The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-17
LIBBY MUCH IMPROVED
A Modern Hotel Is Soon to Be
Erected.
THE FUTURE Is BRIGHT
Mr.. Coram Says the Time for Develop
ment of the District Has Ar
rived-Big Freight
Showing.

Special Correspondence of the Standard.
Libby, July 1.-THE most important
event in the history of Libby for some
time was the recent visit of Joseph A.
Coram Of Boston, who arrived here
from Kalispell on Tuesday morning
He left for the East again the same
night. He was accompanied by Mr..
Mailman, Chicago capitalist, and
after looking the place over, in con-
nection with other investments, these
two gentlemen left instructions with
Frank M. Leonard to at once COM
mence the construction of modern ho-
tel of sufficient dimensions to satisfy
the needs of the place for the present
and for the immediate future. The
plans for this building will be completed
in a short time and the work Of con-
struction will be at once commenced.
1t will be built of lumber and will have
as many of the modern conveniences as
the place warrants. 1t will prove a
very valuable addition to Libby, as
mining men and others have always
felt the need of good hotel when stop
ping here.
Mr.. Coram said: II am pleased to
see Libby looking so much improved.
There is an air of thrift and coming
prosperity about the people which is in
striking contrast with the conditions
of the past few years. l think ] may
justly lay claim to the title of a pioneer
of Libby, as l came here in the spring
of 1892 on a construction train, before
this division of the Great Northern was
put into operation. l formed strongly
favorable impression of the region at
that time, and on my return to Butte
sent over Mr.. Leonard to take a look
at it. The result of his visit was the
immediate purchase of the townsite and
the opening of negotiations for the pur-
chase of the most promising mines and
the preparation of plans for small
smelter. These plans were upset by
the beginning of the great panic and
the discovery of vital defect in the
title to the townsite, causing years of
litigation. During ali tne intervening
years, however. / have never lost sight
of Libby, nor have l ever changed the
original favorable impression formed.
have always intended to do my part in
the development of the district and be-
lieve the time has come when work in
this direction will meet a rich reward"
The biggest showing which the Libby
depot has ever made since II was built
was made the past month. Incoming
freight receipts during that period
amounted to s6,042.29 and she sales for
tickets for the month aggregated
s70025. The outgoing freight charges
for the month were $1,00025, being for
concentrates from the Snowshoe mine
and lumber from the Libby Lumber and
Development company. Owing to the
large increase in business at this place
a night operator has been put on, which
makes it very convenient for passen-
gers taking the night train.
There has been large number OF MI
ings on timber lands in the western
end of Flathead county this spring and
many parties are now in the field cruis-
ing for choice selections. The value
of this timber is becoming apparent to
all and there is no better investment
in the state than a quarter section of
these lands Already the stumpage can
be sold to the mills operating in the
county and there is no question but
that this will become a great industry
in a compare lively short time. When
the freight rates are adjusted so that
the timber of this county can be shipped
to the big markets in Butte and Ana
conda the price of the stumpage Will
be readily advanced. At the present
price paid by the mills there are many
quarter sections which will yield over
81, 900 in stumpage alone.
All the streams in the vicinity OF Lib
by have gone down and trout fishing is
excellent This section of the state has
the best reputation in this line and year
ly there are many crack fishermen from
Butte and Helena who make a pilgrim
age to the many beautiful trout streams
which empty into the Kootenai river
near this place This year promises to
be the banner year in this respect, as
many inquiries have already been re-
ceived about the condition Of the |
streams, asking about hotel accommo- |
dations, etc.