The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-10-20
WORD
CREATED COUNTY
SALTWATER SHEEP KING GOT
STATE sENATORSHIP FOR
ADOLESCENCE.
Owned Thousands of Acres In Terri
tory of New County and Legislative
Attitude Made His Consent to Gre
alton Necessary.

Patrick Patten looms large in the
destinies of Saltwater county. He is
Il sheep baron, who came to Montana
without means, and waxed wealthy by
his own endeavors and the states
wonderful development. He played
his part in the creation of Saltwater
county.
When it was proposed to carve out
new county in THAI section Of the
state the business men of Columbus
got together and formulated their
campaign. They found things to their
liking. Within the boundaries of the
county there was sufficient assessable
property to make the proper showing
before the Legislature.
The committee in charge went to
Helena and presented the case to the
legislature. 1t seems that some of the
statesmen told the committee that the
new county would be created provid-
ing that a majority of those holding
land within the county approved of
the creation. The committee went
back to Columbus and canvassed the
situation, found very large propor-
ton of the land owners favorable to
their plans.
What About Pat Patten.
"What about Patrick Patton?"
some one asked.
Now all these years Pat Patton had
been caring for his sheep and attend
! ing to the pleasant business of making
money. He had acquired land in ev-
cry direction. 1t became apparent to
the committee early that he owned
thousands of acres In what is now
make the landowners practically unan-
mous. His refusal to give sanction
to the creation of the new county
would be its death knell.
A committee was sent to interview
Patton. They found him at his home
ranch, caring for his flocks. They put
the question square]y up to him.
Would he consent to the division?
1t Looks Black for Saltwater
Patten was wary. He said he did
not approve of new counties. They
meant more taxes. On the spur of
the moment he would not consent. He
wanted time in which to think the
matter over. The committee did not
have much time to spare, because the
life of legislative assembly is linn
tied by law to 60 days. They urged
the necessity Of their case, but the
sheep king was obdurate.
The committee withdrew to consult
and consider ways and means. A
bright idea came to one of the sup
plicants. Why not bait their propos-
ais with an offer Of first state sem
atorship of Saltwater county. The
idea found instant favor A second
conference was held with the man Of
many acres.
Senatorship as Bait.
"Mr. Patten, if the new county of
Saltwater is created, will you accept
the honor of being its first senator,
as token Of the esteem in which you
are held by us, your fellow citizens"
asked the committee s spokesman, a
man not without guile.
~ WILL" replied the sheep king.
There was not an instant IS hesitation.
"Then do you consent to the creation
Of the county?" continued this Still
water Warwick, whose thoughts evil
IDENTIFY ran deep, and who was follow
ing up his advance.
~ do,' said Patrick Patten. That
settled it. Saltwater county was
created. AT the next session of the
legislature the Hon. Patrick Patten
took his seat as the first senator
from Saltwater.