HELENA AND EASTERN MONTANA
CHAPTER XII.
Helena and Eastern Montana.
The motive of my coming to Helena, with the rest of the patriotic citizens of the State, was to dedicate our magnificent capitol buildings, which had just been completed, and to commemorate the one hundred and twenty-sixth anniversary of our independence.
Helena is well located for the capital and is the center of population in the state; has substantial business blocks and beautiful residences, with every appearance of a permanent city.
The Broadwater Natatorium, with its immense plunge, is a great source of attraction, and close by is Fort Harrison. Within the city is the United States Assay Office, and also a large cracker factory.
Helena stands today in what used to be known as Last Chance Gulch, where originally were rich placer mines, the producers of forty million dollars in gold, and at the present time a number of quartz mines are in operation. Surrounding the city and adjoining are Marysville, Remini, Clancy, Corbin and Wickes, with branch railway lines connecting with Helena. A large smelter is in constant operation at East Helena, the power being furnished by the electric plant on the Missouri river at Canyon Ferry.
After my above mentioned celebration, I went to Hunter's Hot Springs, the health resort of the Northern Pacific Railway Company, two miles from its main line at Springdale, where coaches meet all persons desiring to go to the Hot Springs. I had an enjoyable sojourn here and moved on to that far eastern Montana town, Glendive, a distance of three hundred and twenty-two miles. This town is a division point, on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and has more stir and life than the majority of towns. The opera was running in full blast, the Jesse James tent shows and the Wild West Circus. It was amusing, as I sat on the balcony of the hotel, to see the circus people forming on horseback in their different costumes and trying to appear very wild for the parade. They were followed by a four-horse team attached to an enormous enclosed wagon, supposed to be holding the wild animals. The laughable part came in as they were turning in front of the hotel, their horses were unable to pull the wagon, and the Glendive citizens had to lend a helping hand, for we wanted them to move on, fearing the animals might get out, but on the circus grounds they only had a few buffaloes.
The town presented a very busy appearance, this being the wool season. Herders were bringing in bands of sheep, with thousands to a band, for the shearing. I was invited for a drive to see the shearing, which was all being done by machinery. This was a pitiful sight to me—to see the way the clipping machines cut up the sheep, and to hear thousands of little lambs crying on account of the separation from their mothers. This was one trip I did not enjoy.
It was a perfect sight to see the immense quantity of wool in sacks ready for shipment. The wool buyers were here from as far east as Boston, and all the sheep owners in the country, and it certainly did make things lively. I finally bade adieu to this stirring community and turned my face westward to Miles City, the oldest town in eastern Montana, where General Miles was at one time stationed, and from whom the town received its name. It has been for years the greatest cattle shipping town in the state, and also an important depot for the shipment of sheep and wool. Here is located the State Reform School, and two miles west is the Government Post, Fort Keogh.
I never shall forget Forsyth, on account of the intense heat while there. I just fanned myself all the time and while traveling through this stretch of country I took night trains, it being cooler. Forsyth is a railroad division point and a thriving town, having extensive stock interests.
Billings is the western terminus of the Burlington Railway system, and is the greatest wool shipping depot in the country. The city has reason to be proud of its fine library, a magnificent stone building, well supplied with many volumes.
Here is located division headquarters of the Northern Pacific and Burlington, the latter running its trains over the track of the Northern Pacific west to Seattle, Washington.
I again find here a country made productive by irrigation, and crops are now grown successfully where a few years ago was a continuous stock range.
Laurel is the junction of the Rocky Fork branch to Red Lodge, Gebo and Bridger, important coal mining towns, with farming and fruit raising country surrounding them.
Columbus has excellent stone for building purposes, which was used in the erection of the state capitol.
At Big Timber has been erected the first woolen mill in the state.
Bozeman seemed such a pretty home town, during my summer stop, with the beautiful lawns and abundance of flowers, the vines twining around the houses.
The morning I left Bozeman, Mac, as usual, gave me a few minutes to get ready. I was quietly reading the morning paper, when he came in and said that we would take the Burlington for Butte. I soon got ready, however, as I am accustomed to short notices. The buses and street car had all gone to the train, so he telephoned for a coach. This, of course, all took time, which made us a little late; nevertheless, we started out at a fast pace. On getting in sight of the depot the train seemed ready to leave, but the driver said: "I will make it, if you want me to." Mac told him that was what he wanted. Then he put the horses on a run, whipping them all the time, and turning corners our carriage would run on two wheels. The conductor seeing us coming at such a pace held the train a moment, no doubt thinking this was an elopement case, and, thanks to his kindness, and the driver's whip, we reached the train in safety, and made Butte that evening, just the same.