Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-02-20
IN MONTANA.
The Press People Of North Dakota Enjoy
ing Their Outing.

Helena, Mont, Feb. 1--WE left
Bismarck an hour behind time and SO
reached the bad lands just as the day
was ending. I was very sorry we
could not see them by daylight: The
shapes we're very fantastic-cunes,
haystacks and sharp peaks rising close
together, but the coloring we could
not see.
At Livingston is a fine new $75, OOO
I, depot Of brick with white stone trim
mings. AS we were at breakfast /
did not see the interior Of the depot,
but the ladies who did said it was not
as nice as the one at Bismarck. At
Livingston we also saw the wreck of
the express car that was blown up at
Butte the day before.
AS the land first becomes uneven
towards the Rockies, the elevations
resemble the bluffs on the Mississippi.
But after awhile the peaks are sharper
and higher, and there are many beau
tiful rocky points and %ravines that are
gaily colored with red and yellow.
The road winds along the Yellowstone
river on u left, andv on our right
high bluffs with snow, capped peaks.
We have passed through one tunnel
of the divide. It took two minutes
Of darkness and as long of smoke
!: after we escaped from the tunnel.
We arrived at Helena at 1920 p.
m. There wa a delegation from the
Business Mems Union to meet us at
the depot. Taking the street cars we
soon reached the state capitol, where
we were served with a delicious
luncheon at the cafe, after which we
were conducted through the capital
building. tt is a beautiful structure
Of Montana gray sandstone, with gray
granite base. The top of the dome
and corner caps Of copper, stained to
bronze by the weather. The dome is
surmounted by a copper statue of
liberty. The inside of the building
is a fine example of architectural and
decorative art. As you enter the
rotunda through. the main entrance
the name Montana set in the paw.
ed flooring, greets the eye. just in
front of you is the principal stairway
of white marble with most beautiful
bronze green ratings. At the. head
of the stairs is a semi circular window
Of stained glass, the many colors of
which are repeated in the frescoing Of
the main hall and corridors. The
Tfrieze. of the senate chamber, the
house and the main hall are decorated
by paintings:.of early scenes in Mon
tana history and in the history of our
country. In the main rotunda is an
Indian chief, which is a likeness Of a
Montana Indian who stood for the ar.
tist a cowboy, fitted out with the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Of his calling; a trap
per, which is a likeness of Jim
Bridger a trapper Of this country,
whose life was, written by Washing
ton Irving; and a miner, said to be a
fine portrait Of Henry Edgar, a faS-
NOUS miner Of the state who is still
living. They are the work of Chas.
"A. Pedietti, the Cincinnati artist.
The firm of..Pedietti & Sons had charge
of the entire decorations Of the build
ings. The prize room Of the capital
is the state parlor, decorated in ivory
and old rose, with walls in green and
red panels of silk velour. Although
it was day time when we visited this
room, they drew the shades down and
turned on the electric lights to show
us the beautiful effect. In the state
parlor we had the pleasure of shaking
hands with Governor Toole, who was
very cordial to Us, but especially 50
to Nh. Wilson, of the Pink Paper,
whom Mr.. Hager introduced as the
only n of the party who held to the
same political creed as the governor.
The U. S. assay Office. located in
the business portion of the city, is a
very interesting institution to visit.