Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-10-14
MANY DESERT
LAND FRAUDS
Special Agent Recommends with
drawal From Desert Entry OF "
Townships in Cascade.
CROPS WITHOUT IRRIGATION
Says Only Attempt to Comply With
Law Has Been zigzag Burrows
and Stone Piles.

Nbitat rdllS lIlDuut ON'SDNi Ao'
By an order received yesterday
yesterday morning by the register and
receiver of the local land office. all
lands in Cascade county, south of the
Missouri river, that are in the Great
Falls land district. and two townships
in the vicinity Of Highwood, in Cho-
teau county. are withdrawn from en-
try under the desert land law; all des-
ert entries upon such lands, for which
patents have not been issued, are sus-
pended pending investigation; and 1t
is probable that patents issued, but
not delivered, will be held pending in
vestigation.
Embraced in the withdrawal is
nearly all the land in this county
that lies south and east of the Mis-
souri,. That part of the county lying
south of Monarch and in the vicinity
of Barker and Neihart and that part
embracing Robertson precinct is not
affected, being in the Helena land dis
trict. The order concerning the two
townships in the vicinity of Highwood
is of little importance, as those town
ships are within a forest reserve.
1t is estimated that the order of
withdrawal affects about 1,150.000
acres. and that. within that area,
there have been filings, under the des-
ert land law, upon about 100000 acres.
The area embraced within the sus-
pended entries is probably 10000
acres.
1t is probable that. in due time.
similar orders will be made. applying
to the lands in Cascade county north
OF the Missouri and also to much of
the public domain in Teton. Choteau
and Valley counties.
At the request of Senator Gibson.
who represented to the interior de-
partment that gross frauds had been.
and were being. committed in this dis
trict. under the desert land laws. Spec
ial Agent Chadwick was recently sent
TO this city TO make an investigation
and report. His report was a sensa-
tional one. sustaining practically e
cry charge made by Senator Gibson.
and the commissioner or the general
land office. acting upon that report,
made the order Of withdrawal and sus.
pension.
The commissioner says in part,
speaking of the findings of the special
agent:
He says also that the described
lands are table lands or high rolling
hills, all having natural growth OF
blue joint and buffalo grass. affording
excellent grazing. and that il is i'm
practicable to artificially irrigate
them; that no irrigation schemes,
either private or cooperative, are in
practice in that region. that he has
found the most wonderful crops OF
hay. wheat. oats. potatoes and grain
have grown without artificial irriga
ton: that where lands were enclosed
he found moving machines cutting
the native grass for hay.
Relative to the matter of final des'
ert proof. he says that many tracts
of land in that vicinity have been en-
tered as desert, yearly and final proof
made therefor. and the only attempt
to comply with the law as to irriga'
ton has often been to pillow some zig
gag burrows. or in some depression,
If there be one, place a few stones
sometimes two or three wagon
loads, then a few loads of dirt. and
call the production a reservoir.
THE printed statements mention
ed are contained in The Great North
ern Bulletin (copy furnished), which
Is published at st. Paul. Mimi, and
are simply testimonials of settlers re
siding in the vicinity of Great Falls,
Montana. as to the fertility of the soil,
the agreeable climate. etc. and each
asserts that no artificial irrigation is
necessary.
in view of the showing made by
Agent Chadwick the land above de-
scribed is withdrawn from entry un'
der the desert land law and all desert
entries covering any OF said lands
will stand suspended until investigat'
ed by a special agent 10 determine
their bona fides.
You will make the necessary notes
on your plats and tract books and al
ter receipt thereof allow no entry to
be made under said act. for any OF
the above described lands. except in
cases where the application or claim
was initiated prior TO receipt OF this
letter In your office