Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-07-11
By J. II. RKDENOUR

Rusting away on a gravel bed under
the west end Of the bridge 3 quarter
Of mile below the southwest corner
Of Glacier National park lies an old
steam boiler. For almost half CEN
fury it has lain there, abandoned, $50
lated, and almost forgotten. The build
ing Of the new bridge across the Flat
head at that point last summer has
broken its long isolation 1t is not
much to see, but 1t is relic OF an en-
terprise. probably one OF the most TO
mantle and adventurous In the de-
velopment Of northwestern Montana,
the nl-starred voyage OF the steamer
Cakes.
Some time previous TO 1890, import
ant coal deposits had been discovered
far up the north fork Of the Flathead
river Near the same time, James A.
Talbot, an enterprising character who
had prospered in the rush days Of the
Butte mining development, came into
the F1athead country. With others he
acquired the townsite Of Columbia
Falls ahead of the railroad and built
a palatial home on the bank OF the
river nearby.
Talbot was a man Of considerable
vision, and in those days was able to
back his dreams with tangible sub
stance. He learned of the coal deposits
on the North Fork and conceived the
idea of using this coal to induce the
construction Of a railroad into that
region, which would bless his town of
Columbia Falls and would greatly |
stimulate the development Of the
whole region.
But many miles Of the most difficult |
terrain in the state covered with an |
almost impenetrable jungle of virgin
forest lay between the TOWNSHIP and
the prospective mines. When the Great
building westward, reached
Columbia Falls, Talbot decided on
effort to bring out a car
load sample of that North Fork coal.
He recognized the practical impossi-
bility of overland transportation and
knowing full well the hazardous ma
lure of the enterprise, had a steam
boat built at a cost Of about 5000 to
attempt the navigation of the swift
and turbulent river.
This steamer, named the Cakes, was
1 stern wheeler about rs feet long
md fairly broad of beam, and carried
/ power winch on the forward deck
n anticipation Of the need OF extra
power IN the swift and almost continu-
Jus rapids upstream.
The Cakes was captained and pilot
ID by two experienced river men, Steve
-ereau and Christian Prestbye, sup /.
,orted by crew Of dozen or so hardy
md resourceful men. The engine was
operated by a man named Doyle; the
,oiler was fired by husky youth,
ylaude Slemmer. Riggers for handling
ow lines and shore gear included Mike
shannon, Bob Hunter, Tom McDon-
Id, and a tall and wirey youngster !
emembered only as Slim. An old man I
4 IS years, probably q crony Of Tai
'ot's earlier days at Butte, was one {
( the crew, and Talbot himself, never /
skiing any man to do what he would
lot try himself, was useful man on
GARD. t
hazardous Enterprise
ANY casual fisherman who has fished
n the Flathead through and above
Iad Rock canyon and along the rock
bbed channel Of the North Fork with Z
S rapids, shoals and whirling pools at 4
w water, would marvel that the at
.mpt at navigation was ever made. 1t y
appalling to think of the hazards
a ship like the Cakes,
hich must make the attempt in the n
Wifi, gray, swirling flood Of snow u
alter of the spring thaws. s
But early in May, 1892, the Cakes q
nd its daring crew steamed up the h
vollen flood Of the Flathead river. Il
opes were high and the start was n
lspicious TaIbot's enthusiasm in a
,ired the crew and all were in holi- n
~ humor. Their whistle blasts awoke n
lie echoes as they steamed up through d
ad Rock canyon, passed the mouth Of m
outh Fork, carefully threaded the
arrower, swifter waters Of the Baby "
II
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