The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-07-21
PLEADS FOR AL
BOOST FOR COUNTY

After reading the articles in the
Powder River County Examiner which
were written respectively by Mrs. Nc
1atchey and 1Grs. 0rcoms. cannot
refrain from attempting to write few.
words on this subject Of contention.
There were some candid truths in
both articles, In spite OF the fact that
prejudice showed out in large black
letter between lines. Net many Of us
agree entirely with either writers,
though they doubtless are good and
sincere In their hopes for Powder River
county.
I do not, however, agree with Mrs.
River county IL complete failure.
and not q proven fact. It IL not a
complete failure. neither is 1t a COM
plete success. 'Tis true that many OF
our farmers have failed en- account Of
adverse weather conditions or the
ravages Of the insect pests that took
the crops they 20 laboriously coaxed
frcm the sod. The past few years
have been hard years for the farmers.
After the war with it's high cost Of
living and the fall -off in prices OF our
pAVOuClAOuSs We udu uIy yCdTS anu
hard winters In succession. The most
patient farmers became discouraged.
But in a few years time, farming
with stock raising inclusive will be-
ccme a paying industry. The home-
steaders who dot these plains and
valleys hold promise for the future
success OF Powder River county.
I do not agree with Mrs. McLatchey
<Hant tnVy 1AA r<,
cattle country by the honyokers who
came in here and took up homesteads
on the range In the first place they
had every right to come here and take
up the land Uncle Sam wanted them
tt, have. but until the range was taken
up by the homesteaders surely the old
pioneers should have all the good they
could derive from this unused land of
Uncle Sans
Though Mrs. Grooms said 'Tt was
land that wasn't theirs, surely nc one
could give a fair reason why they who
tlazed the trail here shouldn't have
the use of 1t. until some one else came
here to use it. Cattle raising was In
deed success in the old range days,
but not any more so than the 'better
cattle with better care" plan will
prove to be.
The future success OF Powder River
county rests here in these small stock
farms. The best of US do not knock
the honyoker. He has answered cur
ccuntry's call OF "back to the SOIL"
and we welcome him as an asset to
our growing country. We appreciate
the progressive and conservative new
ccmer. Those are the people we need.
To those extravagant and narrcw-
minded few who forever compyain of
our reads and schools. also our homes
and mode of living, we feel tempted
to tell them to go back to the country
they left since this country does not
come up tc, their expectations. whether
they must return by a gravel road or
a cow-trail. These same people should
not lose sight of the fact that twenty
five years ago we were not yet free
from the dangers CT Indians and the
ranchers were many miles apart. Who
can say with truth that we have not
progressed: In fact. we have never
lacked in progressive spirit. and what
is more we will continue to give to
our new generation the best we are
capable Of giving them-gcod homes.
churches. schools and better roads.
have lived all my life in Montana.
Have seen this country change from
the free open range with it's roaming
herds and fearless cowboys, to set
tied country and although at times I
have a longing for the old days that
are gone, for the freedom, hospitality
and brotherly regard. the ready help
ing hand. for the time when mems
worth was weighed by deeds not del
lars. l would not have US go back to
Thirty years ago. "The old order
changeth. giving place to new." is a
true phrase.
How vivid in my memory are the
hundred -mile trips in a wagon or eled
in late summer or midwinter which
we were obliged to take to attend high
school. the hazardous trips for doctors
for our sick cnes. and worst of all the
terrible fear Of the Indians. Better
by far are the prospects Of education
at less sacrifice and hardships on tht
parents and children, ready communi'
Ication. easier travel and other moderr
Improvements. agree with Mrs
IGrcoms that we should not do with
out these things II we don't have to
The subject of good roads just now
ia q vital one. and those much wiser
than I have this as problem be for'
them. Ncn one can deny the convent
ence and pleasure Of good roads. W.
all would wish to have them. Blu
1--we must keep within the limits Of Ou
finances. We are no doubt man!
Thousand dollars mere in debt thai
necessity requires. Powder Rive
county il heavily in debt. How cal
It help but be when we know tn
large number of residents who hav
been unable to pay their taxes. Wher
will the money come frcm? We surel
cannot be taxed out Of our homes
why such q rush for good roads. ca
We not for the present do with villa
We have and give the farmers an
Everyone paying taxes q chance to sc
} on their feet again? We can the
make mp for los. time and our coun.
| won't be bankrupt.
u In Mrs. Grooms' article, written !
} reply to Mrs. McI4atchey. she say
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