Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-02-21


that it is at this time.
This bench would have remained
a barren desert region until the end
OF time had there not been men of
sufficient hardihood to try to make it
productive. 1t was through the eff
iorts OF the men whose lands are now
being contested that we discovered
that even an occasional crop can be
produced here. After they had un-
dergone the privations of the first
hard years and suffered the numerous
diflicultieS which were met with nv
the first settlers ON this bench, these
other fellows come in and think tn
rob them OF their well earned lands.
This government has always STAYED
with the man who has become a bone
Tide settlement of land and who has
honestly complied with the provisions
OF the land law. knowing that you
have done these things, you need have
no fears OF the government taking
your land away from you at this
time".
40 the conclusion Of Mr. Hilger's
speech which was received with an.
plause, the costitution and bylaws
were unanimously adopted and about
% members OF the association were
quickly enrolled, each panking down
his entrance fee OF 81. When the
meeting had again been called TO or
der after short recess, the following
officers were chosen for the wear.
President, W. Owen; vicc-president.
Charles M. Clarey; secretary, A. d.
Barney; treasurer, j. j. Eouck. John
IS. Clark, Pat Nihill, =. r.. Elston,
>. Q. Hauck and Frank Robinson
comprise the executive comittee of five
members. After the organization had
been completed, the Hon. e. G.
White Of Garneill was called ,mon
and made rousing speech.
Mr.. White stated that he lad been
acquainted with the Rock creek
bench lands for quarter Of a century
and they were never considered any,
thing other than desert lands. They
were settled as such and only the un-
remitting industry Of the settlers had
succeeded IN partially reclaiming
Them. The speaker said that the
night OF the ranchers of the Rock
creek bench Is the fight Of every man
In the county who has taken up land
under the desert land law. In order
to obviate any further difficulty of
this sort, Mr.. White favored the
bringing in Of a government land
agent who Shall classify the vacant
land as to it's desert or homestead.
character.
"The men who have settled on this
bench have had enough to do to make
a living and comply with the letter
and the spirit Of the prevailing land
laws without this further harassment
from these latter day saints con-
cluded Mr.. White.
A more harmonious meeting was
never held in the county, and one but
has to interview some of the men
present to become convinced of the
earnestness OF the men behind the
movement. 1t is expected that tho
will reach at least two
and all who have not signed
the prepared documents can do SO by
calling upon Secretary A. ID. Barney
at the Moore Mercantile company,
Moore.
Following is the preamble and con-
'titution adopted by the new organ
zatiOn:
Whereas, The farmers and ranch
nen residing in the vicinity of Moore,
Fergus county, Montana, have been
larassed by set of irresponsible real
state boomers who file contests and
against desert land and other
'ntries, for the evident purpose of
'lackmail and extortion: and
Whereas, The members of this Or
are honestly endeayoring
o comply with the letter and the
pirit OF the several agricultural land
cts OF the United States and are
triving tomake homes for themselves
nd their families, and to improve, re-
lain and develop the wild lands of
'ergus county; and
Whereas, The subscribers hereto
AVE been beset with many difficulties
Incident to the settlement and deyel.
pment OF the agricultural and stock
alslng districts of Fergus county.
lontana, most of them being Door
nen with large families to support,
nd striving to the best of their abili-
les to build homes and to improve,
eclaim and cultivate the lands of this
ountry, and particularly the lands
djacent to Moore; and
Whereas, irresponsible land sharks
nd Spectators are attempting to
'lackmail and cast odium and suspi-
ion nf tha 1ap ~,