The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-05-27

During the past few months |
have received several inquiries
from Ward county people con-
corning this country and espec-
tally the Flathead Indian Reser-
walton, which will be open to
settlement sometime this coming
summer, probably in July. !!
have endeavored to answer all
letters as fully as possible and
to the best of my ability, and am
ready and willing to answer
others in the same manner.
However, realize that there arc
in all probability numerous FER
sons who have heard of the Ia
nous Flathead' and would like
to hear more, so for their bene-
fit I am addressing this to you
hoping you will some day, in the
absence of better copy be able to
print it in your paper,
In the first place. the climate
here is about ideal. The main
range of the Rockies lies to the
east of US. being the eastern
boundary of this valley, thus ef-
fectively shutting off the biz
yards of the Great Plains. We
have climate more like that of
the Pacific Coast but without the
disagreeable winter rains. We
get the changes Of seasons in
very much the same manner as
in Dakota but not so pronounced.
Our summers are longer, our
winters shorter and the extremes
of heat and cold are lacking.
Our autumns usually last well up
toward the holidays and our
springs begin from three to six
weeks earlier than in the prairie
states. Our springs are as a
usual thing rather long owing to
the snow covered mountains sur
rounding US. This makes them
last we'll into May but it is prob
ably a good thing for the farm,
ers as it keeps the moisture all
in the ground until the crops
have good start.
Flathead County, as it now IS,
has an area Of about eight thous-
and square miles. Part of the
Reservation lies in this County
and is really a continuation of
the valley, having much the
same climatic conditions with a
little more rain fall if anything.
Of the eight thousand square
miles, Flathead Lake takes up
about four hundred 1t is the
largest body of fresh water in
the United States lying wholly
within United States territory:
There are innumerable small
lakes with areas Of from a few
acres to thirty square miles and
all are plentifully supplied with
fish, being trout in all varieties,
white fish, ling or fresh water
cod, pike and other kinds. The
streams, of which we have an
unusual number, from a small
mountain brook to the majestic
Flathead, are also well stocked
and furnish the best fishing
grounds in the world. For large
game we have elk, deer, noun
tain sheep and goat, black and
grizzly bear and lion, which in
the past have furnished the
large game hunter with unlim-
tied excitement. Among the
small game may be mentioned
grouse, ducks, partridge and
quail, altbo the latter has been
planted here and is still under
the protection Of the law. 1t is
becoming very plentiful, how
ever, and will soon furnish plenty
of shooting of the less dangerous
and exciting kind. This country
is truly the sportsman's para
disc and is being invaded more
and more year after year by the
gunner of the east.
For summer resorts our many
lakes are ideal and nearly every
one has summer home on the
shores of some mirrored lake of
the mountains. Lake Mcdonald,
lying in the n 1rthern part of the
county, has been named by trav-
elers, the Geneva of America"
and those who have visited both
places pronounce Lake Mcdonald
the superior Of it's old world RI
val. The mountains surround
ing the lake are said to excel the
Alps in grandeur and the seem
cry is more picturesque. This
region is said to contain the only
glaciers in the United States
outside of the Territory of Alas
ka. There is at present a bill
~orI,ro. -,