The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-22
CREATION o. NEW cousT,es.

- ~ 'h' 'eiiiiiht iol III, aCilliS
= sion into the sis'erhood of -tetes: /,
n IKE ratio the rapid settlement am
increased valuation of the thirteen
counties, that as whole, make N,
+ the extensive area of Il3.176 sn,,ra
I miles, contained within the bonn
: daries of Montana. as an eco
nomlcal measure, need materi;,,
changing, not alone in the interest of
the people. but with an eve to the
development and growth of portions
OF counties. that at presen. are So
distant from the scat of court and
records Il. tn prove the most serious
draw back to settlement and advance
ment.
When Montana was established ms
territory. May 18th, 1864. it was the
intention of the general government
rs embodied in the us statutes. to al I
mt sad territory to statehood. so soon 4
as the census demonstrated that the
requisite number of inhabitants had
settled within its boundaries. Like
wise, when the thirteen counties nj
Montana were established. it was with
the understanding that whenever
anyone of such counties contained a
number ofpeople to warrant. ,
the county lines should be re-run. and !
new counties established subseryien. =
to the best interests of the Territory !
in general
A number of the present counties
when established, were settled only
N one portion thereof. the remain;nr
'rea beng attached, SO to speak. for n n
rdicial purposes, until such time rs !.
ettieme"t and development would 10
warrant self-gosernment. This is par- ia
icuiirlv true of Cnoteau. Gallatin or or
nj Meagher counties, which, TODAY -
re settled proprrtionately through. NO no
ut their area. In fact the then IL
nsef'ied portion contains far more
than did the whole county
date of organization.
Three years ago that portion OF ,
ailat'h county lying east of the ,,h.
stern spur of the Rocky mountains lar
as inhabited by less than 100 souls the
day it polls 7CO votes, equivalent Ne.
population. at the lowest estimate of I
1000 people. Three years ago You You
eaSher county was settled only in Rev
Missouri and Smith river valleys
a population of about 1900, TODAY
arly that number of votes are east
ing population with the low mott ii
'ltiple of y of 800; with fully e ea !
e-third of that number living east ana /,
the Little Belt mountains. where 'a"g
that time hardly white man was oh Al
be found the
coo,
The Sun River country has settled lion
rapidly that, in justice to residents '''''
territory, new county should
formed from portions Of Lewis D
Clark and Choteau. p,
'astern Gallatin, established IA a lane IAN
nty would be less extensive IN lers'
pie and county government, while eh,ri.
ould do much toward ASSISTING Oct
future prosperity of that portion -
he Yellowstone valley. "
ct, the one county that should 1dp
'ct the attention and impartial hasne
liberation of the members of the both :,
legislative assembly is that of work y
CHER. In comparison this county send 81
ans more available agricultural a abs ia,
grazing lands than any one other; nay Al
to population is by far
rgest IN area, being (extremes) u
miles long by 81. wide, and -
mig 62xl12. While all of the ~
= counties of varied resources, e
dimensions and goodly popu- ni4
are easy of access, either bv WIN
al or water. Meaghcr county and !.
ONieri
as are dependent upon inferior fescri
mes OF private conveyances, to 2. n