Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1919 — LETTER FROM C. H. PORTER [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM C. H. PORTER

Tells of Weather and Other Conditions In New Home. The Democrat is in receipt of the following interesting letter from Charles H. Porter, who purchased a ranch and located at Harrison, Montana, last summer: lHarrison, Montana, January 20, 1919. Dear Friends. —It has been a long time since I havo tried to write anything to a paper, (much longer, anything for publication), but after due Consideration, I have decided that some of my friends, at least, would be willing to waste time reading a few lines from one who often thinks of them, but of course does not have time to write to all. Trusting that my editor friends will not consign this to the waste basket without giving me at least, one trial, and with this apology, I will begin with the weather. We are having a most delightful winter here in this vicinity, and it seems more like Spring than mid-winter; thermometer ranging from 35 to 40 -above early in the morning to as high as 55 above during the middle of the day. No snow here in the valley, but the mountains, some seven or -eight miles away, are covered with snow. The summers . here are beyond comparison, days being warm and pleasant, and the nights cool to such an extent that

one can and does sleep with a blanket and comfort over them every night. We -are at an altitude of.about 4,-70 0 feet and hot winds are unknown here. The “flu” situation in Montana has been quite severe, especially in Butte and the larger cities, but in our valley, (the Madison), the epidemic has not been quite so severe, but we have had a number of cases, and a few deaths. At this time I do not know of but one case in this locality. Mr.Horsewood and family and myself, have been of the favored ones, and have escaped thus far. Labor conditions are not of the best in Montana at this time, especially in the mining localities, such as Butte. I was in Butte a few days last week and was informed by reliable authority that there was at least 6,000 unemployed men in that citv of 60,000 people. A great <m.iny of the mines in Butte have closed down since the armistice was signed as the demand for copper and other mineral products has almost ceased until the enormous stocks now on hand have been consumed. I do not anticipate any. trouble in- securing all the ranch help that we will need this coming season, but last year it was a case of take what we could get. ’ , I am preparing to put out from

100 to 135 acres of Spring wheat and will summer fallow 100 acres for next year’s crop. Will probably put about 100 head of cattle on the range this spring and will run them there till this fall. This fs on the Madison Forest Reserve under the control of the government, and is located about 70 miles from Harrison. Cost for the season, per head, is about 60 cents for the grazing privilege, and with the other expenses connected with the privilege makes a total of about one dollor and fifty cents per steer for the five months or so of grazing. I have seen cattle this fall coming off the Madison Range that were good enough to bring 16 to 17 cents on the Chicago market. I may run about 100 to 150 head of sheep on the ranch this summer for Mr. Horsewood’s entertainment—he likes the sheep proposition. Well, I’ve written much more than I had expected to when I began, so now, if my friends, the editors, don’t censor this letter too closely, I will feel under many obligations to them; and will also feel that I have in a way partially fulfilled my duty to my many friends in old Rensselaer. I forgot to say that we are all well and able for “three squares” per day. Yours truly, CHAS. H. PORTER.