Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1858-08-12

camped here, where they have permanent
village Of mud huts. 1t was formerly the
only trading point for the Aricaree, Man.
dams and Gros Ventres but after the es
isblishmen, Of Fort Berthold the Mandans
and Gros yentres resorted thither. MIR.
Hodgkiss, very gentlemanly aud sensible
man, has charge Of the place.
FORT EEgTHoLD.
Sixty miles further up. is Fort Berthold,
the third trading post, where the Company,
for long series Of years, have resorted to
deal with the Indians bu. buildings were
not erected until IL years ago, when il was
made . permanent trading point with the
Gros Ventres, after they had been driven
from near Fort Clark. The buildings are
perhaps neater (if such term be applica.
bIe) than those at either Of the other posts.
The bastions present better appearance,
and some of the houses are built Of cot.
tonwood and covered with shingles. Mr.
MeEldery is ID charge here.
TokT UNION.
Six miles abore the Yellowstone river,
and 23i5 miles from st. Louis, is Fort
Union, the fourth trading post 1t was
founded in 1928, by the American Fur
Company, then under the contre Of John
Jacob Agtor. The buildings we're con.
strueted by James kipp and Mr.. McKsn>
zie. Ii is situated on an extended prairie,
in Minnesota, about 100 wards from the
shore-is much the finest looking place we
have seen, being $50 feet long by 325 wide,
having at each corner in from strong
two story stone bas,ion, with por holes to
command the front and sides of the fort.
Immediately in front Of the main entrance,
and at the back of the fort. is the main
building, two story old fashioned cattage
house, with large and comfortable rooms,
occupied by the officers. To the left as
you enter, and near the front gate, is an.
other cottage building. On the right arc
the houses for the working men, the car.
penter and blacksmith shops, while on the
left are the store houses. Here they have
so head of fine cattle, fully equal to our
Durhams and Deyonshires in the States.
The iand around looks very sterile, bu,
corn grows finely in good seasons, and po
iatoes, turnips, beets and beans are said
to yield remarkably well. Hay in abun
dance is also cut from the prairie bottom
near the mouth of the Yellowstone.
The opposition company have their fort
at the mouth Of the Yellowstone at every
other post their buildings sre very neal
those Of the American Fur Company.
Mr.. Ritter, a very clever sni fine Lusi
ness man, is the Bourgeois or chief agent
at this post, and is assisted by his clerks
Messrs. Roulette aud LaBombard.
FORT BEsros.
Fort Benton, the last and best trading
point on the Missouri river, is 25 miles
above the mouth Of Maria river, and SOC
miles from the head Of the Missouri. II
was founded in 1880, by Jas. kipp, twhe
has built every fort On the riyer,) for the
American Fur Company, then under the
control Of Astor, and came into the pos
session of Astor. Chouieau 4 Co.. about
~
1887. Ii is situated on sloping prairie
900 feet from the river; is 100 feet square
and built Of adobe bricks. The present
fort was constructed in ls4S, by Alexan
der Culbertson, who still has charge of it
II is the bes. trading point on the river
and furnished last year 5000 buffalo robes
besides many wolf and beaver skins
Medford Raisin is first clerk there, and NJ
Champagne, half breed, is an Interpreters
trader, and quite an efficient man for th,
post.