The Yellowstone journal., 1894-08-31

so that with this explanation it will be
seen that Helena is not chargeable with
intoxicating this policy with the selfish
view of absorbing Fort Keogh into Fort
Harrison. Long before Fort Harrison
was even suggested, by the war depart
ment, years before its location was set
tied. the fear of the removal OF the keogh
garrison was as strong-yes, stronger
than 1t is today, for the cry OF wolf
has been raised SO often, that We are
growing somewhat used to it, our con-
tidence being strengthened by the en-
largement. instead of decrease OF the
garrison, as the years roll by; by the
selection of this post year after year for
such important military functions as
the annual target competition, partici-
pated IN by all commands in tim north
west from Chicago to Vancouver bar
racks, and embracing the contestants OF
three military departments; by the con
slant improvement OF the post, the 'n-
PRODUCTION of a permanent system OF
water works. and other expenditures
that would not be permitted if the post
was marked for abandonment. Further
more: and here again the Standard mis-
states the policy of the war department.
1t is not wholly or particularly in cities
that troops are to be massed but prefer
ably along the lines of ftrans-continental
railroads, where prompt and speedy
transportation is available. In fact
post in or near a large city is regarded
as very demoralizing to the garrison.
and such location as Fort keogh, on
the line of the railroad, and with all the
facilities for procuring cheap supplies
from the surrounding country and with
none of the seductive allurements OF
large city attached, is unques lonably
regarded as better base OF operations
than either Fort Smelling or Fort Har
rlson. But even if the Standards "otii
cia in the war department had really
communicated the actual intention of
abandoning Fort keogh in the interest
of Anaconda for the capital, We OF
Miles City should not despair. The
The blackest cloud has a silver lining
and tho darkest hour always precedes
the dawn. In June 1895 Genl. Nelson
\. Miles will succeed to his inheritance
of commanding general of the army and
as he is comparatively young, he Will re-
tain the position for several years, and
during his incumbency. it is safe to say
that neither Fort keogh or Miles City
will suffer if he can help II, for he bpllt
the one, and the other Is named in his
honor and it is well knopn that he feels
a kindly interest and pardonabe pride |
in each. OF course, even feeling safe, as
we have right to. from any molestation
in this regard, il it could be demon
strated that Helena had acted either
coverf1y or openly to deprive this city of |
Fort Keogh there would be grounds for |
a feeling of animosity, but when the sole
charge made 10y the Standard ana echoed |
ard re echoed by the Anaconda spouters |
upon our streets. is that Helena secured |
purpose of absorbing Fort Keogh it be.
comes to simple for refutation, The /
facts in the case are. that in 1890 the
war department had got around to con
sdering the location Of large post in
the northwest. The officials probably
the Standards friend was one of them
had in accordance with time honored
custom, stuck two red-headed
pins in map of the northwest, at what
they considered strategic points and were
to discuss with customary
the relative merits Of each
is strategic points. One of these pins
pierced the spot on the map marked
Spokane" and the other. Helena" The
Helena people found this out, and organ.
zed pull" that ended In landing the
post in Helena. Is there anything to
Helena for in this transaction?
IS it not rather matter for congratula-
ion than reproach, that the workers
in securing to this state, a
,rize that would otherwise have gone to
he state of Washington! Ii anyone is
o blame for it. it is the officials of the
var department" the Standards friend
nong them probably, who stuck the
ed headed pin into the spot called
Helena" for il they had not done this.
he Helena people would never have
hought of Fort Harrison, and the Ana
onda boomers would never have had
he chance to cry aloud that Helena was
rying to steal Fort Keogh. But it is
he only campaign argument they have
OF in this section, so we cannot expect ,
hem to drop it altogether.