davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
RECLAl,ilNG ARID lands.
Comprehensive irrigation Provides Homes
for Small Ranchcrs and Farmers.

AZ long as there remained good
farming lands open rscttlemcnt the
question of Irrigation was not
brOugh so much before public notice
Now that the lands on which thercl IL
plenty OF moisture are almost all
taken up the question uf rcclaiming
desert lands asserts itself. While il
IL possible by the expenditure of some
money and much labor for the ranch
cr and farmer who live near nny
water supply to irrigate their farm-
ing land, yet it is too big an enter
prize for private Individual To
undertake the irrIgaliDg of large
tracts OF prairie land by any extern
siye system.
In Montana there are 9,Og0, 600 acres
of ari / land that could Ice converted
into fertile tracts OF farm land 10y AN
organized system oi Irrigation. In
Fergus county alone there are 200, 900
acres OF wuterlcss prairie waiting To
be reclaimed and turned into pro-
dnclive farm lands. 70 IL a rccug-
nized fact that the soil on the bench
lands when irrigated produces the
best and most prolific crops.
The vast enterprise Uf lrrigating
these lands Is one which will take the
resources OftlIe national government
to cope with, ana not until the west
takes hold Of this question OF irriga-
tion with vim and determination will
the government recognize 1t and
allow suitable appropriations for the
building Of reservoirs and the irrlgat-
ing OF nrid lands.
II IL n positive fact that certain
class OF narrow-minded agricultur-
lists In the west intimate that with
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
MtRRlMAC BLOWN UP.
Craft Which Made liobson Famous Was An
impeachment to Santiago Harbor.

Santiago, Cuba. April Fifteen
hundred pounds of dynamite were
used by the authorities of the port
yesterday afternoon in blowing up
the forward portion OF the suuken
United States Collier Mcrrimac, which
had long impeded the entrance 10 the
harbor. The explosion was plainly
heard five miles away. Divers imme-
dlutely descended and found 10 feet Of
clear water over the forward portion
of the wreck. Port Captain Irving
will begin tomorrow tu place mines
ait, which he expects To explode in n
weck, thus completely clearing the
harbOr entrance.
Yesterdays experience was highly
spectacular. Residents ru the Smith
Key. adjacent to the wreck, left the
island, fearing that their houses
would he demolished. Overlooking
hills were lined with people and
large number oi pleasure vessels en-
c!rcled the wreck at safe distance.
When the electric button was touched
a pyramid of water rose 10 feet, aud
the surface was Immediately covered
with the wrekagc and tons Of dead
fish. Launches and yachts returned
to the city laden with souvenirs OF
the wreck.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
GOyGRNOR OF PORTO RICO.
tx Justice Hunt Likely TO Succeed Governor
Allen at San Juan.

Washington, April while Gov.
Allen Of Porto Rico, who sailed yes
terdy from San Juan on the May
flower for Hampton Ronds. has not
formally submitted his resignation,
so far as can be learned. his friends
here would not he surprised II he de-
cided not To return To Porto Rico.
Governor Allen went To Porto Rico
only at the personal request of the
president to set up the now civil gov
ernment there nnd get it into good
working order. with the distinct uu-
dcrstnndlng that he was not to bc
asked to remain after this was done
The president and secretary are full
of praise for the manner In which
Governor Allen has filled his task.
II is expected here that ii Governor
Allen declines To stay in ullico. Sprre-
tary Hunt, late OF Montana, willsnc-
cecd 10 the place. As to Gov. Aliens
future his name iscounrctcd In official
gossip with one Of the foreign minis
tories, though as there are no yacan-
cics at present lc might bc Obliged 10
wait for Il time.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
AGulSALD0 SIGNS The OAIH.
Late Leader Of the lnsurrectiOn Becomes
Quickly Reconciled.

Washington, April 2.-The war de-
partment today received information
from General Macarthur that Agui-
naldo has taken the oath of alleg-
lance to the United States, under the
terms of amnesty offered by General
Macarthur, by direction of the presl-
dent.
The dispatch conveying this intor-
nation contained much more than
was given to the public. The portion
withheld related to the future dispo-
sltion OF Aguinaldo and suggestions
as to what the late chief OF the insur-
rection might accomplish.
No official statement could be OBJ
tained as TO what finally would he
done with the prisoner, but IL was
emphatically stated that he would
be held for the present, but he would
be granted all possible immunity con-
sistent with existing conditions.
General Macarthur has reports
that a great deal may be accomplish
ed through Aguinaldo. During the
time he has been n prisoner he has
made quite Acknowledgements on
General Macarthur.
Ii has been suggested tnat under
the terms of the notice OF amnesty
the prisoner should be set at liberty
at once, but there Is a provision in
the amnesty proclamation which
says that those who have violated
the rules of war are excepted from Its
terms. Whether or not Gcnernl lac-
Arthur has satisfied himself that
Aguinaldo has not violated the law
cannot be stated, us the prisoner
would not he permitted to take the
oath pending an investigation Of his
past conduct. Aguinaldo having been
the head of the insurrection undoubt-
cdly can be held until further investi-
cation Is made, or until circumstances
which surround the situation In the
Philippines make 1t advisable to re.
lease him outright or otherwise dis
pose Of him.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

The law providing for the publica-
tion of astray stock will be OF inter-
est to farmers and stockmen. 1t fol-
lows:
Be 1t Enacted by the Legislative AS
sembly of the State OF Montana:
Section /. 1t shall be the duty Of
the board OF stock commissioners to
give public notice OF moneys by it re-
ceived from The sale OF stray cat
tie, the owners Of which, or their
where abouts, are unknown to the
said board. Said notice shull contain
a list Of said strays, describing each
animal by its sex, marks and brands,
ana weight, and shall state opposite
such description the net price received
by the board therefor.
Said notice shall be published in
three successive issues In two weekly
newspapers published in the cities OF
Helena and Billings, respectively said
newspapers to he selected by the
board with view TO affording the
greatest publicity OF said notice to
the stockmen OF the state. The first
notice shall be published within 30
days after this net goes into effect and
shall include such moneys received by
the board for strays during the year
1900. Thereafter, said notice shall be
given annually the first three weeks
OF every January and shall include
such moneys received by the board
for strays during the next preceding
year.
Section .. The expense incurred In
publishing said notice shnll he u
charge agui9st the moneys included
in the advertisement and shall be
paid by deducting from the amount
due each owuor such part Of said ex-
penses as the amount due each owner
bears to the entire amount included
in the notice.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

the irrigation and settling OF thearid
lands there would be aperiod OF over
production.
This belief IL far from being well
founded, for the opening up OF these
tracts To farmers and the resulting
increase IN population will cause n
larger demand for the various farm
products. Whnt Is II that brings
railroads into hitherto untrcd
country hut the surplus produce
which is waiting to he transported
To centers Of demand.
' Let the government once be con
vinced that the irrigating oi these
lands would provide homes for the
small farmer ana ranches and not be
II source Of revenue to some corpora
tiun monopoly, then undoubtedly
appropriations will lac allowed for
the pcriecting of system Of irrlga-
tiOn in the west.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
TROUBLES AT TT. BENTON
Citizens Now Want to Revert Back to
Town Government.

/
Special correspondence of the Tribune
Fort Benton, April G.-The prospect
OF raise in the tax for city purposes
to, perhaps, 10 mills, which is the
limit. t.caused a largely attended meet
ing of taxpayers at the Grand Union
hotel Tuesday evening. Some so Of
those who "pay the freight" were
present and some strong talk was in
dulged In. 1t was finally decided to
appoint John Harris, LID. Sharp and
A. o. DeLorlmier as committee to
wait upon the council and request
that the recent salary ordinance be
repealed and that the services of a
salarled fire marshall be dispensed
with.
The meeting took the view that the
federal census showed more than the
real population, and that there are
not now enough people here to call
for city government. 1t was decided
that those present should raise money
for a special census TO prove their
contention, should ii be disputed.
This IL the first case on record where
the property owners OF n town have
tried to show that the United States
credited them with more people than
they really have.
Alderman Johnston, who waspres-
ent, explained that Alderman Powers,
the only lawyer in the council, told
his colleagues that they were COM
PEELED to raise the classification, and
they went on his word. He was in
Iowa when thesalary ordinance went
through, but stated that Alderman
Crutcher, Early, Townsend and him
self would refuse to accept the pay
provided. 1t Is anticipated that no
difficulty will be met with in reaching
an agreement with the council.
One OF the points made was that
the council should cause the status of
the city to be changed back To that Of
the town, and the objection to the
new classification is that the ciOdi-
tors Of the old town might thereby
become able To collect their money.
The town was incorporated by a
special charter in 1865 and, with num-
erous amendments, IL was in force
until about eight years ago. 1t then
surrendered its charter and give up
it's corporate existence, taking new
life shortly after under the general
laws of the state. The change left
SIS, 900 in warrants outstanding, and
nothing has ever been done toward
their payment. Most of them are now
held by President c. f. Duer, Of the
Stockmen's National, and he Is will
ling to let his slide, but the rest are
held by j. Pierpont Morgan's new
Uni. .ed States S,eel Co., which would
likely not he 80 generous. Itgot them
as the successor of the National Tube
Works Co. which got them from Geo.
f. Woolston in payment for water
mains. They were issued for hydrant
rental years ago, and draw interest
at per cent.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

town and it is safe to say thatevery-
one who had vote coming got ac-
tion thereon.
In spiteoi the many icon" talks by
Messrs. Jackson Il Co. and the circu-
lation of an irresponsible sheet by the
Democratic hot air machine, the pub
lie was not to becnjoled into electing
the same old chestnut that has had
control OF school affairs for the past
years.
Every two-seated rig In town was
In use during the election, and the
hearty voice and genial smile of j. ID.
Waite were much in evidence, con-
trastingsharply with the hall-he0rtsd
expression on the faces oi the opposi-
tiUD.
Many thanks are due the ladies for
their gallant efforts on behalf OF
Waite and Eldridge, and it was evil
dent early in the fray that the Jack
son crowd were up against the worst
of it.
1t Is only fair to mention that Len
Slater did not make an effort to gain
a single vote and evidently was not
extremely desirous OF reelection.
Most of the disappointed contingent
would have us believe that little
interest was taken in the result, but
"the grapes are sour" 1t being one Of
the most amusing sights of the day
to watch the confidential and per-
suaslve manner In which they would
try to catch the unwary voter.
The result shows plainly that the
people OF Lewistown know a good
thing when they see 1t, and we may
no doubt now bid adieu to chaos and
confusion and welcome regime Of
regularity and good management.
The district school building was
used for polling purposes. Thejudges
OF election were Archibald Hopkins
and ID. A. Meagher. The clerks du-
ties were ably performed by John
Foster.
"All's well that ends we'll"
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
griddle, swearing in hot, feverlsh

griddle, swearing in hot, ieverlsh
haste with every hop.
The steam pipe had bursted and
the floor was flooded with water too
hot to wash with.
Come out" chorused the BARRIERS.
But the living picture artist doing
the hoochy-coochy to full house
only yelled: Bring me my clothes"
Something had to he done or there
would be coronsr's inquest for
lunch, 40 one Of the BARRIERS with a
heroism that had shoes on rushed in,
seized the old man, bore him To the
middle OF the room, brought his
shoes to him and there behind IA
spittoon the angry one clothed every.
thing but his anger,
In the interim--and in the room
all laughed In that hUarse ribald way
that brought tears.
And when the old mRu went he
turned and said: "l'll never take
another bath in this place. Seattle
Standard.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
Price S Cents.
FOUR BILLION STAMPS.
Are annually Printed for Use OF indie
Sans Citizens.


In the matter Of postage stamps,
says the Washington Tires, it IL esti-
mated that ON average every man,
woman and child in the United States
will use liity-thrcc postage stamps
during the year 1901, forty of them
being of the popular 2-cent denomina-
tion. The total number consumed
will be over 1000, 600, 600, and nearly
| 900 ,OOO.O 600 of these will he of the l.
cent variety. One person out Of every
ten will send special delivery letter
in the course OF the present year
The first process in the cmaniucturc
of stamps AT the money mill is to
count the shcctsoibnnk paper which
are purchased 10y contract. This work
is done by women, who, indeed, per-
form most Of the labor in the bureau
Of engraving and painting. simply be-
cause they have proved themselves
more capable than men for business
oi this description. Each sheet is the
proper size and shape To make 400
printed stamps. with n small margin.
After they have been counted the
sheets nre moistcned by lay ing wet
rags between them at intervals Of
twenty, and next morning, after the
rags are removed the sheets are ready
for printing.
These plates, always horizontal
travel around the four sides Of the
square at a moderate speed, passing
In turn beneath nn ink roller. Each
ai them il engraved with the faces of
800 stamps und after being inkcd by
the roller goes under n mechanical
rubber, which removes most of the
tnk. Then the plate is cleanscd Ofall
the rest ui the ink save what Is in the
craven !inCs 10y n man who rubs il
with cloth and his bare hands. and
finally il gucs under II dry, clnth-cnv-
cred roller, which, u sheet Of white
paper being iutcrposcd, does the
printing. All OF THESE processes are
four times inside Of hali
a infinite.
\ girl supplies thcfresh whitcsbeet-
as the plates come around to her ia
uuick succession, and another girl
takes them out, fresh printod,a they
appear on the outside of the cloth
covered roller, piling them neatly as
she does So. Then the sheets, sonrw
and beautiful with their bright col
cred impressions, are cnrricd To AN
other room to hccountcd, after " hich
they are laid on racks in wire cages
ON wheels and hauled intOsteam dry
Ing rooms 10 stay over night.
ON the following morning they are
taken into thecXamining room. where
each OF them IL carefully inspcctcdfOr
defects. Torn or othIrwiscimpcrfect
ones are rejected, but all fragments
are carefully stuck together, so that
each sheet may he accounted for.
Each person in this department Of
the money mill isexpectcd toeXamine
y, 500 sheets Ia days work.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
A ltGAl FENCE.
Two New Laws OF Special Interest to
Stockmen and Farmers.

Stockmen and Farmers.
The following law defines legal
fence:
Be il Enacted by the Legislative As
sembly OF the state OF Montana:
Section /. That section $3.50, chap
ter XIII, title VII, part Ill, of the
political code OF the state Of Mon
tana, be amended so rs to read Hs
follows:
Section $3.50. Thefollowing are legal
fences and must not be less than four
and One-half feet In height.
/. All fences constructed Oiat least
one strong pole, rail or board, and
three Of either barb wires or strong
poles, rails or boards, or both, 50
that there be three altogether there
under, which lower three. whether all
barb wires or poles, rails or boards
and barb wires, may be arranged at
the pleasure Of the builder; but all
must be firmly fastened as nearly
equl. distant as possible to substan-
tial posts firmly set in the ground not
more than 20 feet apart, or set to well
supported substantial leaning posts,
not more than 20 feet apart. But the
lower pole, rail, board or barb wire
must not be more than one foot and
half above the ground.
2. All fences constructed OF at least
four barb wires, the lowest OF which
must not be more than one foot and
a hall above the ground, securely fas-
tened as nearly eQui-distant as pos
sible to substantial posts firmly set
in the ground, at distance not ex-
ceeding 80 feet apart, with pickets at
least five feet in length, interviewer
in or fastened to said wires, between
each two OF said posts in such man.
ner that there must be not more than
five feet space between such plckets
or posts and pickets.
3. All substantial worm fences and
stone walls.
4. All rivers, hedges, mountain
ridges and bluffs, or other barriers
over or through which 1t Is lmpos-
sible for stock to pass. But none OF
the fences hereinbefore described are
legal for stock yards, or places where
either grain, hay or straw Is kept,
but such places must be inclosed by u
fence of at least six feet high, con
structed of one strong pole, board or
rail, with at least five strong rails,
poles or boards, or barb wires there
under, securely fastened, as nearly
equi-distaut apart as possible, to
substantial po5,s, firmly set IN the
ground, not more than II feet apart.
). That all fences constructed ofat
least four barbed or other wires, the
lowest oi which must not he more
than one foot and a half above the
ground, securely fastened as nearly
equi-distant as possible to substantial
posts, firmly set in the ground ut u
distance not to exceed 20 feet apart.
There shall be tags oi zinc, tin or
sheet iron, not less than three inches
square fastened to the top wire not
to exceed five feet apart.
6. All fences constructed Of what
Is commonly known as "McAIullen
Woven wire" aud Page Woven wire
securely fastened to substantial posts
set at distance not exceeding 35ftet
apart.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
Each Of Them Had More Votes Than
the Combined Strength Of Their
Opponents.
Bob JACKSON HARDLY WALKED
Over -Four Hundred Votes Cast, a
Majority by Ladies. Who We're
Out in Force.

The school election last Saturday
resulted in an easy victory for j. d.
Waite and l.. W. Eldridge, who won
out with enough votes to the good
toelect another trustee. Theelection
returns were as follows: j. ID. Waite
273, l.. w. Eldridge 210, Robert Jack
son 120, L. L. Slater ia.
1t was the liveliest school election
which has ever taken place in Lewis
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
lie WAS No lioq.

Patrons of Heady's barber shop
and bath parlors were paralysed by
Il series Of heart rcnding yells on
Thursday. The door TO an adjacent
room was broken open, when steam
burst forth and filed the shop. In
dim, nubirferous outline was naked
man hopping like turkey ON a hot
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10
EASIER SERVICES.
Superb Floral Decorations and Large
Audiences.


Audiences.
The Easter services held In Lewis
town last Sunday reflected much
credit on the pastors and congrega-
tions Of all churches. The services
at the Presbyterian church on Sunday
morning will long remain as a pleas
ant memory to those who partici-
pated In them, the program being "A
most tasteful one. The floral decOra-
tions were lovely and reminded one
OF springtime In the smiling south.
A full choral service was given, the
anthems "Now Is Christ Risen" and
81 viii Lift Up Mine Eyes" being
rendered in n mastery manner.
The sermon, the theme Of which
was the ever new story of the resur.
rection. was handled in very capn.
bile manner by the Rev. Piaus, who
interspprsed his Grafton with many
interesting illusions and compari-
sons.
In the evening very pleasant ser.
vice was held ut the Methodist church.
which was suitably and prettily dec
GRATED for the occasion. Several
anthems were sung by the choir, but
the main part Of the evening was de-
voted to biblical exercises by the Sun.
day school children. The singing by
the little ones was excellent. the chill
dren seeming to throw their whole
heart into the work. A large aud
fence was present, the church being
crowded. The Easter sermon wAs
preached by the Rev. Winters at the
morning service.
The Easter services at st. Lco's
Catholic church were very beautifully Y
rendered.
At 1890 Sunday morning crowds
began to gather, until there was no
standing room. Rev. Father Vermnat
slowly ascended the steps of the altar
which was most artistically decorat-
ed for the uccnsion with u profuslOn
Of flowers and lights. The following
program was rendered:
Kyric c.......................... Werner
Olorla..,. ,..,.,.,,......''s ''ss.s.s.'+'
Credo. .....+..........+... -
Sanctus. .,.....,.... ..'.',r'.....,
Regina Coeii ii......,....,.-. Chuubina
Benedlctrs ..,,...-+..'.'''.-'''.'' 'Sonc"ne
Agnnb De- ..t'.-t+.t..,.', '.''''. ''.'''
During holy communion "One hour
with Thee" was most beautifully
sung by Miss Evn Dc Lorimier.
Rev. Father Nermaat delivered an
Alleluia.
In the evening nt eight o'clock Ves-
pers with Benedlction oi the Blessed
Sacrament was given. Millard's Avo
Maria was sung during the exposI-
tioD.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

sell some of their handiwork, which
was wrapped in folder Of the Bur-
lington Route. 1t shows how well
Burlington folders are circulated"
The above is an extract from a let
ter dated December 18th, received
from Fort st. Michael, Alaska, mt st.
Paul March 7th. The letter was for
warded from st. Michael's by dog
team. 1t was stitched with thread
to prevent loss from the envelope
should the mail go through the ice on
the Yukon.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

II troubled by u weak digestion,
loss Of appetite, or constipation, try
a few doses OF Chamberlain Stom-
ach and Liver Tablets. Every box
warranted. For sale by e. II. Will
liams.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-04-10

Long distance Advertising.
"A singular thing occurred in our
Office. Some native Indians came 10
The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-09
american prospectors Kllied d,

White Sulphur Springs, Mon,, Dec
9.-The fate Of George Hayes and a
party Of three prospcctors who left.
here to prospect in the Philippines
10 1899 has been revealed IN letter
just received In the city. The party
has been missing since March, 1900.
The Rev. j. c. Lenhart, formerly a
minister at Hawaii residing at Ma
nilla, was induced by friends of the
missing men to take up the search.
Dilisent inquiry on his part disclos-
ed the fact that the party, disregard.
ing the warnings of the military not
to venture beyond their lines of de.
fence, had gone into the mountains
of Central Luzon.
Later the bodies Of the four men
were found literally chopped to pieces
by Bolomen. The arms and heads
were severed from the bodies and
the bodies were otherwise horribly
mutilated. The bodies Of Hayes and
James Brown were identified by pa
pers they had upon their persons.