Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-12-27
SMITH RIVER-ITS FLOCKS AND HERDS.
NUMBER THREE.

Immediately below j. Il. Moore's resi-
dence the mountains come i'm Oh the west
to the bank of Smith river, while on the op-
posite side the valley extends down it a dis
lance of about six miles, when it is cut off
by rim-rock mountain. From here the
river flows for twenty miles through a
rough narrow canyon and then comes ont
into what is termed Lower Smith River val
ley. Midway between Mr.. Moore's place
and the rim-rock mountains is the site of
the pioneer saWmill of the country. Messrs.
j. B. Thompson. e.. G.. Murphy, j. S. Nc
Kean and A. J.. Holland, ~lessees. On the east
bank Of the river five miles above the saw
mill, is the home of Z. j. and Sanford
Moore. and a most excellent place it is for
the business of stock raising, in which they
are pretty extensively engaged. -Four years
ago they started in the business, taking
from Capt. II. B. Freeman, of Fort Shaw.
100 head of heifers, on shares. TO this they
added Rimrock," a fine thoroughbred
Shorthorn bull OIL. w. Frarry's herd. The
herd has increased until it now numbers a
little over 450 head. They have recently
contracted to keep the herd four more years,
Mr.. r.. paying the taxes, and at the expira-
ton OF the time, the herd and the entire in
crease is to be equally divided. Reckoning
the increase of the next four years in pro-
portion to the past, and it will be seen that
the division must be pretty large; consider
ably over ten dollars in value for every dol
lar invested. To make such success as this
has taken dilligent care, but the expense
outside outside OF the time in looking after
them has been comparatively small, since
the range selected for the herd is exceeding
ly fine, and the amount of hay used in the
four years does not exceed forty tons.
The Moore brothers is the headquarters
of Geo Looms, Whois also largely engaged
in the cattle business. -Four years ago he
started with less than ninety head, and now
his herd numbers. over three hundred. In
the summer and fall seasons he spends a
few months in riding among them, mark
ing and branding the young ones. and the
remainder of the year'lie is engaged in his
mines in confederate gulch.
1t may not be out of place to mention
John Lewis herd, which runs upon the
same range with the Moore brothers and
Lyons cattle. Mr.. Lewis has recently add
ed materially to the value of his herd by
the purchase of so head from VIM. Mills. In
this lot there are some thoroughbred Short
horn bulls, and a considerable number of
half-breeds and graded cattle. Taking all
together, the herd i'll quality has no superb
Or in the country.
Al few miles from the Moore Bros, on
Whitehall creek, HughtMorrow has located
Il sheep ranch, The location is one of the
best forthis. business that is to be found
He has a flock numbering about 1900 head.
which he has taken-on shares from l.. Bev-
eridge, of Helena, This flock is looking
quite well. considering the hard time they
have had in getting rid. Of the scab. But
for a few stray ones which We're out at the
time OF his last dipping, it might be claim
that the flock was ridjof the disease.
Next ON. the route after crossing to the
west side of the river and taking the direct
foaatup the valley, is A. j. Stephens home
neaIthe junction of Benton ands Thomas
rreeks.. This is the Oldest settled place on
The valley that is still occupied by the oriei-
nal locator, ten years having passed since
he first stakes We're driven. The old cabin
built then still stands, but rooms have been
ldded on until it looks home-like and com
portable. Instead OF using one room for his
as necessity use. to, require, in '67-S.
when the Pagans and Rktekfeet were the