The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-22
IN TWENTY-oNE YEARS.

IN TWENTY-ONE YEARS.
The Fort Benton River Press is 81
years old and in it's issue of Monday
last it reviews interestingly the re-
markable progress the state has made
since it's birth in October, 1880.
"Of the ninety odd newspapers now
published in the state, not more than
a dozen were in existence 81 years
ago, and this "Reminiscences recalls
other facts of general interest concern
ing the changes that have taken place
during the period under review. 1t
has been Fl years of growth in every
thing that contributes to the upbuild-
ing of a great state-a wonderful
increase in population, a remarkable
development of the mineral, live stock
and agricultural resources of Montana,
a period of home building that has es-
tablished thriving towns and Settle
ments in localities formerly inhabited
by wild animals and rowing Indians.
Here is a brief sketch of ONE of the
changes brought about within the past
p years:
"In 1880, according to the federal
census, the population of Montana
territory was only $3.50, while the
enumeration of last year showed a
population of 243,329. Twenty-one
years ago the city of Butte had only
1864 Inhabitants; the number last
year was 30,470. Twenty-one years
ago some of the ~present-day Montana
cities did not appear on the map.
Anaconda, with a present population
of '9,453, and Great Falls, with a credit
of 1880 population, were not in ex-
istence in 1880, and several towns that
boast residents to the number of hun
dreds are the growth of the past 81
years.
"In 1880 railroad transportation ia
cilities in Montana were represented
by the building of the Utah and
Northern branch to Butte. Then came
the Northern Pacific with it's track
extending clear across the state. and
later the Great Northern gave an addi-
tional outlet to east and west bound
traffic The main lines and branches
owned by these systems now make a
total of some 1888 miles of railroad
track in MOntana-all of which is the
product of p years.
"In 1880, the taxable property in
Montana, according to the returns of
the several county assessors, amount
ed to some SIS, 900, 900. The total for
the present year is $751; 87 ,652. This
item of itself tells a grand story of
progress during the past Fl years.
'The development of the mineral re-
sources of Montana shows wonderful
results compared with 21 years ago.
In 1880, the total product of gold,
silver and copper was less than $10,-
OOO, 900; the total last year was about
$4,000, 600.
"Although Montana has not been
doomed as a farming country, lei
agricultural lands have been occupied
by a large number of thrifty settlers
within the past 81 years. In 1880.
some 100000 acres we're returned for
assessment, while the area listed for
taxation last year amounted to 8,877,
s33 acres.
"The growth of Montana towns and
cities is indicated by the tax rolls OF
the past q years. Town lots and i'm,
provements valued at about 3 1000 600
in 1880, have increased to 500, 9 F: ,00C
for the present year
'In the live stock industry, the ia,
rolls show some $4,000 cattle assess
ed 81 a oga, compared with 546,
918 last year; the sheep assessment
increased from 26O,402 head to 1852,
900 during the same period.
zone of the greatest changes wit
messed during the past 81 years il
the settlement of that portion o.
northern Montana which was form
erly an Indian reservation. In 1880
the total white population of this par
of the country was less than 5000
while the census of last year showed
over 10000 residents.
''This brief story of progress IL
Montana during the past 81 years
is one to which we a all point Will
p5ride-and the record of Fl years tt
come promises to be a story OF still
greater achievements by the energetic
citizens of the treasure state"
PRESIDENT ON RECIPROCITY.
, Minneapolis Journal: The presiden
is credited with a modification OF hi.