The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-11
Men Realize the Advantages
to Be Gained From a
Branch Road.
They Are Ready to Join With
Helena People and Aid In
It's CONSTRUCTION.
Great Mining Camp Needs tho Tim
Dor and the Coal for Its Mines
and Mills.

Northern Pacific, to the FIathead country.
II was suggested that Missoula people
would hnd 1t moro to their advantage to
join with Helena and build this line, than
to try and build alone from Jocko. Since the
articles appeared, however, tho newspapers
OF that city have laughed at the idea, and
said II Helena wanted = road from Avon it
need not look to Avon for assistance.
Butte, however. ID quite willing to takssthe
chance offered Missouls, and talks with
some of her leading merchants who have
recently been in Helena, were to the effect
that they would put mp their share to con-
struct q railroad from Avon to Colnmbia
Falls, in conjunction with Helena. Yester-
days Butte Miner contains an article TO the
same effect. II 10 Is follows:
A railroad contractor impaired his con
viotion to a reporter of the Miner yesterday
that it the people of this city wers alive to
their opportunities they would beatir them
selves in the interest Of the location of the
road from some point on the Northern
Pacific, which Is shortly TO DO built to Col
umbia Falls. It can be constructed from
two points, Jocko or Avon, the latter OF
which it would be especially to the interest
Of the people OF this city and Helena to
secure.
According to the statement Of the gentle
man, Mr.. Hammond. Of Missouri. il using
his best efforts to have the road built from
Jooko up through the Flathead reservation.
BY the building of the line there this city
would loss tbs benefit Of the trade Of the
northern country, which would naturally
go to M%issoula.
IN thu nnukrarv 10 Hha roo1 rrorA bu;I&
from Avon the people here would havo the
benefit Of drawing from an untouched re-
Rlon OF immense 1eaourceS-inoxhaustible
supplies Of coal, wood and lumber. The
advantage of this to mining companies in
particular does not need to be enlarged
upon, The lumber resources available to
the supply of the wants Of thlsscity cannot
be too great, and BY the route proposed
from Avon up the Blackfoot and through
the Nevada valley large tracts Of the finest
timber in the northwest could be tapped.
It is stated on good authority that the
found near Columbia Falls. Coal minors
who have investigated it say 1t is about the
same quality as the Iethbridge coal and
would be a valuable addition to our fuel re-
sources. Brought here by the Avon route
would shorten the haul abou 100 miles,
which would be an important item in its
cost.
In addition to giving Ibis city access to
new lumber and csal fields, the road from
Avon would open mp q fine agricultural
country through q great part Of the way,
whose products are now valueless, but
would be a valuable addition to thu sup
plies of the Butte market.
The chance IN open to Butte to secure
this trade. It can DO don by cooperation
with Helena people, to whose interest it
also be to have a branch built from
Avon. Governor Hauser has stated that
he could raise $4OO, 600 in Helena tx build
this road and if Butte would raise a similar
estimated that the whole line can be built
for about 81, 100000. All that would be
necessary would be to build twenty miles
of the road, for which bonds could be
loated and the balance completed in this
city.
from Avon to Columbia Falls would be to
this city may be imagined when it il
stated that the profit to this city from
cheaper Goa available would be moi less
than 100000 a year, that the saving on
wood freight would be from $50. 600 to
800, 600 and the same on lumber. The
Nevada valley that would be tapped by this
Eoad is a fertile ono and we'll settled. It's
great in the production Of hay.
grain and vegetables now lie fallow for
want Of a market, but it the markets of
Butte and Helena were thus thrown open
to it its production could be pushed to I'm
thought OF proportions. Now its only pro-
duct 10 stock.
The region to be tapped is also rich in
undeveloped mines Of gold and silver. The
road would run over fifty miles through the
timber in the state, that will log from
10000 Q to 6,000. 900 feet to the section.
The great and constantly increasing
necessities of this c,ty's mines and other
industries calling every year for greater
supplies of fuel and timber Justify the
most energetic action on the part Of its
citizens to bring every possible influence to
bear in having the branch built from Avon
and to devote their means to it's promotion.
The branch is certain to be built from
Jocko unlcss efforts are at once ma dc to
promote the Avon scheme.
Butcher Il Bradley's low prices for hosiery.