The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-14
Helena Representatives to Confer
With Madison, Beaverhead and
jefferson Counties.
The Extension of the Union Pacific
System From Dillon to
Helena.
Hons. Sam Word and A. NJ. Hotter APP
pointed by the Board of Trade
TO Act.

was put in definite shape by the appoint
ment of Hons. Sam Word and A. M. Hotter
as a committee to confer with the people OF
Beaverhead, Madison and Jeferson coun-
ties as soon AZ practicable to learn the
feelings and wishes of these people IN re-
gard to the road. Mr.. Word has recentiy
from the fair at Twin Bridges
where he was enthusiastically received by
his old friends and neighbors of twenty
seven years ago. It was at the request OF
the Board of Trade that Mr.. Word appeared
before the meeting last night and outlined
the plan which he suggested to the people OF
Madison and Beaverhead counties on the oc-
casion OF his recent visit. The plan isnota
new one. II has been advocated by Mr.. Word
for more than ten years. Years ago when
he was in the territorial Legislature ne IA
vored by exemption from taxation Tor n
period of years the extension of the Union
Pacific system from Dillon to Helena and
did all he could. in season and out, to
bring it into reality. When he reminded the
people of southwestern Montana on his re-
cent visit there. Of his past efforts tho OK
preston was unanimous that, If the present
sentiment prevailed in those days. a rail-
road between Dillon and Helena would
have been a reality ten years ago. Mr.
Word very clearly showed last night now
public sentiment in outhwestern
Montana has changed when he stated that
one very prominent citizen OF Madison
county pledged himself for $bo'OOo TO &C.
cure tho construction OF the road. MT.
Word said that last winter and spiing, as
he had done annually for the past twelve
years, he discussed the question with the
Union Pacific officials. At n time. IN
1882, the enterprise got under way. Fart
of the right OF way was purchased ana
grading WAS commenced in the Jefferson
and Missouri canyons. just then there
came a crisis in the history of the Union
Pacific road which resulted in the suspen-
sion of work. The Union Pacific was
placed in the hands of Charles Francis
Adams through the efforts of two senators
and Jay Gould and Sidney Dillon retired
from its management. Nothing has been
lone since that time TO extend the system
to Helena. At various periods while he
was still counsel in Montana for the Union
Pacific, Mr.. Word revived the charter in
terests which the company had acquired
for the proposed extension. but the road
was in such a financial condition as to make
it impossible to continue the construction.
Frequently before this crisis came the dl-
Iectors assured Mr.. Word that the extern
sion would be made if the reports OF the
engineers corroborated the statements
.4ade as to the resources OF the country
through which it would pass. The engi-
neers did corroborate Mr.. Word and the
road was started but stopped by the crisis
mentioned.
M. Word said he had said nothing in
public about the extension for several years
until about two weeks ago. when he MADE
his visit to the fair at Twin Bridges. He
told the citizens present last night
briefly, by way of introduction of
his experience there, that the
Ruby, Beaverhead and Madison valleys.
with the tributary country, is one OF the
richest and most productive sections OF
country in Montana. thiokly settled with
sntsrprising and substantial people. lie
met hundreds of his old friends of twenty
seven years ago, and at their request made
them a speech. He told them of his former
efforts to secure the extension, and assured
them that the time was ripe to make q
move, and that the enterprisina people OF
Last Chance would help them. The extern
sion will tap a section of country rich in
resources, including the mining districts OF
Alder, Bivins' and Browns clutches, Wis
consin, Ramshorn, Mill Greek, Iron Rod.
and Silver Star. All this section is from forty
to fifty miles way from a railroad, and
everything is hauled by to the
Union Pacific to reach Butte. One instance
of it's productiveness is furnished by the
Eastern mine, which ia declared by experts
to be one of the greatest bonanzas in Mon
sana, second only TO the famous Granite
Mountain. B. j. Fine, of Butte, secured a
chi ty days, with the ore which had
lain on the dump for twenty
years, and hauling it ffty-fve miles
TO a railroad, took up his bond. Ihs agri-
cultural interests need q new outlet. Inc
cost of hauling produce to the railroad TO
secure Il market ut Butte 10 SO great that the
Cnrmers cannot successfully compete with
the immense agricultural interests of Utah,
Ihero are also great quantities of q superior
quality of coal in southwestern Montana
awaiting the advent of a railroad to assure
their development.
TIT plan as proposed by Mr.. Word las
night ia to organize a local company a.
once, The people of Madison. BeaverheaC
and that portion of Jefferson contiguous IL
to them are very anxious for Helena tt
move in the matter. A right of way of 1bt
miles can be obtained for nominal oonsid-
Grafton. which would be a great inducemen
for the Union Pacific or the Northern Pa
ciio to consider. There is but one obstacle
seemingly to securing the route already
located by the Union Pacific and which i
has forfeited. This ia an agreement be-
tween the two roads as to the cost OF CON
struction OF n fond through the Jefferson
CANYON made just before work stoppet
on the Union Pacific extension, and which
was made to settle the right of way claim
of the Northern Pacific. In case this route
through the Jefferson canyon cannot be hat
there 10 one equally as good by way of tn
North Boulder. All the enter
prise needs, said Mr.. Word. i
n good start. Like all things ii must b.
started and encouraged, tho money viii
come all right. The people of southern
Montana md the people of this part of thu
state want the road from Dillon to Helena
and they propose to have it. They know
that the extension of the Union Pacific t.
Helena will multiply the product Of tn
country through which ii would pass tel
fold. He asked tho people of Helena t.
give some expression to tho people OF south
western Montana and show them that the,
were with them in heart and soul. WhetEe'
Helena gets the capital or not she ought +
have bands of steel connecting her directl,
with Madison and BehyerheRd.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Words remark
the following resolutions were drawn up an
presented by T.. @. Wallace and mani
mously adopted with great enthusiasm;
Whereas. The city of Helena. Will
realizing tho great advantages accruing :
her hs a railroad and business center, Is no
%unmindful of the fact hat further railroa
communication with othcr mud diHeren
parts of tho state would contribute greatl
to her aggrandizement and mnteriall
benefit the sections of country throug