The
railroad had not yet penetrated into this mountainous region, and the
Missouri river was fourteen miles distant. To the adventurous spirit of
gold-hunting Americans had Helena owed its origin and growth, and its
resources were unknown until 1864, when a party of prospecting miners
discovered unmistakable evidences of rich yielding gold and silver mines
in the immediate vicinity of what is now the thriving city of Helena.
Following this discovery, thousands of gold-hunters sought this new
"Eldorado," and in a few months a populous community had taken
possession of the ground. Within a year after this the territory of
Montana was formed, and from its central location and large population,
Helena was chosen as the capital. From this time the success of the city
was assured, emigration continued, the mines showed no signs of
diminution, and the town soon aspired to the dignity of a city, despite
its remoteness from the river, the railroad and the telegraph. Exceeding
even California in the richness of its gold mines, Montana shows a
wonderful yield of silver, which is obtained with an ease which makes
mining a pleasurable and sure source of incalculable profit. In addition
to the precious metals, copper is also found in abundance, and forms an
important feature of the mineral wealth of this territory.
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