The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-07-27
RI

Inc RlYEk FRESS IullV agrees Will us
neighbor, the Record, in what it has to say
concerning the necessity Of advertising Ben
ton and the country tributary. During the
| past five or six months there has been an i'm
mense immigration westward from the States
as well as of European immigrants who
landed during the summer at Castle Garden.
# few of these have come to Montana, and
particularly to this section Of the Territory,
it is because they know nothing of the re-
sources of our section, or the many advan-
tages offered to persons seeking a home in a
new country. The idea is almost general in
the States that Montana is a rugged, noun
famous country, entirely untitled for aggicul-
tural purposes a place where only the trap
per and hunter can find congenial work.
Again, the impression prevails that the win
tiers are such as to preclude immigration ex-
cept on the part Of adventurous persons who
are willing to CROUCH it," and forego for q
season the pleasures Of a 'civilized life.'
This is the light in which Montana is gener-
ally regarded in the East, and except as the
press Of the Territory has labored to dispel
the delusion, no particular effort has been
made to show that q contrary status Of things
exists. There is no State or Territory in the
United States that is not better advertised
than Montana, and this fact works every
year against the prosperity of the Territory.
No section of Montana has better natural
advantages than Benton and the country trib-
utary. Our valleys are rich and wellladapted
for agricultural purposes; the pasture lands
are boundless and afford the best possible op-
portunities for stock men to settle among us
and prosper our mining interests are just
beginning to develop, and they give forth
promises Of being rich beyond comparison
and fairly inexhaustible the commercial
advantages Of Benton are not surpassed any,
where, and in fact there is now more business
transacted here, in proportion to the popula-
ton, than in any town in the world. And
yet how many who have rot 'tseen for them
selves know aught Of the varied advantages
of this section Of Montana Very few, in
deed. In view of this fact, can it be a mat
ter Of surprise that SO few are attracted to
Northern Montana +?
IT the resources Of Choteau county were
advertised as they should be, in three years
her population would be quadrupled and her
progress assured. Just let the
people Of the thickly settled States know the
advantages that are offered here, and they
will CONS to accept and enjoy them.
Folders and pamphlets, setting forth the
natural advantages Of our county, as regards
her resources, climate. healthfulness, ETC..
and the inducements to immigration, should
be issued and distributed "where they will
do the most good" The cost would be but a
few hundred dollars, for which thousands
would be returned in the way Of increased
population and business.
This Is the propitlous time for immigration
to Northern Montana. Even without any
advertising, the valleys are being settled up
rapidly, and in some places settlements of
from twenty-five to fifty families have been
made in localities where last season there was
not q single habitation. Those who come
within the next two years will get in ahead
of the s'iron horse" and are certain to reap
advantages that cannot be had by those who
follow. This is just the time to advertise
Benton and the country tributary, and those
who are interested in the rapid advancement
Of our county should be quite willing to as
sist as far as possible. The Board Of Trade
should bring up this subject again for discus
sion. The time is ripe for the work Of ad-
Vertising.