The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-05-03
CASCADE COUNTY NOTES.
Rev. j. F. McGregor Gives His Ifipr
slOns for the Benefit of Hoosiers.


siOns for the Benefit of Hoosiers,
The history, geography, and geology of
the Rocky Mountain region are of in
tense interest to the citizen as well as
the student. The climate is SO congenial
to animal life that cattle, horses and sheep
live, thrive and multiply with the least
possible care, probably not one tenth the
care they would receive in Indiana. 1t is
said to be similar 600 miles northwest Of
Great Falls. Just over the mountains
1t is better, and not far distant almost no
winter. have been told that the Great
Northern (Manitoba) has not been block
AIDED, nor delayed an hour since the first
year, while the Union Pacific had long
blockades last winter.
My friend and classmate, Mr.. Collins
of the Great Falls TRIBUNE, confirms the
statement of Mr.. McGinnis and the con-
ductor, (all have been here during the
time) that the trains are not delayed on
account Of snow. Settlers live in log
butts, the like hardly to be found in In
diana, and appear to be healthy and
prosperous. All this would hardly be
expected so near the north pol, where
the days are percepibly longer than at
Mt. Vernon.
The atmosphere is very dry and that or
something else accounts for the power of
animal life to endure. To illustrate, as
l first looked upon Dakota's prairies |
saw an elevation seeming to be eight or
ten feet just across a field one half or
three quarters of mile, but trainman
said that is a ridge eighteen or twenty
miles distant. When I first saw the
mountains from the train in the Milk
River valley they looked like hills mile
and half or two miles beyond the river.
I asked one just from Evansville how far
do you think it Is to those mountains?
"About ten miles," but it is thirty. At
Great Falls we can sac the Rocky mount
aims 100 or 15O miles. Often newcomers
propose to take their guns for an after
noon hunt in the Belt mountains, thirty
miles. This shows how different Mon
tana is from some other parts.
The geologic formation OF the region
of northern Montana and Dakota con-
tributes to the fertility and durability of
the soil. The surface indicates that there
was sea here long after the forming OF
other parts of the continent. The gullies
and washes, the lime and sand stone
very different from that of Indiana, Ohio,
or Virginia, and show that the different
forces operated.
To DaL<,to tharo ic On elevation oaIla6
Coteaus (hills ot) the Missouri. 1t
is supposed great icebergs press
ing southwark pushed out these
hills or ridges which separates the waters
of Mouse river which flows into the As
sinniboine, then into the Red river, Lake
Winnipeg and finally Hudson bay, from
the waters of the Missouri river.
Both limestone and sandstone are
found in Montana, but there are many
kinds of pebbles; showing plainly that
both forces and sources of formation
differ.
A result is there are various kinds of
soil, and often the very best is found on
the hill side and in valleys. Near Great
Falls grass roots grow down Two and
three feet, some places the soil dSes not
change in appearance IL feet deep. Con-
sidering the waste of the mountains, the
want of rain on bench-lands, and the fer
tllity of the foothills and the ready cash
market for all products of the earth
grown here, blind man ought to see
that those who get good land sure of rain
may do WELL There are persons coming
to Great Falls almost daily and look on
the dry benches and mountains and turn
back disguised.
That Is not the way to go to a new
country. Take it as it is and make the
best of the chance. This is not Utopia,
the climate is not perfect, but am sure
parties will come here yet and do well in
health and competence. The country is
new; schools, churches, fences, residences,
and conveniences are wanting, but that is
the opportunity of tie man that ought to
come here. Anyone who has good
farm in Posey and good health does not
need to come though he might better his
condition. But there are many with poor
health or poorer pockets that could do
we'll here, far better with the same effort
The conditions meet, free land, good soil
and a ready market. In verify
J. F. MCGREGoR.