The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-04-24


els per acre. The average value Of
land is from $40 10 SIS per acre
for it has all been taken up and
improved. In the vicinity Of the
valley land that is probably just as
good may be had ut n small outlay
by preemption. The fine natural
meadows, and the tall cottonwood
trees, arranged as artisticNlly us
though it had been done by 4 land
scapc gardener, give to this valley
an attractive, and in places really a
lovely appearance. The weather
was 80 fine that We did not close
tho windows Of orr coach.
After n ride Of 205 miles, we ar
rived at Helena, the capital Of
Montana. 1t is IL busy city OF
about 5000 inhabitants. 1t was
formerly Il mining town, and placer
mining is still going on near it,and
still pays, though not so we'll as
formerly. was surprised to find
that The "Heathen Chinee" miners
there get 81 per day and work for
themselves. \ man informed me
that a "Chinee is purity cute" and
won't work for much less than is
paid to others for the same work.
Tho Chinese waiter at the hotel
where | was stopping gets SIS per
month and board. find that the
stories about Chinese cheap labor
do not apply to Helena. Wages
arc higher in Montana than in al
most any other part of the Union,
and must continue so until the
Utah and Northern Railroad is
completed. Common labor is worth
a little over $40 per month and
board. Stone-cutters, brick layers,
lplastercrs and masons will hardly
fail to get work at IS per day; and
at Fort Assiniboinc, during last
summer, | was informed that C. 4.
Brnadwatcr& Co., paid s. per day
for brick-laying. The government
rates are much less, but they hired
their hands at st. Paul, Minnceots,
and transported them free 10 and
from Fort Assiniboine. Black
smiths can easily get $50 permonth.
From what | can learn, wo:k can
not be hard to get while business
houses, residences, &C., IRE being
built as rapidly US they have been
in tho last two years. 1t must be
remembered that ! am fur away
from the civilized part Of Montana,
and havo no chance for personal
observation as TO what will lie done
during next summer. Ifan nppr0-
priation is made by Congress 10
complete Fort Assiniboine, and
build another post on the Big Bend
Of Milk River, as is now expected,
4 large number Of workmen will be
employed at fair wages.
We attended the Territorial Fair
at Helena. lIorse.racing seemed
to be the prominent feature. | took
particular notice Of the agricultural
and garden products. Wheat nnd
oats were excellent. Corn was not
good. The Irish potatoes wrlo the
largest and finest | had ever seen.
The exhibition Of fruits was poor,
but it is claimed that Montana will
in time he Il great fruit region a
claim that have no reason to
think unfoun'lcd. Experience has
shown that farming and gardening
in Montana, especially in the Vel
lowstons aud Gallatin Valleys is u
safe and profitable business.
After Il stay Of ono wceE; at He
lena. We left for Fort Benton. Our
road lay little east ofnorlh and
parallel to the general course Of
Milk River,though mover in sight'of
it till sc got to Fort Benton. We
saw some good grazing ranches. AT
one place met q drove of $500
sheep. Strange as it may appear
to West firginians, these cattle and
sheep live I'LL winter in Montana
without shelter, and without any
other fo"d than the rich grass cured
during the long dry season Of the
preceding summer and autumn.
This grass is never cut except for
horses and fancy cattle; hut the
herds eat it where it Srows,and keep
in good condition throughout the
year. The herd that has stumbled