Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1876-02-03

engaged in hunting and fishing.
On the 18th of September, 1870,
[ arrived at Gallatin city in the
valley of Gallatin. The JEFF
ferson, Madison and the East
and the West Gallatin rivers
unite at Gallatin city and form
the Missouri. The soil there is
very productive, fifty bushels
of wheat per acre being an av-
erage crop. The streams are
clear as crystal and full of fish.
But the territory of Montana is
high in altitude-the winters
are very severe, mercury is fro
zen in the month of January,
and the climate is too inclem-
ent for SOutherner. / pur-
sued my way to Helena-the
distance being four hundred and
fifty miles from Salt Lake City.
After a short stay, l sold my
''bucking'' pony and then took
the stage for Deer Lodge city.
Montana is a fine stock country,
if winter forage is supplied
the praifies yielding an abun-
dance of hay, which can be had
for the cutting. From Deer
Lodge, l went onward to Mis-
Isoula; [ was compelled to pass
the winter at the latter place.
Soon after my arrival, one even
ing, l saw a Northern Light, or
an Aurora Borealis, which for
beauty and grandeur surpassed
anything l had ever seen. 1t
made its appearance just after
dark, the horizon from the
northeast to the south was lu-
rid with streams of light run
ming in perpendicular lines and
tinted more brilliantly than u
rainbow. The long, bright lines
of quivering light would CLEAN
and then partially fade, then
blaze again as bright as day.
The rainbow lines kept con-
stantly jerking and quivering,
accompanied with a continual
cracking or popping sound
The noise could be heard dis
tinctly. Long streamers of iris
colored flames lit up the sky,
like firebrands thrown from the
hands of angels. Nothing on
earth could be more beautiful.
1t lasted until midnight. | felt
as if / could have gazed at the
strange phenomena, while the
trees of Paradise yield their
fruits, or the fountain of life its
river. The gorgeous scene
vanished at midnight, and the
placid and serene sky assumed
its natural appearance. The
long, cold winter at length
passed away. In May, 1871, l
bought a horse and set out Cor
Walla Walla, Washington Ter
ritory, distance three hundred
miles. / was alone as usual
| took the old Mullen wagon
road-went down the Bitter
Root Valley, ferried the Mis-
soula near its entrance into the
Pen de OrieUe, crossed the St.
Regis river at least twenty
times while ascending the Com
de AIdRe mountains, and en-
tered the hundred mile forest
extending from the COur dc
Alane mountains to the treeless
plains Of Washington Terrific
ry. There is only one settle
ment to be seen the entire dis
is called the Spokane
situated near the Cour
de Alane river. The Mission
is built on a little prairie, five
miles in length by three in
width. The great forest sur
rounds it on every side. Five
hundred acres of land are in q
high state of cultivation at the
Mission. There is an elegant
Catholic Church there-it is
built of wood but is a stately
edifice. How the Fathers or
Priests procured the building
in that lone place, |
did not ascertain. Six priests
reside there, besides twenty
christian brothers, or monksy
one hundred Indians and u few
hired hands. They have COM
Portable dwellings and appear
to be happy. / arrived at the
Spokane Mission just before
and the good fathers
were very kind to me. / found
hem to be excellent scholars.
and the time passed very agree
lbly. | listened to the vesper
bell as It's chimes rang softly
yet sweetIy on the evening air.
The Indians attend Worship
in the church whenever they
ire called by the deep tones of
the bell. Let us hope that the