The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-07-08
CUSTER cot N.Y..


Custer County is situatedin the south
eastern corner of Montana and comprises
about sixteen million acres.
The surface of the country is covered
with nutricious grasses from three to
twenty varieties growing here which
cures itself on the stock.
An inexhaustible quantity of Ignite
coal is found on almost every section of
land and in many instances is exposed
above ground. One enthusiastic author
section of the country would supply the
entire United States for centuries. and
in figuring the cost states: 1T is only a
question Of how many IONS a dago could
shovel on board a car in aday. Suppose
we say forty tons. and l think that a
low estimate. the cost would De about
five cents per ton. Now. allow five cents
for stripping. Double that and we have
a cost aboard the cars of twenty cents"
This is considered a high estimate 10y
those in a position to know.
There is not much record of the county
previous to 1879. when a few home
steaders began to arrive and take up
land in the Yellowstone valley. The
nearest land office at the time was at
Helena. about 400 miles distant.
In the winter of 70 and 80 attention
was first attracted to Eastern Montana
as a stock growing country. In the
early winter of 1879 several yoke of work
oxen were turned out to rustic for them
selves or die. and in the spring Of 1850
they turned up in better condition than
they were in the previous fall. They
had discovered natures larder in the
well cured grasses on the ranges. In
September. 1850. the first herd Of Texas
cattle were received. So well did the
cattle do that il was moi long before the
hills and p~rairies were covered with
stock.
Farming here is not a success without
irrigation. although corn will grow and
ripen ON some Of the hills. lrrigating
bitches have been and more will be con
structed. Between twenty and thirty
artesian wells in and around Miles City
are flowing a good supply of water. The
water is obtained at a depth of from 300
IL 600 feet. and contains a large amount
of soda. and is unexcelled for steaming
as il leaves no scale or sedi-
ment in the boiler. In fact it will re-
move scale and thoroughly clean ii
boiler. Whatever can be raised in Iowa
can be raised on irrigated land in Custer
County. Corn a be raised to maturity.
melons reach an almost perfect condi-
ton and none raised in the east or south
can compare with them. Small fruits
and vegetables grow abundantiy and are
of the finest flavor. Vegetation of all
kinds attain a prodigious size here.
The valley of the Yellowstone is noted
for its beautiful scenery. its fertile soil
and the numerous groves that line Its
bank. Descriptive writers have sounded
the praises Of many foreign and Ameri.
can rivers. with their cascades. falls and
n but the Yellowstone river is not
ashamed to be compared with any OF
them. 1t has the scenery. no the rock
bound shores and cliffs that are too peril
Gus to ascend-but it lays claim To d
beautiful valley clothed with numerous
improved farms and ranches. As to fol
iage and hills along its banks. no river
can show anything that snrpasses the
Yellowstone. while the air OF content
ment that pervades the homes of the
farmers along the valley. prOclaims to
the world. in argumentative terms be-
yond dispute or gainsayment. the fact
that here is. at least. a paradise for the
farmer. a pleasure resort for the people.
and a valley which is but an index to
the country whose soil is kissed by the
quiet waters Of this stream.
Leaving the valley of the Yellowstone
the uplands are next to be considered.
and these are of equal value to the river
lands. Where steadily cropped the
average steady yield is the best argu-
ment to substantiate the claim Of SUI
p~eriority for their fertility and lasting
qualities.
There are more opportunities IN Gus.
ter county for the intelligent. hardy and
industrious wOrkmen. mechanic or far
mer to make "A living than in my other
municipality or geographical sub di:i-
sion on the face of the earth. BE he as
poor AS Jobs turkey if he is imbued
with industry and a desire to get ahead
he will meet encouragement Oh ever.
hand and find this a veritable land flow,
ing with the proverbial milk and honey.
Whether this ssue OF the JOURNAL will
prove to be a protecting and guiding
Moses or not. the fact cannot he gain,
said that eastern readers will ever regret
with feelings of remorse their action ii
they fail to grasp the opportunity OF be,
coming "A resident Of the present lane
Of promise. Custer county. the banner
county. not only of Montana, but OF the
entire Northwest, at once.
Land can still be obtainined on the
homestead plan from the government
There are now thousP Ids Of acres oper
to settlement. but these prolific acres
will not last long as score of people ART
now filing on claims. The streams art
wooded. but the typographical features
of the country may properly be classified
under the title of prairie lands. Fuel
in the form of coal in unlimited meas
ures underlies the whole country. s,
with comparatively little exertion Thu
commodity many be obtained free. or i
purchased. at a minimum expenditure
The carboniferous formation is sufficient
" distributed. and in veins of varyin:
size and depth. so that this and sur
rounding states can be supplied for gen
erations to come.
A conservative estimate by al abb
botanist places the number Of varieties
~ Uraas inlioiOus to the soil at tWenty