Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-08-15

Libby creek during the summer of
1857 but acquisition of the yellow
metal was not without attendant Diff
ficulties. A party Of four men pros
pecting on the creek in August, 1867
were attacked by Kootenai Indians
and one badly wounded white man fl
nally reached civilization to tell of
the death of the other three.
Mines on Cedar creek were dis
covered in the fall of 1850 and the
camp Of that name had an estimated
population of 1900 the following
year. In the seventies, stage made
regular trips between there and Hell
ena.
Mining continued to dominate in
dustrially until the advent of the
Great Northern railroad, in the late
eighties, made possible great lumber
ing activities, which give prominence
to the county now. Large mills at
Libby and other points turn out mil
lions of feet of finished product an
nually. Lumber camps furnish a To-
cal market for many farm products
and wages paid in the camps and
mills contribute substantially to bust
ness Of the towns. More than 20 bill
lion feet Of standing merchantable
timber assure permanence of the in
dustry.
Farming began at comparatively
early date in Tobacco Plains valley,
in the northeastern part Of the county.
The valley comprises $4,000 acres and
is the only considerable area of open
land in the region but smaller tracts
in other sections and cutover timber
lands add appreciably to agricultur-
al acreage.
In 1910 the county contained 298
farms embracing 64,056 acres. Crops
in 1909, consisting principally of oats
and wheat, had total value of
$207,514 Livestock consisted of 1888
horses and 2,779 head of cattle. Ami
mails sold returned $24,656 and dairy
products brought $17123.
The federal census for 1920 lists
341 farms comprising 65,050 acres of
which 1884 are classified as i'm
proved. Crops in 1919 had total val
ue of $37a,656, forage, wheat and
oats ranking in order. Livestock in
cluded 1869 horses, 3,426 head of
cattle and as sheep. The value of
metals recovered in 1920 was 1929, 1924
and the lumber cut amounted to 49,
406, 900 feet.
Crops in 1927 were valued at $685.
TOO, livestock and livestock products
at $287,600 and lumber at $734,700.
The value added to lumber by manu-
facture was approximately $500, 900.
Estimates for 1928 place the value
of crops at SAB, 400, livestock and
products marketed at $330,200 and
lumber cut at 100000. Crops con-
sisted of $4,000 bushels of spring
wheat, $4,000 bushels of winter wheat,
SO 900 bushels of oats, 32,400 bushels
of barley, 5000 bushels of rye, $4,000
bushels of potatoes, 23,800 tons Of
tame hay and $1,000 worth miscel-
laneous fruits. Dairy products, poul-
try, cattle and hogs contributed to
livestock income in the order named.
The assessment roll for 1928 lists
4,818 acres of irrigated, 35,480 acres
of other tillable and 289,604 acres of
grazing land, with improvements
valued at $741,730 and farm equip
ment at $43,99O. Livestock includes
1882 horses, 1908 head of cattle, 744
of them dairy cattle and 1873 sheep.
Patented mining claims embracing
4,807 acres were listed and of the
100000 acres Of timber land in the
county, 267,5o5 acres were privately
owned and found their way into the
tax roll.
Lincoln county supports IS elemen-
tary and three high schools enrolling
combined, 1,675 pupils. About 80
teachers are employed.
Per capita wealth Of the county is
approximately $780,