The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-17

M. Malone, OF the chicago, MlAWauhee q
st. Paul, places the net proceeds from Mon
tana cattle this year at $5,000,O00. But he
figures at $S35 a head. Taking the sales at
200. 600 head, and making the average $40 a
head, which is undoubtedly nearer the
truth, we have $S,000,000 as the income of
the Montana cattlemen. So far this season
the Northern Pacific and Great Northern
have handled 6,180 cars, averaging twenty
two to the car, which gives $3.50 head.
Secretary Preuitt is now busy with business
in connection with the sale of estrays. but
he will find out in a week or two just what
the shipments of Montana cattle have been.
Cattlemen who have been in st. Paul
recently have talked quite freely over the
situation and the prospects. Commenting
on their views an exchange says:
ut is interesting to note the more indie
pendent feeling that prevails among the
cattlemen, now that they lave recovered
from their losses of 1886. Since that hard,
disastrous winter this has been the first
season in which the cattle were fat enough
to cause general satisfaction among THESE
sturdy ranchmen. Prices are now lower,
but many owners are inclined to hold cattle
a year longer.
"Numer0us reports show that they will
hold unless the markets soon become more
tempting. This has been one factor in re-
ducing the estimate to 145,00O head, and at
the best there are not more than 16O,OOO
head o%btainable. Grass is in excellent con-
dition and recent rains have curtailed the
probability. of extensive fires on the north
western ranges. Thus the risk of holding
over is narrowed down to the chance OF a
long siege of extremely cold weather. The
fall of 1886 had been very unfavorable for
grass and the cattle had but little feed on
tho range when the severe cold besieged
them. Experienced rRngemen know that
when there is good range grass cattle can
stand severe cold far better than the EN-
eral public suppose. There were a g.eat
many pilgrim cattle young eastern stock)
in Montana in 1886. The opposite is the
fact now. These are part of the reasons
that warrant the ranRemen in holding some
cattle back if they see fit"
s. L. Moore, general freight agent of the
Northern Pacific, says of the shipments
over his lines: 1.-THE movement of Montana
cattle is the largest ever known. 1t beats
last year all to pieces. and is being handled
easily. It may not bs as large as some ex-
pected. but it should be very satisfactory to
the railroads and all concerned" .
"Haven't you found recently that some
outfits are likely to shut off part of their
shipments?"
"Well, yes; some are. They say they are
not satisfied with the prices and can just as
we'll hold. It won't make any difference to
us, for we are crowded now with all kinds
Of freight. Those cattle will come next
year if not now"
W. j. G. Kenyon, general passenger and
freight agent Of the Burlington d Northern
railway, says: At the beginning of this
season it was believed the Montana cattle
shipments would roach nearly 10000 oar
loads, but mainly on account of lower
prices since then a considerable portion of
the cattle have been cut of. tie owners pre-
ferrine to hold part of their young beeves
until next year.
Gen. Mark D. Flower. president of the
st. Paul Union stock yards. recently in
Montana, said: 1T looks as if a good many
thousand head OF beef cattle will be thrown
back on the range by part of those who in
tended to ship during this month. They
will probably send a fair share, but they
seem willing to take some chances on bet
ter market conditions next year. We have
handled 1851 cars, containing 81, $40 head
of Montana cattle. This more than ever
before"
w. n. n seems to understand the
situation when he says: I'm figuring the
income Of northwestern stock growers,
don't stop at this movement of beef cattle
eastward in 1891, which will probably be
nearly 100, 900 head. This is on the basis
of the Number of head that reach Minneap-
oils and st. Paul. The reports of the Mon
tana run t%including Dakota range beeyes)
have been made OH that basis annually for
ten years, and likewise in this lengthy Oc-
tober review. The stock growers are in
good financial condition and need not
crowd young beef cattle upon the markets.
Aside from the eastern sales their incomes
include deliveries on army and Indian con-
tracts in both the United States and British
possessions. They have a good home de-
mand. Montana's leading source Of wealth,
a prodigious mining interest, is of great
value to the meat men. Another factor il
infancy in that section, and Mt least 5000
Sioux City and Omaha via the Elkhorn
Valley. These are a part of the sources
that replete the pockets Of the cattle barons.
1t is said that Montana has successfully ex-
perimented in irrigation for agriculture.
That, however, is outside of the province OF
q cattle range review
Montana now assesses on cattle, Gal, 05G
head, $9,675 ,525: sheep; 1,5l5,G4 head, 49,
1886, OBS; horses, lGO,5 SGT head, $4,492, 2l2; a
total of $1S, 900, 900, which il worth noting
in a state that was only a two-year-old
when the assessor went around. Montana
may succeed better than other states in So
curing a full assessment, but it is limited
that a few nomads failed to figure in the
lists and some of the maverick didn't
count.
The noticeable restocking Of the ranges
began again i'll 1890, when about 100, UGC
head of young cattle came nortilward into
Montana from Texas and other breeding
districts. This year Montana and Dakota
have received fully 125,0 900 head of young
o%attls. The transactions in great herds
n the general activity in buying and sell
ing cattle last spring aggregated the great