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

feeding is practiced by nearly all the
small farmers in this district and the
stock is in better shape in the spring
to rustic and get in marketable con-
dition earlier and easier than cattle
which have had to scratch through
the winter as best they might.
The Rock creek bench proper, a
comparatively small district comprised
In a plateau situate between Rock
creek aud Ross Fork, is arid land,
but with intelligent summer fallow-
ing, irrigation and the thorough cul-
tlvatlon 1T has been submitted to by
the hardy settlers who have made it
their home, it is now in state of re-
clamation and in fair way to become
fertile region. The raising Of win
Ter wheat is the principal industry
engaged in this immediate district
and the growing of spring crops is a
rather hazardous experiment, depend
ing on the natural water supply.
Were system Of irrigation instituted
in this district in manner to insure
constant and bountiful supply Of
water this locality would undoubtedly
be one OF the most fertile in the state.
The water used for irrigating pur-
poses is obtained from the headwaters
Of Rock creek. The outlying portions
OF the Rock creek district, in the
foothills and in the breaks of the
judith, are extremely fertile and on
the lands embraced in those portions
any kind of crop can be raised that
will grow in the northern section of
the United States.
Good coal is being obtained from
the properties at the head Of Beaver
ana Rock creek, and though the
mines are only lately opened up the
quality Of fuel obtained is very fair
and is used by the settlers generally.
Harry Spense on the head of Beaver
creek has opened up a good looking
piece Of coal land, while Dan Sharpe
and r. |. Jenkins have good coal
claims at the head Of Rock creek.
The aridity of this region has been
considerably decreased by the cultiva-
tion Of the land and the consequent
sub-irrigatioA caused by the holding
OF the water fall by the ploughed
lands. The results gained by the
arduous labors of the settlers on Rock
creek ShowS oODcl,,civolv what 40, h,
accomplished in the direction of the
semi-arid lands of Fergus county by
honest cultivation. Improved land
in this section is worth from eight to
fifteen dollars per acre and as the ma
jority of the farmers OF the district
seem to be doing we'll, the investment
would seem to be good one. Some
government land is still available
through the outlying sections of the
district and this is fast being taken
up by settlers from the oyercrowded
regions Of the east.
A few months over two years ago
the Montana Railroad was built
through this section and shortly
afterwards the Moore townsite was
laid out by the Montana Townsite
Co., consisting of E. w. King, Nate
Godfrey and f. T. Robinson: Build
ing commenced and in short time
a very proficient trading center was
established. Today the town of Moore
is in a position to supply the surround
ing ranchers and farmers with any
thing in the shape Of supplies.
The mercantile business is ably
represented by The Moore Mercantile
Co., VIM. Barney and G. r. Wilson.
The former organization is capital
lied at $4,000 and carries very
complete stock. VIM. Barney has a
very nice little business and a good
trade, while the Moore post office is
situated in the store of G. r. Wilson
OF Two Dot, who was one of the first
to establish business in the town.
II. G. Phillips, formerly of Utica,
owns heavy interest in the Moore
Mercantile Co., and acts in the capa-
city OF manager. A. d. Barney, his
assistent, also holds shares: other
shareholders are J. C. Hauck and J.
Gallagher of Philbrook.
Louis Corryel runs the meat market
and is doing fairly good business.
The Montana Lumber Co.. carries
$4,000 stock Of lumber and general
hardware, Mr.. c. G. Long, formerly
OF the Lewistown Lumber Co., being
interested in this venture. The COM
pany has a very neat office and yard
near the stockyards.
a grain elevator with 10000
bushel capacity is just in a state of
completion. The chief promoter of
this enterprise is A. w. War; of
Lewistown, while Mr.. McClave, BROTH
er-in-law to b. G. White, holds an in
terest and acts in the capacity of
manager. The elevator is built in a
Al