The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-11-12
HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN'S PARADISE
Many Fine Farms Near DemersvilIe,
the Metropolis of the Famed
Valley.
The Great Northern Extension Will
Open This Country to the World
in the Spring.

~ J'@' "'Nt ~
believe that Great Falls holds out better
inducements than any other place in the
west, we give the following description Of
that region, as culled from "Flathead
Facts" The building of the Grea,
Northern extension will cause IA great III
i1ux of people to this county next year:
The Flathead country must be seen to
be appreciated ard all manner of descrip-
ton can not do justice to that favored
region. The visitor to that locality is as
tonished at its magnitude and leaves the
country so favorably impressed that he at
once contemplates returning to it and in
vesting In 1t landed wealth.
1t is not the purpose OF the writer OF
this article to go into minute details, but
rather to give n general description of the
country-its lakes, its rivers, its immense
forests of timber, consisting of red and
white cedar, cone, fir, pine, birch, ana
balm of Gilead, its vast coal fields and Its
unsurpassed soil.
About one mile above the point where
the south fork of the Flathead river
empties into the north fork, it is met by
the middle fork, and the waters of the
two rivers commingle and contribute to
the vast volume of water carried by the
north fork of the Flathead river. This
magnificent river rises in the British
possessions and its general course is
south through mountains and lakes
and just before Its turbulent passage
through Bad Rock canyon, it re
ceives the waters of White river,
'thro' the woodland and the mead
ow.' then out they come and go
'to join the trimming river This
splendid river, after passing through the
canyon, is foaming and violent until after
receiving the waters of Maple or White
Fish and saltwater rivers from the north,
a distance Of some 40 miles, and from
the mouth of the saltwater. for some 40
miles, it forms a vast bayou, flowing
smoothly. calmly and %serpentinely until
it makes its confluence with Flathead
lake, whose outlet is the Pend d'Oreille
river. The lake and river system is
Clarke's south fork of the Columbia.
sit is on this river that vast coal beds
have been but recently found, immense
in quantity and rich in quality, INT rich
in carbon. Ii is claimed that anthracite.
bllultlLHbls duu ut"u lcgHlle CIftl dDDulu
and good evidences of the existence of
coal oil is abundant. Fair prospects of
gold and silver ore have been found, and
good indications of placers are said to
exist in streams tributary to White river.
On these mountains and on the margin
of streams, lakes and rivers are immense
forests of deciduous and evergreen trees.
Huckelberries, raspberries, ~gooseberries,
plums, currants and wild cherries are in
digeuous to the country.
At Bad Rock the country opens out in
a series of splendid valleys, having an
average of some fifty by twenty miles.
The soil is 4 rich sandy loan, and the
sub-soil is a hard clay pan. Good crops
of all the cereals have been successfully
raised, and vegetables are unsurpassed in
quality or quantity. The climate is mild
sni not susceptible to sudden changes,
the Japan current giving warm chinooks
in winter. This the gem of all Montana
valleys; its beautiful lakes, charming
landscapes and grand mountain scenery
all cOuspire in adding their several
charms. Without doub: this Is the best
watere3 country. the richest soil and the
finesttimber in Montana. The mountains
Az full OF game and the lakes and rivers
teeming with the choicest variety of fish.
In addition it may be stated that Flat
head lake is one OF the finest bodies of
water to be found in the mountains, it be-
ing 81 miles long and 10 miles wide. In
places it is unfath0maEia. 4 crystal
hriLliaacy per7ates the water. fish being
visible II ldepth of Il feet.
The Fisthe4d river, about thirty miles
Of which i nayigfble. i a marvel Of ma
lures haniiwork, and though sluggish
in lis course is deep and voluminous.
IT. shores are extremely picturesque, be-
ing sktrted with dense timber, alternating
frequently with clitfy causeways and oc-
casional patches of ground made clear by
the hand of the sturdy husbandman.
Ducks and geese abound IN quantities
too great to be appreciated, while the
hunter on land finds no sport in blazing
away az the many pheasant, grouse and
chicken which cross his path. Bear and
mountain lion afford ample pastIme TO
the fearless craftsman. while the disciple
OF Isaac Walton can maui from the steam
bow in a few minutes sufficient Of
the tuuy Erib@ 10 appease even his most
saa guine expectations.
At the head 1t navigation on Flathead
river, 30 nils from the head of the lake,
l. found he .Hwl Of Damersville. a
al1 progressive settlement. the
10 the valley. Congenial. hospIt-
able and enterpristng citizens indeed, are
who today arr making Demersville
nucleus about which 4 promising CITY
Is to FORM, and all honor q them for so
and may they ~ho have planted
their faith in the little village Of now
lbout 800 Inhabitants. live to see their
hopes materialize.
Across Ele river to the east Is the little
# Egan, situate about four
from DemersvilIe and reached by a
beautiful wagon road literally hewn out
through soiid timber, E Titanic work. A
romantic drive can not he imagined
rAH gigantic task accomplished Can
only h. appreciated by riding through it.
surrounding this settlement for a dis
Of many miles are the valuable uni
lands upon which all eyes are now
awaiting their placement on the
open market. Well kept farms are here
at every turn, the features OF the
being the cultivation of large
.racts of grain fields without the aid of
irrigation. Still to the east is the little
If Sheldon, likewise surrounded
" rich lands, the soil extending to the
,ass Of the mountains. Down the river
md again crossing to the west side, Selfish
With it, tributary country, is approached.
Here also the valley is studded with pro-
inc farms.
Returning to Demersviila and proceed
ng south is encountered another beauti-
III section of the valley il a portion of
which Is located Ashley, a 'ettlement said
l. I