Lancaster Daily Intelligencer

The prevailing severe weather in Montana is disastrous to cattle on the ranges, and they are dying in large numbers from both cold and hunger. It is estimated that 215,000 cattle were brought into Montana for fattening purposes last season. Of these 125,000 were driven in from the south and are specifically known as Texans, though many of them came from Colorado and Nebraska. Most of these reached the ranges before July, and are not worn down by quick or hard journeys, and, although a large percentage will die, the number is not likely to exceed 15,000.

The principal sufferers are Minnesota and Iowa cattle. Of these the Northern Pacific took into Montana last season 92,000 in round numbers. Of this number about 62,000 went in before July, and are getting along as well as could be expected in the direst of winters for range men. The other 30,000, all authorities agree, and from numbers of reliable sources information has been obtained, are in a pitiable case. Fully 50 per cent. of them have not the slightest chance for life. Of the 50 per cent. probably 30 per cent. are already dead. Some authorities place the percentage of certain loss at 75, but with the smaller figure the damage is heavy enough. The probable losses in "pilgrims" of all sorts may thus be tabulated : One hundred and twenty-five thousand head Texans, 10 per cent. loss, 12,500; 62,000 head Minnesota and Iowa, 10 per cent. loss, 6,200; 30,000 head Minnesota and Iowa, 50 per cent. loss, 15,000 ; total losses of unacclimated stock, 33,700.

Montana's climate is not especially severe, nor is its snowfall usually so great that it will not yield to the chinook winds which leave the hilltops and plateaus bare, and freely offering their rich growth of native-cured grasses weeks even months, before the plains of Dakota or prairies of Minnesota or Iowa are free from frost ; but this season snow 6 feet deep on a level, and do (for aught any one knows) in the coolies and valleys, is the rule, from Billings, or a little west of there, west to the boundary of Idaho, while continuous cold in a degree unparalleled since cattle have been raised in Montana at all has lasted throughout December, and came on before the month set in. Even the toughened range cattle find it difficult to get along. For two weeks past the temperature at Fort Shaw and all through Northern Montana has ranged from 20 to 35 below zero.