Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-12-24
1xYoHD rHx MISSOURI.
A cerrsspsudsnt Writes Enthusiastically Of
the Country and the Thrifty Set
liars in the Region Of the
Little Rockies.
LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
December II, 1891.

LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
December II, 1891.
EDroR ARGUS: AS the ARGUS makes
it's regular visits to these regions, spicy
and newsy as ever, it may not be out
of place to acquaint ye ARGUS man
and his numerous readers with a few
briefs in return.
While we are situated in q neighbor.
ing county-we are not sure whether
it Is Choteau or Dawson-yet the dis
tance to your metropolis is about a
hundred miles, which is quite dis
tance when one has to travel by the
overland route. Those, however, who
| recently made the venture, and left
Fergus county to take up their abode
in this locality, are well satisfied, and
look to the future with great anticipa-
| tions.
Indeed it is a wonder that these fer
tile tributaries to the Little Rockies,
with it's fine hay bottoms and endless
ranges, have remained unoccupied by
sturdy settlers and ranchmen so long.
Some objections have been made on
account of the water being "hard" and
rather unfit for human use, especially
on the south fork of Little Beaver
creek, where Messrs. Parrot and M. P.
Jones have made their selections.
But those who have had occasion to
use this water for nearly three months
for all purposes, fail to find anything
in it to complain of, but on the con-
trary "thrive and grow fat"
Cattle and some horses have hereto
fore held undisputed sway over these
ranges, but the enterprising sheepmen
find that there is also room for their
fiocks, and are now beginning to take
advantage of it.
The Jones brothers from south side
of the Snowies, and Mr.. Parrott, of
the firm of Blanchard & Parrott, of
Little Box Elder, all being successful
and experienced woolgrowers, made
an extensive tour throughout this
country last July, and so highly i'm
pressed were they with what they saw,
that they concluded Goods country"
was found at last, and for thwith
staked out their claims before any one
else shodld get ahead of them. Ar
rangements were made, at the time
for the construction of dams, irrigat-
ing bitches, fences and buildings etc.,
and this is about how they are fixed
at the present writing:
Mr.. Marion P. Jones, as stated, is
located on the south fork of Little
Beaver creek Little Warm), on the
north side of the mountains. His
ranch is about half way between Rocky
Point on the Missouri river and Malta
on the Great Northern R. R., it being
nearly forty miles to either place. Mr..
Jones is great rustler and after per-
sonally experimenting the removal OF
his band of sheep from Smith Bros.
ranch near Martinsdale, a distance OF
nearly 200 miles, he has made noticeable
improvements in a comparatively short
time, and quite q little village has
sprung up, where there was nothing but
an isolated hill side little over two
months ago. The principal buildings
a substantial log house, 1S 80, the
residence of his .estimable little family,
where they are safe from any siege by
old Boreas, no matter how "hard he
may whisper" from the north.
Mr.. Parrott has established his fu-
ture home three miles up the creek
from Mr.. Jones place. He intends to
let his sheep remain at his former home
till after lambing time next year, thus
giving him ample time to get every
thing in good shape prior to their re-
moval. Meanwhile he is busy prepar-
ing for permanency. Among his most
noteworthy efforts, SO tar, is the dwell
ing house, q counterpart of his neigh
Dor Jones'. As yet these two neigh
bors are on the most amicable terms,
but the writer predicts that in the near
future, when each becomes the pro.
gressive possessor of-say-a half a
dozen bands of sheep, one will wish the
other in-well, a little further off; see
In the van comes Mr.. George Jones
who has located on Rock creek, on the
south side of the mountains, about
five miles from the old pioneer, Dar
Tressler's place. George has brought
out one band of sheep and is indus
triously preparing for winter, having
disposed of all his interests on the
south side of the Snowies.
A petition has been forwarded tc
the postmaster-general praying fol
the establishment of q postoffice il
our midst. Mr.. NJ. P. Jones is recon-
mended as postmaster and the offic'
suggested named Belmont. 1t is sin
cerely hoped that this may be grantet
at an early date, as our mail service
under the present state OF affairs,
anything but satisfactory, we bein
forty miles and over to the neares
, postofice.
al Owing to the short time and scarcit
of help considerable anxiety, not t
|. say annoyance, has been experience
i, in order to get the various detail
e needed in shape before winter sets il
D Contractor Morrison is having
!, busy season, and it will keep him rus
I ling to get his divers jobs complete
. before Jack Frost nips things in til
s bud. Joe is trying hard to get ther
{ but it's kind of difficult with too man
y irons in the fire at once.
r Frank whitmore, an old California,
II is rendering some valuable services @
r NJ. P. Jones' premises. Marion is