Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-05
CRUISE OF rAE DAco1Aa.

Anasrs at Benton, tho supply Depot for
NeEthern Mentana-Ths Rainy Month
ls"e-A stock Growing Country
Indian Treubles-Down the s..
River ts Bismarck.
"a bismarck, June 2S.-The steamer Da.
cotah arrived at Bismarck from Benton at
midnight last night. making the down trip
in four and one half days. The boat be.
haved herself we'll among the short and
abrupt turns Of the narrow upper river and
has made her first down stream run to the
entire satisiac.ion Of Captain Todd and
pilots Spahr and Jacobs. But for two days
Of strong wind, above the Yelloxstone, we
would have made the trip in six or eight
hours less time. ' - I
My last letter closed at Fort Benton and
l there entrusted it to the mails, which are,
however, SO uncertain that know not when
it will reach you. Montana is just now a
vast sea of mud-gumbo mud-and stages
arenot to be relied upon either for speed OF
regularity. In that letter I gave the closing
days Of the up river trip Of the Dacotah.
At Fort Benton we remained from Friday
night until Monday noon. We found this
far away hanlet-the head Of navigation on
the Missouri rivera scene Of busy bust.
ness activity. Its population is about six
hundred, it's houses mostly low woodern
structures, the only brick building in the
town being the yet un6ni.hed two story
block Of Powers Brothers. The mercantile
business Of Benton is conducted upon an
extensive scale. Its distance from the
markets Of the east and its complete isola-
ton during about eight months of the year,
when the river is either frozen or is not
navigable 80 far up, making it necessary for
dealers to lay in large stocks at this season
Of the year. Ample capital is requisite,
aud those who possess it can do profitable
business at Benton. Mining, stock raising,
and raising Indians are the industries of
Montana and from these Benton draws
enough to enable it to thrive. Helena, the
central business point tor the mining region,
is one hundred and fifty miles away and
most Of the goods destined for that and
other mining points are shipped ria the Mis-
souri, river and Fort Benton and distributed
by means of immense wagon trains, con-
stantly coming and going. We found at
Fort Benton pleasant and hospitable hand
full Of people. They gave to the Dacotah
and her round trip passengers every atten-
ton, even to the extent of ball in the
cabin ON Saturday evening of our stay.
This social affair was arranged and CEN
Quoted by the Frontier Club" terpsi.
chorean organization Of Benton's Young
men, whose efforts on this particular occa-
sion resulted in an evening Of unalloyed
enjoyment to the participants. Let those
who imagine they can 60 west and escape
civilization test the social qualities and
elegant manners Of the occupants of this
wilderness trading town. They are eastern
people westernized, and improved by the
change. Our few days in Benton was dc.
lightfully spent. leaving out the rains
which would come every day and repeat
themselves every night.
We learned after our arrival that
rains fall constantly in Montana dur
ing the month Of June and that
during the wet spell roads are next
thing to impossible. This condition inter.
fered with our planned visit 70 the Big
Spring and the falls OF the Missouri, abou,
forty miles from Benton. After receiving
the cold shoulder atthe livery stables where
we applied tor convevances and after dis
heartenipg advice from numerous old set.
tiers. the trip was abandoned. They told
US the road was gumbo bed, that it was
very vet and that there was prospect of
Its becoming much wetter. So We could't
20. and the falls mus. fall on uudisturbed by
the open mouthed gaze of the passengers of
the Dacotah.
AT Benton the Dacotah shipped couple
Of hundred head of Montana cattle for
points below. mention this because cat.
tie raising is branch of Montaus Industry
which is just beginning to yield returns.
Beef raised aud fattened upon the native
grasses OF this territory is achieving repu.
tation second to none in the east. Slim
ulated by this encouraging reception of the
product, capital 10 being placed largely into
cattle and extensive herds are sccumul,t.
ing. They Craze upon the plains 10 the
summer and In the winter seek protection
10 the foothills and mountains. 1t was
thus that millions Of buffalo. deer, antelope
and elk thrived and increased here before
the white man intruded upon their do
main. The same provisions of nature which
produced such an abundance of wild gam,
will provide an existence to the tanner herd,
Of civilization. Agriculture I. .,s,
receiving Its share of a,,cutio,
from the pioneers Of Mos,an.
and its fertile plains will iu time bec ,,ne ,
portion Of the national wheat field. 9, -.,,,.