The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-06-28
THE TETON AND MARIAS.

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Excepting Of course the Northwest
Territory, from which an extensive
patronage is derived, the principal portion
Of Benton's trade from the south
side Of the river-the mining camps,
Highwood, Belt, Chestnut, Wolf Greek,
TIE Judith Basin, Musselshell, Smith
river, and other furnishing valleys. But
it is not to be always thus. Within a
few years the country to the north and
northeast of Benton will TEEN with in
habitants, adding to the wealth and
prosperity OF our town, and its impor-
tance as a commercial center. The Teton
and Marias valleys, with their numerous
tributaries, are as rich as any in Mon
tana and in extent of resources are far in
advance of all others.
4 glance at the map gives some idea Ct
the extent OF these valleys and their in-
p%ortance to Benton. With the Teton,
being nearGr, many Of u readers are
familiar, but the Marias for a great eN-
tent is uninhabited aud its resources
hardly known. This river is at present
the western boundary OF the great Black
foot reservation, and until that, or 4 por-
ton of it, is thrown open for actual set
Element but little progress will be made
III the way OF settling UP the country.
There is now before congress a bill
which provides for throwing open 4
large portion of this reservation, and it
is Of the utmost importance to Benton
that it should become a law at this SEES
support Of the measure, but III view Of
the delayed state OF business iii that body
the prospects of success are not very flat
tering.
Except near town, there are ut present
but few ranches on the Teton and Mari
as. However, great herds of cattle Craze
in their valleys !; and the fact is well
known that the section designated as the
Teton and Marias country is capable of
supporting a population Of hundreds Of
and III the fullness of time
will do so. The Yellowstone country,
about which 50 much has been said and
written, is but a garden patch beside
the Dalrymple farm, as compared 9Th
it. The extent Of the valleys IS greater
and the soil, we believe, more product
i've. As q stock country it is not excelled
i'll the world but it IS destined to be
equally renowned as an agricultural
region.
When the Blac1foot reservation is
thrown open, and Il railroad-either
from the east, north or south-hcads for
this section, the Marias and Teton (and
we might include the Milk river coun-
try will '4boom" in a way that Montana
has not heard of as vet. There is some
thing substantial upon which to build q
boom, and the railroad that first extends
its lines into the country named will
make a bonanza investment.
Considering the rapidity with which
the Northwest is settling up, it is not
possible that this inviting field can long
remain u~noccupied. With the reserva-
ton cut down the country would settle
up rapidly without a railroad, but when
the latter comes a aboomo Of an impetn-
u sort will follow. The first thing es-
sential is to throw open the reservation
to settlement. AS it affords 10 game
and is not occupied by the Indians it is
%nOlonger needed as a reservation, and a
Well-directed effort should result in ac-
complishing the desired end. Benton is
vitality interested III the premises, and
her citizens should by some means en-
deavor to convince Delegate Maginnis Of
the importance of securing the passage
OF the bill this session Of congress if at
all possible.