The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-04

gk ss#55s 4#s#sss Is ~ ~ II M "A
"a colony settled around the head of the Mis-
souri,, near the mouths OF the Gallatin, JEFF
ferson. and Ma Olson rivers. and few farms
we're also being opened In the upper part of
the basin, in the vicinity Of the present site
OF the vigorous young city of Bozeman-
now o.itstripping all competitors. In the race
for coniniercial supremacy. OF course there
have been special causes 10 accelerate the de-
vslopmcnto OF the Gallatin valley but with
out such special agencies her progress would
have been steady and healthy, for richness
and extent of soil, desirability OF climate.
unexcelled facilities of water-power,, anil
forests OF noble timber, are among her nattl-
raj advantages. Ny task would not be fully
performed. however, it I omitted hi notice
the more prominent influences which have
contributed so much to her wealth and pros
perity.
FLOUR MILLS.
In the summer or fall Of 1864, the indefati-
Bic Perry w. Meadow, with his mining
partner, Thomas Cover, now engaged In
agriculture in Los Angeles county. Califor
MIA located Il site tor 4 grist-nlill in che up
per part oi the valley. and had the neces-
sary machinery on the road soon after. This
gave all impetus to the settlement OF Galla-
tin valley, just whcn such encouragement
was needed. and the smoke from a score of
new farfn-houses was curling to the sky with
insight of the pioneer grist-mill before its
burrs had made q single revolution. In the
meantime the energetic Wilson brothers had
begun the erection Of a large grist-mill in
the lower part Of the valley. at Gallatin City,
35 miles below the scene of Meadow & Co.,
enterprise, which equally stimulated settle
ment and development Id that portion OF
the Gallatin basin. Then Meadow u Co.'S
believing the Gallatil1 valley was destined to
become one Of The most populods farming
sections ot the great West, Ia hope now fully
reaIized) still further manifested their conf
dence III its future by the erection Of saw
mill, which speedily did away with the
.swhip-sawing' method.
John Ault, J. ]. Tomlinson and others see
ing Meadow Il Co. were unable to supply
tie demand for lumber, erected other saw.
mills in different parts of the valley, the
same year. And in the summer Of 1866 the
capacity Of the two grist-mi.ls being found
inadequate to meet the increasing demand of
the wheat-growers, Reuben Foster COM
menced the erection of the Union Mills, at
Spring Hill, about Is miles north Of Boze-
mana two story edifice capable of turning
out fifteen thousand pounds of nour day
and the next fall had it in successful opera
ton. Your correspondent paid the Union
Mills visit, and must admit that It is the
most complete Touring establishment he en-
tered in his extensive tour through the Rocky
Mountains. Under the management Of its
present enterprising and efficient proprietor,
Andrew Pierstorff, Esq, ies trademark holds
its own with the world-famed Saint Louis
brands which, in fact, the hoine proluc-
tions have almost entirely driven from the.
local markets. 81
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
q With the true spirit of the American Pio-
neer, the early settlers Of the Gallatin valley.
notwithstanding their exciting race for mate
rial prosperity. ever kept moral agencies IN
view, and the church and school received
their first attention AS soon xas the family
hearth-stones had been securely laid. Thence
forward immigration. still increasing, was
made up largely of families, 50 that By the.
fall of 1866 the population and wealth Of Gal
latin county ty-noW regularly organized,
made her i power in the Territorial Legisla-
ture and in general business circles and the
Gal1atin valley was universally admitted 70
be one Of the safest fields for permanent in
vestment. u. -. s.
4. INDIAN TROUBLES.
Butt ~ might have been expected, some
adverse clouds shadoWed our infant En- mpire.
10 Che eastward. just beyond the dividing
range betWeen the Yellowstone and Galla-
tin, was the fierce and powerful Crow tribe
of Indiaus~-since. under benign and wise
policy on the part of the general govern
Inent, elevated u emi-civilization md their
depredations were very frequent. And dam
GER was morn imminent IN the upper part Of
tlla valleJ 1.-The most popplons section from
The fact that Bezenan City Il located II The |
very moath Of I low pass Iealin9 a thc Yel-ll
,wstone vslley. III our cnt shows, which can I
u tra.eIed by sany route, Ninter A. summer;
thes jority soi the settlers
were kept III 4 state ol constant pnsaslness
md alarm, knowing that ~ any honr ~ m
.ursion iii force might take placs, ths result