The Dickinson press., 1903-06-13
WEST OF THE RIVER.
A Few Observations on the Country West
Of tho Missouri River-Prosper-
it,, EverVwhere Evident.

Of the Missouri River-Prosper-
ity Everywhere Evident.
Last wee a Forum representative had
occasion to take a trip west to Medora.
He found a wonderful development all
along the line Of the Northern Pacific
west Of the Missouri river. The new
homes ot settlers could be seen scattered
all over the prairies and the towns are
rapidly building up. Creameries and
cheese factories are prominent among
the Improvements to be observed. The
Ignite mines were developing, and each
year better coal is being secured. The
Dickinson Pressed Works have an i'm
portant plant and have secured the repu-
tation Of making one of the best facing
bricks to be found anywhere in the
country.
Nearly everybody was busy in regard
to the roundup, and all stock seems to
have come through the winter in good
shape, Notwithstanding the great losses
in Montana.
Two parties are out from the govern
ment travelling along the water courses in
the country north Of the Northern Pa
ci6c line seeing what plans can be per-
fected for irrigation, in order to spend
the 100000 this state is entitled to for
this work. They expect TO be out the
entire season, and it is impossible to
learn what they have discovered, until
their reports made to the government.
A good deal of this country is 50 Uneven
that it will be difficult to obtain large
tracts of land that one plant will irrigate.
but there are many small sections of
land that will be greatly benefited by
works Of this nature.
To the south of Bel6eld a new coal
vein has been discovered which is de-
clared by those who have been on the
ground to be fifty feet in depth, and of
excellent quality. 1t is some twenty
miles from the railroad.
The large ranches are being hemmed
in considerably by the settlers TO- COM
ing in for, small farming. There Is al
ready some agitation in regard to the
fencing for pasture purposes by some of
the large owners, who are generally try
ing to protect themselves az we'll as pos.
sible bv purchasing the Northern Pacific
lands within the limits of their grazing
grounds and doing the best they a in
regard to the government lands. 1t is
believed that these questions will be
amicably settled.
A little over four miles from the Me-
dora are the buildings of the Custer Trail
Ranch owned by the Eaton Brothers
Howard, William and Alton-and it oc.
cupies a very attractive site at the base
of a tall butte, and some fifteen or twenty
buildings have here been construed,
and there is always a lively and interest,"
ing company present. These brothers
have some 500 head of horses, in addi.
ton to their cattle, and 900 horses will
be needed for one Of their excursions
this summer, including the pack animals.
This trip will be along the Yellowstone
and up through the National Park.
The old camping ground of General
Custer is only a few rods from the house,
! and places where the tents were pitched
can still be plainly seen.
The Eaton Brothers are from Pittsburg
originally, but have been here for nearly
| IS years. They seem to have been EN-.
bued with the southern courtesy, and it
is delightful to see the respect shown
them by the guests and employees. On
the place is a billiard hall, a large tennis
court, a library of some 5000 volumes,
containing historical works, philosophy
and all the current literature; there are
riding ponies in abundance, and delight.
full scenes are on every hand. The
buttes never seem the same-their chang.
ing colors vary with the height of the
sun, or a cloud fitting wei the sky, and
| some of them are almost as attractive as
the Grand Canon of the Yellowstone
Park. 1t is no wonder that young men
sent here by their parents from the east
are loath to leave SO attractive a place
>ra1 ,fkar <Lo, r>~ouor thAir hna1<h
Custer Trail Ranch is noted all through
the east as n of the best resorts of the
entire country, and it we'll merits the
reputation it has acquired.
Within a few miles of the ranch there
are quite a number of burning coal mines
"a decidedly interesting sight, and these
are the cause of the coloring Of the vari-
Gus buttes, the red scoria being espec.
tally prominent in many places.
Even the Fargo public library was re-
membered on this trip. Mrs. Gillespie,
a sister of the Eaton boys, sent down
three bound volumeso of Harper's Weekly
for 1868, 1860 and 1870; these books con-
tain the cartoons of Mast on the Tweed
| ring, and are most interesting as we'll as
valuable historically.
There is one item that should not be
overlooked. The Eaton Brothers are
large collectors of wild animals. They
have. quite a herd of buffalo still and this
is up in Montana.
The trip was one which will not soon
be forgotten. Excellent rains have fall
en-, and there is g%reenness and beauty
everywhere and the cattle, horses and
| sheep on a thousand hills show what
grass made the bank deposits in this
country swell to so great proportions and
why everyone you meet has a broad
| smile on his countenance. .