The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-07-27
Observations About Missoula
and Noted Bitter Root
Valley.
Spokane, Seattle, Other Points
Receive Due Con-
sideration.
Special Correspondence Irish Standard.

line of the Northern Pacific is Nilsson.
Ia, Mont, about 1900 miles from Min.
neapolis. 1t has population Of about
5000 people and indications of thrift
and enterprise are everywhere mani
fest. Lying in between the mountains,
perfectly level, it is picturesque place.
Its streets are wide, neat and clean
and many of Missoula's business blocks
would do credit to cities ten times its
size. Here is the great Bitter Root
valley, so widely and so favorably
known, one of the finest agricultural
regions to be found in this or any 9TH
er land. The different cereals, hay,
fruit, ETC., are grown with equal sue
cess. There are orchards of peaches.
pears, cherries and apples and the
strawberries raised in the Bitter Root,
it is safe to say, cannot be surpassed,
at least in size. Some Of the men of
wealth have built elegant residences
in N!Ssoula, and rich and poor alike
seem to vie with each other in their
efforts at identifying their homes.
Some of the men whom your repre-
sentative met in this Montana city
were Messrs. Joyce & Mulroney, attor-
neys; w. l.. Murphy, also an attorney;
Rev. Father Palladin, VIM. Kelly,
deputy sheriff. J. G. Kelly, p Brady, j..
d. Corbett and brother, p. Hanralan,
M. Flynn, P. M. Reilly, successful
grocer and formerly of Brainerd; p.
Hogan, James Osborne, now success
fully conducting the Kennedy Hotel:
G. L. Elliott, +. A. Farelly, w. Il. and
John Devan, railroad men: a. Quinn,
John Maloney and p. J. Calaghan, the
latter gentleman a faithful employee in
the company store of some years
standing. They are all men who be-
lieve in their city and have the utmost
faith in it's future, something entirely
to their credit
They have number of Catholic So
cieties in the city, men and women,
each one of them having good men,
Ancient Order of Hibernians was or
ganized some months ago and is NOV
ing along under the guidance of the
following officers: Il. A. Farley, presi-
dent; VIM. Murphy, vice president; p.
M. Reilly, treasurer; A. p. Quinn, re-
cording secretary; Il. G. Muroney,
financial secretary. The division is
composed of about 40 members.
Moving along we arrived at Spo-
kane, that beautiful Washington city,
at night. To the eyes of a Mime
apolitan it is reminder of Minncapo-
lis, with it's broad, paved streets and
magnificent business blocks. OF Spo-
kane we will speak more fully in Il
future letter. Would note the fact
now, however, that an excellent jour
nal the Catholic Herald, is one of the
institutions of Spokane. Though es-
tablished but short time it has been
quite successful. Francis III. Butler Is
managing editor and Stephen w.
O'Brien is manager of the business
end of the paper. They are excellent
young men, bright and capable, and
there should be no doubt Of the Cath
Ole Hefald's success under their SUI
pcrvision.
Then there is j. r. Ahern, good
friend of the newspaper man, now in
business tor himself, who richly de-
serves success.
Leaving Spokane, the next impor.
tant stop was at Seattle, the Chicago
Of the West. Seattle has certainly
made wonderful strides in the past
three years. There are a great many
strangers coming in here every day
Some Of them will stay, many will &c
elsewhere. Out of it all Seattle has
and is reaping a benefit. The Alaskan
gold excitement has had much to dc
with this. This city has become the
great supply point for those in quest
of gold. In any event 1t is advertised
that way and the Indications are thai
it is getting the lions share of it. They
are an enterprising set Of business mer
in Seattle without doubt. They are
unceasing and never tire in setting
forth the advantages of their city. Il
is big town and there are all kinds
and classes Of people here now. 1t. Is
thoroughly cosmopolitan and its popu
lation ranges anywhere from $4,000
to 100000 people. Really they are :
little bit blind as to the actual popula
ton and are too busy otherwise tt
bother with the count. While the big
strike here affects them very much OF
the sound, still there is an immense
amount Of building going OH and the
city's streets are torn up in all direc
tons. Seattles expense account fol
municipal improvements this season
will be enormous. There are some
who say that she is entirely too ex
travagant and must later on suffer tho
consequences. But these men are evi
IDENTIFY pessimists, at least they are
found to be in very small minority
With her splendid harbor and many
other natural advantages, Seattle il
determined to become large city. 1
y needs no prophet nor the son of I