The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-26
LIKE A BIG THING
Rumored Objects OF Jay Gould's
Visit to the Capital OF
Montana.
Tho Union Pacific May Extend It's
Road Into Helena
Direct.
Possibilities of Il Continuous Line From
Hore to Chicago -Gould's Reported
Interest In the Anaconda.

Jay Gould did not arrive in Helena yes
terday, and it was stated that information
had been received of his arrival in Denver.
1t VAS given out that Mr.. Gould's visit to
Helena Is likely to result in some extensive
improvements in the Union Pacific system
in Montana, which will place that road in a
position to compete with Others on'throuRh
freight traffic to and from Chicago. In 1880
the Union Pacific had laid out and graded
thirty miles of road from a point on the
Utah Northern neal Dillon, down through
Jefferson canyon, with the ultimate idea of
building through to Helena. The grading
WAS completed to within eighty miles Of
Helena. when work was stopped for want of
money, it was given out. Two years later
the Northern Pacific reached here, and for
years enjoyed a monopoly Of a very heavy
and remunerative trade. 1t is estimated
that this business amounted to a
million dollars a year for freight
time, having to haul around by way of
Butte and transfer there, was at consider
able disadvantage in the competition for
freight traffic. The Union Pacific officials
have long since recognized the mistake that
was made in 1880 in stopping work on the
extension to Helena. The prestige of being
the first road here would have given it nu-
merous advantages in the way of trade. II.
M. Kimball, at that time general passenger
agent of the Union Pacific. and +. T.
Shelby, the assistant general freight agent,
both now with tho Great Northern, are
quoted as having said that the Union Pa
osGn ~ A. Aho -,o,A.uA :oAo L. "a a. o-lcA
ence in not building straight through to
Helena. Mr.. Gould is in the railroad bus
mess for money, as everybody knows. He
is ons of the quickest men in the world to
see an opportunity. 1t is believed that he
the Jefferson canyon road to Helena,
and that he will look into the matter
closely while here. From near Dillon the
road will follow the line already laid out up
Jefferson canyon, via R~adersburg, and
through a short tunnel at Grow CT eek divide
parallel the Northern Pacific into Helena.
This, it is claimed, would give the Union
Pacific the most direct route of its own
from Helena to Chicago. The line would
be bv the new route from here to near
Dillon, thence by the Utah Northern to
Pocatello. From there the route would be
over the Short line to Granger, about $50
Pacific main line would be struck and from
there on through Omaha to Chicago the
line would be as the crow flies. CAS- long
as Helena remains the financial and bust
ness center of the state, which will be as
long as Montana is a state, the rail
road which has its own line to
this point will be in a better
position to compete for traffic than the one
that has to haul it's freight over other
roads for part of the way" said q we'll
known Board of Trade man yesterday. It
is quite likely the Union Pacific people
may be led to see things in the same light.
Another object of Mr.. Gould's visit to
Montana, it is reported, is to look into the
Anaconda properties. He is said to be one
of the leading mon in the syndicate which
is to buy the Anaconda mines and works.
The Board of Trade here will give Mr..
Gould a big reception on the occasion of his
visit.