The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-12-18

| twelve miles in width from east To
west and running far into Canadian
territory on the north. The area ii
prairie land in the United States be.
ing about 100 square miles. Some of
the oldest settlements in Flathead
county are in this section, but the
real development of the plains only
began with the building of the Jen-
ninss branch Of the Great Northern
in 1901, and new impetus has been
given to the movement by the con.
struction of the road now being built
from Columbia Falls, but much land
is still open to the homeseeker. The
Jennings road follows the Kootenai
river from Jennings on the Great
Northern to the Crows Nest coal
| fields of British Columbia The new
Columbia Falls line taps this road
near the international boundary line
| and is to be extended to the south
from Kalispell reaching the Northern
Pacific railroad at Jocko in Missoula
county. This line, when completed,
will give Flathead county direct con-
nection with Helena, Butte, Anacon-
da and other Montana cities, and will
be of great benefit in the marketing
OF Flathead county's grain, flour, lum-
Der. fruit, hay and other products.
The distance between Columbia
Falls and Jennings by the new route
is about twenty miles greater than
by the old line, but owing to the
easier grades it is expected that most
of the heavy freight traffic of the
Great Northern will be sent by the
new route.
The construction of these new lines
of railroad has brought into exist
ence several new towns which give
promise of becoming cities of impor-
lance. One of these is Gateway, sit
uated on the Jennings branch where
the road crosses the international
boundary line into Canadian terri
tory. The town has number of bus
mess houses and is the distributing
point for large portion Of the To-
bacco plains country.
Another town on the new line is
Rexford, situated at the junction of
the Jennings branch and the new line
from Columbia Falls. Rexford prom
ises to become railroad and COM
mercial center Of Importance.
Located midway between Gateway
and Rexford On the Jennings line and
on the Kootenai river is the new
town Of Hayden, situated in the midst
Of a rich agricultural district.
Still another town on the new line
is Dewey. located near Tobacco river
On the road between Rexford and
Columbia Falls. Dewey is surround
ed by virgin country rich in timber
and agricultural resources and is GER
tain to become a place of considera.
BILE Importance. Dewey is the home
of The Tobacco Plains Journal, live
and energetic newspaper.
Climate.
The elevation of Flathead county is
such as to insure most delightful
and healthful climate, being from
1900 feet on the western line to
about 5000 feet in the main valley of
the Flathead. Nesting under the
shelter of the main range of the
Rockies On the east and north, the
county is favored with the mild
winds of the Pacific after they have
left their burden of fog and moisture
upon the western coast. The snow
fall in winter is sufficient to furnish
good sleighing while the crisp. yet
mild atmosphere makes sleighriding
a delight. The record of temperature
published elsewhere tells it's own
story, especially that for the winter
last past, when the thermometer
went to zero but once. and the aver
age temperature for December was
80 degrees above zero, while that for
January was % above.
The summer climate of the Flat
head is particularly fine, for in the
hottest weather grateful rest can be
found in the shade, while the nights
are cool and invigorating
Diversity of Resources.
In diversity of resources Flathead
is the richest county in the state.
While agriculture leads in import
ance other Industries and resources
are not far behind although most of
them are still undeveloped. The
timber resources Of the county are