P a g e 4 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r HISTORY OF PARK COUNTY-continued From The Livingston Enterprise, January 1, 1900: In passing up the Yellowstone or Shields river valleys, the traveler will notice long flumes surmounting ravines and narrow ditches winding along the foot-hills. Here and there in the midst of the unclaimed or uncultivated arid land appears a beautiful oasis in the form of a well-kept farmhouse surrounded by magnificent growing crops. All of these phenomena, of course, means irrigation. Here one sees just beside the swift-flowing stream a broad, dusty plain whose last blade of grass is parched and withered with excessive drought; while rapid mountain streams are pouring down these foothills and emptying their contents into the rivers. Many young orchards are now adding a stimulant to irrigation farming here, and the older settlers are reaping, yearly, bountiful harvests of apples, cherries and the smaller fruits, such as gooseberries, currants, strawberries and raspberries. For their orchard products they are receiving fabulous prices in the local markets. Since the irrigating system has been so successfully established, which seems for all time to come, the ranchers have taken mostly to diversified farming. In this way their large flocks and herds are divided into smaller groups, which can be better under the supervision of their own watchful care. Under the above plan, Park county’s last assessment represents 11,413 head of cattle, not including calves; 60,046 sheep; 4,533 horses, and 629 hogs. As all of the wealth of the county’s agriculture is due to her complete system of irrigation, it is an important item to know that this system’s total valuation is only $8,136. PARK COUNTY’S EXHIBIT AT THE WORLD’S FAIR. A mineral cabin was prepared and donated to the Montana exhibit by the ladies of the Park County Columbian association, their aim only being to give a correct idea of its great mineral resources, and at the same time add an attractive feature to the state’s display. The cabin was planned by Mrs. W. M. Wright, and constructed by Mr. A. B. Lind, both of Livingston, and the minerals were secured from Cooke City, Boulder and other mining camps. A wooden frame was at first constructed and around it the larger pieces of ore were placed, while the intervening places were filled with chippings. The ledge, resting on an iron frame, was composed almost wholly of small pieces of gold and silver-bearing ores, while the chimney was made of ores of the brightest colors. The dimensions of the cabin were: length, 20 inches; width, 18 inches; height of walls, 20 inches; chimney, 4x8. The roof was composed of crushed free-milling ore. The cabin weighed nearly 200 pounds, and rested on a beautiful and strongly built table. On the front of the cabin were the letters, “ Park County, Montana.” These letters were formed Freighting Grain.
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