The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-05-05
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1909.
MONTANA CATTLE INDUSTRY

VxIOANGX0O1A : NA0A ~ 4OVOs
MONTANA CATTLE INDUSTRY.
The recent meeting of eastern Mon.
tana csttlemen at Miles City, and tina,
to be held by members of the North
Montana Roundup association al
Havre on May 7, ire reminders that
the Montana cattle industry is still an
important source of wealth to the
state. 1t hast undergone important
changes within the past few years, but
it he's become established upon q firm
and permanent foundatio that in.
sures its continuance as one of the
principal industries of the state.
The Montana Stockgrowers' asso.
ci alton, composed principally Of cattle
men residing in the eastern part of the
state, has been in existence about
thirty years. The North Montana
Roundup association was organized
about fourteen years ago, its object
being the promotion of the interests
of stockmen in the northern counties,
and that purpose has been accom-
plished to the satisfaction of all par
ties concerned. q During the existence
of these two org plantations the range
system of conducting the cattle bust.
ness has been greatly modified, the
occupation of the public domain by
settlers and others reducing the area
Of range formerly lat the disposal Of
the stockmen, Isand several of the
larger outitsE have reduced their
holdings or retired from the business.
Under the changedlconditions, how
ever, the Montana cattle industry is
progressing, and3lapparently yields q
good margin Of profit: to those en-
gagged in the business. The number
Of stockmen Is increasing, but their
individual holdings!are not so large
IS in the open range times of twenty
and thirty years aeo.ks Several of the
big outfits thatlformerly shipped beef
to Chicago blythe trainload have quit
the game, but the Montana beef crop
is being maintained by numerous
smaller outfits that:ship only a few
carloads each season, the aggreg ate
amounting to Iabout IS large a beef
supply as in former years.
The Montana icattle industry dates
back to the early sixties, the public
records showing that in 1864 the ter.
ritorial legislature passed an act
concerning ''marks and brands. "
which formed the basis for SUI sequent
legislation upon that subject. The
first beef.drive.out of the territory is
said to have been made In 1868 by
J. D. Hogan, of Augusta, who drove
an outfit overland ito Utah to fill q
beef contract on the Union Pacific
railroad. q In 1894, according to old
time stockmen, the first Montana beef
shipment to eastern markets was made
by James Forbes, who purchased the
cattle from Con Kohrs, and drove
them from Sun river to Ogden, where
they were loaded on the cars.
The first, mention of Montana cattle
as an item of taxable property ap-
pears in the territorial auditors re.
port of 1868, which elbows that 1891
head were assessed that year, their
total value being 1898, 1914. The cattle
holdings by residentsIlof Chouteau
county at that time consisted of only
$50 head, according to reports made
by the county assessor.
The Montana cattle industry made
rapid growth during the seventies, the
assess ors returns in 1854 showing over
half q millionsheadilisted for axation
that year. In 1898. the number re-
turned for iassessment.. had increased
to no, 900 head, which was high-water
mark in thats% connection up to that
time.
Notwithstanding the general belief
that the Montana cattle industry has
been on the decline in recent years,
owing to the restriction of the range,
the reports made to the county as
SCISSORS furnishsproof to the contrary.
The number of cattle listed for taxa
ton o exceedssssOO, 900 head, with a
value of between s13, DOC. 900 and sl4,-
O0O, OOO-ar exhibit which indicates
the confidence iof Montana stockmen
in the continued prosperity of their
industry.
THE ABILITY TO SEE.