The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-30
|0RY OF
| THE FORT.
|t Princes , Little Deal.
He Worked Elkins and Made Him
Secretary Of War
Paying By Presidents Son May
Be Made Very Easy.

Hrry,. sept. 2S.-.Special Dispatch
,hp TRIBUNE. The republicans held
ir ROW WOW" at the auditorium last
N, The speakers were Messrs. Allen
l4r Of Ogden, Utah. and Colonel
rders. and each of these gentlemen
med TO have serious grudge against
rps political parties, as Col. Sanders
all he could to burn up the Weaver
y and Mr. Miller paid his respects in
Dre or less exact rhetoric 10 the pro-
bitionists.
There was great disappointment on
part of many of those present on ac-
unit of Senator Sa ders' failure to ex-
bin his position in regard to the fort,
ID this failure has given rise to a great
al Of SPECULATION and gossip here. A
ntleman who frequently goes to Wash
gton and has had excellent opportuni-
to inform himself on this subject
We the following version respecting
|e fort and its ignominious collapse.
The s'ory goes back to about the be
Inning of the Harrison administration"
ys the gentleman, "and there are many
bints about it which, while not capable
absolute proof, may be taken for
hat they are worth. 1t has long been
bmmon rumor here that Russell B.
lsrison is deeply indebted to the
roaiwater estate. This Indebtedness
as begun in the early days of the Hell
ta Journal, and Col. Broadwater took
re Of the prince IN the expectation of
BETTING his money back sometime. As
|tyments we're decidedly slow and the
|OlOnel did not want newspaper on
|a hands he finally decided that the
|rince might aid him with project at
Washington, in manner which might
|nable him to discount the Indebtedness
\ the princess paper. The Colonel was
|ware that IA large military post would
le Of great advantage to Helena. and as
(lr. Elkins was special friend of
lH and also of the prince,
was thought to be only necessary to
lace him in the position of secretary of
bar to bring about the desired combina-
bon. The prince discussed the matter
|horoughly with Mr.. Elkins before the
Portfolio of war was offered to him and
trade was agreed upon. Mr. Elkins
pas to favor the fort as partial consid-
Fraton Tor being made secretary of war.
fnd Col. Broadwater was to strike off
eoOd part or all of the princes indebted
fess TO his bank in consideration of his
good offices in enlisting the aid of the
PRESIDENT and other oiticeholders who
could be influenced either by favors or
threats.
1T Is said that the prince saw AN OPP
OFlunlty, and while getting Mr. Elklns
liedged to Col. Broadwater's PROJECT. he
lso made another condition with Mr..
1lklns which has enabled him to carry
u his Helena paper for some time. This
arrangement was in brief the other
for which Mr. Elkins was
. receive the appointment of secretary
\ war. and assisted in making up por-
"n OF the monthly deficit incurred IN
aFryIng on the republican organ at Hell,
I'd That an arrangement OF TINS kind
"a ,so been entered into was bruited In
Washington some eight months prior to
ir' Elkins' appointment. A little later
ne nc prince took up his quarters in tlkins
NICE at New York. and as soon as Secre-
ary Proctor could be disposed of, the
var portfolio went to Mr. Elkins. The
'hole affair was managed very adroitly,
INC 'la most of the prominent men OF the
publican party racked their brains to
WOW why it was that man Of Mr. FL
nus unsavory character was given TINS
! and important place in the
anllnlstration, and it seems that this
ory supplies the missing link"