Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1880-08-13
ON THE MISSOURI.
Netes Takos ON the Way to Fsrt
Benton.

Fort FUFoRD, D. T., July 3Oth.-Tht
Helena arrived this evening at 10 o'clock
three days out from Bismarck. She hs,
had thus far an exceptionally good trip
Col. Lee and party are in good spirits
and Commodore Powers is using every
effort to make the trip enjoyable. There
are about $50 passengers on board, $50 Of
them mechanics bound for Fort Assina
boine, which point they will reach nex1
Thursday. The weather has been fine
with the exception of cold storm yes
terday. Fires were kindled and genu
inc fall night experienced. Next morn
ing the sun soon discouraged any thought
winter may have had of visiting this sec
at this season of the year. The days
on board ship have been spent in card
playing, reading and all manner OF
amusement, except dancing, which has
beel confined wholly tc the evening
hours. Among the passengers com.
plete band has been found. and a pleas.
anter time no party ever had on a steam.
boat. There are quite large number of
ladies on board, and among them, in ad.
ditlon to Col. Lees party, Mrs. Power
and Mrs. Major Kirk and daughter. The
latter two remain at this post on a two
weeks visit. Among the gentlemen pas
sengers are two "bloods" from Europe,
riu Halifax, bound for Fort Mcleod.
They have cut quite figure on board in
the society circle owing to their rank 1t
must be owing to that, as surfeit of
unadulte1at cheek has been kindly al
lotted to each by generous providence.
The Helena is certainly fine passenger
boat OF the three Benton line boats she
is probably the best, closely followed by
the Benton and Butte, now up the river.
Fecto is one of the oldest captains on the
river, and never looses an opportunity to
post travellers on interesting points, and
with the assistance of clerk Macarthur, a
most excellent gentlemen, and fright
good crew." the guests of the Helena are
always most cordially greeted and cared
for
There is not much to note regarding
the scenery between Bismarck and this
point; it is Of the same general character
as that surrounding Bismarck-broken
next to the river, but gently rolling
prairie further back. At Fort Berthold
Indian agency is splendid slope, which
has been cultivated by the Indians for
several years. They have in this year
about 900 acres, and their corn, potatoes,
beans and garden produce is as fine as
any along the river. Their tables will
be greeted with green corn next week,
and new potatoes they dug on the Goth of
June There are about Il, 900 Indians at
this agency, divided among three tribes:
Rccs, Mandans, and Gros Ventres. Under
the s6illful management of agent kautt-
man they are paying more attention to
agricultural pursuits this year than ever
before. Heretofore the government has
loaned wagons to Indians for len days at
a time, but a new order makes change.
Monday a counsel was held snd agent
Kaufman revealed to the chiefs the new
order, viz: every Indian who will put up
two1ons of hay gets wagon Of his own.
"Crows Breast" objected, claiming that
the wagon should be given outright
without any pay. He made a hostile
speech but Kaufman was firm and caused
him to be put out of the counsel. Tues
dav the wagons were issued without
trouble The Rccs hold their sun dance
in August. At Bob. hatbews' ranch,
Little Muddy, an extensive stretch of
farming country is seen, there beng no
bluffs 20 obstruct the view. Mr.. Mathews,
recently married at Bismarck, has very
fine ranch, and is now harvesting hls
Gates, which he is confident will yield
fully sevcnty-6ve bushels to the acre.
J. E. WELL.