The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-05-04
CLIMATEAND RESOURCES OF MON
fann.
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR POTTS.

LEI LIN IhOM OON EhNcrs fO4Io.
The route of the Northern Pacific
Railroad traverses the entire length of
Montana. Ten million acres Of its land
lie within that territory, and mainly IN
the valley of the Yellowstone. In reply
to Inquiries made by his former neigh
bors and friends in Ohio, Governor
Potts of Montana wrote the following
private letter addressed to DR.. J. Arm
strong of Alliance. Such incidental and
unsolicited testimony from so high a
.sourse is of the most conclusive sort:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MONTANA
TERRITORY.
Virginia City, FEB. 18th 1871.
SIR Il have the honor to acknoHi
edge the receipt of your letter of the 9th
inst, inquiring about the charator and
climate of Montana, through which the
Northern Pacific Railroad will run.
The Yellowstone valley [along nearly
the entire length Of which the Northern
PaciOc Railroad will pass is about 400
miles long by $50 miles wide. 1t con-
tains eight principal valleys, entering
the great parent valley of the Yellow
stone situated midway between the
mountains and prairies. Its climate is
soft and genial Its soil is exceedingly
fertile, and contains extensive coal fields
and numbers of Gil springs The Yell
lowstone is navigable for light draft
boats for 300 miles from its mouth. I
am satisfied that this valley is one Of
the most healthy and productive on this
continent, and will furnish homes for at
least million of people.
The valleys of the Gallatin, Deer
Lodge, Jefferson, Bitter Root, and
Jocko are equally as productive as the
Yellowstone. The average yield of
wheat in these valleys is from fifty to
sixty bushels per acre, and all other &C.
reals in proportion.
l have never seen any place that
equals this territory for the production
of vegetables. The common yield of
potatoes per acre is 400 bushels. The
most valuable land in Montana for agri-
culture is yet unoccupied. That now
under cultivation is generally close to
some mining camp, and was taken up
and occupied solely because it was near
a settlement.
Gold and silver mining is very profta-
BILE in this territory. More than Twelve
Million of dollars gold dust was mined
during the past season, and the coming
year promises to be the most profitable
mining season ever known in the history
of Montana. Labor here is very scarce,
and consequently very high. Common
to Sc day, and mechanics from Sc
to $40 per day.
From the best information that 1 can
obtain the Northern Pacific Railroad
will open up the richest country in agri-
cultural and mineral resources on the
American continent, and if the people
East aud in Europe could see the rich
land grant that the road has, its bonds
would not remain in the market ninety
days. The coming year is certainly a
propitious time to settle in Montana,
and l shall take great pleasure in well
coming soldier colony from old Molly
Stark.
almost forgot to speak of the climate.
This winter is said to be colder than u.s.
ual but can assure you that it is not
SO cold or disagreeable as Ohio winters.
The atmosphere is dry and pure, max
ing this mountain country the healthiest
on the continent. On the high mount
aims snow falls to great depth, but the
valteys are scarcely euer covered cith sao,o.
The cattle run at large during the entire
year. and no grain or hay is fed them,
yet they come out in the spring as fat as
the best stall-herd, and [ can assure you
the meat is better than [ ever saw in
Ohio.
In my haste [ may have.omitted to
state many things you and your friends
may want to know. IF so, [ shall be
glad to answer any questions you pro-
pound. Very truly yours
B. +. POTTS.