The Bozeman courier., 1927-01-07

proceed, fully matured, from the brain Of
this remarkable man as we stood near the
head OF the rapids that mark the beginning
Of the falls Of the Missouri"
A Humorous Incident at Fort Benton
Many stories have been told of James
J. Hill, depicting incidents akin to his
railroad building enterprises Most Of these
praise the empire builder; others curse
him; still others are Of a humorous Da-
ture.
Despite the many yarns of Ole, his bun
and "Yim Hill', there are few persons who
slipped things over" on Jim" HILL and,
sthe history of a few Montana towns and
communities will well bear out, there are
few associations of individuals or cOmmun-
tiles which bear the distinction of having
gone "one better" than the great railroad
magnate. 1t is a fact, however, that the
little river town, Fort Benton DID "slip
one over on Jim" Hill.
1t was during the building of the Great
Northern railway from Havre that Fort
Benton made Mr.. Hill do a thing he very
much did not want to dO-and Fort Ben
ton made him do it and like it.
The story was told a few years ago by
John Farrell who was an official Of the
| Oregon, Washington Railway and NaYiga-
/ tiOn company. Mr.. Farrell was in charge
/ of various departments Of construction
work when the line was being rushed to
/ Great Falls and Helena. The narrative here
referred 20 is best told in Mr.. Farrel's OVID
words:
Il was in charge Of a construction gang
and train that was dressing the rOad-bed
and laying rails from Havre to Helena. We
had reached point near Fort Benton when
we learned that Mr.. Hill and a party Of
officials were to arrive within the next two
days. These men were making q general
inspection tour Of the work and were GO
ing on to Helena. They were coming by
train as far as Fort Benton and from there
would drive through to Helena.
Il gave out the news and Immediately
the people of Fort Benton arranged a big
banquet breakfast I suppose you would
qFTnnRnmnnfG 10
party were going on finely and Mr.. Hin
was informed that he would be royalty
entertained in Fort Benton. he wired me
eonhdentially that he wOud not stop in
Fort Benton at all and would expect me
to have outfits ready to start in the morn
, ing as soon as the train arrived.
Couldn't Hire a Rig
I'VE who were on the Job knew that the
banquet breakfast might not be alto
:, gether love feast, because Fort Benton
: did not relish the idea Of the railroad be-
e ing built so far from the then mail part
: OF the town. Mr.. Hill must have rotten
i wind OF this and the result-his decision
: to go right through to Helena.
t II had nothing to do but obey orders
4 Wnen received Mr.. Hills wire / began
making arrangements for his trip to Hel.
ena without the Fort Benton stOpOVer.
e Il went to the largest livery stable in
/ town and asked for teams and drivers fOI
! trip to Helena, the outfits to be ready
Is at eight o'clock next morning the finn
n scheduled for the arrival of MI. Hin anf
s party. To my dismay I was told that al
y the outfits had been engaged and my order
le could not be taken or filled. / went to an.
p oLher stable. / got the same answer.
= Nothing Doing Anywhere
= Au day / went from place to place try
a ing to get those teams. I went 70 the farm
- ers near the city. Same answer Nowhere
e for love or money! had increased th,
= price offered generally charged in my nov
almost frantic efforts to carry out MI
Hills Orders-but ] couldn't get the teams
SomOne had tipped Mr.. Hills hand. IN
whole town and the farming cOmmunitl
u near It was a combination in restraint o
4 trade as Tar as Mr.. Hill and his party wer
IL concerned.
III II was 'stumped' I had done all possfbl
II but had to admit defeat When Mr.. Hin
II train arrived, the whole town was at tb
III little shack station platform to meet hin
II He asked for his outfit to go on to Helen
.lll-then asked for me. i explained as bes
iii / could After some discussion, very dis
II tasteful discussion TO me, Mr.. Hin laughe
u / and proved himself a good sport He TOO
NJ his party to the banquet breakfas an
immediately after the people Of Fort Ben
II ton had finished with him, he found bel
III ter outfits awaiting him at the door tha
III ] could have hired. He and his party weI
u then set down in Helena in what was I'd
2 leord time for the distance fn these Gays,