The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1884-02-07
OUR STOCK INTERESTS.
The woo-Growing Industry in the Vicinity Of
Eaiden.---lnteresting Notes and Valuable
Statistics
From Our Special Correspondent
LETTER No. 8.


been the increase Of sheep in this ter
ritory during the last five years. But
still more impossible does it seem if
we consider the increase in this partic-
ular locality.
L remember well when first l came
to this section, in September, 1881,
there was but one small band of sheep
in the lower Judith and Maginnis coun-
try, and but little did / realize that the
present facts could be attained in so
short time In little more than two
years the most important sheep section
of Montana has sprung into existence,
and a careful perusal of the following
facts will show that Maiden is actually
in the centre of the most houIishing
wool-growing portion of Montana.
Being informed that the Brooks &
Hilger sheep company was the oldest
and most extensive here, we mounted
blackboard, and after ride of 20
miles in a northerly direction from
Maiden, we landed at the model sheep
ranch of the territory. This company
is composed of the Brooks Bros. and
/ Mr.. David Hilger who is the general
manager, and finding Mr.. III. at home,
we were soon shown the premises, and
made acquainted with the various ifs
and why's of sheep management. The
company was organized in October,
1881, and have now 500 high graded
sheep, and a splendid lot Of Campbell
| bucks. imported by Paris Gibson, of
Fort Benton and sold to Messrs. B. & H.
at an average price of $50 per head.
Their sheep shed is entirely con-
structed Of lumber, the dimensions
bein 175 by 125 feet with a fence five
feet high and sheds on three sides,
making Il total length of 425 feet by q
feet wide, capable of covering 5000
sheep. The stables, storehouse and
other out-buildings, are extensive, and
last but not least, is a frame house of
six rooms and is the best and costliest
house in the lower Judith.
We were shown large dipping apa-
ratus and stock of 5000 pounds OF
tobacco, which Mr.. Ii. informs Ills Is the
best property Il sheep man can own,
scab or no scab. This band Is perfectly
clean but Mr.. II. advances the theory
that dipping in tobacco once after
shearing will increase the growth OF
wool to more than twice pay for the
dipping, and in the eradication of scab
it surpasses all compounds ut present
known.
This company has a wether band on
Dog creek, also Il lumber shed of large
dimensions. Mr.. III. informs us that
they have used $1,000 feet of lumber
in building improvements. They will
market their wool ut Fort Clagget, on
the Missouri river, and estimate clip
of 81 900 pounds.
Leaving Messrs. B. & II. we drove in
a north-ensterly direction, over roll
ing country for six miles, and landed at
the ranch of Mr.. Jacob Gerde, who has
1900 sheep and considerable improve
ments, considering the time here-since
September. His sheep are doing well
and so far, has sustained no loss worth
speaking off
Four miles further up the creek, is
the ranch of Mr.. w. Z. Swope, who has
., 800 splendid sheep, good range and
extensive improvements. Mr.. ). Is a
sheep man from the word go, and thor
oughly understands the business. Mr.
S. like Messrs. Brooks and Hilger, is q
bachelor, or rather fish at large, anX
iously waiting to ''hook on" to the Wis
ionary comforts of married life-that
is, Il maiden to help share their plum
der-may success crown their eXertions
Four miles further up the creek /:
the home Of Mr.. G. W. Cook, who has
1850 sheep, all ewes and well graded
They look well, considering the distance
they were driven last year-from Cali
fornia. Mr.. C.'s house is a good one
has large lumber sheds. His family
consisting of wife and four children, are
all we'll pleased with their new homo
Mail facilities and school house are
the essential requirements for Dos
creek, now.
Three miles further up the creek j!
the Dog creek ranch of Messrs. Brooks
e Hilger, before alluded to.
Mr.. G. w. Sample is located on Plum
creek on the west side of the Nortl
Moccasin, has large lumber shed, al
unsurpassed range and 300 wei
J graded sheep.
Mr.. VIM. Fergus is located on Bo,
Elder, has Il splendid lumber shed,
large, roomy house, extensive anC
permanent out-buildings and 5000 wei
graded sheep. Mr.. F. emIgrated from
Scotland two years ago and as a pilgrim
Is one of the most successful sheel
managers in this section. He has
large and interesting family that wi
prove comfort and support to his dc
clining years.
Two miles further down the creek
p / tl,, r,,,,.l, ,f AIassr- Rlop.h1rd A. Pa,