The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-30
r. C. POWER EMPIRE Bull DER, WHO HELPED TO DEVELOP
MONTANA FROM Will DERMESS TO GREAT IT'D

and he, together with /. G. and Geo.
A. Baker, of the firm of /. G. Baker
and brother, of Fort Benton, built
the steamer Benton. The venture
proved all that was anticipated for
1t, and in 1876 Senator Power con-
structed and launched on the upper
missouri river the steamer Helena,
and followed this with another boat
which was named Butte. In 1873 he
purchased and added to his fleet of
river boats the steamer Black Hills.
Quickly Widens His Activities
No one in the territory was quicker
to see and grasp an opportunity than
was Senator Power. The overland
freight and passenger service be-
tween Fort Benton and Helena was
very extensive, especially during the
autumn when a large number of
miners left for eastern states by way
of Fort Benton and the steamboat
and Mackinac routes. During this
period he operated stage lines be-
tween Fort Benton and Helena, and
Fort Benton and Billings, which
proved successful enterprises. He al
so greatly extended his merchandise
business by establishing stores at
i1eleHd ana OInor lOcdllI1eS.
A Builder of Helena
In 1878 Senator Power established
his home in Helena. His efforts in be-
half of his home town we're far-reach-
ing and effective in all directions
looking to its advancement. He was
among the first to recognize it's flu
ture possibilities, and he demon
strated his faith by investing large
capital in substantial and enduring |
business blocks. One of these several
buildings is the Power block at Sixth |
and Main streets. Occupying a por-
ton of the grade floor is the Amer
lean National bank, a fiduciary insti- !
tuition of which he was one of the
principal founders and for many
years president. He was elected
chairman of the board a few years
ago. He was leading factor in the
successful construction of the Hell
ena waterworks, now owned by the
municipality. He was also identified
with stock growing activities to
large extent, and was interested in
some of the best equipped stock
farms in Montana.
A Leader in Politics
Senator Power was more or less
connected with politics since he first
located in Montana. He was con-
sistent republican, and was counted
as one of the party leaders and as an
adviser whose careful judgment and
keen perceptions assisted in turning
many contests into victory when de-
feat seemed almost certain. He was
a candidate for public office on sew
eral occasions and experienced de-
feat but once. This was when, in
1888, he was a candidate for COVER
nor. The state then was strongly
democratic, and the opposition ticket
was swept to victory In 1878 he
was elected to the first territorial
convention and in 1884
he was chosen delegate to the ma
tional republican convention.
Elected to u. S. Senate
1t was during the first session of
The Montana legislature, in January,
1890, that Senator Power and the
ate Wilbur f. Sanders were elected I
% the United States senate. On De- {
;ember 81, 1889, the thirty-ninth ]
lay of the session, proceedings were c
started in both houses of the assem-
,ly for the election of Montana's first
wo senators. Mr.. Sanders received
he vote of the eight state senators, 6