[Montana] John James. Autograph letter, signed. Miles City, Montana Territory. August 27, 1883.

[Montana] John James. Autograph letter, signed. Miles City, Montana Territory. August 27, 1883. The writer describes that he has come to Montana, but determined that it is not good sheep country due to a lack of good water and competition from cattle ranching. As a result he has sold out the horses he brought and is returning home as soon as he can get a through train ticket: “Sir as I have not much to do I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know where I was and what I was doing. I am now at Miles Cit & have sold my horses for $65 a head, all but one & I got 220 dollars for her. She was a fine mare. Horses is dull sale here. I did not think of selling when I came out here but I don’t like it for a sheep country. Water is too scarce. It is a fine grass country. But the water is scarce and awful rare water where there is water with out you find a spring. The country is a going to sure be over stock in a year or two as bad as Oregon is. They are shipping cattle in from the East and driving in from the West so that I think they will soon have it filled up. I shall start home in a few days. Ed & Charlie Mitchell started home here back. I can get a through ticket in a day or two. I had a very good trip. It was worth a good deal to me as I wanted to see the country. I did not make anything on my horses, but I got to see a lot of country that I would of never seen any other way. I got a letter from Billey saying that he had sold out his ranch. I suppose he will have the Montana fever. A. D. Howard give it such a big name that we was all struck after it. But I don’t think as much of it as he does. But it is a good grass country. Well, breakfast is ready so I will quit for this time, yours as ever /S/ Jas. James” (in pencil “From Uncle Jim to Father 1883”) Written on the stationary of the INTER-OCEAN HOTEL. Macqueen & Young. Post Traders, Ft. Keogh. Headquarters for STOCK and Commercial MEN. The Finest Equipped Hotel in Montana. W.B. Andrews, Manager. 1 Page, 2 sides. Very legible and in vg cond.