The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-12-18

I~ HE traveller from east to
pM west who enters Montana
XII over the Great Northern is
sure to be impressed by
= the immensely of tho state,
AOA for while one may knt W
* that Montana is exceeded
in size by only two states
'-' in the Union, yet it's vast
extent can only be appreciated Of
ter "trip from border to border
Crossing the eastern state line at
early dawn the traveller III on the
West Coast Limited is whirled all
day long over the rolling prairie,
while to the right and left the endless
plain fades into the dim horizon. At
evening dusk the train is still speed
ing westward with the saw-tooth
peaks Of the Rockies in view, beyond
which two hundred miles Of Montana
territory is still to be traversed-ter-
ritory which comprises Flathead
county. Coming west the plain grad
ually ascends to meet the mountain
peaks. and without the usual stretch
of foothills the prairie suddenly ends,
and the train is gliding down
mountain canyon of the Pacific slope
toward the famous Flathead valley
which lies sixty miles to the west and
some $500 feet lower than the west
ern edge of the plain. Entering the
valley through Bad Rock canyon, If
in daylight, the traveller catches
glimpses Of winding river and fields
of grain as the train speeds across
the valley from northeast to south
west, but. as the road follows the
timbered lands near the river, but lit
tie OF the valley can be seen from the
train. AS the Great Northern crosses
the valley the distance is about
twenty miles from mountain to noun
tain, while from north to south the
extent of the valley is much greater.
While the Great Northern is the
only line Of railroad touching Flat
head county it is by no means the
only means of access to the county,
for the Flathead river from Kalispell
to the lake is navigable to the largest
boats, and the ''Klondyke," a commo-
dious steamer makes three trips a
week from Kalspell to the foot Of
Flathead lake. distance of sixty
miles, half of which is on the river
and half by lake. The steamer
makes the round trip in twelve hours.
and no more delightful trip is to be
found. At the foot of the lake con-
nection is made with the stage run
ming to Selfish on the Northern Paci-
fic. Selfish is 35 miles south Of the
lake and about the same distance
west of Missoula. The stage trip re-
quires five hours and the road trav-
erses a fertile valley, as vet uncult'-
cd gnr otIa f =, 1ot1, 4
Indian reservation. negotiations for
the opening of which are now pend
ing.
The Great Northern railroad has
331 miles Of roadbed in Flathead
county divided as follows: Main
line 200 miles; Jennings branch,
81 miles; Columbia Falls line, 20
miles; Somers line. Ito Flathead lake,
TO miles; a more complete under
standing of which can be gained I
from the map of the county
Entering the valley through Bad
Rock canyon the travellers first op-
po,tunity to leave the train is at Col |
umbia Falls. three miles from the |
mouth of the canyon. Here the new |
road DIVORCES, leading to the north
west to connect with the Jennings
branch near the Canadian line about |.
70 miles distant Rails are now be.
ing laid and this piece Of road will |
be completed early in 1904.
Leaving the train at Columbia Falls
the strangers first impression Of the
Flathead valley is sure to be favora.
BILE, for nature did her best in adorn,
ing the spot and the town is one OF
the most beautiful little cities in the
whole country. The town stands up
on a level plateau at some distance
above the Flathead river which may
be seen to the south. On three sides
the place is bordered by park-like
stretches Of stately pines, while to
the southwest the traveller will pass
through fertile prairie farms. Near
Columbia Falls are located some of
the largest numbering mills In the
west, among which is the plant of the
State Lumber company situated
about six miles to the west on White