Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-01-19
BILLINGS To The FORE.
Its Advantages as a Market and
Shipping Point Fairly Pre-
sented By One of Her
Citizens.

EDITOR ARGUS; Dear Sir: We understand
that the Lewistown merchants are agitat-
ing the point of shipment Tor the coming
year, and we wish to present to you a few
of the facts in regard to Billings; and would
state that we are alive to the interests OF
Lewistown and the Judith Basin at any
and all times, and believe that we have
done more for them in the past than any
other firm or town; and it seems to me it
would be well for the merchants of Lewis
town not to act hastily in the matter and
give all places an equal show.
Billings is now on the improve, and we
ings has ever seen by odds, as there are to
be large amounts OF money spent here and
in this vicinity this year; the balance Of
the Indian fund OF $500, 900 is to be spent on
irrigating bitches, and which will be within
forty miles of Billings. There were S4Oo.-
900 in this fund; 100000 were spent in
1892. but spent on the further end of the
reservation. and they drew their oats and
such supplies mostly from the south,
but this year they will have to draw all
their supplies from Billings. Second, the
Water Power company wiIlexpend $4,000
on the extension of mains and that kind
of Improvement this year. The city and
citizens also contemplate spending the fol-
lowing money, and which we do not think
there will be any question OF, as it is an
absolute necessity: $4,000 for sewerage;
Sl5, 900 for bridge across the Yellowstone
This makes "A total of S3So,oo0.
The Burlington Il Montana railroad is
now about one hundred miles south OF us,
having crossed Tongue river to build stock
yards, and as most OF their route now will
be through the reservation country they
will also draw their supplies from this
point.
The bulk of t~he'abovs work is mostly
team work. and consequently will consume
large quantities Of oats and that class of
supplies and the best authorities do not
think that the present supply of oats in
this vicinity, counting in the stocks in the
town, will last until April 18th, and then
we will have to draw from other points;
and we understand there is "A very large
crop of oats in the Judith Basin that will
nave to be hauled to some point, and
which will cut quite a figure in the freight
rates; and on the two points you are
figuring on-Big Timber and Arlington
against Billings. they cannot consume
your oats at either point.
Another thing that will also increase our
market on oats is the opening of the reser-
walton. The ranchmen in improving their
places-and it being the first year-are
entirely out of any produce and must buy
in order to put in their crops.
Another thing, Big Timber has not the
warehouse room and facilities for handling
merchandise that we have here; neither are
there the stocks of goods to draw from.
Another thing that the people of Lewis
town should take into consideration is the
consolidating of their freight as near as
possible at one point, as railroads in sur
veying their lines take these matters into
consideration; and at present your people
can hope for nothing from the north, and
as all roads penetrating this country are
coming from the south, and none of these
roads are coming to your section west of
Billings.
We would also state that our town is
better prepared to entertain than ever be-
club rooms at an expense OF about $4,000.
and would state that the furniture and
service is second to none in the state; and
this club is open to all visitors to our city.