Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1888-03-01
WHAT SMAllEv SAYS.

You have n line country south ol
Great Falls in the Judith basin. |
Travelled across it three years ago III IA
wagon. The basin cont aims the larg-
est area of agricultural lands to he
found in body in any part of Mon
tana. IL is well watered 10y numerous
creeks which head in the Belt and
Snowy mountains, and Is the best
grassel country in the territory. 1t
would now support n railroad and n
railroad would ut once double its
population and products Smalley,
in Great Falls Tribune.
The above is well said. The Judith
Basin and Fergus county entire need
no false booming. Its rapid growth
and wonderful resources are quite
generally known. Any statements
that misrepresent the facts and lure
the unemployed into II region where
their condition cannot be improved
are vicious and unworthy OF decent
journalism. Capitalists and town
site boomers are frequently actuated
by no other motive than the sudden
and large accumulation OF wealth.
They strike while the iron is hot, let
ting the sparks fly where they will
In the cooling process if some one gets
left it is not the boomer. Mr.. Smalle!
may have been hired to write some
thing for the Tribune's boom edition.
il so it was perfectly legitimate as he
makes his living by his pen, and ii he
is as truthful in other statements
as he is in speaking of the Judith
Basin then Mr.. Smallcy can be con
sidercd a conscientious writer.
Ii Mr.. Smalley would pass through
the Basin now he would find great
change. A new county has been or
ganized since then and the population
has nearly doubled. Land has beer
broken and II great many improve
ments made by our ranch, cattle and
sheep men. But in u region tire,
times as large as the state OF RhOd,
Island, and every foot oil land fit foi
something, it would be difficult fol
any writer, however gifted, to hastily
do it Justice. Surrounded on all side.
by mountains, with innumerabl,
streams seeking common centre, II
their ceaseless flow, it is indeed well
watered. In fact there is not n bencl
in the Basin, however extensive, but
can be watered by irrigation or arte
sian wells when demand for othel
products than hay are made upon TIA,
soil.
The time is not far distant wheI
Fergus will lead all other counties il
the number OF sheep, cattle and horses
The growth OF these industries in tn,
past three years makes no other con
clusion possible. unfailing water
and feed will guarantee permanency
to -t7-ita stock interests. This section
is better adapted to horse raising
than any other in Montana.
Our gold and silver mines are young
in development but rich in product as
regards the ores. The advent of 4
railroad into the basin will so cheaper
the transportation OF machinery that
mining will be carried on in a mors
extensive manner. With mills oil
large capacity low grade ores can b,
worked ut Il profit.
There are large fields of bituminous
coal in the county which will equa
any found in the Territory. As there
is no demand for it wood beinl
abundant-it lies unmined but not
unknown.
TO properly develop all OF thes.
resources and enjoy thrift and tn.
advantages of civilization, we need
"a railroad. A railroad creates bust
ness by building up towns, bringing in
immigration, and making n demand
on the resources OF the country. To
produce more than can be consumed
is folly. With increased population
and low rates and quick transit to
large cities our ranchmen could realize
something from their agricultural
products, and increase their acreag,
many fold. They are capable OF sup
plying all Montana.