The Irish standard., 1896-09-19
"A Brief Review of Many Points of In
terest Along the Line of the
Northern Pacific Road.

river is situated the thriving CITY VI sAaA-
dan, the county seat OF Morton county,
with a population Of about 1000. South
west of Mandan but short distance are
the rich farming valleys known as Gus
ter and Little Heart. West OF here also
is being mined an excellent quality OF
Ignite coal both for commercial and
railroad purposes There are evidences
of prosperity on every hand, and the peo-
pie are thrifty, contented and happy.
Then there is Dickinson a hundred miles
farther west, one of the largest cattle
shipping points along the line of the
Northern Pacific Sheep-raising, too, is
growing in favor and Ignite coal is found
near by in abundance. It is neatly built
up and has population of l,5OO or more.
VIM. Ray, an all-around, everyday cltl-
zen whom every one seems to ike, Is
postmaster here. though he puts in some
time on the side trading in stock. In a
financial way, this side business is un:
doubtedly of much more value to him
than the government position. Be this
as it may, the duties of the office are we'll
cared for by him. The hard times have
not reached Dickinson to any perceptible
extent. and it has many natural advan-
tages that are bound to work to it's ben
eft in commercial way as time pro-
crosses.
Leaving North Dakota, the first city Of
any Importance is that OF Glendive, Mont.
1t is in Dawson county, and is the dlstrlb-
uting point for large area of country.
Wheat, corn, barley, oats and vegetables
are raised with fair degree of success,
while the shipments of horses, cattle,
sheep and wool are very large from this
point each season. Miles City and Fort
Keogh are also important points, the lat
ter half a mile south OF the Yellowstone
river, being military post Of ten COM
panies.
Drifting onward, the city of Billings is
reached. 1t is neatly situated near the
Yellowstone river and contains in the
1eighborhood of 1900 souls. 1t is con-
sidered one of the largest wool-shipping
points in Montana and is located at the
mouth of the well advertised Yellow
stone Valley Wheat, corn, alfalfa and
other tame grasses are plentifully grown
It's splendid uuarries. it's increasing
stock industries, its cheap coal-in short,
its natural resources-auger we'll Tor the
future of Billings. To the westward,
perhaps a hundred miles from Billings
is Livingston, where you leave the main
line for the Yellowstone National Park.
1t is very pretty city, with its splendid
drives, and is blessed with excellent
schools, has seven Or more churches
among them the Catholic church, with
Father Coopman as pastor. Silver, coal
and gold mines are being developed in
this region. Shipments from Livingston
are mostly coal, coke, bullion, WOOL
hides, brick and lime. But a little farther
On is Bozeman, on the East Gallatln river.
Perhaps 1000 people live here, and it is
certainly located in a rich section of
country. Large coal mines are within
nine miles of the city, and extensive gold,
silver, copper and iron deposits are but
a short distance out. The Gallatin val
ley has become famous, and its fame al
ready extends abroad Fine farms and
grazing land are here. we'll timbered on
the streams and mountains. The lands
are we'll irrigated, and heavy crops of
wheat, oats and other cereals are raised.
One of the wealthiest cities in the
Union is Helena, Montana's capital
though at present it is somewhat quiet,
having suffered moro or less from the
depression of the past few years. At the
present time there are about $4,000 peo-
pie here and many magnificent struc-
lures, in the way of public buildings and
private residences, dot the city. A new
capitol building is soon to be erected,
and it is safe to say that it will be among
pleted. The Catholic people of Helena
are we'll in the foreground and have a
number of churches, seminaries, schools
and hospitals to their credit. It is the
home of Bishop Brondel. About twelve
miles from the city are the sapphire
fields, known by reputation throughout
the civilized world and owned by an
English syndicate. The company owns
some 5000 acres Of land and adequate
water rights for it's development. The
branch railroad to Vickes Basin, Elk
horn and Boulder, SIS miles south, opens
up celebrated mining district. Marys-
vile, about rs miles west of Helena, is
one Of the richest gold fields in Montana.
7 Still another bright town on the line of
the Northern Pacific is Missoula, situated
) in a very pretty valley with a. climate
that can not easily be surpassed. There
is a large Catholic hospital and convent
here. free public library, University Of
Montana located here, a good fire depart
ment, telephone and telegraph systems.
There are two large aud fertile valleys to
the south and west Of Missoula, where
fruit, vegetables. as we'll as cereals, grow
with marked success.
Among the few cities in Montana that
have not suffered from the stagnation
that has been SO general during the past
few years. may be noted Anaconda and
Butte The great smelling works and
copper reineries are in full blast in both
those cities, and prosperity reigns on
every hand. Two miles from Anaconda
are the Lower Works" of the Anaconda
Smelling Co., where hundreds Of men
1 find employment. These works, in Butte.
4 Anaconda and Carroll, are run night and
\ day, Sundays included. The payroll of
the Anaconda and Carroll smelters is
I said to amount to about sS,O0OO00 per
month, which in itself is something
enormous.
Passing on to Washington, we come to
/ the beautiful city of Spokane, with a
population OF about 10000. Four rail
roads enter here, and it has all the airs
& of an eastern metropolitan ~ city. The
falls here are grand and beautiful and at
no distant day Will be utilized to their
fullest extent. Surrounded by rich agri-
SIcul tural lands and a chain OF the richest
4 e.f,ld |. silver and lead roducing mines,
I mite and marble quarTies to be found
sSi newest, Spokane rs at.s this time one
SsSt az naost and cities