The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-02

from Helena. we make the second
crossing Of the main divide OF the
Rocky mountains, through Mullan
Pass. Mountain railroading Is not only
exhileratirg but also interesting and
instructive. as one obtains a good idea
of the methods used by the engineers
to overcome such obstacles as we here
witness. We ascend this pass on
grade of 1S6 feet to the mile for some
twenty-one miles to the summit. where
two locomotives are always required,
and often a pusher. The route runs in
apiral curves like a letter s, and very
slowly does the train climb skyward,
pulled by these two iron horses, whose
groans and snorts show the intense
strain put upon them. The gigantic
cliffs and buttresses OF granite seem
to bar the way, and forbid the further
progress Of the train. but nov hugging
closely to the cliffs, where the roadway
has been blasted out and then shoot
iry across los" over ravines, filled
In by the blasted rock from the noun
tain side. we run into the mountain
under the crest Of the divide" through
a tunnel over three-fourths of mile
long. at an elevation Of 5,565 feet above
sea level, and come out upon smiling,
green and Gowery meadows.
AENOttSCupIc tOUtTUSt.
The contrast between the Atlantic
side and the Pacific slope, Is truly re-
markable On the eastern slope l re-
peat, the landscape Is magnificently
grand. Savage and somber. the rocks
are c. prodigions size, and at each turn
OF the road they reveal new and stu
pendous characters and scenery, and
we feel more and more as II the gi-
gantic range that we have read and
heard so much Of was really before and
round about us: while on the western
slope one feels as IL he were among
the groves, hills. valleys and farms
OF Western Pennsylvania. Emerging
from the western end of the tunnel, we
behold stream Of water running, as
1t We're. both ways-to the Atlantic on
the right, and to the Pacific on the left.
So evenly divided 1t is that a shovel Of
dirt would determine the course of that
stream.
We follow the western course OF :his
clear trout brook as 1t widens out down
to Missoula river, whose waters finally
enter the mighty Columbia at Clark's
Ford. The train Is carried rapidly on
a down grade of ninety feet to the mile
for 104 miles. through the valleys Of
the Little Black Fort and He'll Gate,
Missoula. called the Garden City Of
Montana. These valleys are na,,cI IN
very poor taste, for they are exceeding.
ly pleasant, and many fine rancnes ale
scattered along them. They are well
grassed, the streams are lined with
cottonwood and the hill sides with
pine-a great transformation from rug
ged wildness to pleasant pastoral
beauty.
Varieties Of Weather.
While we may descend from the
summit with our hands full of wild
flowers, which can be picked close to q
snow bank; just in front across the val
ley rises Snow Shoe mountain and Pow
ellis Peak, a massive white pyramid,
its outlines piercing the clear sky and
from its ethereal heights comes a cool
breeze which tempers the hot waves of
the plains. This valley and river de-
rives its name from the Black Feet In
dians. Their raids and atrocious deeds
upon the settlers In this locality are
still fresh in their memories. Here
was their famous hunting grounds.
Elk, black-tailed deer, blue grouse are
here plenty now, and a few bison.
black cinnamon and grizzly bear are
also found in the mountain Businesses.
A run Of fifty-one miles passing five
unimportant stations, we reach Garri-
son, which Is the junction point on the
Montana Union railroad with the
Northern Pacific. Among the net work
of Northern Pacific branches the Mon
tana Union (owned Jointly by the
Union and Northern Pacific roads),
leading to Butte, is probably the most
important. Butte City, the objective
point to be reached after leaving
Helena. Plunging down into the Silver
Bow valley southwark from the main
tourist into the great mining city.
Tho City Of lutte.
Butte itself Is strange place. It Is
not city Of seven hills perhaps. but II
Is city set on hill that cannot be hid.
A glance at the town would indicate II
was a mining city. No green hills or
trees are seen, owing in part to its ele-
walton above sea level and in part, II
Is said, to the poisoning effect of the
| gases from the smelters on the at
| mosphere, which destroys vegetation.
Situated at the head Of Deer Lodge val
ley, Butte Ia a city of rapid growth OF
population and wealth, the largest and
most prosperous mining city In the
world. The products being principally
copper and silver, with some gold.
Within a radius of one and one-half
miles some 1000 miners are employed
and there are 1000 mines patented In
this district. Six smelters and six sill
yer mills run day and night, reducing
ores to copper and silver bullion. Some
Of these mines develop untold wealth.
1t is estimated that there are over 5000
miles Of veins in this district, varying
in width from thirty to forty feet and
80 L. m