The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1885-09-23
THE CHOTEAU COUNTRY,
An Interesting Letter From Our
Correspondent in the Field.
The L1vel1esG Town IN Northern Montana
Its Business and Business Men
The Choteau Calumet-A
Bridge Wanted, ETC.

The drive from Sun River to Choteau is
cheerless one of thirty-five miles across
an unduating prairie, with not single
habitation TO be seen until one reaches the
Teton, in sight of the metropolis of that
stream
CHoTEAU.
Chote,.u continues to be the liveliest
little town in northern Montana. This
fact was evident during my visit, although
most of the cattle kings and COWBOYS
were either upon the drive or fall round
up, the latter having just commenced.
Since my last visit, less than year ago,
observed many substantial Improvements.
| counted twelve houses constructed dur
ing the past year, or in course Of erection.
OF these the new school house is a model
OF neatness and convenience. 1t is fitted
ont with the latest improved school furni-
ture and cost AS il stands nearly $4,000.
This temple Of learning speaks we'll for
Choteau and shows that the people are of
the liberal and progressive class. The
other new structures are mostly residences
and every one that is completed IS Occu-
pied, so that if the census of the town
were now taken it would show quite an
increase of population over last year.
THE BUSINESS HOUSES.
Messrs. Hamilton e Hazlett, who are
the principal merchants, inform me that
business with then. has been very satisfac-
tory this season, and / would judge that
this town has felt to very limited extent
the dullness that has prevailed elsewhere
throughout northern Montana. Money
seems to be plenty, and all who are in
business of any kind are doing well.
S. Cohen, manager for M. Silverman,
of Helena, carries quite a stock Of cloth
ing, tobaccos, novelties, ETC., and seems to
be doing fine business.
Gus. Walstadt, the clothier Of Choteau,
has neat little store and stock, and finds
his business growing in q satisfactory
manner.
Two notes.-the Choteau house and the
Valley house-cater to the needs and wants
of the public. Both are we'll conducted
and afford just such pleasant accommoda-
tions as the weary traveller cannot but en-
Joy. George Richards is proprietor of the
former house and John jackson Of the
latter.
Two first class livery and feed stables
are conducted by J. w. Armstrong and
George Richards.
There are four saloons in the town
those of Garrett & Schmidt, Bertrang &
Paisley, and the Choteau and Valley
house bars. All seem to be doing good
business, while the establishment OF Gar
rett & Schmidt is simply "coining money"
Chas. Lapage, successor to Peter Ber-
trang, and Mr.. Knowles are the village
blacksmiths. | am told that about round
up time it is nothing unusual to see hun
dred horses at these shops awaiting their
turn to be shod.
Near the head of the Teton d. j. Bur
nett has saw mill running in full blast
every day. He has lumber yard at Cho'
teau in charge Of Hamilton a. Hazlett
where the product Of his mill finds ready
sale.
THE CHOTEAU CALUMET.
must not overlook ChOteau's prospec'
tive newspaper. Mr.. w. I'll. Buck mas
moved here with his family, and, assisted
by Omer Gregg, is getting ready to issue
his paper. Some needed material has Jus
been ordered from Chicago, and IL will D.
at least month yet before Vol. !, NO.
is given to the public. The paper is 20 q
published by iointstock company. Whicf
has just been organized under the name
of the Choteau Publishing company In
following are the officers elected under
the temporary organization: President
A. r. Hamilton: vice president, w. K
Ralseon; secretary, e. G. Garrett; treas
urer, Ernst Crutcher; trustees, W.
Buck, Jacob Schmidt, JAS. w. Armstrong
S. G. Burd, Ed. Denis, and the tour ON
GERS above named. Young parents olle'
find it a herculean task to find just th
name they want for their hopeIul Als
born, but that Of naming village paper
particularly where so many have 1atiiel
" solicitude for it, is even q more diincui
and embarrassing undertaking. Al0e
considering and rejecting hundred, NOR
or less, appropriate names, the co'hpan.
finally came to Il conclusion day OF w.
ago, and the new candidate for puDh
favor will be known to the world In Whici