0^* ai n I I 11 n ni ni ni ni ii ■■ in nn tit "" "- "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" "" — "T— 'v ^ ^9 



• THETREASURESTATE 175: 



• • 



There are 42 churches in Butte, Protestant and Catholic. Almost every religious 

 denomination is represented, including Catholic, Adventist, Baptist, Christian, Episco- 

 palian, Greek, Hebrew, Latter Day Saints, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Re- 

 organized, Scientist and Unitarian, besides several missions. 



Railroad men term Butte the "cross-roads of the northwest." Five transconti- 

 nental lines run into the state's metropolis, and the railroad business of this city 

 is declared to be the largest of any inland city of its population in the world. 



The population of Silver Bow county is estimated at 91,760 and the assessed 

 valuation, in 1915, was $42,419,268. 



LAND AREA — Silver Bow county, which is in the Helena land district, em- 

 braces an area of 698 square miles, including 59,924 acres of unreserved and un- 

 appropriated public land, little of which is, however, suitable for cultivation, 14,994 

 acres of state land, and 188,144 acres of national forests. Of the total area of the 

 county, 90,600 acres are privately owned. 



CROP PRODUCTION — The following gives the estimated crop production for 

 1915: wheat, 10,000 bushels; oats, 25,000 bushels; barley, 2,500 bushels; potatoes, 

 12,500 bushels; hay, 10,000 tons. 



In 1915, the assessor's rolls showed the following livestock: horses, 2,539 head; 

 milch cows, 1,696 head; other cattle, 2,348 head; sheep, 8,115 head; swine, 587 head. 



STILLWATER COUNTY. 



Stillwater county is another of the newer political sub-divisions of the state, 

 and since the creation of the county, in 1913, from parts of Yellowstone, Sweet- 

 grass and Carbon counties, it has enjoyed an exceptionally rapid growth. 



Stillwater county lies in the center of the great dry land farming region of 

 eastern Montana and the inhabitants of the county devote themselves exclusively to 

 farming and stockraising. The southern part of the county is well watered by the 

 Stillwater river, which flows north and empties into the Yellowstone at Columbus. 

 Along the Stillwater river is one of the oldest farming regions of the state, and 

 about Absarokee are to be found many irrigated farms on which intensive farming 

 and fruit raising is practiced. 



The northern part of the county embraces a portion of what is known as the 

 Lake Basin country, one of the best developed and most productive dry land 

 farming sections of the state. This section is soon to be opened by a Northern 

 Pacific branch. 



Columbus, the county seat, is said to be the best lighted town of its size in the 

 state, and is a thoroughly modern little city. It has doubled in population since the 

 1910 census was taken and is now estimated as having a population of 1,000. It has 

 bank deposits of more than $500,000, and has ten retail stores, two newspapers, two 

 elevators, and two lumber yards. Nearby is quarried the famous Columbus sand- 

 stone which was used in the erection of the State Capitol at Helena. An effort is 

 now being made to secure a flour mill and a cheese factory, while at least 15,000 

 horse power is awaiting development. 



An effort is being made to secure the construction of an electric or steam 

 road up the Stillwater valley. Such a road would not only furnish much needed 

 transportation for an agricultural population of 4,000 but would also tap extensive 

 timber lands and coal and mineral deposits. The Rosebud Lakes, easily reached 

 from Columbus, offer fine scenic attractions and the East Rosebud Lake colony is one 

 of the popular summer places of the state. 



Although there is but little good homestead land left in Stillwater county, land 

 can be purchased at prices which are very attractive. Improved farm land sells 

 at about $30 per acre while unimproved land may be had for $20 or even less. 



