The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-07-25
ENJOYS WESTERN TRIP
Mrs. ]. D. Williams Writes Very In
terestingIy of an Extended Trip
Through the Far West.
Spokane, WASH, July IL, 1907.

Spokane, WASH, July II, 1907.
On April 2l we started for the north
west via ST. Joseph, Mo-, to Sheridan,
Wyoming, where on April % we were
met at the depot by MIR. Williams. At
Sheridan, Wyoming, we found some of
Mr.. Williams relatives who entertained
us royalty for few days, after which
we were driven out to the ranch of Mr..
Williams brother about fifteen miles
from Sheridan. Right here let me say
that Sheridan is beautiful little city
of about ten thousand people, situated
in a fine valley, and has many fine
schools and churches. 1t is needless to
say that we enjoyed our visit on the
ranch with Mr.. and Mrs. Williams and
family of four girls. Ralph certainly
enjoyed himself also, as he was the only
boy among them. They have fine riding
horses and they took great pleasure in
going to the hills and chasing after the
COWS and other stock. The tent in the
yard furnished fine sleeping quarters to
those of us who desired it, and this
made US think that the reason why
these western people enjoy life SO we'll
is because of their living so closely to
nature. After few days visit Mr..
Williams was obliged to continue his
work on the road, leaving Ralph and
myself at the ranch for week. On
May l left Ralph with his uncle and
journeyed one hundred fifteen miles via
the Burlington to Billings, Montana,
where met Mr.. w. Wepassed one day
and night here. Billings is a beautiful
western town on the Yellowstone river
and one of the most thrifty cities in the
great state of Montana. At this point
the B. & M. connects with the N. P. Rv.
making it great railroad center. There
is also large sugar beet factory here in
operation, employing hundreds of men,
as we'll as making farm land very valu-
able from the beet culture. Here to, is
the reclamation by the government of
$4,000 acres of agricultural land open
ing up for settlement. The Secretary
of the Interior, Garfield, is managing
the drawing. 1t was my pleasure to see
some fine fruit and grain that was
raised in the Yellowstone valley; and
on our journey westward from Billings
we saw in plain view of the train, lovely
homes which indicated the prosperity
of the valley. Fifteen miles distant we
parsed through the town of Laurel,
Mont, grown from a railway station to
quite fine city. At this point is
branch of the N. P. leading into rich
agricultural and mining country, which
means much to Laurel and Billings, in the
way of wealth. Our next stop was at
Livingston, Mont, one hundred twenty
miles west of Billings, town of eight
or nine thousand people situated at the
base Of the mountains where the Yell
lowstone branch of the N. P. leads to
the great National Park. At Livingston
we enjoyed a few days stay with sis
ter of Mr.. Williams. Mr.. W. remember
ed this country when it was wild
waists, uninhabited except by indians.
He having visited this country in 1880
when very young man, to him things
have changed very much indeed. Our
next stop was at Bozeman, Mont,
pretty place of ten Thousand people sit
uated in the Gallitan valley, famous for
its beautiful homes and the Oldest set
tied part of Montana, here we passed
the night. After Mr.. W. had looked
after his trade we took long walk,
viewing many places of interest and
visiting the site of the agricultural
college which is located here. Thence
we travelled westward stopping at many
small towns, which have not time nor
space to mention. The next city of i'm
portance was Helena, the capital; we
arrived here early in the morning.
After viewing the state capitol, the
federal building and other points of
interest we journeyed on via Boulder,
the great city of the yellow metal,
night, and the next day while Mr.. w.
10nlyo1 of ffnp ho T H.
general surroundings of the city. There
are in every direction great mills on
hill and in hollow, and an observer Of
all this would say truly that Butte is
the greatest mining camp in the world.
population of nearly 100000 people, and
a very large part of them live under
ground. There are great many fine
features connected with the city in
the way of fine homes and busi-
ness houses, but, Oh dear! the awful
smoke. would not want to live there.
1t is very wicked city, we witnessed
a terrible riot which occurred during
our stay which was caused by an officer
killing man who was supposed to be
connected with the murder of engineer
Glow of the Northern Pacific, at a place
JuoO Odou Va DuuC0s uS uudu r0SlSCSu
the officer, and was shot. In a very
short time a mob gathered and soon
there were five thousand men surging
up and down the street demanding pos
session of the officer, carrying the rope
with them, and declaring their inten-
tion of hanging him. They also tried to
obtain possession of the hall, thinking
in this way to get the man wanted, but
he was taken to place of safety, and
after much confusion and loud talking
peace was finally restored. We left the
city that night and was not sorry you
may believe. We stopped at little
town where Mr.. w. had a number of
customers and here we enjoyed day or
SO of rest. We made several small
towns west Of this place, stopping only
long enough to do business. The coun-
try all along being very fine stock and
grazing country. Then we entered the
garden city, Missoula, Montana. Mis-
soula is beautiful city of about ten
Thousand people situated at the base of
a huge green mountain on one side, and
q broad valley on the other, the great
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