The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-01-04
From the Holiday Salt Lake Tyibunel
DEER LODGE.
The University City of the Territory of the
Northwest.
Surrounded BY Rich Plaeers and Fertile Re
gion.


Deer Lodge is forty miles north of Butte
Is the county seat, and has a beautiful loca.
ton. The town is on the east side of the
river, which at this point Is stream 100 feet
wide. In early days 1t was the great central
business and distributing point for the placer
mining of the country, and then the annual
purchases of gold dust aggregated about
81 900, coo. Such gold came from districts
now within the boundary lines of the county
Since then Silver Bow county has reduced
the size of Deer Lodge county, and yet the
county remains large one.
DEER LODGE
still remains place of much wealth and
Importance. 1t has a population of / 500, II
is estimated, while the county has q popula.
ton of about 10, 600. The buildings are largely
wooden structures, while there are many ex-
cellent brick and stone houses. In 1882 at a
closely contested election there was polled
l,6H ballots, since which there has been a
large increase of inhabitants. Settlers on
ranches, men employed on the railways, and
the building of the new town of Anaconda,
have given large increase of population
within the past year. The taxable property
of the county for 1882 aggregated assess
ments on S3,303, $3.50.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
VI DstI LOuEe iHuC0 importance TO the
town. The Montana peuitentIary is sub.
stantial two-story stone building, containing
fifty strong iron cages in which to cOnfine
prisoners. Outside of this are numerous log
and frame buildings used as offices, shops,
cook rooms, and other requisite purposes.
In the penitentlary eighty prisoners are con-
fped, four of whom are in for life, and the
oAhcrs range in time of sentence from six
months to thirty years. L. G.. Creel, the
warden, employs seven guards. Although
under an excellent system of discipline and
watchfulness, it is a wonder that prisoners
do not escape. The pententiary Is simply
enclosed with high, tight board fence,
which really amounts to nothing almost in
keeping men on the inside. 1t is the con-
slant vigilance of the guards and fear of
the lead within their guns which keeps
desperate men thore The Territory should
have suitable walls take the place of the frail
fence.
THE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
has a commanding location on fiat of eieh.
teen acres, belonging to the association. The
building is large two-story and basement
brick structure. Rev. j. ID. Mcmillan so
well known in connection with church and
school work, is ut the head of the institution
and three teachers are at present employed
The school is an excellent one, receiving
pupils from the town and other places, and
providing home for them while in attend
ance. lt Is under the auspices of the Pres
byterian church.
THE CATHOLIC SEMINARY
is large three-story building, and Is con-
Quoted by Sisters, graduates of the Leaven-
worth, Kansas, Convent. The schools well
managed, and has a fair attendance.
ST. JosEPHs HOSPITAL
is a two-story frame house. also MANAGED nv
four Sisters. Accommodations are provided
for forty patients 1T a time During 1891
hnnHFpl IN tod nd
ed excellent attention. Dr.. Mitchell Is at
tending surgeon and physician. Many char
ity patients are cared for, while the fees for
those able 10 pay range from $40 TO Sl5 per
week, including everything.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CT Deer Lodge are well graded and employ
competent corps of teachers. The same sys-
tenn of grading in use in Eastern public
schools is employed here.
CHURCHES.
There are Episcopal, PRESBYTERIAN and
Catholic denominations, each of which have
good chapels, while the Christian or Camp
bellite Society holds meetings in the court
house
This being the county seat, a good frame
court house and brick Jail affords conven-
fences for holding court offices for the yari-
Gus county officials, and safe keeping for
prisoners
Many of the private residences of Deer
Lodge are models of neatness and comfort,
and there is home-like appearance about
all which makes the town charming place
To visit. The climate usually il delightful
for place of its altitude, which is .5i6 feet
above sea level
BUSINESS.
The general business of the citizens is rner-
stock raising, farming, banking,
dealing in implements, hotel keeping, etc.
. The NV. Lowell Wagon Company and
the Pacific Wagon and Implements Company
each have branch houses here, and do an ex-
tensivs business in the sale of their class of
goods.
Donnell, Clark & Larabie are the bankers.
During the year 1888 they purchased gold
dust to the value Of Sl25, 900. This gold came
from the placers of Beartown and Elk Creek.
In early days placer mining furnished all the
sinews of business In this portion of Mon
lana, and the banking house alone named
handled dust annually to the value of over
81 100000. In the gathering of metal from
ower Deer Lodge valley to upper Silver Bow
creek, Butte City gets the product of Silver
Bow creek, which is small in comparison
with earlier days. Quartz lodges are being
developed in various parts OF the county,
md ere long will become one of the great
industries.
AGRICULTURAL.
Wheat, oats and vegetables grow to per-
ection in this valley where water can be
lsed for irrigating. Deer Lodge valley is
'ne Of the prettiest in all Montana, but its
oil Is not noted for extreme richness and
ret the successful raising of crops and efforts
attending stock raising is enough to encour-
lge emigration Of persons seeking homes
Adjoining Deer Lodge on the north is Will |
ow Run farm, owned by Mr.. Larabie, who |
las taken deep interest in stock raising |
The 800 acres have been improved, and il |
managed TO the best advantage for thorough |
breeding of fine horses. Fifty selected brood |
mares have been kept there, and the stables |
contain eight blooded stations. Shetland |
ponies are also bred. The value of this farm |
md stock amounts to probably 100000, and |
5 the result of judicious investments and |
of the business. Mr.. Larabhe en-. |
jagged in this enterprise through love of |
lorses and rs a recreation, needful in his |
,anking business. He in owner of some of /
he best and fastest animals in Montana. He |
ately sold large number of animals, and Is !
his stock because they require more |
ttention than he wishes to devote to them.
All up and down the valley we find large /
tock ranches, with cattle and horses look
ng as sleek and fine as any TO be found in
ther localities
THE TIMER INTEREST
{ Deer Lodge county is an important one,
he hills on either side of the valley being
overed with dense forests of pine and fir
numerous saw mills and the wood supply
or fuel afford employment to a large force of
zen and teams.
The Utah 81 Northern runs through the
ntire county from south to north, and its
oming has given new life to all industries
We have spoken of some OF the business
Enterprises in Deer Lodge and its beauty rs
Quiet town; there are many more things
re might say in its interest The New
IoRTH WEST, published by Capt. j. H.
ILLS, is an ably edited weekly paper, which
as done much towards making the resources
this locality known, and aided in peopling
20 country with good class of citizens.
Is editor is one of the most genial gentle
len found anywhere, and he has the interest
the country at heart.
The McBurney House is the best kept hotel
-e know of anywhere, being neat and clean,
nd has the best prepared tables in the coun-
y. Its guests love to linger there and are
yer afterwa'd DIS profuse in its praise.
Our outline of Deer Lodge town and of the
onnty is far from complete, but we have
lid enough to give the reader to understand
lat here are industries which are vast in ex-
mt and openings for many more, to give
MI a.,t 49,. a.. 4