Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1896-08-13
A WRITE UP OF LEwIsTOwN.
The History Of Its Growth and Prosperity
Briefly Arranged by q. II. Scott.

Mr.. Geo. III. Scott, the fin d. seicle
staff correspondent of the Rocky
Mountain Husbandman, published
at White Sulphur Springs, was in
our town last week and i'm eXpa-
tiating upon our enviOrments, pos
sibilities, etc, has this to say i'm his
most excellent journal:
''LewistOwn is the county seat of
Fergus county, and by far the most
important town of Northeastern
Montana. 1t is delightfully."- situated
among rolling hills that approach
the Snowy mountains on the east
and the Judith Mountains on the
west, which to the four cardinal
points are co vered for miles with a
growth of evergreen trees. These
grassy hills increase in elevation un-
til they suddenly grow into large
and imposing mountains, where
little streams of water rise and flow
i'm all directions.
The town was first started about
IL years ago in the Big Spring creek
thV puSihCSc lboi 10
now located, but it has since that
time extended up and down the val
ley and into the adjacent hills i'm all
directions. A stranger on first enter
ing Lewistown is at once impressed
with the metropolitan airs and ap-
pearaces of the town, and more
especially is this the case If he has
just passed through some of the
other towns of the northern part of
the state-which, az yet, have not
parted with the evidence of the early
Indian settlement. The town is the
main supply point for vast country
surrounding. comprising both graz
ing and agricultural districts.
The residences of the town AZ well
az the business houses are most fiat
tering testimonials to- it's prosperity
and aid largely in completing that
beauty of Lewistown which lis a
source of admiration to all observers.
Lumber alone ia not all that il EN-
ployed i'm building but brick and
stone also, there being an abundance
of the latter i'm quarries lying I'M
mediately close to the town, so it is
considered cheap building material,
while the architectural style and
finish are highly complimentary to
the taste and intelligence of the resi-
dents. Many yards have been high
ly improved by the cultivation ol
grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees
and the coming year will see Lewis
town one vast garden of flowers. II
IL an American town pure and simple
and has long since outgrown the
hurrah style of early territorial set
tlement. Society is scrupulously di
vided, and religious denomination
are literally represented. The Pres
byterians, MethOdists and Catholic,
have each a house of worship, Will,
the public school building is reg
ularly occupied. But the city lacks
one thing and that is well equipped
water works system which is al
ways a credit to any town. A cen
sus was taken recently for the pur
pose of Incorporation, the result
showing a population of 765 people
and when the subject was submitted
to a vote, that odd vote made vi
the majority against the town as
suming the airs of an overgrowI
pOpulace-in the eyes of some people
But there are men in every locality
who will oppose any good ans
worthy enterprise that may b,
deemed a good thing for any com
munity.
The town has three well estab
lished stage (U. s. MALL routes max
ing close connection with the GreaI
Northern railway system at Grear
Falls and Fort Benton. and tn
Northern Pacific and the Burling
Route at Billings. There ar
three telephone lines centering here
namely. the Gilt Edge, Great Fall,
and Big Timber routes, and Their
are still two other enterprises IL
Lewistown that should be men
toned, not one, but both The ont
Ia that of the FERGUS COUNTY ARGUS
John NJ. vrooman, editor, publishes
and proprietor from its very birtl