The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-04
rue BUSINESS OF HELENA
Despite the General Depression Of
Two Years. 1t Shows an
Increase.
Figures That Prove the Falsity
of Statements Made BY
Newspapers.
Increase of Population ~ Well as q
Growth of business In the
Past Year.

An Increase of Population ~ Well as n
Growth of business In the
Past Year.
One Of the arguments used by the oppo-
hents of Helena in the capital contest ID
hat the city, both in population and BUSH
ness, 10 going back instead Of pushing
hhead. Those who make these statements
10 30 in n general wav and never give any
figures to verify what they advance. The
Feason they do not give figures is because
hey cannot. The newspapers of several
towns have reported ii so often that some
residents of the state who have never Wis
ted Helena, or awe not been at the capital
for years have placed some faith In the
stories. There are thousanes of people in
Montana who do not believe there ia a
kour-gtory building in Helena, who believe
he street car equipment here consists OF a
couple of cars, who are sure nine-tonths OF
the water used by Helena people comes
from wells and the other tenth from
springs, who will not comprehend the num-
her nor elegance of the private residences
in this city, and who believe that the emily
business done ia that transacted between
Helena people and the residents Of the
Prickly Pear valley.
OF course those who come to Helena
know and believe the reverse, and no diff
ference how much they may exalt their
W town in public, in private conversation
they acknowledge that for steady growth in
population and business, for school advan-
--- r. a --LJ;- n-I nrs~afo inntItr-
tions, for the extent of its UNCONVENTIONAL
privileges, for it's capacity for taking care
OF thousands of visitors comfortably, and
flor everything that goes to make up a met
~ropolitan town, there ia no CITY in the state
that can in any way compare with 1t and
mono between st. Paul and Portland. For
the benefit of those who do not know just
what sort of a city Helena is and to give
some idea OF the solid foundation on which
II stands, the facts that follow will be inter
esting.
AS to decrease in population, 1t 10 known
to everyone who is at all obssrvant that In
the last three years there has been but a
slight increase in the number OF the people
in the whole state. In 1889 the total vote
in Montana for representatives in congress
was 3s, 176. This year the vote will not OK.
coed AZ. 600, and will probably show a net
gain of about 1000. During the fall OF
1891 and the winter of 1892 the charge was
most often repeated by a few misinformed
people in other sections Of Montana that
Helena was going down the hill rapidly In
the way of population. That the statements
was a bald untruth was conolusived proven
at the last city election in April. 1892. In
1891 the total registration was ., lOl; In lS92
it was 8, 800, showing an increased OF 2o9.
The Helena city directory for 1891 CON
tanned 8, 251 names; that for 1892. 8,267; not
a large increase. but sufficient to show that
there had not been a decrease in popula-
ton. as charged by some residents of other
cities.
Now as to business in Helena. II will be
news to many people to know that the trade
of the merchants of this city is not con-
fined to the limits Of the corporation nor
ia the boundaries of the county. There il
not a larger iobbina or wholesale point this
side of ST. Pau than Helena, nor one that
equals it between the Twin Citios and Port
land. And there are Wholesalers and job
bsrs in almost every ins-Rroceries, hard
ware, mining machinery. clothing, drugs,
boots and shoes. produce. hay and grain:
reaches south Of Wyoming to the British
possessions. And representatives OF all
these lines report a larger volume and
better business for the first mine months
OF 1892 than for the Same period In 1891.
The A. M. Hotter Hardware company say
uD 10 OCts i AClI ouolA0bo SA@S SA
the same time for the year previous 20 per
cent. Cans q Klein say their trade has
shown a steady and reliable increase this
year; Bach, Cory q Co.. II. M. Parchsn,
Pope O. O'Connor. +. Gamer. Raleigh d
Clarke, Sands Bros. the New York Dry
stedman Iron foundry, Oppsnheimsr &
\ Asch, and Lindsay 81 Go. say the same All
; of these houses do a ! arge outside trade.
and If Helena were losing her po-
sition az a business center they could not
report an increased trade. Some idea of
the ramiieations and extent OF Helena bus
mess may be had whom ii said that the
trade of one house, that of Lindsay d. Co.,
extends on the east, on the Northern Pa
cifo, to Dickinson, N. D.; ON the Great
Northern to Fort Buford, N. D.; south to
Wyoming; west into the Cueur d'Alene
country, and north to Banh, on the Cana
dian Pacific.
People who have not visited Helena for a
number of years find it difficult to believe
that there are in the city q dozen extensive
and modsrnly built and a score OF smaller
business blocks. the upper portions devoted
to offices and the lower floor to stores, and
that the buildings, representing an outlay
of several million dollars, pay an interest
on the investment. When it is remembered
that 200 incorporated companies have their
offices in Helena, besides II large number OF
attorneys. physicians, engineers. agents,
representing various enterprises, 1t Will be
seen that the fact that there is use for all
these offices Is not surprising.
One of the most convincing arguments
that proves that Helena 10 not going be-
hind, either in business or population. ia
the business of the banks. In tho last two
years there have been three new banking
houses started here, two national and one
savings. and while they now have deposits
apgregating 1000, 900, the deposits in the
older banks have also increased in like
ratio. Another fact in thisc connection is
that the weekly bank statement Of the
Helena banks shows a business exceeding
not only all other cities in Montana, but as
e reat as cities east and west of 100. 600 in
habitants. And the statements, instead of
showing a decrease, in the volume of
business. on the contrary, show an increase.
Full line of useful household goods on the bar
gain counters at The Bee Hive.
Commercial work with dispatch at the
Independent job Rooms.
Largo line of fancy table covers Just received
At I he Bee Hive