The Bozeman courier., 1926-09-24
With John Harris on Old Montana
FrOntier--PiOneer Of Cattle Industry

of distance, the means of transporta- |
ton is to be considered. In 1875
man living thirty miles from
neighbors was in effect out of the
world. 1t was a long and tiresome
ride from the Highwoods to either
Fort Benton or to Sun River Cros-
sing, and one not likely to be under
taken unless in the way of business.
Today the automobile eats up the
distance in a trice, and the High
woods may be considered in the sub
urbs of Fort Benton or Great Falls.
Aside from the isolation of High
wood raanch in the early seventies,
there was always the element of
danger to be apprehended from the
Indians who roamed through that
region. 1t was on the trail of the
Piegans when going to the Judith
country for their annual berry-pick-
ing, and the Crows quite often in
vaded it while on horse-stealing expe-
tured to live there.
In the cattle business, Mr.. Harris
had come into his own, as was soon
recognized by those who knew him.
When the St. Louis Cattle Company
|
asked to join it and to act as man
ager; the other members being L.
lG. Baker, Joseph Baker, William
Conrad, and Charles Conrad. At
first Mr.. Harris was reluctant to
undertake the management, but the
rest of the company finally over
came his scruples, and he accepted
the position. He is now the sole sur
vivor of the five who formed the
company.
At first the company ranged its
herd on the Marias; but this range
soon became too limited in extent,
and about 5000 acres were purchased
on the Bow river, and there, and on
this side of the Line it ran about
10000 head of cattle, either under
the name of the st. Louis Cattle
Co., or latter, as the Conrad Circle
Co. The land in Canada was recently
sold to Grant Smith, a railroad con
tractor, and at a meeting held al
the Rainbow hotel, Great Falls, il
= the spring of this year of 1925, the
affairs of the corporation we're clos
r ed.
= For thirty years John Harris haC
: acted as manager, and during tha
2 time had won the affection, as wei
5 as the esteem of those associated will
5 him. This found expression in {;
resolution adopted by them com
r mandatory of his character, and hi
long and faithful service.
/ While manager of the Conrad Cir
< Gle Co.. Mr.. Harris had a brancl
business at the HighwOod ranch
e which was enlarged by the purchas
+ of neighboring land, and where h
now raises thoroughbred Herefords
e and makes his home there and il
C Fort Benton. His is also intereste,
in Great Falls property.
d There is nothing about John Harri
), to remind one of the typical COW
e boy. His diction is fine, and b
It impresses one as being a man O
e culture Noting this, ventured
IS ask him:
"Mr. Harris, will you please teI
y me where you were educated?"
: "In the common schools of tn
e Deer Lodge Valley" he replied.
q Then I recalled that some of th
; greatest men of our country had littl
r schooling. They were avariciOus {
# knowledge, and possessed, like job
Harris, a retentive memory. The
IS were constantly learning; their edJ
l. cation not terminating with the bC
IS stowal of a diploma. Such men hav
l. an independence of thought rarel
e found in college graduates. Thei
l. minds have not been moulded
J. conform to certain standards-the
e arrive at their own conclusions gaiI
ed in the hard school of experience
+ and from good reading. From tht
d university John Harris has won
e doctors degree.