The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-13
MILLIONS FROM STOCK,
Cattle Exports From Montana Daring
1891 Exceed All the Estimates
Heretofore Made.
Quarter OF a Million Head Sold, and
the Receipts Reach Ten
Million Dollars. z

Fifteen Million Dollars Received From
Beef Wool. sheep and Horses-
Bright Outlook for 1902.
Early Inst summer Tn INDEPENDENT
published a statement to the effect that the
live stock interests of the state would yield
during the season just opening $10,000,0O0
to the producers OF Montana. This esti-
mate allowed $6,Ooo,ooo for cattle and ths
remainder WAS to come from sheep, wool
and horses. Later Secretary Preuitt, OF
the board of live stock commissioners, esti-
mated that there would be sent east from
Montana 200, 900 he.d Of cattle. He also
vsntured tho opinion that Montana cattle
would command top prices. and that the
high price of Of co. n in the corn-feeding
states would result in a good demand fer
the best Montana besyes. Later in the
season a report was published in st. Paul,
made MP from estimates given by railroad
men, in which the cattle run from Montana
was placed at 1854, 900 head. Notwithstand-
ing the guesses of tho railroad men and ths
fact that they had facilities for getting at
the f2ures, Secretary PreLitt claimed that
his estimate was nearer correct.
The shipping season is now over, and the
results prove that Mr.. Preuitt was nearer
correct than tho eastern people, though
even he was under the mark.
During the past week there was a meeting
in Helena OF the board Of live stock COM
m%issioners, at which the seasons business
wal canvaased. President Alfred Myers,
of tho association. talking yesterday about
the matter, said: "rhe sales of Montana
cattle this year will reach $50, 900 head.
There has been a good market for them
almost all through the season, and the
average price received has been $40 q head.
You may safely say that the receipts from
cattle this year in Montana have been $780,
coo. 900. II was the best year the cattle
raisers have had for the past five or six.
and the most money received in any one
year, the largest sum heretofore not ex-
eseding So O0, 600 or $6,O00,00 From cat
tie, horses, sheep and WOOL the Montana
growers this year will receive $14, 000, 600 or
SIS, OOO, 900. While the wool men nave not
received as good prizes as they expected,
yet they have o. pretty we'll, while a
great number Of stock sheep have bssn
bllO ia uuo DuAOt0bs AACao AAvW hv0E0k0A
s. . head. There have been q
great many more horses shipped and
sold outside of the state than
one would suppose. The demand has bsen
for farm no SEES, and while the prices have
been low. there has been a market. II
to bear in mind the fact that the wheat
growers Of the Dakotas have had q good
season, and next year will have money
with which to purohass additional teams. l
do not think the horse raissrs should look
for high prices next season, but they will
at least, have q market.
"What helped the Montana cattle growers
this year." continued Mr.. Myers, a the
demand for our cattle for export; corn was
high in Nebraska and Iowa. and the result
was it did not pay to use it to fatten beef.
There has been for a number Of years a
good business in exporting Montana
dressed beef, but this year our range cattle
were sent on the hoof to England, being
shipped direct from the ranges to Chicago
and then to the Atlantic seaboard. As to
the outlook for next year. it 10 the bright
est. The ranges are in the best condition,
there is an abundance of feed, the grass is
high, and it will take q pretty deep snow to
cover it. So far the weather has been all
one could ask. Cattle and stock gen.
orally 90 into the winter in the best
possible condition. The prospect is also
good next penr for an equal demand with
the same prices as this year. Cows will DO
high in the corn growing section and tho ex-
port demand will call, as 1t did this year,
on the range for its supply. OF course,
tho expectation of Montana cattle ON the
hoof cannot always be looked forward to,
but the business of exporting the dressed
product il on the increase all the while.
Last year there was driven into Montana a
great many cattle. This will be the case
this year also, something like $4,000 head
going to the eastern portion of hes state.
But the number will not be SO large as last
season. There are no reports of diseases
either among horses, cattle or sheep, and
take the situation in all its details, the out
generally in Montana than now"
Nothing better illustrates the large bust
ness dom by the cattle men this year than
tho estray record kept by Secretary Prsuitt.
Last year there passed through his Office
$29,629.27 as the receipts from the sale of
est avs. This yea it has exceeded $780,
600. Whenever the owners are known,
the none is rsmitted to them, and this has
sntailsd an immense amount of work. So
perfect il the system under which trace is
kept Of e~strays, that there are few losses
from this source. The inspectors at the
which come under their observation, and
the animal is not lost sight of until tho
commission house that buys him sends a
The brand IL sent with each
] emlttance, and those. who have theirs re-
corded are soon in possession of their
The great benefits which will accrue to
the state from the $14, 100000 or SIS, 000, 900
received from the live stock interests can
not be overestimated. 1t means that the
have the means to pay off old
indebtedness and that they are in as good
condition, and generally in a better, han
before the great losses in 1867. There is
money for Investment in other home enter
for improvements on the Rnc and
tho city residence. No difference how the
markets of the east may go this
Montana has enough in hand to-
day to make her INDEPENDENT of the east
ern money lender. And if the latter wants
II field for Investment whore safety is the
first confederation md good returns the
he can find nowhere q section
which more fully answers both require
lnepts thar Montana.
Chenille PORTER curtains would make a hand
kone I hristmas gift. Examine those at Fowles'
Cash Store.