Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-23

and Indian AEcn.
cles.
Editorial correspondence
Avn BISMARCK.
Friday, June 6.-The steamer Dacotah
which remained in port at Bismarck from
last Sunday, waiting for a detachment Of
mechanics for Milk river, left at half past
six o'clock this morning for Benton with
$50 tons Of freight and 800 passengers.
Shortly before her departure the steamer
Montana, with Captain Buesen on deck, ar
rived from Benton, and for . half hour the
two monster passenger packets of the Coul-
son feet were lying together at the Bismarck
levee. 1t was the first time the twin boats
had come together since their completion.
The meeting was opportune, as it gave Cap
tain Todd an opportunity to learn something
about this seasons big boat channels from
Captain Buesen before the Dscotah pulled
out to traverse the river over which the
Montana had just passed. The Montana's
trip from Bismarck to Benton and return
was made in twenty days, the down run
from Benton occupying five days. Captain
Buesen reports an entirely successful yoy-
age to the end of the river with a large load
Of freight, the Montana passing the shoals
and rapids with asmuch ease as the smaller
boats Of the feet. With his experience and
our own experience below, We feel sure that
Captain Todd, wi. take the Dacotah over
the same track with speed and safety.
Captain Maratta, the ~tireless manager of
the Coulson interests at Bismarck, was at
the levee early this morning to greet the
Montana and bid adieu to the Dacotah. A
strong wind has prevailed to-day, which has
rufled the surface of the Missouri and rem
dered deck exercise not very pleasant. The
consequence is that the cabin has been the
favorits resort, excepting during those rath-
er frequent intervals when drowsy travellers
seek the couches Of their state rooms to in
dulge their almost irresistible desire to sleep.
A sense of drowsiness is one Of the first ex-
periences of people who visit this region.
Added to the climatic effect which produces
this condition we have the slight motion Of
the boat-a rolling tremor-and the
steady musical rumble Of the machinery be-
low, both inducing somnolence. These var
ious causes bring on spells of stupidity which
can only be allayed by snatches Of natures
sweet restorer.
day. Lieutenant Doone, Of Yellowstone
park fame, is going back to military duty,
taking his young bride with him to Fort
A~ssiniboine. They have been on a six
months tour at the east. Colonel Lee, Of
Gen. Terry's headquarters, quartermaster in
charge of the construction of Fort Assini-
boine, is on board, together with Mr.. Miller,
his courteous chief clerk. Governor Bross,
of the Chicago Tribune, is conspicuous
member of the Dacotah's cabin complement
He is travelling for pleasure and may 60 to
Benton and perhaps no further than Buford'
1t depends, he says, upon the musquitoea, by
which We have not yet been troubled
Should they attack US, it is probable that
the sage of the Tribune will pick up his
bundle and abandon the expedition. Cap
tain and Mrs. w. 8. Johnston, of Pough'
keepsie, New York, who have been on the
boat all the way from St. Louis, are goin,
through to Benton and from there will maxi
q tour of the Yellowstone park country.
. Colonel Lee has on board 270 mechanic
and laborers, all en- route to the Milk rive
, region, where they viii be engaged for tn
next five months building quarters and 9th
. er necessary structures for the military
= Fort Assiniboine. Col. Lee will superinten
. the construction of this fort, which is to b
built of brick and will cost 500 900. 1t
located forty miles north of the Miasou'
river, on Beaver creek, a tributary Of Mil
river, the ground already being occupied /
the eighteenth infantry. Fort Assiniboi1
, is to be made a ten company pc.
:. 1t occupies an important mi
= itary position just at this time, when an il
~ vasion from Canada ia go expectantly looI
a. ed for. The supply depot for this post
established on the Missouri river, abo,
= fifty miles below Benton, at a point whic
a. has received the designation of Coal Bank
- For q few miles above Bismarck settler
cabins and small farm patches are visib
and after they we're passed the Dacots
plunged into the wilderness once NOR
leaving behind the little bunch of civiliz
ton which clusters about the Northel
Pacific railroad terminus. end heading
the remote Rocky mountain settlement
H. The country aleng that portion of t
!. river passed today is the sort which brin
W. visions of future agricultural wealth. Ii
ranges of hills flank the river, with gem
Q : rising slopes, which merge into the plate
~ beyond with scarcely an indication off
sts line where the ascent ends and the le'
the plain begins. The soil of these plat
'ur- slopes and bottoms is deep and rich and
ne its. Vildness maintains q luxurlant grow