, 1888-08-26
The Region About Lander, Fremont
County.
. Farming, Mining and Stock Rails
ing Section.
Something About a Country Little
Known.

~ d splendid agricultural region. The
growth of grass in the foothills and on
the mountains is luxuriant, and for this
reason stock raising is safe and profitable.
For a quarter of a centery precious metals
have been found beneath the surface of
the earth in that locality, ergo it is a min
ing region. Within nine miles of this
beautiful valley is a petroleum spring
from which this useful output of natures
laboratory flows in a constant stream,
hence it is an oil country. In prospecting
for coal a vein less than nine feet square
receives but little attention, and is dis
painfully referred to as simply a streak.
Within a short distance of Lander are
two hot springs of unquestioned medicinal
properties and healing power. Upon the
banks of these steaming cauldrous will
sometime be erected mammoth hotels and
as the climate of the section is salubrious
the lame, the halt and the blind will,
when facilities for transportation have
been provided hasten to these fountains
of life. The streams are filed with fish,
game is found in the mountains. On the
border of the world famed national park,
the country about Lander in many re
spects resembles that wonderful and soul
inspiring resort.
Those near-do-wells who think living
without toll the acme of existence would
stumble upon the desired goal in the
Lander valley. With little irrigation
vegetables, cereals and berries grow to
prize dimensions.
The Lander valley proper is watered by
the Big and Little Popo-a-gie and North
Fork rivers, streams of large volume and
innumerable creeks. With little labor the
water Is diverted from its natural courses
and made to assist natures other forces in
causing the products of the soil to spring
from ground but lately covered with sage
brush and g%reasewood.
For several years the farmers have de-
voted almost their entire energies to the
cultivation of oats, about the only market
able product. Ascending a mountain in
that region one may see oat fields until
the limit of human vision is reached.
Here aud there Is a patch of
barley for the brewer and for a variety in
the diet of the work horses. There is also
some corn, but frost appears too early for
that cereal. Popcorn natures and is not
imported. This fall considerable wheat.
will be threshed, but without profit to the
farmer, as nearly all planted goes as a
bonus to the Touring mill men. And a
word about this mill. 1t is now in course
of construction, but should have been
built several years ago. Since 1884 fully
100000 annually has been sent out OF
that region for flour, and wheat grows
there with as little care as the tame
grasses. This sum of course includes the
amount consumed by the 1000 Indians
occupying the Shoshone reservation, but
the unwise policy was sufficient to drain
almost any region. In the absence of a
grist mill the tillers Of the soil raised oats
until this product reached a minimum
price. Next year there will be less oats,
plenty of wheat and plenty of cash in cir
c~ulation at home. To insist upon the
placing of a Touring mill was a wise move
and an innovation demanded by actual
necessity. The plant will be in operation
prior to the LIST of December.
The Lander valley will become a famous
horse region, although the industry is not
at present conducted on approved modern
principles. Bronchos and Indian ponies
have been bred up until there are few
small horses in the country, but, as init
mated, there is still room for improvement
in this direction.
The improved cattle are Heretords :.and
Polled Angus. The beef is delicious, and
they are reputed free mixers. The In
dian and military beef contractors are
supplied from the ranges in the vicinity
of Lander.
Sheep had been well nigh forgotten.
Several of the largest individual flock
owners in the territory obtain all of their
supplies at Lander.
Such a region certainly invites immi-
grafton. The good land is not all taken
up. In fact the country is sparsely set
tied, with vacant tracts of vast area a
short distance from the streams, inviting
irrigation. Employment may be found
at the mines, on ranches, in the town and
at quarries and sawmills.
The country has drawbacks2 Yes.
One. 1t needs railway communication
with the outer world, and this want will
soon be supplied. Three great lines are
already heading towards Lander, and
iron will be laid within a few miles of
that place within eighteen months.
In a future issue something will be said
Of Lander itself. THE LEADER proposes
to acquaint the residents of Wyoming
with the great resources of the territory,
and to call the attention of the outside
world to its %prospects and the inducements