The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-19
NORTHERN MONTANA
FLATHEAD WANTS 1T.
steps Have Been Taken for the Annexa-
ton of the Coded Strip.

ton of the Coded Strip.
Great Falls, Dec. 1.-THE people of
Flathead county, or at least a. portion
OF them, are putting ON foot a move
ment looking toward the annexation
of the Blaekfoot ceded strip to that
county. The coded strip has shown
some very good mining prospects of
late, and If the surface indications
continue to depth, it will be rich min
ing region, and most desirable addi-
ton to any county. The strip now lies
in Teton county, and on the same side
of the Rocky mountains, while Flat
head county lies on the. other side. The
strip is about 10 miles long and from
Is to 80 miles wide, and is absolutely
unfit for anything unless it be for min
eral purposes and the furnishing of en-
tertainment for summer tourists. In
the strip are some of the grandest
scenery to be met with anywhere.
everlasting SHOWS. One glacier in par
ticular. named after Bird Grinell, the
famous friends of Indians is about five
miles wide and from eight to twelve
long. 1t can be seen for SO miles
across country, and during the latter
part of the season, at intervals, its
cracking and invisible moving powers
sounds like an artillery bate IN
which 1S-inch guns play an important
part. In years agone the Indians be-
lieved that the terrible sounds were
in some way connected with the evil
spirits, and under but few circum-
stances could a full blood Blackfoot
be persuaded to enter the range which
holds SO much speaking medicine, and
to stay there all night was a thing not
to be thought of. On Going-to the-Sun
mountain is another glacier which,
III, Nv-1r- +1,n MIN
ell glacier, stands sheer 200 feet above
cliff probably 1000 feet in height, and
down which in the month of August
pours a hundred streams of water,
which show against the black sides Of
the cliff like threads of silver On this
mountain at about a certain time each
year the heat melts the glacier, until
viewed from a distance 1t stands out
clearly woman's head, like that of
the Goddess of Liberty, which marks
the American dollar Every year for
unknown ages has the action Of the
sun brought out this spirit face, and
given by it additional reasons to the
superstitious Blackfeet why they
should not enter into the mountains
where congregated all the different
kinds of spooks dear to the heart of
the red man. When the government
bought the strip, which the Indians
were only too glad to be rid Of, they
paid one million and a half dollars as
its value, but it is doubtful if the 1if-
tenth part Of this value could be real
lied to any county in the shape OF tax
able property, unless, of course, should
the present mines being developed
turn out dividend payers
The natural location Of the strip
places it in Teton county, and 1t is
hardly probable that it will be ever
taken away, unless it should be to
form portion of a new county-some-
thing too far away to need worry any
one Interested. at present.
The News of Libby is of the opinion
that the strip should be annexed TO
Flathead county, and giving reasons
therefore editorially, says:
'.The recent development in the ceded
strip in Teton county in mineral way
suggest that it would not be bad
idea If that coded strip We're annexed
to Flathead county, Quite all of The
developments made there have been by
residents of Kalispell, and the county
seat of Flathead county is much more
accessible to the new district than Is
the county seat of Teton county. The
present outlet of the district is by way
of Blackfoot station on the reservation
and this is about so miles from the
mines. From Blackfoot station 1t is
so miles overland to Choteau, the coun-
ty seat of Teton county, requiring at
least two days to reach that place Tor
the purpose of making recordings or
transacting of any other business nee
essary, while the distance to Kalispell
can be made in a few hours by rail,
From the railroad above Kalispell there
has been a trail cut by Bill Brennan
across the forest reserve to a point
near the new district, and this trail is
not to exceed 70 miles in length. From
geographical standpoint, for COM
mercial reasons and for the best inter
ests generally of the people residing
in that section, the strip should be an
nexed to Flathead county"