Fergus County Democrat. Vol. I. No. 31 LEWISTOWN, FERGUS COUNTY, MONTANA, TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1905. Price 5 Cents. FINE COUNTRY ON ALL SIDES Special Correspondent for the Dem ocrat Tells of Benutiful and Fertile Country. SOME MAGNIFICENT RANCH HOMES Several of the Finest Places in the State Adjacent to Utica—The Village Is Prosperous. As fertile a section as in the J udith Basin is the big scope of country stretching from the foothills of the Belts at the head of the Judith river east to Ross' Fork and north to Rocky Ridge, taking in the districts sur rounding Utica, Stanford, Philbrook and Geyser. All grain crops indigent to this section ot the continent are raised with success while the root crop is good in the bottom lands and where irrigation is possible. In the immediate vicinity of the Judith, from the foothills to Phil brook, are some of the richest farm lands in the west and crops raised on the farms in that locality are far above the crop statistics of the state. From the time when the earliest set tlers penetrated to this garden spot of the state it lias been noted for its natural resources and agricultural possibilities. As fine a grazing coun try as there is in the west, it was the headquarters of some of the largest stock ranches in the county until the rapid settlement of the district neces sitated the removal of the larger herds to the more unsettled country further north. The oldtimers yet tell of the time when the succulent prairie grasses reached the hubs of a freight wagon and the entire country was covered •with so heavy a crop of wild hay in the fall that work horses .would pull through the winter in excellent shape without extra feeding. This scope of country is situated in a natural basin and is protected from the more rigor ous blizzards which rage further north and it is a well known fact that the precipitation of moisture during the year is far above the average for the state. It is very seldom that a fail ure of crops is reported as the result of a non-sufficiency of moisture and in fact but once during the past fifteen years has such been the case and that only on higher lands. There are in the neighborhood of 25, 000 acres of good ground under cultiva tion within a radius of teii miles from Utica and revenue derived from the working of these lands and the raising of stock in that section ma terially assists in the prosperity of the county. The grain crop will av erage 40 bushels to the acre; two crops of alfalfa are harvested each summer and three tons of meadow hay to the acre is procured on the bottom lands. Excellent stands of alfalfa have been raised in the immediate vicinity. The Sage Creek Sheep Co., S. S. Hobson and Waite & Morse are the largest al falfa growers in the neighborhood, while it is raised as one of the princi pal crops on many of the smaller ranches. The two crops of alfalfa raised dur ing the summer will average live tons to the acre each crop, while on some of the river lands three crops are grown. The Waite & Morse ranch is one of the largest properties in the neighborhood of Utica and there is in the neighborhood of ten thousand acres under fence. A considerable portion ot this ranch is under crop cultivation. S. S. Hobson owns one of the prettiest ranches in the county, which is situated about two miles from Utica. This property is located on botli sides of the Judith river and on it are raised some of the largest crops per acre that are harvested in the district. The Sage Creek Sheep Co., situate about eight miles from Utica in the direction of Stanford, is a very valuable property and in the neighborhood of 3,000 tons of hay is stacked there during the summer. There are many smaller ranches and farms scattered throughout the sec tion and the intending settler with money will find no difficulty in secur ing a home; though the greater por tion of the land suitable for home stea ' are already tiled on. Experi m.uts are being conducted by S. S. Hobson with a view to ascertaining what kind of a crop of winter wheat can be raised on the benchlands in the upper Judith country and as the soil is as rich as any benchland in the county, it is almost a certainty that the results will be satisfactory. With a suitable system of irrigation the entire bench lands adjacent to the foothills of the Belts could be farmed to advantage and as natural reservoir sites are numerous this would be easy with a sufficient am ount of capital. The coal lands of Sage creek are among the best in the county and it was only a short while ago that Mr. Robertson of the Mon tana Railroad accompanied by coal experts visited this property in order to ascertain the quality and quantity of the supply. The surrounding hills are highly mineralized and it is only a distance of eighteen miles from Utica that the sapphire mines are located. The Iluntoon ranch on the upper part of the Judith embraces a large acre age of highly fertile lands, while I. F. David is running a garden ranch a short distance from the camp at the sapphire mines, where he supplies the mines with all manner of vegetables which lie raises with little trouble. The soil on the bottom lands is a heavy black loam while the soil on the bench lands though naturally lighter is rich in quality and would raise good crops with cultivation, as has been demonstrated on the Rock creek bench wtyere the soil is not so deep as in the region of Utica. Water is ob tained close to the surface on the bot tom lands, while the liquid necessity can be obtained almost anywhere on the higher lands by sinking to a depth of 100 feet. C. W. Belden, the owner of the lazy Y ranch at Utica, has ob tained water by sinking 100 feet on the bench to the north. Mr. Belden has an extremely valuable property and owns the biggest cow outfit on the Upper Judith with the exception of William Ettien, who is situated in Pig Eye at the extreme head of the basin. The nearest railroad point is Moore, twenty-two miles distant on the Montana Railroad. Lewistown is forty miles to the southeast and the rich depression in which it is situ ated, is separated from the upper basin by a series of benchlands which are being rapidly settled by farmers from the overcrowded districts of Iowa, Nebraska and other eastern states. Utica was at one time the principal trading point for the upper basin but now the business is divided with the small towns on the Montana Rail road, though a large volume of trade is still handled by the Utica Mercan tile Co., at that point. A first class school house was erected a few years ago and is fitted up with the most modern conveniences. In the neigh borhood of fifty children are under the guidance of Prof. Perrine and Miss Kate Doolittle who have charge of the institution. The Great Falls Stage Co. runs a through line from Great Falls to Lew istown and makes the trip in twenty four hours. The locality is easy of access from the railroad and a short trip from Moore or a pleasant journey from the Falls lands the visitor at Utica in good condition. There are fifty families living in Utica and the immediate vicinity; the town sup ports two hotels, three saloons and a first-class general store. The Metho dist church is a very neat little build ing and is presided over by the Rev. Paul Adams. Drs. Posky and David look after the physical well being of the residents of the district. The locality is extremely healthy, possess ing two of the principal requisites for health, pure water and an ivigorating atmosphere. In Memoriom. Lewistown, Mont.. March 11. '05. Whereas—An allwise ruler of this earthly forest has deemed it best and wise to call from our midst our worthy Brother Purley Atkinson and Whereas—this court and order has thereby lost a faithful member and officer, the community a respected citizen and the family a kind and lov ing son and brother. Therefore be it Resolved, That Court Judith No. 8, F. of A., in convention assembled hereby extends its sympathy and con dolences to the bereaved family—and further be it Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records of this meeting and a copy be sent to the bereaved mother and that our charter be draped in mourning. Committee: S. it. Anderson, Wm. F. Hirscu, Jens. S. Nielson. Don't forget that Surprenant, the sign writer, is doing business at the old stand. THINKS ROAD WILL BE BUILT Manager John E. Bright of the Citizens' Electric Company Re turns From the East. WORKING E0R ELECTRIC ROAD Bright Outlook for the Joining of Kendall and Lewistown With Steel Rails. Manager John L. Bright of the Cit zens' Electric Company, returned Sat urday night from Columbus, Ohio, whither he went for the purpose of interviewing some capitalists who had previously been interested in the Lewistown-Kendall Electric road pro ject. He saw his men allright and while he is always conservative when speaking of future business enter prises, he informs the democrat that the chances are exceedingly bright for the beginning of work on the road within thirty days. The only point upon which the east ern capitalists are in the least doubt ful is the ability of the electric plant located up on Spring creek to furnish sufficient power for the road. While Mr. Bright has no doubts on that point, he requested that they send out an electrial expert to look over the plant and ground and this they prom ised to do. A gentleman from Chi cago is expected this week. If his re port is favorable, and there is very little doubts on the subject, the road will be started as soon as a few pre liminaries are completed. UTICA NOTES. (By our Special Correspondent.) Miss Mamie David died at the Da vid ranch on the upper Judith on Saturday afternoon, as the result of serious throat affection complicated with lung trouble. Dr. O. F. David was the attending physician. The deceased was twenty-six years of age and was the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. David. The funeral services were held at the David ranch on Sunday morning and the funeral cortege reached Utica at two o'clock. The interment, which was attended by a large number of friends of the bereaved family and the deceased, took place at the Utica cemetery Sun day afternoon. Miss David has made a large number of friends by the ami ability of her disposition and is sin cerely mourned by the residents of Utica and vicinity. The snow storm of last week, which continued with severity for several days, makes things look brighter for the farmers end the ranchers on the Judith and insures a plentiful supply of water for the coming season. (Br ing to the continued fine weather the ground was extremely dry and hard to cultivate. It will be in good shape however as soon as the first warm weather arrives and farming operations will commence early owing to the absence of frost. Sheep and cattle wintered well on the upper Judith and but little hay was used in feeding. The stock in terests of every descript ion are in good shape and the cattle and sheepmen look for good returns this season. The cattlemen in this section are realizing that it is necessary to take better care of the stock since the fencing of the open range and conse quently beef steer will be in shape to put on the market earlier this season than heretofore. A meeting of the voters of the Utica school district was held on Sat urday for the purpose of nominating candidates for the office of school trustees, Martin Messner and G. W. Trask received the nomination. The election of trustees will take place on the first Saturday in April. The action of the meeting did not receive the approval of the entire district and there promises to be some interesting complications later on. W. Polly will take charge of the W. Ettien ranch about the 15th of the month. Mr. Polly will move his fam ily to the ranch as soon as possible. W. S. Smith and Mr. Rand of Lew istown were in Utica on a business trip last week. While in Utica, both gentlemen attended the K. of P., meeting at which Wyman Wink ley was introduced to the goat, the meet ing resulting in much satisfaction to the goat and a more extended experi ence on the part of Mr. Winkley. Considerable activity is noticed in the Yogo mining district, both at the sapphire mines and at the old camp camp at the head of Yogo creek. Both sapphire mines are working as many men as possible considering the earli ness of the season and operations are proving very satisfactory, in the old camp preparations are being made to start work early in the spring and Matt Dunn has already made arrange meats to put a force of men to work the first part of next month. Ap pearances are very favorable for a prosperous season in all the camps in the district. Chris. Olson and Florence Holland were married in Utica last week. The wedding ceremony was a quiet one and was performed by the Rev. Adams in the presence of a few immediate friends of the bride and groom. Mr. Olson is well known as tin industrious young rancher of the upper Judith while the bride is a sister of Mrs. Walter Waite of Utica. Andy Matthews and E. F. Tuttle and wife of Stanford attended the meeting of the Odd Fellows which was held at Utica on Saturday. The visitor to the town of Utica is generally greatly surprised by the am ount of business transacted daily and in reality the town is doing propor tionately better than some of the larger cities of the county. An up to-date tonsorial artist is badly needed in Utica and the bewhiskered popu lation of the town would greet his ar rival with joy and immediately loosen the "gee string" of their pocket books and part witli their hirsute append ages. Since the departure of the last barber, sticking plaster lias been at a premium and several very forceful and comprehensive epithets have been invented by the "boys" who shave themselves. A WORTHY ENTERPRISE. The People of This City Should Pat ronize Band Benefit Concert. The band benefit concert to be given in Culver's hall next Monday night should be accorded a most generous patronage. Thare are two good and sufficient reasons for attending this entertainment. In tlie first place, it is going to lie one of tiie greatest musical treats ever given in Lewistown. Those having in charge the active arrangements of the program are exerting themselves in order to provide attractive and special musical features. In t lie second place by encouraging the band boys, there will be music on the streets during the summer evenings. Lewistown ought to supporta band. The members of the band have kept toget her under difficulties and for the last two or three months, have been practicing assiduously. Several of them have been compelled to go into their own pockets to buy instruments and music and it is now time for the public to show their appreciation of this determined spirit by giving the boys a boost with an overliow house at their concert next Monday evening. Bids Wanted. Sealed bids will he received at the office of the Judith Basin Milling Co., until April 4th, for the erection of their Mill Elevator Penstock and Flume. We ask for bids, the con tractor to furnish all of the material or to perform the labor only, the Judith Basin Milling Co., to furnish all material. Plans and specifications can be seen at the company's office. A certified check of 10 per cent to show good faith must accompany all bids. Bids will be opened on April 5th at 5 p. in. We have the right to reject any or all bids. Judith Basin Milli.no Co. Irrigation Company Formed Articles of incorporation of the Crystal Lake Power and Irrigation company were tiled with the county recorder Iasi week. The purpose of the company as given in the instru ment of incorporation, is to locate, appropriate and acquire title to land and a right to use the waters of Crystal lake for irrigat ion and power. Crystal lake is situated in the fool hills of tiie Snowy mountains at ttie head of Rock creek. The incorpora tors are also given tiie right to con struct dams, reservoirs and do till of the things necessary to storing and distributing the water of tiie lake. The life of the new company is 40 years and tiie principal place of busi ness will tie at Moore. The capital stock is $50,000. Patrick Nihil I. it. G. Pen we 11, Park W. Penwell, W. J. Owen, J. w Moore. T. J. Robinson, M. W. Penwell and A. M. Campbell are the incorporators. HE HAS NEVER EOUND IT OUT Cruel Joke on Unsuspecting Tom Riser the Jolly Jokester of the North Moccasins. E. W. KING SETS THE TRAP Introduced a Native Montanan as a Tenderfoot—Tom Swallowed Bait. Hook and All. Numberless moons ago, while all this region was yet in the plast state and tiie tepid waters of Warm Spring were hot enough to scald hogs in, Tom Riser entered over the mushy trail to the North Moccasin moun tains and since that time Tom has been the principal promoter of every thing that tends to make life worth living in that favored region. Tom is not one of those reserved persons who wants to make himself noticed because of ids retiring, unfriendly ways; on the contrary lie is one those men who greet you witli warmth that dispels the idea within you that tiie world lias for centuries been weighed down with a load of hu man selfishness. Ever since. Tom first arrived in tiie Kendall district lie lias constituted himself a reception committee and no stranger lias enter ed those gates that Tom didn't bid him welcome, and incidentally peddle a load of confidential dope to him that would suffice the veriest glut ton. Tom is not an ordinary hotair distributor; lie goes at you witli an earnestness that creates confidence and a self assurance that, compels be lief: an ordinary prevaricator is abso luteless helpless in Tom's hands, just, as a common, ordinary raconteur gets awfully tiresome when Tom is around. So long lias Tom enjoyed the dis tinction of being tiie medicine chief of all the "josliers" around Kendall that lie had even forgot to think about anybody jobbing him. That's where he fell down. Last week E. W. King came over from Bozeman. Accompanying Mr. King was Nelson Story, Jr. also of Bozeman. Mr. Sto ry was born in Montana and, to use his own language, "was raised In cow camp." Tom Riser didn't know this for Mr. King introduced Story him as Mr. Nathan Strong of St. Louis whose father had so much money that lie had sent the "boy" out here squander a lot. of it. When Tom heard that he tightened up his licit hole or two and prepared to camp on "Strong's" trail. Thirty years Montana hasn't dulled Mr. Story's propensities for perpetrating a joke and I lie way lie peddled the greenhorn stuff to Toni caused Johnny Rush, the stage driver, to shed tears Mr. King and his friend stayed in Kendall live or six days and before they left Tom ad mill.v claimed rela tionship with Story, alias Strong, happened that they hud mutual ac quaintances in St. Louis: this was enough for Tom. lie confidentially handed it; out that he knew all of Strong's folks down In t iie old t own; in fact had gone to school with the old man, and at onetime was engaged to the old lady, but had to go on voyage to the Celebes Island to look after some mining ground for he London Exploratian company and while he was gone the old man cut him out. He didn't care for that, though, for the "boy" was going to send up a hundred thousand dollars for him to do some prospecting on, and if things looked good when that was gone he would put in some money. It seemed kind of good to see one of the Strong family again, for it had been so long since iie had heard from them he was afraid they had all died off; and the boy knew so many people down there that lie knew in the "early days" that it was sure refresh ing to meet him. Tom just spouted around in tins strain until he had every other prospector in the camp wishing lie would go away somewhere and ease up. Story, alias Strong, didn't get much rest either; Tom showed him where the volcanos were spouting when lie first came to the country: lugged him around to all the prospect holes and entered into scientific dissertations as to how tiie molten gold speeded through the fissures and smeared its jacent ground; explained t lie workings of different kinds of mills, Hunting tons and stamp mill and all kinds; (Story owns a foundry which makes mining machinery); and then lie fin ally told him all about how the bron chos out here do hand springs with the riders, and how wild it was only about four miles north of Kendall, where one first began to see hostile Indians. Tom loaded and reloaded until Story's absorption gear was al most cut out, in the bearings: still Story stood well to his guns and never flinched, not even while Tom told him the broncho riding stories. It,doesn't require a vivid imagination to picture Tom riding a broncho, hut it would be easier to make a mental crayon of him falling olV a handcar. Finally, after they had been in Kendall nearly a week, Mr. King, trom sheer regard for a good fellow like Tom, took Story with him and returned to Lew istown: Story wanted to stay and learn all about western life in one les son, but Mr. King was afraid Tom's Imagination would break down. Tom lias long reigned the undisputed mon arch of "joshers" in the North Moc casins: he is probably going around now t ickling himself over tiie loads he handed young "Strong," for lie never caught on, and Mr. King, who is so tender hearted that way, wouldn't tell him for fear that it, might wound ids feelings. It didn't take Postmaster John Jackson, Jr., very long to discover that there were positively no pilgrims in Mr. King's party; not after they turned the saddle around on his sad dle pony and sent that well ordered equine across the country like he was possessed of seven devils; at,in can tie ing the cause of his mental disorder. Jackson knew whom to "cuss," but Tom still tarries in ignorence. ADDITIONAL LOCAL. Eggs 25ets per dozen at, Lehmans. G. B. Stuart of Kendall is in the city. Free concert at the Art Music Store tonight. Roue meal for chickens at Abel Brothers. A carload of apples has just arrived for Lehman. Hear the "Light Cavalry Overture" by Suppe, tonight at, the Art, Music Store. The Lewistown Furniture Co., has a swell lino of cane rockers at from $3.25 up. II you once use one of llie Lewis town Furniture Co's Vandergrift washers, you will use no other. E. 11. Crabtree, superintendent of the Maginnis mine, was in Hie city the latter part of the week. FOR SALE Two good ranges, chairs, tables, etc. All in good condition. Apply to C. F. Hirscli & Son. Fred Alton, a prosperaus young stockman abd rancher of Denton, was a business visitor to this city yester day. J. L- Stuart came in last night from the Judith mountains where lie is de veloping some mining properties. Ills property is located near Malden. Harry Boggs, the popular young at torney. is having a house built in the western part of the city. George An derson has the contract for the build ing. My dear, these are the finest bis cuits I ever ale. Yes John, that St. Clair Range we got of the Lewistown Co., deserves the credit. It is the best baker I ever used. Don't fall to look over t he new line of lace curtains, portierres and coucli covers at the Lewistown Furniture Co. They can furnish your house in an up-to-date and economical man ner. Rasmus Frederickson, a hi year old lad, arrived In the city last night from Sweden, leaving made the long t rip across 1 he ocean alone. He sailed from Denmark the 22nd day of Feb ruary. He will go to Maiden to make his home with his aunt, Mrs. Anna Wight. The dance given Tuesday night by the Red Men was one of the most pleasant occasions of tiie sort ever given in the city. The hall was crowded and the members of the pop ular order under whose auspices the dance was given, saw to it that every body was kept busy dancing. The boys cleared a neat sum from tiie dance. For choice meats, fresh fish, oysters, poultry and new vegetables come to tiie new Central meat market, Abel Bros.