EARLY NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT IN THE ROCKIES

Abstract

EARLY NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT IN THE ROCKIES BY KENNETH BJORK A.M. Holter had made a fortune in business ventures that touched in one way or another on mining and related activities , but his conscience had always restrained him from urging fellow Norwegians to seek employment in the Montana mines. He had a different attitude, however, toward farming and immigrant land seekers. "When I think back," he wrote in 1878, "and recall the large migration into Iowa and Minnesota during the years 1853 to 1857, then it seems to me that there must still be Scandinavians who would want to grasp the opportunity, if only they knew of it, inherent in the fact that there are millions of acres of government land in Montana that is just as fertile as the land in the Mississippi Valley and can be acquired under the homestead, preemption , or desert laws." He continued: "Under the desert law a person can take up 640 acres at 25c cash per acre and $1.00 more each year for three years. During these three years one is obligated to dig an irrigation ditch and bring in enough water to flood the land. Here I should like to explain that farmers cannot anticipate sufficient rain; therefore they must dig ditches to the nearest streams, in order to inundate their fields as often as necessary ; in this way crops do not fail during drouth." Holter described Montana Territory in detail, explaining that it was larger than Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois combined , yet had a population of only about 25,000. According to an official report of 1867, some 30,000,000 acres were suited to agriculture. What remained was partly covered with forest and partly with some of the best grassland in America. Furthermore, the prices of farm produce were high. Wheat, said Holter, brought $2.35 to $2.50, oats, $2.15, and potatoes, 44 NORWEGIANS IN THE ROCKIES 45 $1.50 to $1.75 per hundred pounds; butter 45c to 50c a pound; and eggs 30c a dozen. It was stock raising, however, that earned the largest profits. Some who produced cattle and horses had reported to him that they enjoyed a return of from 24 to 36 per cent annually on their investment in stock. Sheep raising was even more remunerative; Major W. Davenport had informed Holter that his sheep brought him a yearly interest of 60 per cent. While admitting that this last figure might be exaggerated, Holter reminded his readers that horses and cattle foraged for themselves in all seasons . Wool was shipped to New York and meat to Chicago, while some other products went to London. Thus Montana enjoyed a world market. In concluding his letter, Holter said: "I have been living in this territory for almost fifteen years, have operated a sawmill and lumber business, and have always used horses and oxen to haul goods. Thus I speak from experience. A short time ago I acquired a section of land near the large Missouri cataract at the mouth of the Sun River. This place is eighty miles north of Helena and twenty miles east of Fort Shaw. The nearest neighbor is twelve miles away and the land between us is unclaimed, yet is of the finest quality. I consider this valley to be one of the best for a Scandinavian settlement, for all products can be sold to the soldiers at Fort Shaw at good prices. Though I prefer Sun River Valley over any other place, I would direct the reader's attention to the land along the Marias River, in Judith Basin, and along the Musselshell and Yellowstone. In the near future we expect to be linked with the civilized world, for a railroad is now being constructed from Ogden in Utah and about one hundred miles of this line is already completed. Passenger tickets from Omaha to Helena along this route are as follows: first class $105, second class $90, for emigrants $45. We are also hopeful that within a few years the Northern Pacific will come in here. A passenger ticket from St. Paul to Bismarck on this line costs $20; from 46 KENNETH BJORK Bismarck to Fort Benton the...