The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-09-16
Eight Miles OF the Montana Midland
Will Be Graded In An
other Week.
A Hundred Mon and Teams VIII
Garry it to the River
BY Nov. l.
The Burlington Chief Engineer Says That
Roads Objective Point for Some
Time to Come Is Helena.

That the Midland railroad Ia q ''go" a
trip along the line will convince che most
skeptithl. As is generally known tho Mid
land is the result of the enterprise started
two years ago. having for its object the
building of a railroad from Helena via
White Sulphur Springs 10 ths Castle min
ing country. About the time the project
was inausurated in Helena Livingston
came TO the front with = proposition, as did
Great Falls. The Livingston and Great
Falls enterprises did not develop very far.
The Helena enterprise. while ikdid not pro-
gross very rapidly. was never allowed to
die. II. A. Harlow made a start IN the
right direction by grading and ironing a
line from Davis street and Ninth avenue
out 10 this CITY limits. In addition the poo
PIE be represented purchased depot grounds
and land for other purposes, the entire out
lay reaching several hundred thousand DOL
lars. During the past two years a half
dozen times all the arrangements for the
completion OF the road have boon almost
contaminated, when some unforeseen OBJ
sthcle arose, md the commencement Of
work was delayed. When the financial
crash came every arrangement had been
made to build the road. The stripgency
again forced Mr.. Harlow, who has been the
active agent In the enterprise. to make
other plans. He had been COMPELLED to
start all over again so many times that this
new sstbsck did not discourage him. and In
the face OF the hardest times this country
has ever known he made his arranRements
to grade and iron the road from Helena to
the Missouri.
Yesterday Mr.. Harlow took some friends
and an INDEPENDENT reporter out over the
line Of the road. Four crews. under differ
ent contractors. are engaged in grading.
The gap between the city limits and the
Northern Pacific tracks, of about a mile,
has not been graded. the work starting
just north Of the Northern Pacific tracks.
first camp 10 that Of John Brady, about
three miles from town. Mi. Brady has
week will have his sec
ton completed. There are three
other camps, between she Brady
and the bench lands. employing about
sixty men. making a total Of about 100 men
at work. The road is almost a bee-line
from Helena to the bench lands, a distance
OF eight miles. There are y good many
outs And fills. but as a rule the work ia not
difficult, and BY the end of next week the
first eight miles will have been completed.
This done the four outnts will move to that
portion of the route which lies between the
foot hills and the river. a distance Of six
miles. This will be completed by Nov. l.
After that the cont actors. who will keep
right along. will do the rock work during
the winter.
Whether the road will be ironed this win
ter or not has not been decided. A letter
from the Illinois Steel company, who have
the contract for furnishing the rails, re-
cieved yesterday, informed MI. Harlow
that before they shut down complet. ly the
rails for tho Midland would be got
ten out. and that he could get
them in November. or they would
hold them until the spring. AS there are a
large number of small bridges to be put In
and there will be some difficulty in getting
ties enough in season it Is probable no iron
will be laid this fall.
The Midland has progressed so far now
that there is no doubt Of is completion and
Harlow is firm in the belief that in q
year 1t will DO in o Grafton to White Sui
phur Springs. During these pleasant fall
days a drive down the valley is a rood ap-
.petizer. and those who have an idea that
Helena is not doing any thing should take
The Canyon Ferry road out to the Missouri
md have an ocular demonstration that a
abroad 10 being built out that way.