Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-09-17
IT Ii THE BANNER YEAR.
The Present the Best Season the cattiemen
Have Ever Had in Montana.
Helena Independent.l

iAAefch- AhtSfShAeShs.J
Early in the summer it was predict
ed that the cattle men of Montana
would reap a rich harvest this year,
and the outcome has fully verified the
truth OF the prediction. According
to the Drovers' Journal, OF Chicago,
the cattle shipments from Montana
and Dakota up to August 81 amount
ed to SO, 400 head, and the average
net price was $40 per head. Ship
ments from these sections last year
up to the same time were only 24,OOO
head, and the average price netted per
head was only $50. But very slight
portion of these 80, 400 head went
from Dakota; probably not over
5000. This gives Montana SO far
this year from it's cattle industry
So, $50, 600. But the shipping season
has only about fairly begun, and the
number which went to market before
September / is not one-half of those
which will be shipped from now till
the close OF the season.
Secretary Preuitt. OF the board OF
live stock commissioners, whose at
tention was called to the matter yes
terday, said: al guess those figures
are about correct. / know shipments
are being made as rapidly as the rail
roads can handle them. The Great
Northern commenced early in the
season to carry cattle from the Milk
river country, the business along the
line of the Northern Pacific beginning
later. The latter road now has orders
for 600 cars for stock to be shipped
between September 1 and Is. The
association has ten inspectors at
work at the various shipping and re-
ceiving points, and they have all they
can attend to-"
"Cattlemen never had such year
as this in Montana" he continued.
"What ] mean is that the best condi-
tions prevail all over the state. There
have been seasons when the feed was
good in some sections, but poor in
others. This year cattle growers from
every section of Montana report the
same conditions-an abundance OF
feed and water. The latter item is an
important one-more so than those
not acquainted with the business
think. During the drought of past
years cattle, even where there was
| feed, were poor, because in some cases
they had to walk eight and ten miles
for water. AS a result they could not
take on flesh. This year there is water
i'm all the streams, and in consequence
stock is rolling fat, in splendid condi.
| ton not only for the market, but also
to 60 through the winter. To illus
trate how well Montana cattle are
selling in Chicago, 1 remitted check
the other day to gentleman for two
steers belonging to him which our in.
spectors had discovered in n shipment
which arrived in Chicago. Each oI
the animals netted the owner $62 so
| l tell you when cattle sell that way il
does not take long to make a heap o.
money. Take it all around. this is
| the bonanza year for Montana cattle
men.
"But it is not the cattlemen alone
who will make money this year. Crop:
of all kinds will be abundant, and IN
stead OF Montana farmers and horse
men sending away for hay and grain
as they did last year and the veal
previous, our growers will export botf
the staples. The railroad people tel
me that already the ranchmen ar
applying to them for rates to the cas-
on hay and grain, as the surplus IL
these will allow of heavy shipments
east. Business will be good with tn
ranchmen and cattlegrowers this fall
and by next year they will have NOR
than recovered from the three DIR.
years"