CHAPTER VIII.
Western Montana.
Kalispell, the largest City in the Flathead country, in the northwestern part of Montana, lies west and is sheltered by the main range of the Rocky Mountains. This, as well as a portion of the state south of here, at one time comprised the Oregon Possessions, whereas the rest of Montana was acquired by the Louisiana Purchase, which we will all celebrate during the St. Louis Exposition.
In the vicinity of Kalispell are numerous sawmills, the largest being at Somers, at the head of Flathead Lake, also a very extensive pickling plant for the preservation of ties. I enjoyed many delightful drives through the immense wheat farms and inhaled the per-
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