The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-16
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There has been some talk about re
pewing the operations 10 get artesian
water in the Prickiy Pear valley. This
should be done by all means. But we
should learn wisdom from former ef-
forts and sink where scientific investi-
cations have shown artesian waters do
more certainly exist
Four wells have already been sunk Tor
artesien waters around the artesisn val
lev Of the Prickly Pear; but none In II.
The first WIS bored 10y some OF our en-
terprising citizens high up on the east
side to supply that part Of the city w'th
water. The work was suspended
Whether Il will be renewed, we know
not Another we'll was sunk by the
late DIR. Brooke on the west side and on
the slope Of Mount Helena. Water was
obtained. but it did not rise TO the sur
face. where the well was started. This
well might be utilized with profit, II The
volume of water struck in it is suili-
GENTLY large. A horizontal bring tap
ping the well below the surface Of the
water would allow the water 10 flow to
the surface and make an artesian we'll
And like all such wells it would DO val
liable in proportion 70 the water DIS
charged.
Another well was started on the east
side of Helena on the bench land How
deep and how much water was obtained
we are not informed. 1t is not yet ar
tesian.
The last effort to obtain artesian
water was on the northwest side and
far up above the lowest part OF the val
ley. We are informed the proprietors
will continue sinking this well the com
ing season. 1t is, however, proper TO
saw that those who best understand the
geological structure Of the valley and
the philosophy OF artesian wells de-
clared the two first named we're COM
menced where there was no reason to
EXPECT success, and the two last where
success is doubtful But there are
large areas in the lowest portions Of the
valley where artesiaE waters can be OBJ
tanned with great degree Of certainty.
and formed the bed Of a lake; and it is
complete still save where the Prckly
Pear has worn a passage through the
rim. The underground waters near this
point may possibly flow out between
the strata sooner than come 10 the sur
face, but the chances are extremely
small; and the further the well is sunk
from this gap the less the chances are
II would prevent the flow OF this water
10 the surface The reasons for success
are just as good in the Prickly Pear ba-
sin as they we're in the Paris, the Lon
don and the ST. Louis basins and much
better than they were at Denver.
Belcher's well, the first bored 10 St
Louis and down N the lowest part Of
the basin, was a grand success; while
the asylum we'll, located several hun.
died feet higher and on the western rim
Of the basin, was grand failure, though
the auger was sent down deeper than il
any well save one the salt mines il
sperenberg, Prussia, and one In China
he well at the asylum in St. Louis
is located like the two first wells in
Helena, on the rim Of the geological
basin.
All the science Of wells and al th'
facts prove that wells sunk in the low
est port Of geological basins are mos
likely 10 give artesian waters
Artesian wells have proved one Of ia,
most valuable means OF supplying citie
and towns, for irrigating arid regions
and FOR warming hospitals and factories
A most wonderful change has beer
produced IN the desert az Sahara bl
artesian wells. In former times th
Arabs had dug flowing wells, which
produced Gases for resting places il
journeys across tine desert. But in 49,
French engineer sank some seventy
five OF 100 artosian wells in these bar
zen sunds.
These wells have converted large area
Of the desert into fertile regions O
the lands made fertile by these well
10000 palm trees are now growing an
1000 gardens are producing fruits on
vegetables for prosperous popuauo
II artesian wells can produce such ma
velous results in the great desert
Sahara, what may We not expect frol
Thorn 10 the fertile valleys d Montan
which have in god seasons aud und,
extra culture produced eighty and eve
100 bushels Of wheat per acre, aud GA
aud barley. potatoes, beets, onions an
cabbayes in proportion.
TIE two leading commercial agenci