The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-06-19
GREAT FALLS A WOOL CENTER.

al rALLO Il WOOL CEN Il II.
Let one draw a circle around Great
Falls, a right line from which to the
periphery would measure one hundred
miles in length, and he would include
about all of the wool-growing area of
Montana worth speaking about. In
other words the sheep-growing industry
Of the state is principally confined with
in a radius of one hundred miles from
this city. While this fact would seem
to point to Great Falls as the wool-grow-
ing center of Montana, it is supple
mented by others which positively make
it such. In the first place Great Falls is
the railroad center of the WOOL
growing district Of the state. In
the second place it is the
financial center. In the third
place it is the supply point or distribu-
ting center for sheep h~usbandry outfits
and in the fourth place it is the head
quarters in Montana for the representa-
tives of all the leading wool purchasing
and wool commission firms of the east.
These five facts combined naturally make
Great Falls the objective point of wool
sellers, ana hence the center of wool
transactions in the state.
1t is not the purpose of this article to
enter into a history Of sheep husbandry
in Montana. 1t is enough to know that
while a few bands found scant pastures,
many years ago,on the mountain sides,and
foot hills and in the narrow wales and
valleys of the mining counties, proper, of
the state, their climatic conditions and
the occupancy of all lands available for
meadows and farming forced the indus
try within the area described by the
circle referred to. Here it is today, and
here it will always remain. 1t is the
home of the sheep. Its extensive ranges;
its altitude, its pure, dry bracing atmos-
phere, its nutritious and abundant
grasses, it's wholesome waters and it's re-
markable hoalthfulness unite in making
this portion of Montana the finest coun-
try in the world for profitable sheep hus-
bandry. This proposition cannot be
successfully questioned.
In view of the premises stated certain
conclusions logically follow. First, that
wool-growing will become, if it has not
already become, the prominent stock in
dustry Of this section of Montana; and
second, that Great Falls, by reason of its
location and transportation facilities, is
the natural center of the industry. These
two facts being undisputed it remains
for wool-growers and wool-buyers to ad
just themselves to the situation. Let it
be understood that sellers car obtain the
full value of their wool products in this
city, and that buyers stand ready to pur-
chase such products at their highest
market value, and the thing is done. The
TRIBUNE is pleased to state that one
of these conditions will be fully
met in this city. The buyers and agents
of eastern commission firms will be
here in numbers throughout the wool
season. They will be prepared to make
the most advantageous terms with sell
lers. This matter being understood one
of the most important branches of the
wool growing industry is greatly simpli-
fed. Sellers will not be compelled to
touch a half dozen markets to find the
best one. He will know it can be found
at Great Falls and govern himself &C
cordingly. Time, labor and expense will
be saved all parties concerned.
There is no other place in northern or
eastern Montana which combines all the
requirements of a great wool center to
the marked degree they are combined at
Great Falls. 1t is pre-eminently a rail
road, financial, supply and distributing
center. Its location is central; it's rail
road facilities extend in every direction;
it's banks are among the first in the
state; it's mercantile establishments are
the largest and their prices the lowest in
Montana, and it's wool warehouse one of
the most commodious in the west, Add
to these the important fact that buyers
and commission agents make the city
their headquarters and you have the
center par excellence of the wool-grow-
ing district of Montana.
THE WOOL QUESTION.
A,rnn,, fIn l;,,,,o. - %ln n,,,l