The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-01-03
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIVE.

NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIVE.
According to Brsdstreet's review Of
business conditions in the United
States during the past twelve months,
the year 1905 has been record. break
er in agricultural, speculative, 6nan.
cial and Industrial circles. That is
pleasant news to the people OF Mon.
tana, who have shared to some extent
in the prosperity enjoyed by residents
Of other states.
The citizens of Montana certainly
have reason to be satisfied with the
record made by many of their leading
industries during the past twelve
months. The news that comes from
the great mining districts Of the state
tells of greater activity and q larger
output than ever before known. In
the city Of Butte alone, there are
about 10000 men employed in the va.
rious mines, with q monthly payroll
Of about q million dollars-an exhibit
not approached by any other mining
district On earth. The amount of ore
extracted from Butte mines during
the past year is estimated at over five
million tons, an output that makes q
new record in that locality. From
other Montana mining districts the
reports are almost equally encour.
aging, the general verdict being that
1905 has been the banner year for
Montana's leading industry.
In the Montana stock raising and
farming industries there have been
conditions which make the record of
1905 somewhat unsatisfactory to those
engaged in these occupations. In
many parts of the state nature was
not so generous with the supply of
moisture as in many former seasons,
and agricultural crops and livestock
suffered considerably in consequence.
Montana cattlemen, especially, will
look back upon the past year as n
of adversely, the returns from their
shipments having been the most un-
profitable in twenty years and range
conditions being mere unsatisfactory
than ever before known.
The Montana sheepmen, who had
their season of t%ribulation and hard
ship about ten years ago, have been
abundantly rewarded the past season
The prices paid for their products
have been the best in twenty-five years,
and while they, too. are affected by
the drouth conditions Of the past
twelve months, they have been able to
reduce their locks by selling part of
their holdings at the prevailing prof.
table market quotations.
Nineteen hundred and FIVE has been
q year of progress in northern Mon
tana, las we'll as in other parts OF the
state. Our towns and villages have
advanced in population, enterprise
and thrift. Every community can
point to some improvement made dur
ing the year. An increased acreage
OF land has been acquired by new set
tiers land permanent residents, and q
greater extent of farm land has been
devoted to profitable crops.
New school buildings have been
constructed and the public educational
facilities have been increased. The
churches have made excellent progress
during the year, and their influence
for good has been felt and appreciated
by all who value the moral life Of the
community. The good citizenship Of
the state has cause for satisfaction
that thelvicious element is less numer-
Gus than At any time 10 Montana his
tory, and that its day of power and
influence has departed.
Bidding adieu to the year 1905, We
welcome its ccess as one In which
the people OF Montana may receive
greater benefits than they have ever
| before enjoyed.