Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-07-12

In 1850, finding an opportunity to
embark in an enterprise more to his
liking, he gave up teaching and joined
surveying party In the Dakotas. This
wild life on the plains so appealed
| to him that he was never more in
his element than when with the sur
veying and engineering squads, explor-
ing new land and setting monuments
| for the guidance Of future settlers He
followed the business of surveying for
the government and In private employ
ment for a period Of two years, at the
end of this time he joined an expedi-
ton that assembled the Missouri river.
In 1867, Senator Power opened a
general merchandise store at Fort Ben
ton for the accommodation Of the
settlers and the military garrison, and
also traded extensively with the In
dams for furs and pelts, associated
with his brother, John w. Power. Find
ing that there was good profit IN the
freighting business to inland points,
and having large consignments Of
goods to deliver, he added freighting
to his rapidly growing business. At
that time all freight to Fort Benton
which was transported thence to the
various settlements and mining camps
in the southern part of the state,
came by steamboat from shipping
points tributary to the Missouri and
the Mississippi rivers. AS this business
appeared lucrative and profitable, |
Senator Power conceived the idea of
building steamers to enter that trade, |
and he, together with I. G. and George |
A. Baker, of the firm of I. G. Baker
& Bros, Of Fort Benton, built the
steamer Benton. The venture proved I
all that was anticipated for It,, and I
in 1876 Senator Power constructed 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.
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 between
Fort Benton and Helena was very ex-
tensive, especially during the autumn
when a large number of miners left
for eastern states by way Of Fort Ben
ton and the steamboat and Mackinac
routes. During this period he operated
stage lines between Fort Benton and
Helena, and Fort Benton and Billings,
which proved successful enterprises. !
He also greatly extended his merchan- !
disc business by establishing stores j
1t Helena and other localities. !
In 1878 Senator Power established /
MS home in Helena. His efforts in be-
half of his home town were far reach
ng and effective in all directions look
ng to its advancement. He was among
he first to recognize its future pos
'ibilities, and he demonstrated his {
aith by investing large capital in sub !
itanial and enduring business blocks. 5
)ne Of these several buildings Is the 2
lower block at Sixth and Main streets. :
lie was leading factor in the success
ul construction Of the Helena water 2
works., now owned by the municipality. c
lie was also identified with stock !
rowing activities to a large extent, q
nd was interested in some Of the best z
Quipped stock farms in Montana.
.eader in Politics
Senator Power was more or less con- :
Iected with politics since he first To-
ated in Montana. He was consistent :
epublican, and was counted as one :
Z the party leaders and as an adviser !.
hose careful Judgment and keen per- ,,
options assisted in turning many con- :,
ssts into victory when defeat seemed
lmost certain. He was candidate for =,