Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1889-08-10
MILK RIVER VALLEY.
a GREAT AGRICULTURAL ANN
GRAZING REGION,
More Agricultural Land Than in All the
Rest of the Montana Valleys Put >
Together-Opinions of the
Visitors.

The town of Chinook is but few
months old and in reality has attained its
present growth during the past two
months. 1t is finely situated near the
railroad dawes station on the old rail-
road maps) on high ground that over
looks the splendid valley surrounding
The old Fort Belknap Indian agency,
soon to be deserted, is distant but mile
and three quarters, across Milk river,
where substantial bridge has been erect
ed. The town has now two or three dozen
buildings and presents in general way
the customary appearance Of q new and
pushing western hamlet. Growth of a
substantial character has already set in.
Mr.. Thos. O'Hanlon is now building a
large stone business house, which he will
soon occupy. A kiln of good brick has
just been made and we are informed that
four or five structures of that material
will soon be commenced.
| But it is Of the surroundings more than
the town that we desire to speak. The
party were taken in conveyances first to
Mr.. O'Hanlon's wheat field near the Fort
Belknap agency, where they saw q crop
of No. hard that would make Dakota
farmer ashamed of himself. This grain
stands shoulder high, is even throughout
the field and in the opinion Of the experts
Of the party will yield not less than 40
bushels to the acre. The grain was sown
on the 9Th Of April and on account of the
dry weather prevailing at that time it did
not come up until May 9th. It had no
irrigation whatever, save from the clouds.
Adjacent to the wheat field was "patch"
of several acres of potatoes that will yield
400 bushels to the acre. Last year 900
bushels to the acre were harvested from
the same ground. The field was never
irrigated. The most surprising thing of
all was still to be seen in the same en-
closure-a volunteer crop of something
like three acres Of oats. 1t stands thick
upon the ground and will make an aver
| age yield, No irrigation. The party
was next driven for mile or two through
an immense natural, unlnclosed meadow,
from which bountiful crop of hay had
already been harvested. No irrigation
This evidence Of the productlveness Of
the Milk river valley was so convincing
that no room for doubt was left. Taken
in connection with the luxurant growth
Of grass on every hand, not only ut this
point, but for miles up the valley through
which we passed--it showed the Milk
river valley to be, in comparison with
other portions of the territory, a veritable
garden spot.
No portion of Montana is anything
like as inviting this year OF unprecedent-
ed drouth or can show greater material
progress in the past year. The range is
in good condition from the Big Sandy to
the mouth of Milk river, a distance of
300 miles, and from the Canadian line to
the Missouri river. Into this section tens
of thousands of cattle, sheep and horses
have been driven this season and hun
ed. Not only this, but the large tract de-
scribed will be the feeding ground this
winter for thousands of head of cattle
from the Marias, Teton and Sun river
ranges, as well as from other portions of
the territory. But for this s'alkali DESERT"
rs described by Wilkeson in the New
York Times, the outlook for the stock
industry on the great northern ranges
would be gloomy indeed. 1t solves the
problem that has for some months stared
| the stockmen of northern Montana in the
face-where to find range feed for the
| large herds to carry them through the
winter. There is plenty of it in the Milk
river country and our stockmen are pref
ty certain to take advantage of it.
Wilkeson's "alkali DESERT is not only
proven to be q fertile agricultural region,
that will support a teeming population,
but in this year Of drouth throughout
the northwest, it promises to be the savior
of one OF our greatest industries.
Governor White, Chief Justice Blake
and all the members of the party were
delighted and amazed at what they saw.
Northern Montana WAS a revelation to
them. Its extent, Its rich soils, its i'm
mense ranges, its broad and fertile
valleys, Its rapid settlement and pro-
gress were all new and unexpected.
Col. Broadwater, who is familiar with
every lou VI lt3 Sdlu Ill Ills JuuSHoub
there is more agricultural land in the
Milk river valley than in all the rest of
the valleys Of Montana put together
'',This may seem like exaggeration," said
he, shut it is not. believe the state
ment might we'll be made stronger.
Governor White said to the TRIBUNE
that in his opinion nearly every 100 acres
Of land in the Milk river valley would
support family and that the time is not
far distant when northern Montana
would be by far the most populous por-
ton of the state.
Chief Justice Blake said this is des
tined to be q great agricultural region.
He had heard much about northern Mon.
tana and read what our papers had to say
of It, but he was not prepared for the rev.
citation presented. 1t exceeded his most
sanguine expectations.
Judge Hedges and other members of
the party spoke in the same strain, vying
with each other in proclaiming the great
ness of the new region opened up by the
Manitoba railroad. OF the Frank Wilke,
son letter in the New York Times there
was but one opinion--that it is an infa-
nous calumny, published for an Infamous
purpose, the writer depending wholly up
on his Imagination for his facts.
THE TENNIS COURT.
Great Falls Prepared to Strike Out in
| Good Style.