The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
FLATHEAU VALLEY,
There Have Been Many Changes and I'm
provements There,

ihere nave been MANY Changes and I'm
provements There.
Missoula, Dec. 16.-There is no part
of Montana that has shown more rapid
Improvement during the past two or
three years than the Fla head valley
and the present Indications are that
the progress will be even more rapid
and strong next year. The splendid re-
sources of this great region are Begin
ming to be appreciated and there has
been recently marked influx of out
side capital and people. The result has
been an extension of the lines of trade
in all branches and a general improve
ment in the business condition of the
district The Flathead valley itself Is
one of the finest wheat growing re-
glons in the world. There is no wheat
grown that beats the product of the
fields of this valley, and its location at
the western edge of the hard wheat
belt gives it an advantage in the way
of market that ought to give it a posi-
ton OF Importance within a few years
in the wheat world. The recent pur-
chase of the -four mills at Kalispell by
Messrs. Fenwick, Hammond & Peplow
of Missoula means that this property,
which is one of the most valuab IN
the Northwest, will be operated on a
large scale. The management of the
mills will be in the hands of Mr.. Pep
low, whose record in Missoula mas been
so good. He thoroughly understands
th2 business features of his line and is
familiar with the conditions requisite
for success in the manufacture of -four.
He has expressed himself enthusiastic
ally in regard 10 the quality of the
wheat that is produced in the Flat
head country and expects that the out
put of his new mills will be of he
same high grade as that of the Bon
ner mills, which he brought to perfec-
ton.
Business across the reservation and
over the river and lake between ;he
Northern Pacific and the Flathcad val
ley was heavier this year than it has
been at any time since the valley was
reached by rail when the Great North
ern extended its line early in the '90's.
The old road across the Mission valley
to the foot of the lake had some of the
appearance of OLD times and the lake
business was especially good. The
steamer people are preparing, it is said,
to put on new boat next summer that
will rival in size and equipment the big
boats of the old boom days. The in
creasing trade of the past season will
justify this improvement it is thought.
The development of the reservation,
though it will be slow until it is opened
for settlement, will be considerable and
much of the business from there will
naturally go to Flathead county. II
this increases as is expected, it will re-
qulfe all or the capacity of the pro-
posed new boat. Once open the re-
serve for settlement and the trade
across the lake will be immense.
In mineral development remarkable
strides have this year been made in the
northwestern part of the state, par
ticularly in the district which centers
in Libby. There has been a consider
able investment there of foreign capital
and some important improvements
have been made that will bring the
Libby country into prominence as a
producing region. The reports that