The Anaconda standard., 1899-12-17
THE MAKING AND UNMAKlG
OF TWO MONTANA TOWNS

Were it Beatrice Harraden who writes
this yarn she doubtless would give it
companion title to her Ships That Pass
in the Night" and name it Towns
That Pass in Day" But as Miss Har-
raden does not write it, the tale will go
without title, and will devote itself
to briefly telling of the depopulation of
one town and the upbuilding of another.
Demersville was on a time one OF
Montana's most prosperous and prom
Using cities. That was but a few years
ago; now Demersville is deserted.
blank, bleak spot, where one decaylng
hotel building and a few tottering old
houses stand to mark, as would a monu-
ment, the site where once all was life
and activity.
Kalispell was on a time ranch. That
also was but few years ago; now Kali
ispell is a city-teeming. throbbing with
business and commerce.
The story of the passing of Demers-
Vile and the making of Kalispeil IS
brief and without sensational features.
1t is but natural outgrowth of con-
dition that follows the advent of rail-
roads. Time and again has the same
thing occurred in other states. In Kan
I sas, Dakota and elsewhere have towns
been made and unmade by the first
screech of locomotive whistle. Yet
| the story of Demersville and Kalispell
differs from these in many respects
The city of Demersville was founded
by the late t. J. Demers, in honor of
| whom the place was named, in 1881. The
| site upon which the town was situated
| is an S0-acre tract purchased by the
| city's father from Mr.. Gregg. In 1881
| a publication bearing the title Flat
| head Facts" was issued. In that pam
| phlet occurred these lines:
| SITUATED, as ii is, at the head of nav
| igation on a level plateau in the heart
of the renowned Flathead region, with
the grand old Flathead river rolling
| past it's. doors, while the silent Still
| water has its confluence but mile
away. Demersville is one of the most
beautifully located. attractive anu
| healthful zone cities of the great North-
west The lands in the valley embrace
a great variety of soils, and have dem
onstrated their ability to produce IN
abundance and of superior quality. The
| scenery in every direction embracing
mountains. woods and water, is charm
ing and indescribably grand. With such
| natural advantages and wonderful sur
roundings, Demersville is to-day the
embryo of a mighty mart of trade and
commerce."
Thus it will be seen that mighty hopes
were entertained for the future of De
mersville, only to be shattered a few
short years later. The busy little place
at the head of navigation. few miles
from the famous F'lathead lake, thriVed
uncommonly well. Stores We're opened
houses built, enterprises of all kinds
were engaged in and Demersville en-
ioyed boom" AT one time the city
had more than a thousand people with
in it's confines. with creditable hotels
mercantile houses and a newspaper.
Then il was that a party of men en-
tered Flathead valley with surveying
Instruments. These men were corps
of Great Northern engineers They
found that the only point at which tng
proposed transcontinental railway couit
enter the valley was by way Of Bac
Rock pass, in the northeastern portlor
of what is now FIethead county. They