The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-09-26
NEWS FROM TEE FOOTHILLS.
l:ich Ha3 vests Are Being Garner',! in the
Isclt Mountain Region.
Tally. Mont. Sept. is. 1891.

TErIN, Mont. Sept. is. 1891.
EDITOR Tribune: There is an agri-
cultural region on the upper Belt. Box
Elder and Sand Coulcc creeks and Dor
dering the foothills of the Belt mount
aims that is quite Il surprise to n not
acquainted with the region. Each Of
those creeks on approaching the mount
aims reach out into several smaller cou
lees. each being supplied with water.
And another feature more important is
the quality and depth Of soil and the
amount Of moisture which falls there in
excess Of that further from the mount
aims.
Bordering the main range of the Rock
les north Of here the soil is not nearly SO
deep. and there is quite an amount Of
gravel. and even in level tracks stone
may be found on the surface Of the
ground. Along the foot Of the Belt
mountains and in all the Coulees that
lead from them may be found fine black
soil, well watered. and though some of
the little valleys are quite narrow, yet
each one is occupied by sturdy ranchers.
who have sown them to grain and vege-
tables. This region, though only from
thirty to thirty-fivc miles from
the Falls. is in the highest
parts nearly five thousand feet
above the sea level. 1t is strange also.
being SO close, that the seasons are from
two to three weeks later than at the
Falls. and often in the spring there is
snow on the ground here when it has
completely disappeared at the Falls.
People are just harvesting here and the
heaviest and best filed grain that | have
seen in Montana is in this locality. \
novel sight is quite a nice field OF grain
on Il high. broad butte that inclines to
ward Great Falls and is a foothill Of III
ger butte. The golden ripe grain in the
field may be seen for miles around and
with a good glass could be plainly dis
ccrned from the Falls.
An odd feature here is the eXtraordi-
nary number Of gentlemen and LADY
bachelors that have ranches. This of
course is commcndable and shows thrift.
industry, and independence on the part
Of this class Of our settlers. but is made
more noticeable by the lack of school
HOUSES IDG lulIlllltS WIN lltNt CIllI'tl'I'
1t requires four families with children of
| school Z to form ii school in Il particu-
lar neighborhood. but ont in these val
!cys if there is Il lady or gentleman
rauchrr saaaWirhcl between these fam
HES school houses are 'out Of sight" as
u ranchcr possessed of school children
mildly puts it.
In appearances regarding improve
mcnts and shacfS there Is no visible
means of distinguishing the sex of the
ranch on approaching il without some
remnant of wearing apparel happens to
be visible. Then II would fear to APP
prOach the home of the gentle unpro-
tccted. fearing that a tap at the door
, would cause Il tit of Mysteries. but in this
he would be badly in error indeed. This
class of women have no fear, or if they
had they would never be here. And
even if they had they feel secure in their
shacks, like an animal in their lair. and
when a confidence is felt that there is no
venom in the heart of the intruder they
are a good deal like other girls only more
so: that is, they won't faint very easily
and can talk like IA typical Yankee as he
unravcls IA yarn to an apprcciatlrc audi
ence. One thing noticeable is that the
women keep cleaner and more TIDY
houses than the men. perhaps by way of
practice. however. But those gentle
folks have struck it rich by nesting
among the c~ouiees here. and as o as
the land is surveyed and they can prove
up. the land will be valuable. for no part
Of Montana is better. as they say crops
can be raised here 1.-THE year round
without irrigation.