Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-09-05
FEoK BTsEARcK 70 RozsMAy.
BoznkAx, M. T., August ~, 1877


rgoK BrsEARcK 70 RozsMAy.
BozHkAK, III T., August 81, 1878.
TO the Edstsr of tAs Courier:
DEAR SIR-Eavnk been ASKED to send to
your paper al account OF a perilous trip made
by myself, together rth one of your citizens,
from Gen. StAnlev's Expedition to this place,
and thinking that it may be interesting to
some of your readers, | will trespess upon
your space for short letter.
The command arrived at Pompey's Pillar,
on the Yellowstone on Friday August 18th.
and while there il occurred to me that, as in
all probability there would nothing OF inter-
est happen on the return trip to the stockadc
on the Yellowstone, it would be good idea
to continue across the country and see for
Pacific Railway. At this moment l oppor-
tunely heard that Mr.. j. L. Vernon, Of Bexe-
man, and whe was with the E Expedition, con-
templated returning home by that route. and
l soon agreed with him TO 90 together at any
cost. 1t was our purpose to start from that
point and taking Baker's.las years trail pro-
ceed up the Yellowstone to the Agency,
but after consultation with Gen. Stanley we
decided to wait until we reached the Aussel-
shell, then 70 by that river and Flsthesd Pass
Following that decision, we lett the command
on the evening OF the day O! its arrival on | he
Ausselshell. August 10Th, much against the
advice OF many officers who we're supposed
to know the country and the dangers to be
encountered therein; and the predictions that
we would lie scalped before we had been away
t~snty-four hours. Our little company num-
bered three. Hr. ]. l.. Fsri.on, who wac our
guido and head, 3. tea.ster. sn old miner
ssmad Murray, and the writer. We we're
we'll supplied With ratioa.. arTas and snnli-
nIHea. <ks1i,t h h-dbsta' 1fIfposssnte to procnre
horsea at sny price in the command. Full Of
Sioux, who had bsen sneaking aTonaa slle
column that day, might be 1ooxing for ue, we
started end marched that night twelve miles.
hating snA high peak oa the north aide sf
the river, from which We could scsn the
whole country. Here we renixised until
mor6inx, each one taxing bis tune on picket,
when we mevcd on 70 rayins and building
1re. cooked our bacon and coffee, and con-
tinued on. During that day our route lay
over ridges aud aills and tt rough numerous
CANYONS which made the march very tatigu.
ing though it was enlivened by the sight Of
nun berless herds Of buffalo, which 1t our
near approach would snort, look at our
strange forms moment and then gallop lum
beringly away. The temptation to shoot
| some of them was strong, but our better sense
restrained us, as the report OF the guns nigh
ha brought party of Indians down upor
us, and we would have paid dearly for thu
sport. That day we made about forty miles
and camped on the river bank. The next
Thursday. after consultation as to the bes
road, We left the river, and, taking south
westerly course, with Crazy Mountain for ou
guide, struck boldly across the country 70
the Agency and the settlements.
4 The country passed over on that day re
minded nae much in its formation OF the Ian
some sixty miles East between the hussel
sh ell and the Yellowstone, being bluffy, wit
occasional patches OF timber. but with tn
additional advantage Of being covered wit
fine long grass, which the frs named sectio
is destitute OF.
From this point through TO tie mountain
grass and water are plenty and consider
the best grazing country ever saw. Whe
the railroad is built. l expect that this part
: the valley Of the Yellowstone will be settle
, In much shorter space of time than any po
. tioa of the road, because OF its superior farm
ing advantages, and those who settle II
: country will be permanent, who Will benel
, the road and the country by their present
and their productions.
4 On Friday, the 22d, about two O'Clock y
4 arrived at Big Timber Creek and there in q
. midst Of a drizzling rain we cooked our Ia
!, meal. When we had finished. we had sm'
|: piece Of bacon and q little coffee lett. AHal
|. looked dark. bus we took heart and press
! on till night, when with cup OF coHee !
n our supper aud rain for blanket, we So
e ceeded in obtaining few moments OF slee
it The following day. Saturday, our Journ
J. led us into the mountains and II there Is an
! thing demoralizlng about a long march It It
It to 90 up high steep hill only to lind . &c &C
If rayine Immediately below one, ana Just
= yond higher and sleeper one. IL had u
nj effect on me, and had it not been 1or A
,e Vernon's kind encouragement ana lrequt
Z assurances that we would strike something
at somewhere near CIVILIZATION before night
O. should have begn ashe artened. About no
e. we ate our last piece Of bacon raw, W.T.
es relish that would not have been more
r. had been a steak at Delmonlco's. ne 9
ke cluded that, finding no game. we Wouad
st to tile river that evening and sup on hsh, :
he were n our way there, wheh :. aDoo. ? 8 81
ed Mr.. Veraon. stopping me- saoWeu uoWi s !
in the valley DR.. Hunters ranehe anu me',
lli cattle about it. TO say i1a. = "eao sia0
in happy at the sigl4t wouia h's eAs'fs-s rs.
he feelings Our troubles s'aV V'sa !
n p,a1 accom- DilSllGd 9