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Treasure State Topics The Hill County State Bank of Havre, virtually a reorganization of the recently closed Security Bank of Havre, will be opened for business on or before July 26 with a capital of $60,000. The plan of reorganization and articles of incorporation were approved by the state banking department after a conference between stockholders of the old bank, who are interested in its reorganization, Helena bankers and L. Q. Skelton, state superintendent of banks. Contractor Neilson has started work on the Columbia avenue bridge across Whitefish river. There are 98 long pilings to drive for this bridge, and the length of the bridge will be about 250 feet. When the bridge is completed it will give a choice of routes in and out of Whitefish to the south. About five or six weeks will be needed in which to complete the work. Approximately $13,000 is being spent in building alone by the Midland Empire fair board, Billings, to put the grounds into shape for what is expected to be the largest exhibition ever staged in Montana. The immense building program includes new hog and cattle barns, additional bleacher space, a new floor in the little theatre building and remodeling of other structures. Besides this, trees have been planted, the water system has been brought up to date, the track is being treated, repairs are completed, and new paint is being applied by the barrel. A summary of the crop report by counties over the entire state indicate that this season will be one of bumper crops for Montana, with ample help to cultivate and harvest. The only complaint of drought comes from the extreme western part of the state and only a few counties report grasshoppers. Losses from the cyclone which swept across northern Cascade county recently will total approximately $25,000. A survey of the path taken by the twister gives a toll of 10 farm homes destroyed or partially destroyed, with much loss to farm machinery, wagons, clothing and household goods all of which was scattered across an area eight miles long and a few hundred yards wide. This was Montana's second cyclone. The main camp of the Somers Lumber camp south of Whitefish is nearly completed. It consists of six substantial log buildings and a force of about 20 men have been engaged for some time on their erection. These will serve as headquarters for several years to come as there is a big body of timber in this section to be cut. The Somers company has secured right of way and it is reported that they will soon start the construction of a standard guage railroad from the camp eastward to connect with the Kalispell branch near the Soldier's Home. Checks totalling nearly $400,000 have been sent out to members of the association who will be gratified at the news of this final settlement, for it is being made rather more promptly than had been expected, and to the members generally it will come as an agreeable surprise. Every effort will be made to have the Stillwater Valley Electric railway which will connect Columbus and Cooke City, ready to operate in time to handle at least a portion of the 1924 crop, according to an announcement by J. P. Ernster of Columbus, who with A. W. Barker, is promoting the line, which will open a rich mineral and agricultural region to further development. $1,500,000 of 30 year six per cent bonds on the project have been sold to the R. V. Coon Syndicate of Detroit, and the first leg of the road is now assured. This extends 42 miles south from Columbus, to Box Canyon, about two miles above Wood's ranch on the Stillwater. The Y. B. Stores company has taken over Fonk's 5, 10 and 15 cent store in Great Falls. Harry M. Yaw is president of the new company and Roy H. Bell, former manager of the Woolworth store of that city is vice-president and will be active manager of the store. What many believe to be the greatest gold strike of recent years was made in the Katie mine of the Job Consolidated company at Basin. The strike was made on the 400-foot level, while the high grade vein is four feet in width. Streaks of several inches are interspersed throughout the ledge that will assay better than $200,000 a ton. The strike is believed to be a continuation of the old vein that in Montana's territorial days ranked the Katie with the Cable, Drum Lummon and other famous gold mines. The State highway commission has awarded three northeastern Montana federal aid road and bridge projects, to cost approximately $416,773, to two Great Falls contracting companies. The counties in which the projects are located will pay 46.96 per cent of the total cost, which includes the contractor's bid plus 10 per cent to cover supervision and surveys by the highway department. A 216-foot steel and concrete bridge across the Yellowstone river at Glendive will be erected, also six timber pile bridges on the Nashua-Frazer road in Valley county. Approximately 16 miles of grading and gravel surfacing will be done on the Nashua-Frazer road. With the approval of the state and federal banking departments, the Blaine County State bank at Harlem, has been consolidated with the First National Bank. The First National took over all the assets and liabilities of the former bank. Over 50,000 pounds of this season's wool clip in Dawson county is already in the Glendive N. P. wool warehouse, and is coming in every day. Sheep are producing more wool per head and of a better quality than in previous years, owing to being run in smaller bands and getting better care and feed. The warehouse of the Renwick Implement company of Billings was severely damaged by fire and the loss is estimated at $80,000. The utmost efforts of the fire department saved the store room and office buildings of the same firm adjoining and the blaze was brought under control after two hours. Origin of the fire has not been determined. The warehouse was filled with farm machinery including tractors, binder, corn planters, plows and other articles, several carloads having been recently added to the stock preparatory for the summer and fall business. The Gourley bakery and the Butterkrust bakery, both located in Havre, consolidated business recently. The property of the Butterkrust bakery was purchased from the trustees and
