The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-08-13
PUSHING THE ROAD ALONG.
Line from Jennings to the Crows Nest
Coal Fields is Progressing
Rapidly.

| SOdu CtCtOS 10 Progressing
Rapidly.
Judge M. J. Brown, who is one of the
trustees of the Libby road district, has
returned from trip up the Kootenai
river over the line of the branch road
which is being built from Jennings to
the Crows Nest coal fields made in
the interest of the road district, says
| the Record. He has notified the sub
| contractors to see that all of the EN-
ployes pay the regulation 50 for the
construction and maintenance of the
public highways and as the SUPPOSE
ton is that there will probably be in
the neighborhood of 5000 men EN-.
ployed during the summer on this
work alone the revenue to the dis
trict will be considerable and prove of
great benefit to the county. The judge
will get 10 per cent for making the
collections.
In going over the line Judge Brown
naturally had very good opportuni-
ty to size up the situation in regard
20 the progress being made. He says
that there is great scarcity of men
and that nearly all of the camps are
working short handed, though the sub
contractors have men on the outside
rustling for laborers. The men are
being paid 50 per day and are charged
$3.50 per week for board One of the
features of the work is that no labor
of any kind is done on Sundays.
Another feature which is quite no.
ticeable is the manner in which the
men are being treated At all of the
camps good hunks have been con-
structed and the very best food is be-
ing supplied. After the harvesting
season is over there will be men to
spare all along the line. On account
Of the fact that harvest hands are bet
ter paid than those on railroad con-
struction the men naturally prefer to
take advantage of the former employ
ment while it lasts. Timber men are
being paid 50 per day and board
About half of the right of way be-
tween Jennings and the international
boundary has been cut and as soon
as the right of way is cleared the
graders are put on. It is estimated
that there are now about 600 men a.,
work grading and more are being add
ed every day. At no place does the
road leave the bank of the Kootenai
river more than half mile and the
two 125-ton steamboats,, the j. D. Far
rel and the North Star, are constantly
employed in freighting between Jen-
nings and the various camps along
the line. On account of the water
getting little too low those who own
the boats have started to wing-dam
the river In many places and this is
affording employment for quite a lot
of men. 1t is thought this will enable
the boats to run until the work is
nearly finished this fall.
At Jennings business of all kinds
is overdone and in spite of that fact
more business houses are opening up
all the time. No regular payday has
yet made it's welcome appearance and
until that time there will be a dearth
of money. Considering the class of
people which usually follows the con-
struction of railroads, up to the pres
ent time Jennings has been remarka-
bly, quiet. To provide for possible
two deputy sheriffs are
on hand at Jennings and
curing the construction of the road
Judge Hoffman, of Libby, will make
that place his headquarters.