The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-26
AFFAIRS IN THE FLATHEAD.

Kalispell May 25.-There is no section
of Montana which has had a steadier
or more rapid growth than the portion
now embraced in Flathead county, and
the opening of the summer of 1895 finds
its residents conscious of increasing
prosperity. The main resource of the
county so far is agriculture, though
there can be little doubt that mining
will shortly be of equal if not, greater
Importance. The present season has
opened under most favorable circum-
stances for agriculture. The snow dis
appeared much earlier than usual from
the valleys. thus enabling the ranchers
to get their crops in in advance of the
spring rains, which, have now COM
menced. The acreage planted this year
Will show a decided increase over last
year. and the promise of a large yield
Is equally good. Not a week passes
but the county papers report the arri-
val at Kalispell and Columbia Falls.
and other towns in the eastern part of
the county of farmers from Iowa and
other middle states who have made up
their minds to locate in a section where
good crops every year are not an UNI
certainty. The class of immigration
now coming in is of well-to-do Eastern
farmers. who do not come to home
stead or preempt, but buy land already
improved and have ample capital to
prosecute diversified farming and
stockgrowing at the same time.
The Flathead has not generally been
considered a fruit growing country,
but there is ample. evidence that it has
great possibilities, ini this, direction. II
is not generally appreciated that the
Flathead is of nearly 1000 feet less al
titude than the Bitter Root valley, so
justly celebrated for it's magnificent
fruit. c. f.. Conrad has taken great
interest in the encouragement of fruit
growing and has on exhibition at his
bank in Kalispell. preserved in spirits,
the Flathead. which would do credit to
Michigan. Small fruits are all grown
with great success and experiments are
being made in various parts of the
valley with grapes and cherries. though
sufficient time has not yet elapsed to
report results in this direction.
The towns of the FIhthead are in ex-
cellent condition, as is the natural re-
suit of the prosperous condition of the
country. Kalispell, the county seat,
has now a population of $500. and is a
marvel when il is taken into considera-
ton that IL was plated only four years
ago. Eastern people cannot be brought
To believe the youth. of this little city
when they are looking at it's almost
metropolitan improvements. Kalispell
has first-class water plant, which
would be sufficient without a bit of
dllfIdNlOIi u supply CITY OF 0U,UUAD
people. 1t has also an electric light
plant supplying both arc and incandes-
cent lights. Last year, an excellent
sewer system was put in, and that no
year may pass without some perma-
nent improvements the streets are now
being macadamized. To the old timer
in Montana, accustomed to see the
lack of confidence with which the citi-
zens of the older towns and cities of
the state viewed their locations for
years, the self-asSertiyeness of the cit
izens OF kalispell seems refreshing. The
trade of the little city has improved
decidedly since the construction of the
excellent steel bridge across the Flat
head river. near the old site Of Dem
ersNille, which gives the ranchcrs of
the lower east side of the valley a
chance to drive to Kalispell without
having To use the ferry. which at some
seasons of the year was a hard propo-
sition. kalispell also has an excellent
Touring MILL and two lumber mills
which are now in active production.
Columbia Falls trade is also reviving
and this beautiful little town undoubt-
eddy has a bright future before il. It's
promoters have had the interests of
the town at heart from the very be-
ginning, and they are far-sighted men
who know what they are doing. The
town is most beautifully situated on
the banks of the Flathead river near
the lHbuln OF iottQ 1soGk canyon. and
possesses probably the. most beautiful
townsite in the state. Ii is the CEN
ter OF a rich agricultural country, and
possesses several flourishing industries
1t has extensive lumber manufacturing
interests, a Touring mill, and the only
oatmeal mill in the county. Its great
Importance, however. lies in its propen-
guilty to the coal fields on the north
fork of the Flathead. some 10 or 20
miles away. These coal beds have been
sufficiently explored to reveal vast de-
posits, and the quality of the coal has
been pronounced excellent by all the
experts who have visited it, AT no
distant day it may confidently be pre-
dicted that this coal will be used in
reducing some of Montana's ores.
The chief mining Interests are in
the western portion. At Tobacco
Plains. on the Kootenai river. valuable
leads Of copper and silver ores have
been opened up and partially deVel-
oped. Progress has been retarded ow-
ing 10 the district being 80 or 60 miles
from rail communication. but il pro-
crosses slowly every year.
ON Fisher and Libby creeks the
| placer mining industry gives employ
ment To from - 70 100 miners a year.
while there are valuable gold quartz
discoveries on the. divide between
! Fisher and Libby. and silver lead
| properties Of Importance on Libby. one
OF the latter has been bonded this year