The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-04-22

world, soon raised their voices from
west of Scobey and demanded to be
heard. This region is mostly made
up of great areas of comparatively
flat benches on which there is a
heavy growth of grass each year. The
region was settled up quite rapidly
from 1910 to 1915, by good farmers,
who hoped to make permanent
homes. Towns flourished at Opheim
and Glentana in 1915. After that
some of the residents despairing of
ever securing railroad communica-
tons left the country, leaving only
the better farmers and business men
who had faith. After the depression
following the war was passed, after
the government had returned the rail
roads to their prewar managers, et-
forts were made to secure from
either the 500 Or the Great Northern
an extension to their roads so that
their big handicap of a long haul
could be removed. At a meeting be-
tween ]. V. Bennett, one of the large
farmers of the district and President
Budd of the Great Northern, it was
suggested that the farmers of the dis
trict and the business men might be
able to subscribe for a considerable
amount of G. N. stock at par to help
finance the project, if the company
could see it's way clear to build to
Opheim promptly. Following up this
idea an extended examination was
made of the district, and a mass
meeting was called at Opheim May
16, 1925. 500 interested people re-
sponded and the railroad through its
Vice President, Mr.. Gilman promised
an extension from Scobey if the in
terested people would donate the high
way and subscribe for not less than
S250,000 worth Of c.. N. stock at par.
The proposition was accepted and in
less than 80 days 100000 worth Of
stock was subscribed for, and as fast
as the survey was made the right of
way was given. This amount was
less than one-fourth Of the cost of
the extension. Townsites were laid
out at Peerless, Glentana and Opheim.
A grain elevator has been construct
ed at Peerless. December 1, 1926 a
Great Northern agent opened up a
station at Opheim, thus complying
with railroads promise to the people.
It will give the entire district the rail
road facilities necessary for it's de-
velopment. Many new settlers are
already coming in to again occupy
the land that was vacated a few
years ago, or to buy some Of the state
school land which is now on the
market at reasonable prices.
Great Change In Hundred Years.
1t has been a little over a hundred
years that North Eastern Montana
has been known to the outside world
In that time great changes have been
made. First we have the Voaguer
the missionary, the discoverer in his
canoe, later we have the fur trader
with his keel boat and the Indian
carrying his furs on the travels
Then we have the steam boat of the
merchant unloading his merchandise
at Fort Union. Later we have the
cowboy on his bronchos, then the o.
team of the pioneer settler. Later
we have the stage coach. Now VIZ
have the railroad and the auto max
ing transportation easy and rapid
Soon perhaps we will have the argo
sizes in the air.
Transportation Develops Rapidly.
There are few districts in The
Northwest that have witnessed. il
so short period such rapid develop
ment in Transportation facilities a.
has Sheridan county; less than TWEEN
ty years ago apart from the G. N
main line, not mile of railroad, NJ