The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-10-30
Bits From the Country,

Ii one strays into the Belt mountain
country during these pleasant fall DAYS.
with view to note its development,
this fact soon becomes patent: The rust
ling Inhabitants are fully aware that the
new railroad is coming and that it means
an added prosperity for large district
In this vicinity. They have heard that
the smelter is coming to Great Falls, that
the dam is to be built and are eager to
share our prosperity.
The wealth of the mountains is wait
ing for the iron horse and business will
become lively when the railroad opens to
Belt, which the contractors say will be in
about a month.
AS one passes by the coal mines of
Messrs. Millard and Brown and riding
along, sees a similar rock formation for
miles, the lingering suspicion will not
vanish that the hills are full ofit There
may not be "gold dust in the mountains"
but unless our estimate be faulty, many a
miners heart will be made glad before
the treasure is exhausted.
AS we drove by the we'll kept acres of
j. L. Arlington one would hardly have
named the day Oct. 25. The crisp morn
ing air, tempered by warm sunshine
would encourage no longing for New
England's brightest September day, nor
make one desire the sun of any northern
cline from Boston to Spokane. All, my
eastein friend, you smile at this, you who
are crouching by your coal fires and con
graduating yourselves that you are far
removed from the tabled Montana biz
yards. Such conception is as far re-
moved from the truth as is the east from
| the west.
Many ranchmen may be found who
are not blind to their mineral wealth. A
little out of the ordinary line, Mr.. Robert
Bates shows specimens from leads which
will yield copperas, alum, saltpetre and
copper.
All along Otter creek improvements
are found. Houses are being erected
which betoken permanent settlers and
homes. A good example of enterprisine
industry may be found in the homes OF
our good republican friends Messrs. Lee
and Wall Here one may see fine tillage
land, good fences, warm stables, a big
hay stack, in short typical eastern home
with all its comforts. Whoever enjoys
the hospitality of the house and the boun
ties of the table will be sure to call again
In view of the discussion as to whether
crops can be raised upon our bench land
such as to amply repay the farmer, we
were led to make some inquiry in pass
ing over the higher land between Kibby
and Belt canyon. The rapidity with which
settlers are taking up and fencing this
section is not without significance.
Among the new corners may be men
toned Mr.. N. T. Wilson, who came there
last February and has now enclosed
twenty-five acres of rich bench lant
which returned him good yield o
wheat this year. He found healthfu
water at depth of twenty-four feet ane
will soon have fine ranch. In this vi
cinity T. A. Kelliher and Arthur Hal
raised large crops on similar sod.
1t seems that even in this dry season
yield of so bushels of oats to the acre wa
no uncommon thing. Mr.. Hutchison a
the head of Box Elder from 60 acres go
a return of 1000 bushels of oats and 1 1,10t
bushels of wheat.
One has only to go and see for himself
to be convinced once for all that much o
our bench land is valuable for agricul
tural purposes and one need no longe
seek the creek bottom alone for soil tina
will make large return.
Settlers are coming fast but there ar
hundreds of acres waiting for tiller.
The work in Belt canyon on the nev
road will occupy the greater part Of th
winter and its completion will be anoth
er example of railroad enterprise openin!
up valuable country.
The wealth of the mountains and tn
richness of the soil will call strong mel
who will put their hand to making th
new state.