Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-12-21

The denizens of the east scarce realize
the vast extent Of the west, and far less
appreciate it's possibilities which, even
to those most optimistic in their earlier
residence, are themselves surprised at
what confrontS them. The county of
Missoula is almost an empire in extent
wtithin itself, yet is but an integral part
of a vaster state. To say hat it COM
prises 7150 square miles, or 5,15S, 90 acres,
makes but little impression, and it's vast
ness only draws on one when compared
with the area OF states whose history
is tina of the nation. Massachusetts,
and New Jersey ave but little advant
age and the combined territory Of Con-
necticut and Delaware are not equal to
that Of Missoula county by 40 square
miles. Rhode Island would make but a
respectable township, although it must
be admitted it casts more votes. Mary
land will not contain two such counties
although it's population Is one hundred
times as great. From Flathead county
on the north to Ravalli county and the
state of Idaho on the south 1t is from
seventy-five to one hundred miles IN eX-
tent and the tourist on his westward
way has five ana a half hours within It's
borders, even though the Northern Pa
CHIC EXPRESS Iildhe ltS StliSuuiC vi t"AA
ty-three miles an hour from Bonita to
Heron. 1t is such comparisons that
startle one. What may not such a tract
become? With mountains containing
marble, building stone, iron. coal, lead,
anthony, copper, silver, gold and many
less familiar minerals their sides and
tops clothed with pine, cedar, spruce, fir
and tamarack; with valleys and bench
es lying fallow, waiting only for the
sparkling waters that even now are sing
ing their songs of praise as they hurry
down the mountain sides eager to wed
the fertile soil and bring forth abundant
1y for THE needs of man, It's possibilities
are practically unlimited. Here and
there efforts have been made, and With
out exception the success achieved has
been commensurate With the energy dis
played. Considering everything, the de-
velopment of Missoula county has been
little less than marvellous.
Time was when Missoula county COM
prised even greater territory than now,
embracing the present counties of RAJ
valli and Flathead, and before the estab-
lishment of the territory of Montana and
idaho, extended into Washington, OF
which it was a part, and While a part
of that territory was organized as Mis-
cOuld county III loOV. u IIltitdSt VI
population in the valley or the Bitter
Root and about Flathead lake made it
desirable that new counties be formed,
and it is not unlikely that the future
win see others formed within the pres
ent limits.
Upon the establishment of the county
of Missoula by the legislature of WASH
inslton territory, which at that time en-
braced all of the present counties of
Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge,
Flathead and Teton lying on the west
side of the main range of the Rocky
Mountains, Capt. c. p. Higgins. Frank
l.. Worden and II. w. Harris were desig-
mated as commissioners; M. w. Upton,
sheriff; and H. M. Chase, justice of the
peace. Offices We're not much sought af-
ter in those days and Higgins and Har-
ris were the only ones to qualify. Their
duties were confined to preparing for and
canVassing the election returns in 1861.
Voting places We're established at Fort
Owen CORNER site of st. Mary's Mis-
Sion near S~tevensVille. new in RaValli
county,, Jocko agency, and Hells Gate.
THE total vote polled was "A and the first
county ticket elected comprised Henry
Glover, probate judge; John Beadle,
treasurer; VIM. T. Hamilton, sheriff;
Frank H. Woody, auditor; Granville
Stuart, c. P. Higgins and H. Van Doran.
commissioners; Henry Brooks justice OF
the peace. AS there was no business to
transact 40 records Were kept and the
only officers to qualify were the COM
. missioners, auditor and justices.
Upon the organization of Idaho, March
8, 1863, Missoula COUNT became a part
of that territory. AS the territory of
Montana was created by act Of May &c,
1864, no election was held during the time
it was part of Idoho. In 1864, Governor
Edgerton appointed George P. White,
probate Judge; Charles Shafts, clerk;
A. j. Campbell, sheriff; Thomas Roupe
and Charles Shafts, justices of the peace.
In the October election F. L. Worden
waswas elected councillor and John
Owen. representative. The latter, how
ever, did not attend and T.. B. Johnson
was seated.
Under act of the Legislature approved
February 2, 1865, which cut off Deer
Lodge county, an election was held Sept.
4, 1865. which resulted in the selection
of c.. c: O'keefe and H. w. Miller, COM
missioners; e. S. Miller, probate judge:
Henry p. Larabee. sheriff: Charles Shat
ter, county clery: E. A. Human. county
superintendent of schools; David Pattee,
treasurer; J. M. Minesinger, surveyor;
Robert Pelky, assessor; G. P. White, cor
oner. These officers organized Missoula
county Oct. 16. 1865.
There We're no further changes in the
boundaries until 1898.
. THE SEGGRFGATlON.