The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10

tlG Ud4i WdS 1dGSC1A
no tame, kid glove, formal affair, either;
our slumbers were occasionally broken
in upon by the firing OF revolyers IN
the street-and altogether the impress
sion fastened itself upon our mind next
morning that we had arrived at a place
of some life and ''get-up,' where the
general business stagnation had not sap
ped the energy and ambition of the
community.
The town of Choteau is but a year old,
having been plated and laid out into
town lots by Messrs. Hamilton d Haz-
lett a year ago the past fall. 1t was for
merly known as. Old Agency, the Piegan
agency having been located in the val
ley near by prior to the changing OF the
boundaries of the reservation. The
town has grown not a little in the past
year and now stands next in Importance
| to Fort Benton in the county. The fact
that at the late election they polled l52
votes at this precinct is a fair indication
of the progress that has been made.
The situation is beautiful in the ex-
IRENE. The Teton valley here widens
out and the cut banks, SO common along
this stream, are not to be seen. For a
distance of several miles above and be-
low the town the valley is a beautiful
one and affords room for a host of set
tiers. Many of the ranches are well
~ .roxyoI hninr nuynnl hv mon who
have cattle on the thousand hills ada
cent.
The of Choteau are such as
will make it a good town. one that will
grow with the development of the u
try. 1t is the headquarters of a great
many cattle men and is fast becoming a
center for wool growers. Over 25 200
sheep have been driven into that section
this year, within a radius Of SO miles of
Choteau, showing that the country must
afford great advantages for the develop
ment of this industry. Choteau is pre-
eminently a stock town. where the cow
boy in all the glory of chaps. spurs.
broad-rimmed hat, Colts unfailing
and other paraphernalia, can be found,
together with a general sprinkling Of
the mild-mannered shepherds. These
as a rule earn good wages and spend
their money freely, SO that there is pro-
badly as much cash in circulation at
Choteau, or more, than in any other
town in the territory, in proportion to
population.
Nearly all branches of business are
represented. The buildings are new,
and many of them very neat, frame
structures, most of them erected the past
season.
Hamilton & Hazlett are the pioneer
merchants and proprietors Of the town
site. They carry a large stock of gen
eral merchandise and their annual bust
ness is enormous. We can now form
an idea of what becomes of the train load
aftar ~ain 1cad of merchandise that is
sent out from |. u. Baker & Co. during
the season for Hamilton & Hazlett. It
used to be a puzzler to us. Mr.. HaZlett
informed us that their business the past
year was much greater than ever before
and it will doubtless continue to grow
with the development of the magnifi-
cent surrounding country.
Mr.. S. Cohen, manager for M. Silver
man, has a neat store, established about
a year ago, carries a stock of general
merchandise, and is evidently doing a
good business.
There are two hotels, the Valley and
Choteau house, both good buildings and
well conducted establishments. Jas.
Armstrong is now mine host of the
Valley house and proprietor of the fine
stable in connection. George Richards
presides over the Choteau and is a popu-
lar and affable landlord. A large
livery and feed stable is run in connec-
ton with the house.
Messrs. Downes & Waldstadt, of this
city, have recently opened a clothing
house at Choteau, and have quite a
handsome little store, well stocked with
everything in their line. They report
trade good, and their business venture
will no doubt be a successful one.
Garrett & Schmidt have a first class
saloon, their building being n of the
best in town, with an excellent hall
overhead. These popular gentlemen
are doing an immense business. The
hall will soon be occupied by Masons
and Odd Fellows, who are taking steps
to organize lodges at that place.
Vulcan is represented by Peter Ber-
trang and P. Ell. Knowles, who have
fine shops and enjoy a good patronage.