New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-14
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
ADVICE FROM COY. ASHLEY.

ADVICE FROM COY. ASHLEY.
| MONTANA OFFERS FREE HOMES TO THE HOMELESS.
| To the Editor Of TIE TriDune.
SIR. In nearly all the Eastern States, and in
all the large cities there thousands OF SOBER indus
,rious men and without homes and without EN-
povment many OF whom obtain after fearful struggle
precarious subsistence and at the end OF each year
And themselves older and poorer II all such would seek
homes in the great and growing West they could not fail
TO better their condition. especially II they went In colo
MES as did the settlers Of Groeley In Colorado. In Mon
tana all kinds OF labor Is remuneratye for men and
/ women There the sober aud industrious Will be vel
come and free homes, and health and bright future In
ytes them. No desirable country can be found for
women who dependent upon their labor for sup
port than Montana Good housekeepers readily command
from $50 to SIS month, and ordinary kitchen help from
so to $50 month Men command from s. to IS day as
miners common aborers and mechanics from IS to s.
Now that Jay Cooke has taken hold OF the financial de-
parment OF the Northern Pacific Railroad its early com
petion conceded fact. IL will pass through the
richest agricultural and mineral lands OF Montana val
liable locations in valleys through which or near which
the road must run, be obtained by actual set
tiers under the homestead or presumption laws. need
not add, that the earlier immigrants the ground
the better their opportunities for making splendid loca
tons. All the waterpower needed for mill or manufac
turing purposes can he had in every valley Montana
is three times as large the great State OF New York
About one-fourth Of this immense territory may be
classed timbered lands The greater portions OF the
table and bottom lands prairie. The foothills and
mountains afford the best Of pasturage. No State
territory west Of the Mississippi is well wstered by
large lakes and rivers Montana The climate of Mon
tana in Winter and Summer is pure, dry, exhilaratng
and healthy There is no fever and ague in Montana
and none OF the diseases incident 10 the damp and
changeable climate of the Eastern states.
Last Winter brick laid brick and stone hout
interruption except three days in January and
few days in March. did not wear my oyercoat more
than onefourth the time during the entire Winter, and
there was no fire needed built in churches for q
number Of Sundays believe Montana TO have one OF
the most healthy climates on the globe. The soil of Mon
tana Is dark vegetable mold, and OF great richness
and fertility Experience has proven its great pro
ductiveness. At Territorial Fair for 1870 and ISL
the premium for the best acre OF Winter wheat was
awarded to Major Forbes in 1870 the yield being 50 bush
els and SO pounds I'm 1871 the premium was given for
81 bushels and some pounds. do not remember the
farmers name. Oats barley, rye, and all small grains
and root vegetables, yield enormously Montana il. be
yOnd all question, destined to become the great stock
raising state OF America. With wide range of pastur
age free the Of ALL the stock raiser will have
unsurpassed advantages for many years 10 come:
Horses, mules cattle, and sheen not only sab-lst ai
can be found than the cattle slaughtered III Montana IN
Winter have cattle slaughtered in February that
had been fed half grain which were TOO Jai for
table Use in the states ~
Nine out every Ten or tnOse VINO desire 10
crate fear the Indians. wish to all That life and
property safe Montana In NewYcrk city, In
property are as SAFE as in Kansas and Nebraska. OF
settlers are oot permitted to go on the Indian
ReservasiOns I desire especially To remind AL who
think going TO Mon that pioneer life in thh Terri
tory few of the harsihips dangers or uncertain
ties incident 10 pioneer life in Western NewYork aud the
Northwestern States. To-day the settler Will find al the
comforts and many of the Injuries Of an older cvihza
ton The great natural highways OF Montana are
wonder in Themselves ~ costs but little 10 Keep thenl
I'm repair ant many of them good rs our turnpike
roa i'm he Montana
newspapers, daily mails and daily Geographic dis
patches from of TIE world We thus as near
he great centers of thought I'm the world though
resided New England. Let those who desirc TO go TO
organize themselves into colonies, and thus Sc
cheaper transportation and by settling together az
II Greeley colony increase the value OF each others
property by Oint effort. and secure stability TO
The new settlement by cO0peTatOn aud uD on. II viii
give me pleasure at any time to aid in the organization
Of sgch a colony j. ASHLEY
N.1r- York. Feb ~ 1871.