Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-19

One of the most complete descrip-
lions OF central and northern Montana
yet to appear in the newspapers owned
by members of the National Editorial
association following their visit to the
state last month was published in the
Freehold Transcript at Freehold. n. j.,
by Moreau Bros. The writer com
ments Interestingly on the sensations
ne experienced when he was shown a
field in the Judith basin on which q
potato yield of LOO bushels an acre
had been harvested. but passes on to
another subject without recording the
reaction on his bump of credulity.
The transcripts story was written
Glacier park to Lewistown and Great
Falls, and his readers are given an ac-
count of the agricultural industry in
n between those territories such as
only a keen observer could produce.
The transcripts story was as follows:
Many towns in Montana have much
to recommend them on the score of
beauty and general attractiveness.
comparisons are oftentimes odious. but
we may at least be allowed to say that
the worst did not come last in our
journey through Montana. After leav-
ing Glacier park, our route took us
through Great Falls to Lewistown, and
then back to Great Falls.
Fine Farming Country
Great Falls is the larger of the two,
but Lewistown and the surrounding
country known as the Judith basin, is a
setting of fine agricultural lands. some
1000 feet above sea level, surrounded
by hills and mountains, not soon to be
forgotten by the visitor. Lewistown is
named after the intrepid explorer
Lewis. who, in company with Clark
first traversed the country which is
now Montana. in 1905. He is said to
have named the basin after his sweet
heart. whose name was Judith.
THE editors had travelled some
thousands of miles without difficulty or
stop OF account of the railroad strike.
but after they left Glacier Park sta
ton. their train got behind schedule.
owing to two hot boxes and a defective
engine, so that their arrival at Lewis
town was some four hours behind
schedule. The delay brought break
fast at 1890 instead of Z as scheduled
n it was a tired and hungry bunch
of people who got off the cars at
| Lewistown.
But the people of Lewistown are
nothing if not resourceful. 1t being
after the regulation breakfast hour
they improvised a tent and furnished
an ample supply of coffee and sand
witches. They were also thoughtful
enough TO have the mail sent to the
tent. The mail was almost as grateful
and comforting as the ~improvised tent
and breakfast, and in A surprisingly
short space of time the party originally
with the makings of a good sized
crouch was transformed into a COM
pany of people again content with the
world and grateful to their efficient
hosts.
Basins Business Center
"Lewistown contains about 5000
! people and is the business center Of
Judith basin. 1t was our good fortune
TO fall into the hands of Ralph Rey.
nolds. who. besides owning some 5000
acres of land in the vicinity of Lewis.
town, which is cut up into ranches o.
huge size. as compared with Mon
mouth county farms. also conducts q
real estate business. Mr.. Reynolds
was also driving a Packard car of
ample proportions, for which We were
truly thankful, and We were soon on
the way to the Joseph King ranch
some miles from the town. where
| iur1tUetH LOT Inc tRbiEe party anu lut
local committee was served.
Mr.. King. or rather his late father.
Christopher King, a native of Switzer-
land. at one time owned 10000 acres
but at present owns only $500 acres
which are attached to the homestead
ranch we visited. Like many of the
founders Of substantial Montana fami-
lies. the elder King came to the state
during early gold mining days. But he.
also like many others, soon found that
such occupation furnished at best a
p%recarious livelihood and turned his
attention to stock raising.
The great plains Of Judith basin
had for centuries. supported huge herds
of buffalo that fattened upon the rich
grass. As these were decimated by
hunters who wantonly slaughtered them
by thousands, the vacant space offer
ed rich grazing land for great herds
of cattle. In August. 1881, Christopher
King started his ranch. His first build
Ing, a small log cabin. is still standing
in the yard. This primitive dwelling
originally had a sod roof but is now
were cut in the foothills some miles
distant.
Starts From Bottom
'1he history Oh the MIX Tanch is
that of an Industrious and frugal set
| tier. the profits growing from a fair
living to the proportions of affluence.
As the country was settled more thick
" the Kings turned their attention to
sheep raising and general farming, but
the principal crop raised, as is true
all over the Judith basin. is wheat.
Mr.. King greeted his guests with af-
liability. dispensing a charming hos
p~itality which will be long remem-
bered.
"Our friend who took us there and
/ afterwards took us through the Judith
basin country, told us that n of the
first things done by the Kings was to
plant a lot Of trees about the house
and buildings. As they are located in
a hollow where the land slopes one
cannot see the ample outbuildings and
e Ia. a nrt IN thn