davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Total Loss $150,o0o.

Competent authorities estimate that
it would require $150.OOO to replace
the burned buildings and the stocks
destroyed. Strangely enough, not a
cent of insurance was carried on any
of the places burned, so that the loss
is total.
Discovered by Woman.
The fire began in the rear of Mike
Halls saloon, and was first observed
at 5 a. m. by Mrs. B. F. Chirkoff, who
at once fired a shot to give the alarm
A crowd Immediately gathered, but the
blaze had gained such headway that
it was found impossible to check it.,
and it spread rapidly to the adjoin.
ing building.
Washburn Building Destroyed.
The Washburn building, owned by
the Bank of Fergus County, and occu-
pied by the postoffice and the Tele-
phone company, came next, and it
was totally destroyed. Postmaster
Victor Langdoc lost all of his own
stock, but saved the postoffice prop
erty complete, and has moved the eff.
fects to the lower end of town, where
the postoffice will at once be reopen.
ed, and the mail will be received and
delivered tonight as ususal.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
WATTERsoN ON THE CAR.
Kentucky Editor Says Nick is Perfid-
ious Little Reptile.

ious Little Reptile.
New York. Aug. 14.-Henry Waiter.
son, in an interview, said of the pro-
posed new assembly of the czar:
1T is not too much to say of the
czar that he is a perfidious little rep
tile. All the maneuvering of the court
Is to deceive the people and procure
delay. They have no idea of surren-
dering anything of their absolute des-
potism and enormous wealth.
IF there is no reign of terror ex-
plating ages of despotism, there will
be revolution to bring about a more
constitutional form of government for
the country, either through the reign
ing dynasty or by raising from the
wreck of this dynasty new race of
popular agents-maybe with M. Witte
at the helm
In regard to Chinese exclusion, Mr..
WattersOn says: What we want to
do in the United States is to drop the
idea of racial superiority, which would
deny the blessing of free government
to everybody except Ourselves-to re-
peal outright mad promptly the infa-
nous Chinese exclusion act and to cul-
tivate friendly relations with all the
tinted peoples.
Only fifty years ago the Japan
ese were supposed to be the merest
bric-a-brac of people, peachblow
vase very beautiful to look at, but sure
to 90 to pieces the first time 1t was
struck.
The Chinese are a mere hudylle of
squalid tribes and not homogeneous
nation at all, but they are a slow and
solid people, who, under the lead of the
Japanese, may develop wonderfully
They may develop 100 years hence
into new world more potent and
splendid than this of ours"
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Jack Cooper's saloon was destroyed,
but most of the contents were saved,
through the efforts of Mrs. Cooper,
who, at the beginning of the fire,
started to take out the stock. The
building was owned by Mrs. Nathalie
Belanger.
The old Williams drug store and its
contents were completely destroyed.
Mrs. 6eIanger's Heavy Loss. -.
The heaviest loser in the fire was
Mrs. Belanger. the well known merch.
ant. Her stone store building and
warehouse came next in the line of
the blaze, and the ,t.yA was practically
total. Mrs. Belanger also owned an
other building, which was at one time
occupied by her, but which had been
used of late as a saloon, and this, too,
was destroyed.
Other losers are:
William Jenkins, barber shop at the
corner of Main street. Total loss.
Cans & Klein building. Total loss.
The Peterson building. Total loss.
The Louis Landt building. Total
loss.
The Boisseneault building, owned by
Mrs. Belanger. Total loss.
Mike Halls Bullion saloon. Total
loss.
Mrs. Poland, three buildings. Total
loss.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Smoker at fire hall.
Wednesday, September 6, 10 q, m.

0mOhcI AL uT0 08ll.
wednesday, September 6, 10 q. m.
Topics:
Selection and Training of
Fire Horses"
Red Lodge-"Dangers From Storing
OF Explosives and What Means Can
be Used to Secure Enforcement of
State Law Regarding Same.''
misunderstanding of Fires in
Flour Mills and Breweries.''
Philipsburg-"What Conditions War
rant Volunteer Company Asking for
Assistance of Paid Mem"
Wednesday, 2 p. m.
Topics:
MISUNDERSTANDING Fire in Hotels
and Business Blocks
Deer Lodge-"Maintaining of Vol
unteer Fire Departments and Govern.
ment of Its Members
Big Timber-"Necessity of Educa.
tion and Precautions in Prevention of
Fires"
Lewistown-"Science of Fire and
Its Prevention
Wednesday, 9 p. m.
Dance at Culver's hall.
Thursday September 2, 10 a. m.
Topics:
Virginia City-"With but $500 Avail.
able, What Apparatus Should be Pur-
chased by Volunteer Company in a
Small Town."
Bozeman-"Fire Streams and Their
Handling From the Ground and From
Ladders"
Havre-"Assisting Neighboring Cit.
les In Cases of Big Confagrations."
Walkerville-"Fire Escapes on Pub.
lie Buildings"
Thursday, p. m.
Butte-"Fire Alarm Systems in
Large and Small Towns"
Hamilton-''The Company Relief
Fund and What Advantageous Results
Have You Derived From Its Estab-
lishment?"
Observation-Disclosures of Firemen
From Electric Wires and From Elec-
tricity Through Water and Nozzles."
A. G. M. Co., Butte-"Chemicals
Hand and Wagon; Their Care and
USE"
Appointment of committee on reso-
lutions.
Appointment of auditing committee.
Thursday, p. m.
Barbecue supper music, parade.
Friday, September 8, 10 a. m.
Topics:
Williamsburg-"Fire Streams; Their
Capacity and Effectiveness"
Washoe Smelter- "Equipping Pri.
vate Fire Department"
Kalispell- Municipal Cooperation
With Fire Companies"
Unfinished business.
Friday, z p. m.
Report of treasurer.
report of committee on resolutions.
report OF auditing committee.
Selection of next place of meetine.
Election of officers.
Adjournment.
Friday, 8 p. m.
Grand finale at city hall.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
RUSSIA USES
YELLoWPERIL
CZAR'S ENJOYS CALL UP "SPEC.
TER" IN PEACE NEGO.
TlATIONS.

Portmouth, Aug. 13.-No progress
has been made with the peace nego-
tiations over Sunday. They stand ex-
actly where they did last night. The
session of the plenipotentiaries which
was to be held this afternoon was
postponed by mutual consent, out of
reverence of the holy Sabbath. which
is universally observed in Russia as
a day Of rest.
The Russians had not been anxious
for session today and this morning
the japanese took the initiative, and
through the intermediary of Mr.
Pierce, it was decied to postpone the
sitting until tomorrow morning.
The situation therefore remains the
same.
1t would perhaps not be too much
to say that the general feeling is more
hopeful. in spite of open predictions,
made by persOnages connected with
both sides of the negotiations, that
before next Sunday the plenipoten-
tiaries will reach an impasse. where
rupture will become inevitable.
"YeIIow Peril" Specter.
The debate in yesterdays confer.
ence over the first condition, the re.
cognition of Japanese "preponderating
influence" over KOrea-involving her
right to control the administration
of the Hermit kingdom, use the littor-
al for strategic purposes, etc.-was
Of remarkable character. Indeed,
the position taken by M. Witte was
sensational in the extreme. His atti-
tude reveals plainly the Russian tao
tics. They propose to raise before
the world the specter of the yellow
peril" Russia claims that Japan's
present purpose is to get fOothold
on the Asiatic continent from which
to extend her dominion. Mr.. Witte
made no objection, but he declared
the words "preponderatirg influence
did not adequately describe what Jap
an proposed to do, and he insisted that
the language used should show Jap.
ans purpose-which. he contended,
was to make Japanese province OF
Korea.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Some Of the Losses.


1t is. of course. impossible at this
time, with the embers of the fire still
glowing in the ruined town, to get
at the losses exactly, but they are
Appropriated in most cases.
AS before stated, Mrs. Belanger is
by far the heaviest loser. She saw
ed very little from her immense stock,
and her buildings are totally destroy.
ed. Her loss is fixed at not less than
$4,000, and some estimates place it
as high as $4,000. with no insurance.
Thomas Carrs loss is $500; B. F.
Chi&of. $500; Meade Moran, S400;
Victor Langdoc. $500; Charles Drosch,
$1,000; Mrs. Poland. $3.50; Rufus Pc.
land, 800 cash; Mike Hall, $4,000.
Many people were left without
homes, but found temporary shelter
with neighbors. Already some of those
whose stores were destroyed are talk
ing of rebuilding, and work will COM
mence on some structures at once.
The town has suffered a terrible blow
in any event, but the people are hope.
ful that it will recover.
Telephone Line is Workinq.
The telephone office was early burn
ed out, but as soon as the cOnflagra-
tion had subsided, a temporary office
was opened, and Maiden is in commun-
lcation with the outside world.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
AND WOOL INTERESTS OF THE GREAT JUDITH COUNTRY

executor of the estate of the late P. s,
Bennett, of this city. was filed in the
probate court today.
The reasons for the action are not
stated in the notice, but before the
account was accepted in the probate
court the legatees protested because
of certain fees paid by Mr. Bryan to
the appraisers, to counsel and to him
self as executor. and also because
of the payment of certain taxes on the
estate in New York.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
SECURES THE
BRIGHT HOME
RUFUS THOMPSON BUYS VAIU.
ABLE PROPERTY AND WILL
RESIDE HERE.

The most important deal in real
estate during the past week was the
sale by John L. Bright of his fine two.
story residence at the corner of Sew.
enth avenue and Boulevard to Rufus
Thompson, the well known wool grow.
er of Highfield. The consideration was
$1,000, the deal being negotiated by
George W. Cook. Mr.. Thompson in.
tends to make Lewistown his home
in the future, and secures this fine
property for his residence. Mr.. Bright
intends to build himself a new home
Immediately.
Mrs. John McCourt has sold lots /
and 2, block 1, Of Morase addition, No.
l, to George M. Fowler, of Stanford,
O. Janeaux has sold to J. L. Beebe
and L. B. Blodgett for $1,000, block
IL, in the Janeaux tract.
L. Washburn has sold to Patrick
Nihill for 5000 a 32O acre tract in
sections 20 and 32. township IA north
OF range 16 east,
The Kendall Investment company
has sold to j. M. Parent for $3.50
lot 3 in block 80 at Kendall.
John Boyer. of Denton, has sold to
Levi Knerr 16O acre tract in sec.
tions and S, township 1S north, OF
range 16 east, the consideration being
$1,000.
w. A. Combs, of Billings, has sold
to w. A. Caldwell, Of Bozeman, the
northwest quarter of section II, town
ship 13 north. Of range 16 east, for
$2,5OO.
The Kendall Investment company
has sold to Hila Moore, lot z, in block
40, at Kendall.
M. A. Peters has sold to Patrick
Nihill for $1,750, a 100 acre tract in
section 10, township IA north, of range
16 east.
G. M. Stone has sold to Edith Wal.
den and Sarah W. Matthews, of Bel
fast, Maine. for $500, a 24O acre tract
in. sections q, 20 and 33. township Is
north, of range Is east.
Basin Milling company, for a stated
consideration of $50. lot 8. in block
5. of Janeaux's first addition.
F. R. Cunningham has sold to Kate
Washburn, for stated consideration
Of 81. lot II in block "a. at Gilt Edge
e. p. Stowell, of Gilt Edge, has sold
to Estella L. Worsdell for $4,000. a
420 acre tract situated in sections II
and 13. township 16 north. of range
20 east.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
r. NJ. cobban is Acquitted.

Helena, Aug. 1--we, the Jury.
hnd the defendant not guilty of the
charge of subordination of perjury. in
connection with the Leila T. Bryan
entry"
Thus ended today the somewhat no
ted trial of the case of the United
States against r. NJ. Cobban, charged
with subordination of perjury in con-
nection with what are known as the
western Montana timber cases, and
Federal Judge W. H. Hunt, after thank
Ing the jury for its close attention,
dismissed it and ordered the DISCHARGE
OF the defendant.
Special Prosecutor Maynard announ-
ced that the government was ready at
|anX TINA to try any Of thA teA >ethAe
similar cases pending against Cobban.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
ANOTHER BIG
KENDALLDEAL
G. S. CRAWFORD SECURES AN OP.
TiON ON MINING PROPERTY
FOR $4,000.

Another Kendall deal of consider
able importance has just been made,
by which G. s. Crawford, of Kendall,
secures an option on the Vulcan and
Erie claims, owned by w. C. Waldorf
and w. c. Draper. Mr.. Crawford is
to pay $4,000 for this promising prop
erty within eight months, and has ar
ranged to do some extensive develop.
ment work in the meantime.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

FINISH WORK
INCREASES MORE THAN OFFSET
REDUCTIONS MADE-THE
TAX LEVY,

Inc county commissioners, Sitting
as board of equalization, have finish.
ed up their labors, their final session
being held yesterday morning. The
object of the meetings Friday, Satur.
day and Monday was to give taxpay-
ers chance to put in their protests
against the assessments made by Mr..
Pick, and comparatively few took ad-
vantage OF the opportunity.
Some Reductions Made.
In all II reductions were made,
amounting to $22,O06.49, as follows:
o. Lucier, 80 head of stock cattle; E.
E. Duvall, II head; Edgar Hamilton,
85 head; Richard Cox, six head; Ed.
Mcdonald, 175 head; l.. P. Wolf, 10
head; Homer knerr, 5000 ON wagons
and machinery; l.. P. Wolfe, $1,000,
mortgage; N. M. McCauley. $11,716..
49, mortgage; Judith Hardware com.
pany, 1884, mortgages.
The increases made in the assess
ments last month, as noted in the Ar.
than Offset the reductions, and as the
state board of equalization has allow.
ed the railroad assessment to stand
exactly as it was last year, that be.
ing the figure put in by the assessor
as an estimate at the time
the total assessment was announ-
ced, there is practically no change in
his figures of $8,137,434. In most of
the counties of the state some very
marked changes have been made by
the county boards, that of Cascade, as
announced in the Great Falls Tribune,
being net reduction from the as
SCISSORS returns of $292,846. The re-
suit of the boards work is consid-
cred very creditable to Mr.. Pick and
his assistant, Mr.. Osweiler.
The County Tax Levy.
The board also fixed the tax levy as
follows:
State, 2k mills; stock indemnity,
l 1-1O mill; stock inspection and de-
tective, 1k mills; sheep inspection
Az mills; county, general, mills;
contingent fund, 2h mills; poor fund.
" mill, sinking IL mills; road fund,
TX mills; general school. 2 mills;
county high school. 11k mills; city Of
Lewistown (speciaD, II mills.
The changes from last year in the
county funds are that the general fund
is reduced half mill; the contingent
fund is reduced $40 of a mill; the
sinking fund is reduced quarter Of
a mill; the road fund the same, and
the high school fund is raised half
a MILL
The Total Levy.
The total levy for the Lewistown
district amounts to "a mills, which is
exactly the same as last year.
In the state funds, the bounty funJl
is increased one mill and the fish and
game warden's fund is omitted alto
gether, it having been 1-1O of a mill
last year.
The School Levy.
The school levy by districts is as
follaws:
District one. mills: three, mills;
five. " mill; six. 3z mills; nine, 6
5-S mills; twelve, l mill: fifteen, 3
mills; nineteen, mills: twenty, 2k
mills; twenty-five, mills: twentj
three. 2 mills; twenty-four, mills;
twenty-five, mills; twenty-eight. AZ
mills: thirty mills; thirty-one, 2
mills: thirty-three mills: thirty-four
5 mills thirty-six, 3 mills; thirty.sev.
en-, 4 mills; thirty-nine. mills; forty,
5 mills; forty-two, mills; forty-three,
,6z,nil1s, forty-foVE. Z Wjl}s; foxtx:axe
2 mills; forty-six, SK mills.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
MAIDEN IS NEARLY wiped OUT BY FIRE
Town Swept by Conflagration which Starts Early in
the Morning--Loss Amounts to About $I5o,ooo
Without One Cent of Insurance-=Mrs.
NJ Belanper Heaviest Loser

Early this morning Maiden was WIS.,
tied by one Of the worst fires ever
known in Fergus county, and when
the conflagration had run it's course,
the town was practically wiped out.
A few buildings are left standing, but
the majority of them are of small val
ue. The origin of the fire is not def
nitely known, but many believe it was
incendiary.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Charles Drosch's store and restau.
rant came next, the building and con-
tents being nearly all destroyed.
The Demonico hotel building was
on fire by this time, and was totally
destroyed. nothing being saved at ali.
The Wocasek building and store
adjoining. occupied by Tom Burke,
went next. the loss being total.
Henry Born's saloon and contents
went next, nothing being saved. The
building was owned by Richard Gies.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Mcdonald barber shop. Total loss.
Tom Carr, saloon. Total loss.
Eugene Francis, blacksmith shop
Total loss.
Thomas Merryfield. residence and
barn. Total loss.
Freak Of the Fire,
Two buildings that were right in
the heart of town, strangely enough,
escaped damage. They are the store
of Mrs. White and the livery stable
of Frank Sage.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Yellow Jack at New Orleans.

New Orleans, Aug. 13.-Following
is the official record up to p. M:
New cases, so; total cases, 963:
deaths. II; total deaths, 154; new sub
foci, IA; total sub foci, 2O2; cases un.
der treatment, 343.
The heavy increase in the number
OF cases. which began four or five days
ago. is beginning to manifest itself in
the death list, which can be expected
to grow steadily for the next few
days. The number of new cases to-
day seems small, in comparison with
Yesterdays record, but it is really 10
short, as that number of cases were
turned in by an inspector just after
the hour for closing the report. These
VIII figure in tomorrOw's report
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Troops Attack Russian Socialists.

Warsaw. Aug. 14.-During a meet.
ing OF 1000 socialists in the woods at
Dlut0wo today, Cossacks and infantry
appeared.
The socialists opened fire ON the
troops with revolvers and the troops
replied. killtngTt two Of the socanlists.
woun1ing 18 and arresting 45S.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Our New Battleshin.

Philadelphia, Aug. 12.-The battle.
ship Kansas. the largest war vessel
ever built in the east, was launched
at 12:47 p. m. today at the yard of
the New York Shipbuilding company
in Camden, N. J. The launching was
witnessed by Governor Hoch, of Kan
sas, whose daughter acted as sponsor
for the ship. Along with the governo.
was a christening party of thirteen
kansans.
An unusual feature of the launch.
ing was the fact that the vessel was
christened with spring water produc.
ed from Camden, n. j., spring, in
stead of the customary bottle of cham
payne. This was the first time that
water instead of wine has been used
In launching a vessel in this vicinity.
Governor Hoch of Kansas, made
the suggestion and he made the an
nOuncement after the launching that
the christening bottle contained only
water.
The Kansas is a sister ship Of the
Vermont, now being built at the yards
of the Fall River Ship & Engine
building company, Quincy. Mass. She
| will have the same armament as the
battleship Minnesota. launched sew.
eral months ago at Newport News.
The keel plates of the Kansas were
laid Feb. 10, 1904. She is known as
a $50 foot battleship and her contract
calls for a maintenance s0f cigh4oea
knots for four consecutive hours.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Horace Hill has purchased from
Michael Riser all the latters interest
in the Wild Goose claim at Kendall.
This is considered a promising prop
erty.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
aeujnnjnu of Maiden.

The town of Maiden had its begin
ming in the discovery of mineral there
in 1880, and it's growth for a couple
of years was slow. The prospectors
put up few cabins, and at last a saw
mill was built and the little town
commenced to take form. The Magin-
mis- mine was opened up and became
great producer in 1888, and the same
year witnessed the development of
other prospects in mines. Substantial
buildings were then erected, and in
the year 1883 it looked as though the
camp was destined to become a large
town. Afterwards it's growth was
checked through variety of causes,
some of the mines closing down, and
later, when LewistOwn became the
county seat of the new county of Fer
gus, 1t received another setback. Mai.
den has continued to be a place of
some importance since then. This
year, the old town experienced re-
vival, and the outlook was very bright.
The Maginnis is again in commission,
operating a small stamp mill and a
cyanide plant, and other properties
are being put in shape for becoming
regular producers again, while new
claims are being opened up. Wheth.
er or not the town can recover from
yesterdays blow remains to be seen.
Maiden is located about 20 miles
northeast of Lewistown, and is in a
good agricultural and stock raising
district
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15
Contest eryan's Account,

New Haven. Conn.,. Aug. 14.-No-
tice Of appeal to be taken to the su-
1os3ncaeoustrfsomsahDea9ooo1ononvnf
the account of William J. Bryan. as
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Ben Enger, of Kendall, has filed no
tices of location of the Mt. Pelee, Nos.
l, 2. 3 and 4, mining claims. in the
North Moccasin district. When he
gets them all going, Ben expects quite
a little eruption.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

sFlf you want al the. news Oh the
dime read the Argus.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Martin Norberg has filed notice of
location of the Double Eagle claim
in Warm Spring district.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

H. M. Rae. manager of the Gold
Reef, at Gilt Edge, and the North
Moccasin, at Kendall, was in town
from the former camp last week, and
reports that everything is looking well
at the Drake property.
President E. w. King, of the Barnes
King company, returned from trip
to Kendall the end of the week, much
pleased with the outlook for the big
property in which he is interested,
and with the general situation at Ken
DALI
T. E. Merrifield and Richard Mitch
ell have filed notice of location of the
Cyclone claim in Warm Spring dis
trict
Arthur Bullard. A. RalstOn and ].
S. Klly have filed notice Of location
of the Happy Thought claim in the
North Moccasin district.
Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-15

Competitive run by visitors.