The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-08-25
GOVERNMENT LANDS.

The pioneer who has the energy TO
turn his face westward, and the perse-
verance and self reliance to make the
attempt, CT rtainly can not fail to succeed
in building up western home and ac-
curing for himself that independence
that every Individual who is fortunate
enough to live in this great and adj
vanced generation. and enjoy the
privileges of our grand, free, liberal and
enlightened government, is entitled to-
said pioneer, it IS wrong. Such persons
are not really pioneers, those entitled to
the appellation of pioneer are now
standing on the summit of the hill OF
life. and can look back over the now
smooth and easy road, made so by the
no less courageous and enterprising pro-
jectors of the great Pacific railroad lines
that now span the great American desert
and scale, with comparative ease, the once
almost impossible barriers, from the At
lantic to the Pacifc-the Rocky noun
tains. Yes, the pioneers who blazed
the trails, who penetrated the then track
less wilderness and made settlements
and homes in these beautiful valleys,
stubbornly surmounted every obstacle,
conquered and crossed with ease and
indifference those terrible barriers OF
nature, the swift and foaming mountain
rivers, and with courage seldom equaled
and never surpassed, planted little colo
MES here and there; in the face OF re-
Ientless and savage foe, who disputed the
advance of the white man with savage
stubbornness never before observed in
the early settlements Of America.
They well knew that the advance of civ
ilization had hitherto been resistless, and
unless stayed, would swoop over and
swallow up tkeir famous hunting grounds,
and take possession forever of their
matchless winter abode, where the buff
falo, elk and deer, their only subsistence,
fiocked and grazed during the winter
months in countless thousands in the
charming and sheltered valleys at the
base of the mountains. Realizing as
they did that the last struggle was at
hand, they determined TO make a last
and desperate struggle to shield and pro-
tect their beautiful and prolific hunting
grounds. their homes and the soil that
contained the bones of their fathers
from the polluted touch of the hated
and ambitious white man. In this strug-
pie. covering a period Of upwards of a
quarter OF century, many pioneers
have fallen; those who remain have sill
very locks, and looking back and remem-
bering the different stages through
which Montana has passed, first, the
covered wagons and tents, then the snug
and more secure log cabin with dirt roof
and floor, and in due time the more COM
modious frame, and still later the sub
stantial brick and stone structures which
are now being erected in our cities and
towns, evince a substantial evidence OF
growth and wealth not observed in the
early settlement of any other state or ter
ritory in this short space of time.
Yes, come on. The pioneers who re
main bid you welcome, and are happy to
have been the instruments through
whose energy and perseverance civiliza-
ton has been enabled to extend its
SWAY to the summit of the Rocky noun
tains. Come on, for with your help
much remains to be done. The treasure
box of tie nation is only partially open.
Increased exertions are necessary to in
crease the great stream Of wealth that
constantly flows from orr matchless
mines. Our herds must increase to feed.
and our flocks must multiply to furnish
raiment for the millions who congregate
eastward. You will observe by the table
here presented, that of the $4,000
acres of land in Gallatin county only
about 44S, 100 acres have been fled upon
by settlers of all classes.