Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-09-26
SMITH RIVER AND CHESTNUT.
Who and What the Tribune Man Saw
i'll these Beautiful and Prolific
Sections.

Not the least among the arabic lands OF
northern Montana are those lying in the
Smith river and Chestnut valleys. In
both of these valley are thousands of
acres of land that are only awaiting for
the farmer to come here and pillow the
land and raise crops that cannot be beat
in any country. There seems to be a gen
| eral impression among our farmers that
they do no have time to do any fall plow-
ing. This is all wrong. 1t will pay them
to take the time to do it, for there is not
sufficient time for blowing and harrow
ing grain in the spring. An expert
| enced farmer in the Chestnut valley, and
one who has for years experimental in
farming in northern Montana, told me
that he was often able to sow his grain in
the month of February, but this can not
be done if the blowing isleit until spring,
This same gentleman told me that he
had been very successful in raising his
cops without irrigation and he speaks of
a number OF years experience and he has
also told NE that he considered the bench
lands even better than the bottom lands.
| On a trip up the Missouri river to the
Smith river and Chestnut valleys | took
occasion to go over the proposed road to
and from Great Falls to the Smith river
bridge, and so far as I could see it will
make a very practicable road, and in fact
will need but very little work done on it
10 make it a good road. There are no
steep grades, and loaded teams can travel
it without the least trouble. This road
will be of great value to the farmers liv-
ing in the Smith river and Chestnut val
leys who have grain to bring to the new
Touring mill at Great Falls.
The first ranch | stopped at on the Mis-
souli river was that of d. f. Wilson &
Bro. They have one Of the finest stock
ranches that | have ever seen. They have
it so divided that they have summer and
winter grazing for their cattle.
The next and last ranch on the Missouri
below Smith river is that of Jones & Ev-
ans, who have a sheep and horse ranch.
I found these gentlemen making hay, OF
which they have an abundant crop.
Mr.. Robert Vaughn has a fine horse
ranch at the mouth of Sun river, where
he raises some very fine horses and blood.
ed cattle.
Smith river valley isa very fertile coun.
try, and is peopled by a good class OF
farmers, whose homes are surrounded by
all the comforts of civilization.
While the bottom is not a very eSten
size one, there are a number of fine
ranches on the river, particularly those OF
} C. T. Brewster, - Jordan, VIM. Hop
kins, VIM. Boston and Geo. Colby Mr.
Colby has a most picturesque place ans
he has taken pains to fit it up in first
class shape.
Leaving Smith W ley by way Of HOUND
creek | entered Chestnut valley at Messr:
Reid & Burmeistcr's place. These gen
tlemen have sheep and have also done
good deal of farming, in which they have
been very successful.
The Chestnut valley is quite thick],
=. settled and will always be one of the bes
, feeders for Great Falls. There are tWt
postotices in the valley, II at DR.. James
: and the other at Ulidia.
Ulidia boasts Of a general store, a So
/. loon, restaurant and blacksmith shop. Th,
store is kept by Messrs. Dyas and Cor
ham, both very agreeable gentleman
t They are enjoying a good trade, and keel
5 in store almost everything that is needed
by ranclers.
While at Ulidia it was my pleasure tt
, attend meetings, held by Reverend il
Phenix, who is holding a series of reviv
ais in the valley, and sowing the seed o
righteousness in q good land.
Ameeting Of stockmen was held at tn
: store in Ulidia Thursday, at which Chas
: johnson was elected foreman Of the forth
: coming roundup.
RAMBLER.