion in the shape of land. When organized
n contract will DO let to bore a we'll as many
thousand feet as the company may decide.
Some say 1000 feet will bring the water,
while others favor going down at least
5000. whether water is struck at a less depth
or not.
AT any rate the matter is a go, and Helena
men, with their usual enterprise, will dem
o~nstrate to the world that artesian wells
are a possibility in Montana. Ii successful
as an advertisement the matter is we'll
worth all the money that will be required.
DR.. King will he in Helena all of next week
and then away for one month.
Save your dimes by buying one of '.the Little
Joker. dime savings banks at The Bee Hive;