Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-06-27
Gold Creek Linked With Two Events
OF Importance i'm History of Montana

LAC AaIucs N1AN CIEcAf ~ 01tHuASIA1
associated with two events which fig
ured prominently IN the history Of
Montana. It was on the stream Of
this name, not far from where 1t emp
ties into the Clark Fork Of the Co
lnmbia. that q half-breed, a member
Of one OF the nomadic parties that
travelled the northwest In the early
days. found the first "colors" that in
dicated the presence Of gold IN Mon
tana.
It was at the little station Of cold
Creek, on the line of the Northern
Pacific where the road enters the Hell
Gate canyon, that the last spike in
the construction Of that transcon-
tinental railroad was driven.
Henry Willard, the interchangeable pro-
moter Of the Northern Pacific scheme,
had assembled for the spike driving
ceremony one of the most distin-
guished crowds ever brought together
In the west. William M. Evarts was
the orator of the occasion. Gen. u. s.
Grant was q member of the party, as
was also Henry M Teller, then secre-
tary OF the interior. There were scores
of European dignitaries-G erman
counts and barons among them who
had been financially interested In the
railway project through the efforts of
Willard. These guests had been lavish
ly entertained during the trip that
brought them. west, and the enter
tainment was continued after the
spike had been driven that completed
the line OF steel affording a northern
connection between the east and the
Pacific seaboard.
Race Continued Many Years
For years the great race for rail-
way control Of Montana had been in
progress. From the east and from the
west the army Of laborers of the North
ern Pacific had been urged on. From
the south the Union Pacific had been
forcing its line that was to tap this
region, known only at that time by the
fabulous wealth which had been taken
from the golden sands Of its streams.
There was, perhaps, not one Of the |
railroad magnateS who we're directing |
this magnificent contest who realized |
what productive commonwealth Mon |
tana was destined to become-the pro-
Queer and the contributor to railway |
freight business that this territory was
eventually to be.
Ization was evidenced by the diverting |
Of the main line of the Northern Pa
cific from its natural route to the |
course across the mountains by way |
Of the Mullen tunnel-a line that was
located as the result Of piece Of
jobbery familiar to most Montanans,
and which was constructed only by
outlay of money and a
great sacrifice Of time. This great error
was not appreciated by Northern Pa
cific officials until long afterward-
Then an attempt was made to rectify
The error by the construction Of the
new line into Butte by way Of the
oipestOne pass.
Disputed by Union Pacific
It was the intention Of the Willard
,eople, so it has been said, to build
! line UP the Deer Lodge valley, and
Tillard named the prospective import
mt junction, Garrison" in honor Of
lis wife who was a daughter Of the
amous anti-slavery orator. When,
however, the main line was completed
nd the construction Of the line UP
he Deer Lodge valley was due to be- I
,n. the Union Pacific had reached \
Silver Bow and disputed the prospec-
i've right-of-way. The contest was
ettIed by a compromise which result
d in the construction OF the old Mon !
ana Union, owned jointly by the two ]
Then came the ENHANCEMENT of rail-
raw affairs and ultimately the failure
( both companies. In the subsequent
djustment Of matters, the Montana
Jnion passed from the control of the
Jnion Pacific which never seemed TO
ealize the Importance Of the line, and
ecame a part Of the Northern Pacific
ystem, and now is the main line route
I that road. All these are changes L
hat time has brought In its adjust
tent Of affairs since that day IN Sep
,mber, 1883, when Gold Greek enter
aimed more famous personages than
may ever see at any one time again. I
That day In 1883 was memorable in
Iontana's history. The special train
ihich brought out the notables TO
illness the great event did not bring :
larger throng than assembled from
Il parts of western Montana. From a
[issoula and the Bitter Root; from a
ute and the Deer Lodge; from mines n
nd farms and mills they came. They a
rove, and rode, and walked, and A
rmed as enthusiastic an audience as 81
ver greeted any public speaker. 1t
IL