The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-26
Written for The Tribune.

east Is surprised at its marvellous
wealth and resources. Arriving at
Helena, we find the mining camp Of
dozen cabins Of twenty-five years ago
to be now the Queen City OF Montana,
also the capital Of the state and enjoy
ing the proud distinction of being the
wealthiest city in the world according
to its population. The traveller through
this bold and silver state should not
fail to stop off here. Our two days
stay was equally enjoyable, instruct
i've and long to be remembered. Hele-
ma Is located at the eastern foot or
the main chain of the Rocky Noun
tains, in a valley of oval-shape nearly
surrounded by mountains, one rising
above another until the more distant
are lost among the clouds, forming a
view from any part of the city OF
striking beauty and grandeur. Look
ing southwark and westward toward
the continental divide are seen long
and picturesque timbered ridges. while
Prickley Pear Valley. as far as the
eye can reach, forms the foreground.
These brown and rugged hills and val
leys are evenly covered with bunch
grass and thickly studded with farms
and stock ranches. The soil here has
produced 100 bushels Of oats to the
acre.
Helena Is the center Of n number Of
rich mining districts, and In Its i'm
mediate vicinity are located numerous
mines that have netted their owners
several million dollars. To the COM
modify of gold Helena owes its growth
and influence. In fact Helena City Is
built on gold mine. The gulch where
the city now stands c'Last Chance
Gulch') yielded. before the town was
settled, some SIS, 900 900 In gold nuggets
and gold dust, and thirty millions was
taken from this ditch before 1t was
abandoned to merchants and shop
keepers. We We're reliably informed
that when digging the foundations Of
the New First National bank and also
the Montana Club building. enough
gold was obtained to build the founda-
tion walls; even now, the builder of
new house can find laborers willing TO
dig the cellar for the dirt they take
from 1t. 1t was our good fortune to
find located at Helena Wayne coun-
tian, E. G. Edgerton, formerly of Dam
ascus. Mr.. Edgerton Is the vice-pres!-
dent and manager Of the First Ma
tional hank and largely interested in
both gold and silver mining. From him
We obtained valuable and also reliable
information. We visited several points
Of interest with him. and from the roof
of the famous Montana Club building
obtained a grand view of the city and
mountains. and in its magnificent par
lors we were royalty entertained.
Like Real ri Dorado.
We visited his bank and saw the
large solid silver platter which con-
tained many thousand dollars in gold
nuggets that We're taken from this IA
nous Last Chance mine upon which
the city was built and where the
bank now stands. The largest and
most valuable nugget ever found in the
state and said to be worth $4,000 was
taken from this ditch. Another shown to
10 US weighed 47.7ounces and was worth
s9i5.sS, and others $500, 5000 and $500
respectively. These with other rare
and rich specimens of Montana's min
elal wealth. are deposited among the
valuables of this bank These speci-
mems we recognized as among Mon
tana's exhibits at the Worlds fair in
1S92.
Helena has seven banking houses.
whosc capital, surplus and undivided
profits are the admiration of the finan-
cial world. Among the sound banks Of
Montana the First National bank
stands lrst. It has the reputation
of being backed by the wealthiest men
II
ard surplus and undivided prodts of
s300,000 It carries over s4,oOO,OOO Of
special deposits. Its last statement
of May Z, 1895, given me by Mr.. Edger-
ton. shows a s4,2si 1906 balance.
, ACitadcI Of Great Wealth.
Aside frim its seven national and
two savings banks. which have a cap
ital and surplus Of nearly Sl2.0O0,O 900
with weekly clearances from 100000 to
800, ,000-and which carry balance Of
from $4,000 to $7,00O,0O0 OF spe-
clal deplsits - Helena has several
building and loan associations with
capital of s., 900 900. With its $4,000 in
habitants its per capita of bank depos-
its. capital. etc, is greater than any
other town or city in the United States.
This is fair indica ton Of the immense
wealth centered right here aside from
the mG1lons of dollars which have
been invested in the mines. smelters
fumes ETC., in close proximity. There
are within twenty-five miles over 5000
quartz lodes, which have been claimed,
recorded and mainly patented.
] will speak only of two other valu-
able mines and then stop. At Marys-
vile. twenty miles distant. on a branch
of the Northern Pacific, IS the famous
Drum Lummon mine, which yielded in
1887, and yearly afterward, over 81
600, 900 of gold and silver, from an area
1.5OO feet long by 600 feet in width.
The Montana Bar mine in 1867 took
81. 100000 In gold In ninety days. This
Drum Lummon mine was discovered
accidentally by one Thomas Cruise. a
poor man years ago. but now. one Of
the prominent multi-milllonaires OF
Helena. After Its immense yield. an
English company bought It. paying 81
for 81 per share. Several English cap
italfsts have invested millions in gold
and silver mining properties in this
vicinity. Another bonanza mine. Alder
Gulch, has yielded. since Its discovery,
In 1859, over $50, 100000 In gold alone
and It Is said one-half was clear profit.
might enumerate. but suffice X to say:
Montana can as justly boast OF her
mineral wealth In gold and silver, as
can Pennsylvania of her black dia-
monds. The state OF Montana pro-
duces from $45,0O0.000 to $55.OO0,0OO OF
precious metals yearly, besides ten
million of cattle and sheep are raised
and marketed here-also over 500.O0O,oO0
feet of lumber. For manyyears fortunes
have been a making at Helena, and
the people have what may seem a reck-
less way OF referring to millions. where
the more cautious fastener would
speak of thousands.
Less Mntcrial Advantages.
While Helena has been called min
ing town, It's people enjoy all the lux
rries OF an Eastern city. Business
blocks and residences OF pretenslon and
a soiidity, too, seldom met with any
where, are being raised In every direc-
ton. 1t Is a true type Of the Western
cfty Standing midway hetween TIA.
coma and 81. Paul 1t has signal ad-
vantage of being the commercial, finan-
cial. railroad and distributing center
of the state.
Among the prominent public build
ings are seventeen churches, high
school building, costing 100000; county
court house, 100000: Montana club
(business mems club) house. 100000;
an auditorium with a seating capacity