Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1890-08-07

miles, Big Sandy, 80 miles, and JUDITH
ON the Missouri river, II distance of
80 miles. II is the stage centre Tor All
this portion OF Montana, no less than
four stage lines making headquarters
here, with the prospect oi another
line coming in soon. 1t H. the financiai
and commercial centre rs well as the
main business point in thegreat judith
Basin and adjoining country, bounded
by the Missouri river on the north,
the Musselshell on the east and south |,
and the Belt mountains on the west
a territory 100 miles in extent north
and south 10y l35 miles east and west.
embracing the finest agricultural AMI
grazing lands in Montana.
The town is located upon the site al
old Camp Lewis. "A summer camp Tor
Unit ell States troops tn protect freight
err, on he Carroll road, from which II
derives its name. 1t was founded 10y
Francis \. .Ianeaux, one al the early
French pioneers and traders, who
came into Montana in the year 1899
in the interest of the American Fur
company. MIR. Janelux traded with
the Indians and half-breeds in North
ern Montana and Dakota and in the
Northwest Territory, following the
buffalo in their wanderings, until the
summer OF 1879, when he and Paul
Morase, accompanied 10y about sixty
families of half-breeds from Milk River
and Cypress Hill, came into the Judith
Basin. Mr.. .Ianeaux located upon the
land which now embraces the town OF
Iewistown, MIR. MOrase located land
adjoining and just above, while the
hali-breeds located claims on the small
creeks in the vicinity. Janeaux and
Morase were among the first white
settlers i'm the Basin. Major \. =
Reed and J. j. Bowles had already
located trading posts upon the creek
and made themselves notorious 10y
the lawess band OF hard cases who
freIuented their places, the former
lust above Lewistown, called his place
Reeds Fort, while Bowles was locate,
at the Clegg crossing, upon the Ian,
nov owned by Messrs. Moe and Wright
Reedsfort was afterwards purchased
by Messrs. Holzemer and Day, and i
now owned by Frank Day. Durln
the summer OF 1879 Mr.. Janeau,
built a stockade, for Indians and out
laws were numerous and troublesome
and i'm the fall he opened store am
trading post. In the summerSof lsS'
DIR. l.. A. Lapalme settled here, wher
he has resided ever since. In the sun
mer Oliver Pichette, who had bee
here he summer before with Janeau
and Morase, also opened store an
trading post. The first white iamil
upon the creek was that OF Robei
Sullinser. and their daughter Mimi
was the first white child born IN II
Judith Basin. In the summer OF lsS
DIR. I.apalme laid out the presei
townsite and named it l.ewistown, u
49,
known as Big Spring creek, the pos
office being Reedsfort. In 1883 II
townsite was surveyed by VIM.
Mcfarland, and n portion ol 1t so
to II. e. Power x Bro. From tn
time dates the prosperity oil Lew
town, and the wisdom al .laneai
making his selection began to mamie
itself. Mr.. .Ianeaux also sold ont !
store to the Powers, who Immediate
put in n good stock of general M
chaudise. At the session al the le.,
lature in January, 1883, was pass
the hill creating Fergus county out
the eastern portion oi Meashercoun
and ,lesiunat ing l.ewlstOwn rs I
county seat of the new county. Al
"a hill authorizing the county 60
mjssiOners of Meagher county to In
a jail here, which was done during
following summer. From that II
to the present T.ewistown has ha'
steady, substantial growth, withf
the assistance OF any boom, until
it has population close upon N
and business interests embracing
OF the leading lines, managed by n
OF ability. energy, and liberality.
The first school i'm the place ,
opened i'm 1850, with Edward Bras
as teacher. The teachers since &
havebeen Arthur Maritz,D.A. Meagi
Miss W. shipman, now Mrs. \.
Erickson, X. Won Tobel, w. Darl
Mr.. Miller, Lena r. Sanlidge, !
Mrs. ]. Holzemer, Miss Anna L.
isch, now Mrs. X. Won Tobel, Pro-
NJ. Parent, Miss Ella NJ. smith
Mrs. I. b. Dawkins. In 1889 the
trict voted to build a two-story b
school building, which was ere'
during the summer and aceepte'
January OF this year. II Is "a bea
ful building, occupying a most sig
location Oh the first bench Just nj
the town. 1t has four good no
besides the basement and an Office
the principal. Our people are u
proud OF their school facilities, wi
more than any other one thing
attracting attention to our town
drawing settlers, quite large nu'
OF young people from different
tions of the county having atte
school here during tile past year;
this summer several ranchmen
stockmen from the country hav
pjtiei their intention OF building h'
here that their children may emo.
advantages Of our schools, son
whom are now building houses.