Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-05-08
THE BITTER ROOT VALLEY.
Farming, Stock Growing and Mining
A Narrow Gauge Railroad Wanted
A Future CT Promise for Missoula.
Resume of Johu McCaferty's Cores.
pOndence.

UeT udy TcSc dt DItNeuSVllc Smlln Ce-
.. cided upon an immediate return to Butte
but as / was out for thorough examina-
tion of the entire valley l arranged for
further explorations. Parting, therefore
as disappointed stampeders ever should,
with, God bless you, old boyn Smith
climbed to the box seat, and, waving fare
well, quoted:
Yes, we both have had communings
Where, upon the mountain crest,'
we coppered the Ceeur d'Alene phantom.
As l had been informed that 10000
sheep were wintered in the Bitter Root
valley, felt an itching to visit one Of the
many camps. Accordingly, made trip
to the headquarters of Messrs Hobbins
and Hefernan. This ranch (they owning
several elsewhere is situated on the east
side of the Bitter Root river, 19 miles
south of Miasoula. They were busy ar
ranging for the lambing season, having
5000 ewes and requiring extra attention.
They have altogether about 5000 sheep,
divided into two bands. Owing to the
severity of the winter, they were obliged
to feed hay for about two months; and
while their sheep were exposed to the
winters storms, except so far as foothills
shelter, they lost only $50 head. If they
had been wintered in either New Mexico
or Texas, they could not have been in
| better condition. "The average of lambs
saved throughout the Territory is put at
! rs per cent, but" said Mr. Hobbins, I'VE
have, one season with another, averaged so
per cent, and, owing to our present ar
rangements, are expecting to save fully 80
per cent. this season" Their sheep will
average about 8 pounds of wool, but the
Territorial average is put at 5 pounds to
the fleece. In this section of Montana the
average price of sheep may be rated at
$3.50 before shearing, and $3.50 after
shearing. Many fine herds of cattle and
| several bands of well-bred horses range the
foothills, while the settlers own several
thousand hogs. With this showing, the
most skeptical must admit that the pasto-
raj resources of the Bitter Boot valley are
an important factor in the general showing
of the Territory.
In company with Mr.. Hobbins l made
an extended ramble along the foothills of
the eastern mountain range of the valley.
Among the many farms visited none
pleasedme more than the ranches belonging
to the Spooner Bros. Returning to Stevens
vile, Mr.. Hobbins spent the night with
me. After breakfast, as he was obliged to
return home, l bade him good-by, with
many expressions of gratitude for the
generous hospitality and brotherly atten-
ton which 1 had received.
Again leaving Stevensyille in the di-
rectiOn of the head of the valley, 1
journeyed southwark, zig-zagging from one
side of the valley to the other. Hating at
this or that beautiful farm just long enough
to Good morning, Madam may | trouble
you for glass of water" or Il beg pardon,
would necessarily add to my stock of in
formation. Among this class of good
people who ministered to my requirements,
| must not forget Lancaster, Flanagan, C.
Goff, E. Chaffin and Mrs Slack. Finally,
refining up at Corvallis, l camped for the
night This place is situated on the east
south of Stevensville. Its inhabitants
number about 200, and they claim to pos
sess the garden spot of the valley. 1t is,
indeed, a very pretty country village.
After enjoying a good breakfast mount
ed my nag and cantered away. 1t was a
delightful morning, and the warblings of |
the meadow larks brought back the home
of other days
Those fond dreams of boyhood,
Like rosebuds in wildwood
Boomed, then withered!"
Reaching the "Big Corral" or as it is
more properly named, Skalkaho, late in
the evening, l put up for the night, in
fact, l remained two days. This station is
now the southern terminus of the Bitter
Root stage line, and it may be regarded as
the head of the valley, as the several
ranges intersect each other just
north of the town. 1t is quite an outfit
ting station for prospectors. Owing to
rumor of pay dirt being struck on the
upper Bitter Root, the place was in state
of excitement About forty men were out
fitting for the new gold field, and as K.
Nichol said, This town may yet develop
into Butte or Helena" Who knows?
As had now seen the entire valley, and
having been informed that there was one
placer claim in operation on Three Mile
creek, | concluded to take it in before ar
irving at final conclusions. Therefore,
by the foothills of the
eastern range, / finally halted at the
camp on Three Mile creek. Five earnest
men, old settlers in the valley, were hard
at work. They had made one run which gave
them an average of S5.25 per man. They
had just broke ground, which, from the
pan tess, would return them far greater
result. These men have no occasion to go
otf on senseless stampedes; they have the
mineral field for successful operation with