Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-10-20
The Anaconda Standard Sponsor
for a Sensational Story.
Says the Great Northern VIII Build From
Armington to Lewistown, via Utica
at Once----Partiy Denied.
fAnaconda Standard i

fAnaconda Standard.
GREAT FALLS, Oct. 16.-The latest
news in railroad circles comes as a
surprise and a sensation, all In one
short breath, and shows a giant
hand stretching out for a railroad
monarch's crown. Within the past
80 days rumors of why the Great
Northern was importing large num-
bers of men into Cascade county, and
what they were going to be used for,
have been rife. The Great Northern,
it was given out, was figuring on
having competition into Great Falls,
and was about to hedge itself SO as
to be able to meet 1t. The Burling-
ton, 1T was said, was to be its COM
petitor and that at no far distant
date. The developments of the last
few days have brought to the surface
railroad skeleton of no mean dimen-
sions. During his recent trip to this
city President j. J. Hill was appar-
emily much interested in the Judith
basin country and on numerous oc-
casions intimated that something
around Great Falls and the tribu-
tary country.
Shortly after his departure a horde
OF wOrkingmen were sent here from
Minnesota and the Dakotas, and
about two weeks ago a representa-
tive of the Great Northern slipped
quietly over to Lewistown and at
| tempted to close q deal for the right
of-way through Fergus county of a
Great Northern branch. The pro-
posed line is to head for Lewistown
i through the Otter creek pass, the
survey of the proposed route of the
Burlington, and the only way by
which the Lewistown country can
be reached from this city. Mr.. Hills
representative was not successful In
his mission, as the commissioners of
Fergus county realized that to grant
this right-of-way would result In
shutting out the Burlington. which
is q desired line through the basin.
Now follows the sequel. Finding
himself thwarted by the county COM
missioners of Fergus county. Presi-
dent Hill, it is alleged, is preparing
to fight his own battle in the matter
of the desired right-of-way. On
what is considered authority. it is
said that on any day the Great North
ern company is prepared to put a
large force of men, now scattered
along the entire system, to work
building line through Otter creek
, canyon and on into the heart of
!, Fergus county. Commencing at a
point near Arlington the proposed
I road will go to Cora creek, on through
: Otter creek pass to Utica, from which
place 1t will be extended to a point
Is or 20 miles distant from Lewis
town. 1t is said the entire route will
be nearly so miles, and IL the plaI
, eliminates successfully. the Greai
r Northern will have gobbled up the
strategic points and shut out the
4 Burlington from entering Great Falls
: While the Great Northern people
are working with the greatest secre-
3 cy, it is said the Burlington officials
: are now In possession of their rivals
: plans and a battle royal and som'
early railroad construction is likely
u to follow.
Parties in from Lewistown say
that the Montana Midland officials
have lately been all through Fergus
8 Icounty, trying to secure right-of
t way for the extension of that ROAD
o to Lewisto wn from Castle, and thaf
a they have met with cordial recep
9 ton and found no difficulty In secur
e what they were after.