Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-01-02
WILSON'S LETTERS.
Down the TelIJWsf0ne From BtiH-
water to C0Elson.

! For several miles above Saltwater the
valley is not more than half mile in width
and flankcd on either side by lightly Tim
bered bluffs. Below the station the road
winds over Il bench. crosses a sage-grown
/ bottom. climbs another bench and soon
energies on the broad prairie of Clark's
Fork Bottom. After leaving Ioung's Point
we have a ride of thirty miles before reach
ing another habitation. Passing down the
valley the scenery is quiet and would be
almost tame, were it not for the far-away
views which are occasionally had of the
mountain range whose. mighty cra"s piled
up on each other in savage confusion.
Snow-cro nc;! and glistenng in tie sun
| light. tower high MP into the heavens. But
returning. this ride is one OF the mos,
charming the traveller will find in Montana.
The long. level of the prairie is contrastcd
with the rocky lodges that rise from the
river bank. while above all. the magEit-
cent Big Horn range circling and facing
the valley is constantly before him. Like
a vast kaleidoscope. its beauties at every
step form new combinations. constantly
changing never the same. The bottom is
about forty miles long and varies in width
from one to nine miles. The grass found
here is of in., quality and III quantity very
abundant Hour after hour. mile after
mile. we Jog along. finally approaching the
outskirts OF another settlement Here we
find quite delegation from Boston who
arrived bat Il te" months ago. One OF
these men. Mr. Tin Reardon has built
about his house and stable q complete
stockade. and has made assurance doubly
si,e" by the addition of sod which is cut :,
foot thick and piled up against it. Were it
not for one defect in the construction OF
this young Giblnlter we are of1hc opinion
that Mr.. Rear,lon. aided by hnwi.zcr and
a few rounds of ammunition. could defend |
Ills fire place against the whole Sioux ma
ton. bit unfortunately he has neglected t o
make any loop-holes. so that in the event
ofany hosliities in order to ito any very
effective fighting it would be necessary for
Tim either to climb up on top OF his |
house or else go outside of the structure
altogether.
Half mile further Oh is the station kept
by Ell. Forest. This place was visited by
the \eZ Perces when they were passing
through with General Howard at their
heels They approached the place just as
the coach arrived and tie driver. the lady
passenger. b. b. Brockway and Ell. Forest
re!rcated rs rapidly rs possible TO the cov-
ering of the neighboling tlichet This
delegation from Joseph's band. however.
were after fln rather than fighting. so
without giving Ed. II chance to draw
bead on any OF them. which he certainly
would have done had lie not been al the
lnomen; in something Of Il hurry. they Sc
cured the coach and started Oft on Il wild
frolic over the prairie. Edward prefers a
quiet life" in his. however. and has i'm
proved his leisure since then by. raising
vegetables. etc. particularly c,lcumbcrs.
and making pickles If them. samples OF
" lich we found to be as hard as crisp and
rs finely favored as any we ever tasted in
he old Empire State.
Two miles further on, we reach the
"nch of Joseph Cochran. BY the river
,ank and within few wards OF his cabin
stands Il stately cottonwood. which ray
perhaps be properly called the Josephine
rec. 1t marks the highest point in the
| ellowstone river ever reached by a steam a
BOAT. On one side large piece of bark a
las been taken Off and the inscription :,
arved IIpon the smooth surface. jose i
,hine Arrived June eth. 1877. Grant Marsh ;
;aptain." But while this grand ola tree il
points to an era in the commercial inter
SITS Of Montana. it also marks the scene Of
bloody tragedy. Here. one bright morn
ne. Jos. Cochran. Clinton Oils. and y.
/. Sumner were in camp; Cochran leaves
arly. going into the blntfS on the opposite
idle of the stream. About the hour OF
Don rs Oils and Sumner were taking
heir dinner band of Inians suddenly >.
ppearetl. Being unsnspicions OF danger. :
iese men had left their rifles mt the par
ally completed cabin. They spring to
leir feet. but at the first fire DiIls falls
cad, shot through the brain. Silmnrr n
yes but moment longer The first ball il
asses through his hat. the second cuts y
he hunting knife from his belt. the ,ird.
Iore truly aimed. enters his heart.
But. in spite OF disaster brave and hardy y
en- are found who step into the gap. and
vilization slowly but surely keeps on its
ny. The buildings burncd at the time
we been rebuilt and no one would now +,
>cover that fire and death ever married
is lovely spot. ia
FRED ". WILSON, -
. The Assistant Treasures of tie Uni
| StatCS have been instructed to mike no (