The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-29


Cottonwood, located about midway
between the Judith Gap and Judith
mountains, in one Of the many unsur-
passed agricultural valleys Of the Ju-
dith Basin. is good example of the
rapidity, with which settlement, with
superior natural advantages at its com
mand, will develop and grow in this
unequaled wealth producing territory.
In the spring Of 1883, it WIS our
good fortune to traverse the length of
the famous Judith Basin. Nature,
with her wand Of productivcness had
made this, so styled desert land, "blos-
som like the rose;" the luxrriant
growth of grasses of all known native
varieties surpassed any we had ever
seen in any portion Of the United
States, while the variety of wild flow
ers presented a scene to view which
would repay one for travelling many
miles. Yet in this garden 9pot Of
Montana, we travelled for miles Without
having our sight Obstructed by a single
habltation OF man, until Cottonwood
creek was reached, where issolated
and alone stood a small frame house
and log shack-the nucleus of a CON-
ing city. Before the fall of 1884,
had set in, VIM. W. Dewitt, after
travelling over a large portion of the
territory looking for place to embark
IN the mercantile business, arrived at
creek, and Immediately
to locate there, for, with
the judgment OF an sold timer" he
was satisfied that the natural resources
Of the valley and surrounding country
would make it good point. Under
the firm name Of Chas. Lehman * |
Co., he went to work, and with the |
opening of the spring of '84 had ex |
pended several thousand dollars in
a store, blacksmith shop.
hotel, stables. graneries and ware
houses. The store was stocked with a /
arge invoice Of goods, consisting of
everything known to be needed for
and use in a country Of
such varied resources, yet the rapid
of the valley necessitatcd
is increment and now the stock of
his firm invoices 100000.
To-day the town Of Cottonwood
contains twenty seven buildings and
me OF the best schOOlhOuses in
deagher county (which at present is
'nder the able charge of Miss Earl. a
ady of considerable experience). while
he valley is settled from the source of
Cottonwood creek to its confluence
vii, the Judith river.
Several parties. among them Leh-
nan X Co., are opening irrigating
Iltches onto the surrounding table
inds, which will render them as fine
gricultural lands as the Valleys
Seventy five bushels Of oats and 20
{ wheat to the acre was the average
'r last years harvest, most of which
as been purchased by the Cotton
ood merchants necessitating the
rection OF large granery.
Three saw mills have been built on
he head Of streams that rise in the
nowy mountains. all of which are
ear to this embryo city; the Big
asino. W. II. Watson, proprietor,
lough destroyed by fire last fall will
e running by early spring; J. c.
'aiker has mill OH Rock creek and {
'ulnly X Bernard on Beaver creek.
Every requirement on the part of .
iture to make locality healthy and
'oductive are here to be found. the
ater IN particular being unusually |
lre
Lehman * Co., not contenied with
'eir fast increasing business. are max :
& arrangements to reach out over
rs and adjoining counties for trade .
the spring, and propose to enlarge
eir store to double its present capa-
ty to be better able to handle the Il
lslness they are sure to secure. Enter
Use is the making Of any new country. .
III the example of this FIRMS push :
ID energy should stimulate even pri- o
te residents 10 ''rustle" in the inter
Of their adopted home. >,