The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-10-20
MONTANA ONCE WAS 4 TRoPlc JUNGLE AND /.
LATER II WAS A FRIelD, BARREN ICE field

| to get colder-so cold, In fact, that
the suns of summer could not melt
the winter SHOWS, and vast masses
Of snow in the mountains consolidat-
ed to ice, which moved by its own
weight down the mountain valleys
as glaciers. Also from the north
came great solid ice sheet covering
the whole land surface to q depth
Of thousands Of feet in places, and
pushing before It and beneath It
great quantities OF rock debris. &C
cumulated from the ground passed
over. This was the ice age, and
from its coming wonderful changes
were wrought. Rivers were diverted
from their normal channels. lakes
were formed, vegetation was des-
troyed. the animals that could travel
were driven south and new types Of
arctic animals lived along the ice
front. Arctic foxes, musk oxen, rein
deer. and ptarmigan dwelt In Mon
tana.
But these times also passed, warm
er temperatures prevailed and now
we have glacial lakes and moraines
throughout the state as monuments
OF the fr1gld INVASION. f
Some Montana Resources
The geological history Of Montana
Is interesting when consideration is
given to the character and distribu-
ton, as we'll as the extent, Of her
resources. Montana produces in
commercial quantities from her rocks
the following products: Coal, build
ing stones, ornamental stones, clay,
lime and cement rock, gypsum, foun-
dry sand. graphite, sapphires. min
eral waters. copper, lead, zinc, silver,
gold, arsenic and tungsten. Phos-
plate rock and mineral oil and gas
are beginning to be produced COM
mercially. A geological product of
great value, that Is having q wonder
full effect in the development Of the
state and it's resources, is its water
power.
Eastern and central Montana con-
tain some of the largest coal fields in
the world. This coal is of different
geologic age and character from the
Goals Of Pennsylvania and the Mis-
sissippi valley. It is not so valuable
for steaming purposes, being, for the
most part, Ignite or sub-bituminous.
It is, nevertheless, very valuable for
fuel purposes, and gives promise of
being even more valuable for gas
for gas engines. The best grade Goals
flank the slopes of the mountain re-
gions where the beds have been SUBJ
jected to most compression, while the
same coal beds lying farther east in
the plains regions are of poorer quail
ity.
The Goals of western Montana, pre-
viously mentioned as having been
formed in fresh water lake beds, are
If later age than those farther east
and are seldom of quality justifying
their utilization under existing COM
conditions.
In formations associated with the |
coal deposits, but not necessarily |
directly with the coal, are
found crude oil indications. Some Of |
these are being developed and oil
and gas secured In commercial guam
titles.
Some Beautiful Stones
Building stones Of endless varie- |
ties and great beauty are found |
throughout the state. Sandstones, |
marbles, states and gran
ties of best quality occur in many |
places accessible to railroad trans
portation. Owing to the fact that |
he state is not yet densely populated |
.hese resources have so far been but |
'paringly utilized. but as population
Increases greater use will be made
II them. In like manner ornamental |
stones await development. Onyx,
alabaster and serpentine Of desirable
quality are found in central Montana.
clays for brick and pottery manu-
acture are plentiful and are already !
Utilized in numerous plants through
tut the state. The lime and cement
'ock resources of Montana are I'M
United. In central Montana enough
to supply all mankind for
IN indefinite period is available. Co.