Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-09-15

one with a longing to cast his fortunes in
this garden spot Of Montana.
One great landmark, which ever stands
to the resident of the basin as the polar
star to the mariner. is square butte" the
lone sentinel standing to the east of the
Highwood mountains. 1t is almost north
Of the center Of the Judith Basin. and can
he seen from any point in the basin proper.
Almost south of the center is the Judith
Gap, between the Snowy and Belt noun
tains, and the only means of egress from
the basin to the Mus-elshell region.
The great industries at present in the
Judith region are cattle and sheep raising,
and in the latter Fergus county has "a great
source Of wealth. The Sage Creek Sheep
ompany is one of the great sheep owners
Of the state, and a former citizen of Fort
Benton, j.. ID. Waite, has also become a
sheep man Of prominence. 1t has really
been the sheep industry that developed the
great basin region, and brought into that
section untold thousands IF dollars that
would have sought other fields had not
the advantages of the Judith been so re-
markable. -
The greatest tributaries "f the Judith
are Ross Fork, Big Spring, Warm Spring,
and Wolf creeks. and the beauty and fertil-
ity Of the Judith is fully equaled by it's
tributaries.
L~ewistown, the county seat of Fergus
county, is situate to the east of the basin,
and is beautifully located on Big Spring
creek. As yet the towns not Incorporated,
but its growth during the past year is al
most phenomenal.
At present the question of a railroad is
IA vital one to Lewistown. Should the
railroad be built at once through the Gap,
as contemplated, it will pass far to the
west of Lewistown, and for awhile seriously
affect that town. Bat should the building
Of a railroad be delayed for IA few years,
and the growth of Lewistown continue pro
portionate to the past years record, the
Importance of that point will command n
road. Fergus county and Lewistown de-
mand a railroad, but it is to the interest
of the latter to have the enterprise temper
arily delayed.
The mining interests of Fergus county
are also considerable. but are at present
practically idle and awaiting development.
For years the Spotted Horse mine in the
Maiden district has been recognized as one
Of the greatest gold mines in the state. but
when ~ railroad gives to Fergus county the
proper facilities, the North Moccasin dis
trict will he developed, and at present
gives every promise of being one of the rich
est camps ever developed. Prof. O.. c..
g.. Ill :.
gagged in securing a collection of mineral
specimens for an exhibit of Fergus county's
mineral resources at the Worlds Fair, and
speaks highly OF the North Moccasin pros
poets.
The North Moccasin is a carbonate camp,
and abounds in gold, silver and lead. 1t is
located about fifty miles from Lewistown.
and contains many rich prospects, one of
the principal ores being the Columbia, hav-
ing a body of ore thirty feet wide. The
prospectors are in themselves an interest
ing study. Among them are the Buchanan
brothers, old time miners, who first landed
in Fort Benton in 1857, and have followed
mining almost ever since. Their best claim
is the Bob. IA very rich one.
Tom Riser and Jack Arnold also have
several claims in the North Moccasin.
Their best is the Anderson. They have
driven II zoe foot tunnel, and from a choice
specimen have received an assay Of 1914 900
per ton. Though it was an exceptionally
rich specimen, it indicates in the Anderson
an exceptionally rich mine.
Norman Bros. have partially developed
the ]. T., with II 100 foot shaft and 200
foot tunnel. and their assays have also
been good.
Among the most successful prospectors
are two young men who came from Michi.
gan and nj once turned their attention to
the North Moccasins. They are F.. C.
Dwinelle and w. &. Draper. Their pros
pecting has been remarkably successful,
and their early fortunes are assured.
Among their claims are the Blackhawk,
Detroit, Lansing and Pontiac, the latter
assaying 81? in silver, SIS in gold, and "a
per cent lead, while the Blackhawk is even
richer.
Those who are predicting the future ol
Montana, should, in making up their calcu.
~lations, keep an eye upon rich and prosper.
Gus Fergus county.