The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-12-04
Our Kjbby Correspondence.
Bits of News Along the Little and
and Big Otter.
The New Settlers are Making Com
Portable and Happy Homes.
These Valleys will Soon Blossom as
the Rose.
Jottings BY the Way

EDITOR OF THE LEADER:
Owing to press of business and neces-
sary preparation for winter, l have al
lowed the Kibby column of your highly
esteemed paper to remain vacant for
some time, but with forgiveness prom
Use eternal fidelity for the future.
During the last ten days of November
business called me among the pilgrims,
or the new corners of the last season. MY
first call was On E. F. Barnum, who is To-
Gated on the Little Otter just above its
outlet into Big Otter. Though Mr.. Bar
mum has been with us for over year,
his wife and children only came last
spring. He is putting up a new building
main part with an ell, which is almost
completed and the intention is to supply
the weary with a good shake down, feed
the hungry on their way from Great Falls
to Barker and Neihart camps. l found
Mrs. Barnum and daughters educated
and accomplished, generous and hospit-
able. One of the sons has taken up a
ranch on the bench and judging from the
amount of Improvements made at home
and on this ranch, they have come to stay.
They are from Minnesota and Mrs. Bar
mum is fond of telling how her health
has improved since coming to this part of
Montana.
Leaving Mr.. Barnun's l went over on
Big Otter, above Ridley's sheep ranch
and there I was.surprised. Where one
year ago, or as late as last spring, there
was not house or family below Hayes
summer sheep ranch, now it is settled
community, consistingof six families and
nineteen children, ranging from one tc
twenty years of age. AS these families
came in late they have only been able tc
build log houses, do some breaking anG
fencing and at present are cutting timber
getting out posts, rails and logs. as they
have only three mile haul and can make
two trips day easy.
| found W. W. Corbett was graduate
of an eastern university, highly educated
and with very accomplished wife, also
James S. Lee from st. Paul, where HI
published a Scandinavian paper for years
All of these settlers said they were hap
py with their ;hange and full of hope fo
the future. After leaving this settlemen
1 went up on the bench toward the heat
of Sims canyon. was more than sur
prised; as far as the eye could reach ther
was a cabin in every coulee close to
running spring. Most of these are young
men from the east whose families ar
still there. They are getting ready 70
them in the spring.
Well do | remember how last spring il
April, an outfit came along, stopped a
our ranch and enquired for vacant land
l told them if they meant business
would jump on my horse and pilot then
,. within an hour to rs good land and waite
as ever was furnished in the Garden Q
Eden. AT that time there was not a cal
) in in sight. Today, presto, change, sci
tiers everywhere and all that converse
with me spoke of their prospects in flat
: tering terms. They have all been abb
v to raise what potatoes they need for us
e and seed the coming season, despite tn
dry summer and late planting. Anon
this number is one John 3. Taylor who's
t hospitality l enjoyed for a night, SUI
l rounded with fine outbuildings, with
good house, a happy wife and health
children--why should he not look th
picture of enjoyment?