The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-13
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Billings to Have Such an Insti-
tuition.
MRS. BILLINGS THE DONOR
In the Nature of Memorial to the ate
Parmly Billings-Interest Revv-
ing in the Irrigation
Enterprise.
Special Correspondence of the Standard.

Billings, March 11,--This city is to
have a free public library which will
be the pride CT its people. Ii has always
been reproach to soenterprisinga com
munity that it has been without so
desirable an institution, but now that
reproach will be removed. The widow
of the late Hon. Frederick Billings,
who was at one time president of the
Northern Pacific railway and after
whom our city was named. and his
son, Frederick Billings of New York,
Will build handsome library building
to be known as THE Parmly Billings
Memorial Library building, and will
donate it to the city. The matter has
been in contemplation for some time,
but the announcement that the gener-
Gus donors had decided on the form
of their gift has only just been learn
ed. 1t will serve to keep green the
memory of the late Parmly Billings
the son and brother of the donors, Who
was an early resident OF the city, and
one of the banking firm of Bailey L.
Billings. which has since DEVELOPED
into the Yellowstone National bank,
one of the solid Institutions of this city
His promising career was cut short by
death - years ago, but he is remember
ed here as an enterprising and bril-
liant young man. A design for the
new building was submitted by Archi-
tect c. S. Haire of Helena, and it will
doubtless be chosen. 1t contemplates
handsome one-story and basement
building to be constructed Of Billings
sandstone, covered with tile roof and
costing in the neghborhood Of $4,000.
The h1 Spnant which Wi Jo ,,r,pc ri
paily above the ground level. thus Civ
ing a lofty appearance to the building,
will be II feet in height. and will be
used for gymnasium. The first floor
will be for the library and reading
rooms. The city will willingly vote an
assessment for the purchase of books
and the maintenance of the library
The building will be located IN che of
the small parks on the Northern Pa
cihc right Of way, which cuts through
the center of the town. Manager Ken
drick, when here last fall. promised
mat the company would give IL long
term lease Of one of the parks, do
what grading would be necessary. build
stone walks and an ornamental fence
around the park and make and keep
the lawn. He even offered on behalf
of the company to aid in the conStrt1r-
ton of the building. but Mrs. Billings
and her son will themselves defray the
entire cost Of the building. The build
ing will be especially adapted to the
purposes Of library and gymnasium,
and viii be of inestmable benefit 10
our people. The Billings family have
on several occasions shown the affec-
ton they entertain towards the city
which bears their name The Congre-
gational church was a gift to the So
ciety from the late Frederick Billings,
and cost more than $4,000 He also
nj nE,ly fn,
building our first school house
The Billings estate is largely inter-
ested in this valley and owns the prin-
clpal share in the 40-mile irrigating
canal which supplies the water to irrl-
gate most Of the farms. The news of
this fresh proof of the interest of the
family in our city caused great salts
faction when it became known.
Since the passage Of the act en-
poWerlng the state arid land commits
sion to purchase the Northern Pacific
land lying within the area segregated
by the commission on the Billings
bench interest in the big irrigation en-
terprise has been revived. w. S. For
timer, engineer of the commission, was
in the city this week, accompanied by
G. G. Olmstead, representative of
Farson, Leach & Co, the Chicago bond
buyers. Mr.. Fortiner explained the ir-
enterprise to Mr. Olmstead
whose firm has been anxious to secure
information respecting the irrigation
enterprises with view to taking some
of the bonds, which may be issued in
connection with the work. He departed
for Chicago Friday morning after an
of the scheme, which is
believed to have been satisfactory
Messrs. Donald Bradford and T. c.
Marshall, members of the commission
are expected here next week to start
the preliminary work in connection with
the Billings ditch, and it is hoped to
the great enterprise this year.
{. q. Hoyt, chairman of the commits
SIGN which has been treating with the |
crows and other Indian tribes for the |
cesson of portions of their reserva-
ton, arrived in Billings Thursday on
his way from the west to the Grow
agency. He was somewhat elated over
the news that congress had extended |
the time of the commission for another |
year, Notwithstanding the furious on |
slaught made on it by Senators Car |
ter and Pettigrew. He stated that the |
commission was about to hold an |
other conference with the Indians, and
hoped to accomplish Its mission The
citizens of Eastern Montana are, Of !
in favor of the purchase by the /
government of a portion of the Grow |
reservation, and it is said that both |
the Northern Pacific and Burlington |
railways favor it. There has been |
some opposition by a certain cattle out
fit which holds a lease of some CT the |
land proposed to be segregated, and |
the Indians are demanding a higher
price for the land than congress is like
y to allow. So the result of the nego-
iations is doubtful.
The sixth session Of the Bozeman |
district conference of the Methodist |
Episcopal church convened on Thurs
lay, and will continue in session until |
sunday night. There is a full attend
ance of ministers and laymen of the
society, and much interest is manifest
ID in the work. The following reso-
ution was passed regarding the veto
II the gambling bill, which was We
Oed by the governor:
whereas, There was an effort made
hiring the session n Iat ia p;cin