Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1878-01-10

hOhcDA JANOAhI Aos oHo
THE navigation of the Yellowstone river
is no longer a matter of question, the opera
ton of boats the past season having clearly
demonstrated that it's elrrent can be STEM
med, and has inspired steamboat men and
shippers with a confidence which warrants
a further test. We have, it from good au-
thority that line of steamers wild ply upon
this stream the coming summer, connecting
with land transportation, which will deliver
goods to various points in the Territory.
Like the upper Missouri, it has required
years to thoroughly demonstrate the practi-
cability of navigating this river. The first
attempts, though not a total failure, were,
to say the least, very disheartening. LIN 1876
the steamer Josephine, under employ OF the
government, surveyed the river to a point
now called Coulson, 8 miles above Bakers
battle ground, and pronounced navigation
entirely feasible to this point, but it was not
until lastsyear, when actual necessity de-
manded it, that it has been put to practical
use, but there is little doubt that hereafter it
will receive its share Of the m of
Montana. The chief advantage to Eastern
Montana in this route is the great saving in
distance. The head of navigation on the
Yellowstone is about $50 miles above its
mouth-13O from Bozeman, l20 from Dia-
mond'City and 155 (via Diamond1 from Hell
cna. r. w. Meadow & Bro. intend enter
Ing into. the forwarding and commission
business at Coulson, and have a large train
for transportation. Their saw mill and new
$40 acres farm are located near this place,
they have the lumber OF the ground. and
will soon commence the erection Of a large
warehouse. It has already been decided
that the government stores for Fort Ellis
and Camp Baker are o come over this route.
The establishment of reliable navigation on
the Yellowstone will be of incalculable ben
eft to Meagher county. The distance from
Coulson, to the Forks of the Muscleshell is
not more than SO miles, over a beautiful,
rolling, well-watered prairie country, with
no bad lands to interfere. From the Forks
Of the Muscleshell to the White Sulphur
Springs, the heart Of. the wool producing
district of the county, is 35 miles,. which
would make a,lands transportation for wool
Of only So miles, against 125 at present to
Benton, with a saving. of several. hundred
miles of navigation.
Unlike some Of our contemporaries, we
nave no sectional feelings in this matter. We
desire to see every section of onr Territory
prosper. and wan every possible route into
Montana opened. We have always had an
abiding faith in the usefulness>of the ''tnr-
bulent mountain stream asst hasbeen call
ed, and believe that its waters will be whit
ened with throughout all time
We are alike interested in the great Missouri,
We desire to see Carroll re-established, and
a new road to Benton throughout Meaghel
county. We also hope to sec steamers
above the falls on the Missouri at no distant
day, plying as far as GELATIN City. Oul
Territory has great natural advantages, anf
we desire to see them all improved. Hel
best interests demand III. The signs of the
times indicate that we are upon the thresh
hold Of an era of prosperity such as has ney
er been witnessed by any country, and W.
want every possible t~horoughtare opened
every highway built, and every advantage
utilized.
SMITH RIvER-ITs. FLoCKs AND HERDS
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