The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-09-12

Railroads make some tOWnS; some
towns make railroads. Bozeman is nota
railroa,l-mafe town. It is natural trade
centre, being ut the head of the most fer
tile and extensive farming valley between
the Central Missouri river and the Will
lamette valley, in Oregon. Itisthe gate
way to the Yellowstone valley from the
west. It commands the tributary trade
of rich mineral districts and widely
extended stock ranges. Without rail-
roads Bozeman would steadily advance
until she attained . population ofsix or
eight thousand; with them it is highly
probable she will reach q population Of
10000. People generally are increiulous
about the possibilities of such a place us
Bozeman until they stand amazed at the
actual results.
Bozeman's present population lie $500
It is the county-scat Of Gallatin county.
The courthouse is one of the finest in the
West. A school house that cost $l5OOO
is inadequate, and the contract has been
let for the construction of another, to
cost as much. There are several fine
church editices. The Masonic fraternity
are erecting $4,000 hall. All lines Of
business are represented, and all are in
flourishing condition. The mercantile
houses carry heavy stocks. Stage lines
center at Bozeman, connecting it with all
the adjacent towns and settlements not
reached by railroad. Excellent brick are
made. and it is claimed there are more
brick and stone houses in Bozeman in
proportion to the entire number than in
any other mountain town. Lumber is
abundant and cheap. Though new build
ings are going up ON all sides, business
and resident sites can be purchased at
reasonable figures. Good coal is mined
out near the town, and it Is used nearly
altogether for fuel Though the sanitary
conditions are naturally good, Bozeman
will BOON be incorporated. when the
streets will be graded, and a sewerage
and drainage system established. Boze-
man creek, fresh from its parent fOun-
tains in the adjacent hills, meanders
through the town.
The A,unt Couries and BOzeman
CHRONICLE are now weekly publications
but will issue daily editions at an early
day. They are large, neatly-printed and
ably-edited sheets, worthily representing
the field they fill.
The Bozeman Board of Trade has been
regularly organized, embracing in its
membership citizens Of large business in
terests and marked enterprise. Walter
Cooper is President, J. S. Mendenhall
First Vice-President, Gen. L. S. Wilson
Second Vice President, J. V. Bogert Sec
retary, and Peter Koch Treasurer. Its
influence will be felt at home and abroad.
The Secretary will promptly answer all
communications asking information in
regard to different branches of business
and openings for investment.
The surrounding natural scenery is
picturesque and interesting. Thermal
springs, said to possess curative proper
ties, are within an hours drive. Mystic
lake is twelve miles from the town, in a
southeasterly direction, and is reached
by good road. 1t covers about eighty
acres, and its depths have not been faith
omed in places. The water is clear as
crystal, and palatable cold in the hottest
weather. On the mountains around
Mystic lake (and generally covering the
mountains in the vicinity of Bozeman)
are forests of lofty pines. Pleasant drives
may be had in all directions. A daily
line of first-class coaches will be run to
the National Park throughout the season
of touring.
All the water-courses are thronged
with trout, from the tiny speckled beauty
that darts through spring-currents that
could anywhere be stepped across to the
t"o-pounders that are taught in Mystic
lake and the rivers. Good hunting
grounds for large game are not distant;
though the local game law is stringent,
the result Of the wanton slaughter of buf-
falo, elk and deer in the recent past.
The National Park, with its wonderful
lake, 5000 feet above sea level and in
places of fathomless depth, stupendous
waterfalls, burning sulphur mountains,
mud volcanoes and mighty geysers, is
now universally admitted to be the great
est natural attraction in the world. The
nearest and most practicable route to the
National Park is by way of Bozeman;
and few of those who may go there by
other routes will find to visit Bozeman-
if they should do SO they would never
feel fully satisfied with their tour. The
route for an extension of the U. N. R. r.,
into the National Park has been surveyed
by way of Henry's lake and the Madison
river; and it is confidently asserted that
this road will be extended to BOzeman
by way of the West Gallatin river-thus
securing to the Montana division of the
U. P. X. r., share Of the in and out
travel to the geyser basinsfrom both the
Virginia and Bozeman sides. All agree
that the shortest and easiest route is that
from Bozeman by way Of the West Gal
latin.
The records of the land office show
that Ills land locations of 100 acres each
have been made in the Bozeman land
district. The per centage of entries out
side the Gallatin valley is small. Prob
ably 1000 entries have been made west
of the Yellowstone divide, covering 16O,-
600 acres. The grazing and arabic extent
of the Gallatin basin Including the lower
Madison and Jefferson) may be estimated
at 600 square miles, sufficient for 2,4OO
quarter-section locations, or more than
twice as many as have yet been made;
and then it may be assumed that not to
exceed ten per cent. Of the land appro-
priated has been put into a producing
condition. Irrigation is necessary, but
water for the purpose is abundant. The
soil is vegetable mold, enriched by
mineral fertilizers, and the yields of small
grains would seem incredible to Eastern
farmers. Ali the small fruits do well,
a.