The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1910-05-20
HURRAH FOR THE WOMEN
Two of Them Drew HOmesteads in the
FIathead Reservation and Mean to
Live on the Land

Mary R. Bloomer Of Philadelphia, who
won homestead OF 100 acres on the
Flathead Indian reservation in western
Montana at the government lottery last
August, has decided to become
farmer. She is now at Missoula with
her mother and brother, and says her
father, living at Philadelphia, and a
brother, resident of Seattle, will join
them in a short time.
Miss Bloomer did not journey from
Philadelphia to the Spokane country
merely for the purpose Of registering in
the land drawings last year at Missoula,
Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. In fact,
when she left her eastern home for
visit in the Pacific country she did not
know there was any such thing as
land drawing in progress, she had not
even heard OF the Flathead reservation,
and Montana was to her not much
more than a name convenient in identi-
flying a huge portion of the great
American desert-a vast, unmeasured
hunting ground for gun-toting COW
punchers, savage Indians and wild
things.
But while stopping on the way to
visit relatives at Leavenworth, WASH,
her uncle mentioned the big land
opening, and then and there it was de-
termined that she would stop at Mis-
soula, Spokane and Occur d'Alene and
register. This was done; and in course
of time Miss Bloomer received notifca-
ton from Uncle Sam that she could
have the 341st choice among the Flat
head farms in Montana.
Evidently Miss Bloomer was happy
in the prospect of becoming a farmer
in the eastern part Of the Spokane
country. Missoula she thought to be
most progressive and attractive little
city, and she seemed to appreciate at
its full value the exquisite beauty OF
its surroundings. She is impressed
with the activity and optimism of the
people and believes she will become
as much attached to the west as she
was to her home city.
There is much to attract one in
the northwest" she said, when asked
why she left the east. The outdoor
life and the larger freedom and more
vigorous atmosphere in this land of
magnificent distances and opportunities
possess fascination that few can resist
and I believe I will become full
hedged westerner in a short time. 1t
is true I am what you would call a
'tenderfoot,' and I do not know thing
about farming, setting hen, or milk
ing COW, but I am going to learn and
feel l shall make good with the best
of them"
Miss Bloomer is an attractive young
woman and is a stylish dresser. She
is highly educated and brilliant con-
versationalist and an accomplished mu-
clan. Since going to Montana less
than ten days ago she has received a
dozen proposals of marriage, but she
has declined all, saying that her farm
must receive all her attention for the
next few years.
Miss Frances L. Loosmore Of Hill
yard, suburb OF Spokane, who had
the 337th choice, filed on 81 acres,
which, she says, she will put into
grain and fruit.
Il have no family" Miss Loosmore
said. Il am single and alone. 1 have
lived on a farm part of my life, so l
know just what I am up against. l
expect to make my home on the tract
Just as soon as I can get men to build
cabin and I shall do my best to make
the farm a good one, as I want it for a
permanent home"