The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-09-29
UP THE FAMOUS VALLEY
An Excursion for the National
Irrigation Congress.
VISITED THE STOCK FARM
Not q Hitch OF ANY Kind Marred the
Pleasure OF the Day - It Has Been
a Grand Advertisement for
Montana.


National Irrigation congress closed to-
day with an excursion up the Bitter
Root valley to Hamilton, where a visit
was made to the Bitter Root stock
farm. A special train of five coaches
: was placed at the disposal of the visit
ors by the Missoula board of trade and
nearly all of the delegates, with their
wives and party of Missoula people,
awaited themselves of the opportunity
to see this famous valley. There We're
1926 people on the train and the entire
trip was made without an accident or
a hitch of any kind. The railway peo-
pie made their arrangements perfect
and from the time that the train left
this morning till it pulled into the yard
tonight there was no incident that
marred the pleasure of the day. Con-
ductor Straub had charge of the train
and Engineer Allen was in the cab. The
run was made in an hour and a half
and was thoroughly enjoyable from the
start to finish.
There was a slight delay in getting
started, but the train finally pulled out
at 7:45, the last stragglers having by
that time reached the train. There was
no delay after the start was made and
the Hamilton people were all ready
with conveyances when the excursion
reached there. The vehicles of the Bit
ter Root stock farm had been assem-
bled and reinforced by number of pri-
vate rigs from the city and made an
imposing procession. In just Is min
utes from the time that the train ar
rived all of the visitors were in wagons
and carriages on their way over to the
ranch. Superintendent McGinty had
made his arrangements well and under
the guidance of Mayor McCrackin of
Hamilton the guests were taken to the
principal points of interest on the
ranch
A stop was made at Castle Tam
many, where Sam Lucas did the hon
ors, and the training stables and Prodi-
gals home were also visited. Tom
Peale. who has charge of the lower
breeding department, did the honors at
the Prodigal stable. after which the
party was taken through the attractive
grounds of the Daily residence and then
back to town, where luncheon was had
at the Ravalli hotel. AS the last Wis
itor finished his lunch the train call
was made and at 3 o'clock the train
started down the valley on the return
trip TO Missoula.
This city was reached a. 4:S0, in time
for both the east and west-bound con.
nections and most of the delegates left
for their homes tonight. Before ieaV'
ing Hamilton Superintende McGirtH
and Sam Lucas We're the recipients oil
a cordial vote of thanks for their cour.
tesy in entertaining the visitors sc
! pleasantly. Chairman Maxwell of thf
| national committee presented the writ
| ten vote OF thanks and personally added
| n few pat words of appreciation.
The trip up the valley to-day did more
| to advertise the agricultural possibil
| tiles of this state than any other sin
| gle incident that has ever occurred
| There were men on the train from 1
different states and territories. To al
| of them Montana was strange plac
| before this visit. Their amazement a
what they saw to-day found expression
| tons of wonder and admiration ant
| there were words of praise for horses
| ranch and buildings. Ex-Governor Nc
| Cord of Arizona said tonight:
| 1T has been a wonderful experience
! would not have believed that such
valley existed in Montana if 1 had no
| seen it myself
| Judge Stillwell of Arizona said: :"
| regret but one thing. I have reputa
ton for very nice honor, but when tr.
to tell my people what have seen, tina
reputation will be blasted"
George H. Maxwell of California said
"The ranch is a splendid illustration O
| the possibilities of irrigation.
Scipio Craig of California said: "
have seen a great many fine rancho
| and breeding establishments. but thl
eclpses them all. 1t is marvellous
| Those are illustrations of what wa
| said by all who took in the sights o
| the ranch to-day. The delegates lef
| tonight with many expressions OF sat
| isfaction at he results of the meetini
| and assurances of appreciation OF tn
| reception that Missoula has accorde
| them. There are several visitors VIII
| will remain in town for several day:
| ]. r. Hill of Utah will be here till mex
week. Professor Tourney and Mrs
| Tourney of Arizona will be here an
| other day. Scipio Craig of Californi
will remain till tomorrow. Mr.. Graf
| is one of the happiest of all the dele
! gates over the result of the convention
| 1t was he who made the motion for tn
adoption of the resolutions and tn
| manner in which the motion carrie
| was gratifying to him as it was to a
| to have been fighting for the cause
irrigation all these years.
Among the pleasant incidents of tn
| visit of the congress to Missoula wa
| the complimentary banquet rendered t
| the visiting knights of Pythias by tn
! local lodge. Past Supreme Chanceilo
| Maxson of Arizona was the guest
| honor and ]. l.. Sloane was the toast
| master Responses were made by MI
Maxson, ]. T. Hill of Utah, Walter \
Graves of Washington, D. c., c. Il
| Hall and Captain Higgins of Missouls
| Donald Bradford of Helena, T. G. Mar
shall of Missoula and others. The occa
sion was a very pleasant one and whel
the banquet finally adjourned it was
o'clock.
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