Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-07-09

- 49, - hNaASe nv AaOsN lhSAa
ising counties in the state, with a
large population and development, and
with extensive agricultural, stock and
mining interests, Dut 1t has not a mile
of railway within its boundaries. This
condition has handicapped the settle
ment and development of the rich
section covered by the county to a
certain extent, as everything except
live stock has had to be hauled from
sixty to a hundred miles to the rail-
roads.
with rail connection for Lewis
town and the southern portion of the
county, and the distance of the rails
greatly decreased for the rest of the
county, there will naturally be a rap
i'd increase of population and develop
ment in the rich Judith Basin country.
THE benefits to Helena of this ex-
tension will be fully appreciated by
our business men. The Judith Basin
country has heretofore been virtually
foreign territory so far as the trade
of that section was concerned, the
nearest connections and outlet being
to Great Falls and Benton. With the
completion of this road Helena will
be the natural trading point for the
people of that section.
There can be no doubt of the wis
dom of the railway managers In max
ing this extension cf their road. They
will tap a virgin country and control
the business of a large section without
competition. The present business of
that section is large. and it will rap
idly increase under the stimulous of
direct railway connection with the
outside world. The people of Fer
gus county, of Helena and of the state
are to be congratulated upon this
promised opening of the rich section
which has heretofore been cut of from
the outside world save for the con-
nection of stage coaches and freight
teams"
Although Great Falls is practically
one hundred miles nearer Lewistown
than Helena the latter Is to be brought
closer than the former by this extern
| sion. Great Falls has lost a great OPP
portunity or advantage which many
of her business men will not fail to
see. although they may have been
powerless in the premises. The Trib-
une, commenting upon the situation,
says:
This announcement is a most i'm
portant matter for Great Falls; and
it is not a very pleasant matter eth
er. 1t means that one of the finest
tracts Of country in Montana, which
is naturally tributary to this city, is
to have its trade diverted in another
direction, while we sit waiting for
someone to build a railroad that woul1
bring the trade here. Perhaps moth
ing could be done to prevent this on
dition of affairs, but 1t seems as though
a harder try could have been made"
II a pressure could have been
brought to bear upon J. ]. Hill to ex-
tend the Montana Central from Arm
ington to Lewistown the Falls would
have had direct connection with the
heart OF Fergus county and the dis
lance would have been only a little
greater than that which the Montana
people have to build, although the cost
of building would be considerably
more. II will now be some years be-
fore there is rail connection between
Great Falls and Lewistown.
II would be an advantage to the
Montana line to have an eastern out
let. say a branch from Harlowton to
Billings. Such a line would insure
heavy cattle shipments. although the
management expect to put its line in
shape to eventually win this business,
the fencing of land between the two
transcontinental railroads yearly max
ing more trouble to those driving to
the north and south.
But ii will be time to plan and fig
ure on the future when we hear the
whistle blow. Until then we should
keep cool. which will not be difficult
If the present atmospheric conditions
continue.