The Harlowton news. [volume] (Harlowton, Mont.) 1909-1914, 1910-03-11
MARTlNSDALE

WC0luncS, WHO was IOEucTly Ill COul-
mand at Fort McGinness, was first
guilt by r. H. Clendinin directly be-
tween the North and South Fork of
the Musselshell river in 1880. AT
that time and for number OF years
after Martinsdale commanded all the
business in the eastern part of Meag-
her, Fergus and Sweetgrass Counties.
All the goods and provisions came
from Fort Benton, which was then
the terminus of the Missoura-Navi-
gltion Company, and all the wool
from this section was hauled by bull
teams to that town, and brought back
goods as freight.
In those days every thing in the
way of merchandise, provisions, etc.
was exceedingly high and the sales
were enormous. Ranchmen bought
by wholesale, as they lived at
8 ,ch distance, there being no rail-
road nearer than Silver Bow, which
was the terminus of the Utah &
Northern Narrow Gauge. Stages
were the only means of transportation
until 1883, when the Northern Pacific
began building to the coast. A stage
line was then run from Martinsdale
to Billings and later to Big Timber.
There we're also stage lines to: White
Sulphur Springs, Ubet and Winnie
Cook.
At that time Martinsdale was a
busy place. Most OF the people who
settled in the Judith Basin, Lewis
town, Fort McGinness and other
points were obliged to pass through
Martinsdale as the only route. 1t
was not unusual to see from fifty to
eighty tents pitched every day in and
about town. Martinsdale was also
headquarters and the starting point
for cattlemen and cowboys, sometime
numbering from eighty to one hun
dred as they went out on the spring
roundup. Riding the mustang was
the daily sport In those days.
Martinsdale was one of the best
DUSlIlCSS kCSdClOIlS III VlldU pol l vi CiIC
State. Mr.. R. H. Clendenin opened
the first store in Martinsdale, in COM
pany with Mr.. H. G. Tiliinghast of
Chicago, and they did an immence
business. When these parties retired
from their business, the firm of
Spencer, Mayn & Hoffman of White
Sulphur Springs, start ed in a general
store with large stock, and continu-
ed in the business successfully for
several years. H. E. Marshall, who
then had store at Castle, came to
Martinsdae and built up a splendid
business, which he still retains.
On the advent of the Montana
railroad, the town of Martinsdale was
removed two miles farther west and
across the South Fork. Today Mar
tinsdale is one of the best towns on
the Chicago, Milwaukee & Puget
Sound Railroad, taking into consi-
Iteration its size and population. The
ton, in the center of a splendid
farming and stock country. The lines
OF business now established in Mar
tinsdale, are a first class general
store, State Bank of $55, 900 capital,
an up-to-date livery barn, meat mar
ket, blacksmith shop, and two saloons.
A number of substantial DIV cling
houses have been erected; also an
Episcopal Church and school
building that would do credit to a
much larger town. The most COM
petent teachers are chosen for the
school, and it would be an ideal place
for families with young children. A
substantial town hall building has
recently been erected. The extensive
stock y ards at Martinsdale are also q
great convenience. The Chicago,
Milwaukee & Puget Sound railroad
promises large depot, modern in
every way, to be erected in the early
summer. The town also boasts of a
tir,t-claSs hotel, which is headquarters
for business men and the travelling
public.
Martinsdale is situated on an ever
lasting stream OF pure water, abound
ing with fish. This stream could be
used advantageously for any purpose
requiring water power, and still there
would be plenty of water remaining
for irrigation purposes.
Thousands of bushels of grain are
raised, sold and shipped there each
season
Information has recently been re-
ceived that upward OF 100000 will
be expended In the construction of a
storage dam and canal in proximately
to the town. All ore from the Spring
Creek and Delpine mining districts,
are hauled and shipped at this point.
Should the Chicago, Milwaukee &