The Irish standard., 1897-07-03

oi'Sou9 SHJoyS Soou agricultural
trade.
Helena and Great Falls are two very
pretty western cities. Perhaps they are
quiet now and they are when compared
with their more palmy days. But bust
ness is not so stagnant with them as it
is a thousand miles eastward. In wali-
ty what are now considered hard times
in the cities mentioned would be looked
upon In another light in Minnesota - Il
number of points brighter So it can
be inferred from this that these Mon
tana people have seen some away up"
times when their eastern brethren were
Just plodding along in a more quiet
though somewhat prosperous manner.
Helena is situated near the geograph-
ical centre of the state aud is in
Lewis and Clarke counties. 1t is on the
main line OF the Northern Pacafic road
has population of about II 900 people
and is the distributing point for vast
region of country. 1t can we'll be called
commercial city and within a radius of
one hundred miles are the greatest gold,
silver and copper mines in America to-
gether with vast coal deposits. Helena
has good wholesale and jobbing trade
as In every respect a metropolitan city.
There are number of magnitlcicnt
blocks built OF Montana granite and
red sandstone, some of which would do
credit to a city ten times its size. Bish-
op Brondel who presides over the des-
TIMES of the church in Montana, resides
here. In this connection it may be
mentioned that the Catholics have two
churches, hospitals converts and
schools, all located nicely. Further
more large proportion of the pupula-
tion are Catholics. practical and intlucn-
tial in the community,
Helena is located near the eastern
base OF the main range of the Rocky
Mountains, overlooking the valley of the
irickly Pear, famous for wheat. ryc
oats. barley and vegetables. In 1864
but thirty-three years ago, the city was
known as Last Chance Gulch." whcrr
the great gold placers were discovered
i'll that year. which yielded about $40
100000. Among the mines near hy
which have yielded riches for wears
are the Wickcs. Jay Gould and Drum
llimmon. The latter is the propcr;y of
Ihomas Cruise and all are good pawn.
properties.
The three great wool markets of the
state are undoubtedly Great Falls Bill
ings and big Timber. The trst-nom,l
chy leads, perhaps. in this respect, and
mas population of about 1000, AT
least every third person in Great Falls
IL Is safe to say, has at some time or
other been ii resident of Mun,,nn,is
me present mayor, Richard j. Fitz-
gerald. halls from the Flour City. In
fact he was born there "Dicks," as he
Is iamiliarly known. is making a rona
record for himself as chief magistrate
OF this beautiful and entcrprising city
ana when he retires will, to all appcar
ahces, nave strong place In the affcr-
lions of his fclowmcn. He was elected
IN the face of great odds after a most OK
citlng canvass, carrying every ward in
the city. The great smeIters here cm-
pIoy large number of men and Great
rails, with It's magnificent water power.
Is destined to become a great manufac-
turing city.
The Columbus hospital, built in 1892
at a cost of about $50, 900 il in cb,rro
OF the Sisters Of the order OF providencc
1t Is four-story building, of sandstone
ana brick from Great Falls, the wood
furnishing coming from Oregon. srbo
basement of the building Is taken nm Nv
the heaters. kitcheg and bedrooms for
help' On tn, second floor is the porlor
drug store. dining rooms, chapel, sisters
department and five private rooms wh,o
the third story is used for surgical cns.s
operating room, stcralizng room,
twelve private rooms. four wards
and smoking ROOM The upper or
fourth floor is devoted entirely to
medical purposes. There are fourteen
private rooms and five wards. Besides
the fifteen sisters there are six female
ana three male secular nurses. A train
ing school Is also one of the features for
these latter where those taking n coursr
are given diplomas when they arrive at
proper degree of efficiency. There are
rooms for Is or $50 patients ana al the
present time there are about forty in the
hospital. -Four doctors are attached To-
the medical staff, though this In no wise
interferes with any patient calling In a
physician from the outside If so desired
Sister James is Superior at the hospitaI
ana 1t has reputation as one of the
best OF It's kind in the entire west. All
the rooms are known as outside rooms
and the light and ventilation is perfect
in every detail
And now for moment let us turn to
Missoula located in ii beautiful vaI,cv
between the snow-top mountains. What
sight! This Is one of the garden Spots
of Montana. But we must hurry along.
This letter. already long drawn out, end
eth here. Later on Spokane. Tacoma.
Seattle and British Columbia will COM
mand our attention. In our next contri-
button we will try and cover them for
readers of the Irish Standard.