Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-03-30

fnH lMdUErUil. OPRCA NAAID"
did summer residence. The miles OF rolling
bench land upon which the bunch grass
GROWS like fields of growing grain, the
sparkling streams filled with trout, the
mountains of eternal snow that rise so
proudly above it, all consplre to make 1t de-
liehtful in summer, but we can scarcely-say
that it appears lovable now The quality
Of grain grown upon this valley is said to be
the best i'm all Montana. The grange here
having experienced a season OF little Inter
est. has lately commenced to revive andnoW
bids fair by increased membership ana inter-
est to rival any of its %neighbors-
Leaving Willow Creek on Friday, we
went to Sterling. This once-prosperous
quartz %mining-camp presents but a mlsera-
bic wreck of its former greatness. The
clank of machinery, the tumult and hustle
of business of other days are no more. Her
leads are capped, her batteries silent, and
thus she awaits the advent of the Northern
Pacific Railroad and cheap labor to place
business upon a proper basis.
We took dinner with Richard GOWNS,
and crossed the range to the. head of
Meadow Creek, and took up quarters with
our old-time friend G.. +. Cope, the founder
and for several years successful publisher of
the Montanian. Mr.. c.. has what might be
properly termed a good stock, agricultural
and mineral ranch. 1t contains over four
hundred acres. The summer stock range
can't be beat, a good portion of the place is
adapted to agriculture, while Mr.. G. assures
us he can set his sluices anywhere upon his
residence-a cottage-home-is elegantly
and tastefully furnished, a rare collection OF
house-plants adding to and completing its
cosiness. Mr.. Cope is a lover OF fine stock
and has a good herd and several shorthorns.
Sallie Cressap 18th is doing well and sallie
Cressap Sth is the prettiest yearling heifer
we have seen on our trip.
The morning was rather disagreeable,
snow filled the air and the wind was chasing
it along from the north at a furious rate, but
notwithstanding the storm we continued
our way, putting up towards evening ut A.
w. bWit1cr's on the Madison Valley.
VIRGINIA Cry, M. Y. Mar. %, 1876.
Madison Valley is snugly hid away be-
tween two big mountain ranges. In width
it averages about twelve miles for a distance
of twenty miles length, when it narroWs in
to some extent and becomes broken and
gravelly, and from thence on south, forty
GRITTY miesis suited only for pasturable pur-
poses as the fertile spots along the river and
tributaries are too small to induce settle
ment. a portion of the valley on the east
side Of the river is thickly settled for six or
eight miles, on the west side it is scattering.
Farmers at present are confined almost eX-
clusiycly to the first bottom, the high rolling
bench lands of rich, loamy soil, is yet UNI
touched. There are a goodly number Of
good farms here, but scarcely a tenth part
Of the arabic land is occupied. The present
farmers are generally inclosed with strong,
substantial fences-dwellings good, and
barnes, stables, sheds etc., commodious.
We visited upon the valley until Wednes-
day noon. but orr stay was purely a matter
OF pleasure, for if there is a place in Mon
tana Where a Way-faring man can enjoy the
genuine comforts Of life, it is upon this val
ley We shared the hospitality of this peo-
pie, sat down at their boards, slept beneath
their caves, mingled with them in their dance
and merry making, enjoyed their music,
song, and midnight serenades, and are fully
pefsuadedt that a more sociable, light-hearted
and happy community can nowhere be
found. Though isolated as it were from u
great big world, they seem to enjoy life all
the same. The location, too, is attractive;