The Anaconda standard., 1899-12-10

man N. Spear tells of western Sport
Montana cities. He says:
Few towns along the Northern Pa
cfict contain SO many Of the sports
man fraternity per capita as does Mis-
soula Montana. This is largely ac-
counted for by the fact that right at
their doors, almost, is good fishing.
Rattlesnake creek creeps into the Mis-
soula river almost within the business
part of town; Rock creek Ga half days
drive from town) offers its inducements
to cutters; and both are good trout
streams. Now, if the versatile Will
Cave Goy e with the wholesouled fell
lowD or some other equally capao Die
body, would just tell us what they
know about it-well, I'm sure the Sports
Afield family would listen with inter
est. At a distance lies the Clearwater
country-always popular resort FOR
big-game hunters and prospectors.
Helena, Mont, is built, on an ex-
hausted placer digging. Many of it's
largest business blocks rest on work
out claims. When once the gold had
been CLEANED from the dirt and gravel,
these were leveled off and upon them
arose, as if by magic, handsome struct-
ures Of wood and masonry that the
gold they gave up purchased I had
the good fortune to become acquainted
with Mr.. Reed, proprietor of the popu-
lar Grand Central hotel, which is To-
Gated in the exact center of the city
square upon its main business street.
From him learned much Of the his
tory of Helena, for he has spent many
on a petered-out claim. Few Of the
many guests that partake Of its liberal
fare or seek rest and refuge in it's cool,
airy rooms realize that the great mass
of masonry rests upon the rified bed
where once the yellow metal lay con-
cealed. Few realize as they are carried
past its shaded veranda in the street
depot-that out of the gravel beneath
it somebody took the stake he won
when he gambled with fortune. Cor
35 years Mr.. Reed has lived in Mon
tana. Soon those who go there will
miss him; for he is getting tired of mis-
necessarily active life and purposes
selling his widely known hostelry and
seeking obscurity and rest. May all
happiness befall him!) There is some
placer mining, still-in Nelson gulch
and a few other spots-but the chief
output Is from the neighboring quartz
mines.
To the tourist or casual traveller one
Of the most interesting features of Hell
ena is the Broadwater plunge or baths,
lying about three miles out of town.
The great plunge, $50 feet long by 150
feet broad, is said to be the largest
swimming bath in the world. 1t is all
under one roof and is fed by natural
mineral springs, both hot and cold
that have regular flow of 100000 gal
Ions daily 1t is a resort much fire.
quented by natives" and "feriners'
| alike. Many tourists stop on their way
| across country on the Northern Pa
| cific to break the heaviness and soil OF
long travel by refreshing plunge in
| it's tepid waters.
The year now ending has witnessed a
sort of revival in srortsmen's circles in
Helena-due perhaps to better grouse
shooting and increased fishing. A new
| factor has also appeared as a cham
pion Of the sportsman interest in the
person of the Montana railroad COM
pany, which has taken an interest in
trout planting and general game code
enforcement. We trust there will fol.
low good results. The time is surely
coming when our best results will be
derived from active participation II
these matters by the railroads.
To those interested in any of thu
phases of sport in Montana I suggest
that they drop query or two to Frank
E. Hirsh of Helena, who, with hi!
years experience as guide, is vel
versed as to the conditions prevalen
in the great Mountain state.
My reception in Helena was a yer,
pleasant one and 1t is a pleasan
thought with me Gas well as with ou
|