Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-10-03

crags and peaks, each revealing some phase
of beauty peculiar to itself, we regretted
that the throng OF languid pleasure seek
ers, who crowd our Eastern watering pla-
| ces, were not here, to revel in this rocky
grandure and drink in the draughts OF
health and strength which our mountain
air so surely supplies.
We were not long in discovering that the
evil deity, who presides over our destinies
on Friday, was not to let us pass without
at least gentle reminder of his ability to
work us harm, and, as consequence every
ranchman we called upon, the first halt of
the day, either took the paper already, was
not at home, or had paid up all his arrears
and had receipt in full "a condition OF
things very unsatisfactory to a canvasser
and collector, to say the least.
We took dinner with Mr. Arnold who
will sow this Fall l25 acres of winter wheat
Should he succeed in raising forty bushels
to the acre-a yield that has been obtained
hundreds OF times in tile valley - his crop
will bring him, at the lowest ruling price,
hve thousand dollars. Should he only sue
coed in raising halt crop he still gets a
better return for his Investment than an
Eastern fan er would on twice the amount
OF land. Such are the possibilities of farm
ing in Montana.
In the afternoon our fortunes Frightened,
nearly every person we called on was at
home. and all, not already on on our list,
eager to subscribe.
We noticed rs we Travelled on that the
wheat was all cut, few fields of oats be-
ing all tie grain that was lett standing.
AS new branch of ''stock-raising," we
would mention the chicken ranch of VIM.
tlilts. Believing there is money in it, he
has, with characteristic western energy,
given his whole soul to the DIRK, and thus
far been well repaid for his investment. He
has on hand 500 chickens and turkeys.
May lie meet with the success his enter
prise deserves.
We next visited tie Spring Hill district
stopping over night with Mr.. Theo. Nor
man. MIR. n. has been a farmer in Califor-
mia, and lived in many parts of America,
but prefers Montana to them all. Having
this year raised large crop of grain, part
of it yeldi.g at the rate Of 40 bushels to
the acre, we are not surprised at his con-
clusion.
We next visited Reese Greek and the
country lying about Dry Creek and Flat
head Pass. Here great deal of new land
is being broken up, and few years will
doubtless sec flourishing settlement es-
tablis!ied. ATOng the new corners to this
section are the Street brothers, who, hay
ing fenced halfa section. are busily engaged
in breaking it up. Cooley brothers, over
by the Pass, A. NJ. Barnett, Frank Grail.
A. johnson and. several others whose
names we did not ascertain. The soil is
very fertile ana would have been taken up
years ago but for the danger that has al
ways existed from rowing bands OF Indians.
The first man 10 settle here, we believe.
was Mr.. Morse, who opened ranch a few
miles from the mouth of the Pass. Short
ly afterward. having occasion to go to the
mountains for load OF poles, he fell in
with party of LOS who captured the
outfit and gave him and his party a close
call for their hair. Concluding there was
such thing as getting too far ''west," he
shortly afterward evacuated, but is now
back again and proposes to ''hold the
fort''
We called one day Oh MIR. VIM. Arnold.
OF DRY Greek, whose son Charlie had re-
Gently had a very severe experience with
bear. 1t seems that about two weeks ago
he concluded to have hunt. and went to
a point in the mountains about 8 miles be-
yOnd Flathead Pass. The day after, hav-
ing shot fine deer. he was returning to
camp, when. in passing alo ng the sloping
side of a ravine, he was suddenly attacked
by huge gray bear, knocked down
and bitten through the thigh. Fortunately,
he succeeded in getting his foot under
the brute and giving her ''boost,'' she
rolled some distance down the ravine.
He regained his feet and picked up his
gun, but had only time to discharge it
without taking aim when the bear was on
him again. The ball, however, hit one Of
the cubs in the shoulder. This time lie was
simply knocked down, the bear having
such Roadway as to go some distance be-
yond him. He once more scrambled to
his f. t, recovered his gun and had just got
a c. ~ idge in when he was again knocked
down, the bear as before sliding some dis
lance down the ravine. By this time the
cubs had started off, and the offended
mother, having given him "a piece OF her
mind" followed her offspring. Charlie |
thinks, however, he got plenty, that he has
very good general idea" Of her notions,
md that any further suggestions" would
have been entirely unnecessary. 4
Being badly bruised, as well as wounded.
ne reached his camp, which was four miles
Instant, with much difficulty. Thinking
1 best to get home rs soon us possible, he
climbed on his horse and started at once,
getting there late at night completely used
up. We are glad to say he has entirely re-
covered. Had the difficulty occurred
IN level ground, where the bear could have
lad rair opportunity to emphasize her
IDEAS, he probably would not have lived to
ell the story.
This night we stopped at Cockrill's stage
station and met Marshal Botkin, who was
to Helena from Virginia City.
As representation of the ''wreck of bat
le," the Marshal, with his arm in a sling
md his head frescoed with sticking plaster.
would have been decidedly success. 1t
GEMS that while in Virginia, he, with Col.
Wilbur F. Sanders, started to take horse
'ack ride. His horse becoming frightened
ook good start, ran up directly in front
Il church, stopped suddenly las horses
Willy, precipitating him headlong against
he building, breaking his arm and bruising
lin badly.
F.M.W.
Among the heavy loosers by the recent
aid of the Bannack Indians was RAYMOND