Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-11-15
FROM MONTANA
Bert Chickering Writes Another In
tercsting Letter from the w est.

y
teresting Letter from the w est.
Eclipse -Argo Mine. Canyon Ferry. Mon.
Oct. IL. 9o6.
Dear Uncle
| am still working in the mine, having
met with no accident am we'll and
hearty. don't believe this work is con-
ducive to mental activity there is too
much sameness, fellow does not see or
hear much to set him thinking.
Well was up on the hills tonight and
enjoyed fine view. You see oinch
my job and add to my popularity with
the foreman by milking a couple Of COWS.
Milking is held in adherence in the fra
ternity OF miners. However | do not
want to become too firmly welded to the
eight hour system of labor and this takes
an extra hour and one half each day. ]
am none the worse off for it as get well
filled with strictly pure air thereby.
Well the COW got out today and took
trip Of a mile, up hill all the way. after
them This took me so near the top OF the
hill that | went on up and had view that
paid me for my trouble. could see
Helena 80 miles away to the southwest
The valley lay before me like a huge MAP
with mountains everywhere in the back
ground. Off to the northeast some groups
of high hills are already covered with .
mantle of snow. | wished you could be
there to enjoy the view with me. The
shrubsry here hae put on fall colors,
mountain maplea, gooseberry willows,
etc but the trees Gall fir) don't put on
any special fall toggery. On the other
side of the river, the Missouri, there is .
good deal of bull pine which reminds me
of pictures of southern scenery. They
have very long needles hanging in big
punches on the end of the twlgs and the
bafk is scaly like lizards tail.
expect shall kick myself ever after
If don't go through the Yellowstone
Park while am out this way, that being
one of the wonders. of the world.
am bunking in private tent belong
ing to an old gentleman who was working
here but who is now resting up in Helena
1t is regular English army tent. He
got it in Canada where he went intending
to settle but he got dsgusted with tn,
country and came back to Montana. Tn,
tent is rather cold quarters but i guess il
won't hurt me any. ! am getting to be
quite an expert at wrapping up in the
oedclothes.
have had no chance to get many
specimens of different kinds OF mineral.
yet, Gan get plenty of copper and have
some gold and iron ore. shall try and
get some better specimens and send
box home about Christmas.
October 20 like to write while in
cheerful mood and as have recent,
had letters from home | am qualified Il
write now. Everybody expected the
mine to shut down last week and many
we're worrying about their pay which was
two weeks in arrears but our checks have
come, also the announcement that the
mine will run all winter. They laid off
few men but kept me on probably thanks
to the COWS also to the fact that | have
been a pretty efficient carman lately.
Well hear neghbor has sold out and is
thinking of coming to Montana. That
might be good move for him. If he can
pass an examination and get license to
run stationary engine he could get
Job here at So so per day and board OF
ne could get So per day and board driv-
ing the company's team. 1t is pretty
decent camp too. No lice, no fighting, no
liquor within ten miles, and good board
and the bunk houses are not crowded. |
Well | shall lose my vote this year as
this state requires a residence OF one year
before man is allowed to vote. The |
campaign dottle is passing around freely |
and several gentleman, candidates, have
sent up their cards.
This may be dated wrong. 1t is hard |
To keep track Of the day of the week. |
Sunday is distinguished by having oyster |
soup for dinner. Friday we have fish |
three times day. enjoy Fridays.
Berthold Chickering.