The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-08-10
THE ROAD TO THE MINES.
Some Of the Pleasant Homes and Hospit-
able People to be Pound Between
Benton and the Barker.

apparatus, there was 81 queer feeling OF IN
certainty as to our ability to retain that posi-
ton should our 'sship Of the prairie" indulge
in the pitching and tossing which we have
sometimes noticed in others Of the build. But
This particular "ship'' behaved exceeding
we'll. and we were soon scudding along, with
number Of jolly consorts, outward bound
for Barker.
It is impossible, in the short space allowed
10 81 ordinary newspaper article, to do full
irstice to the many things noticeable on the
road between this place and the now cele-
brated mining camp, but we will endeavor to
briefly notice some of the places by the way.
The Highwood valley is said to be the gar
den spot of Northern Montana, and brief
visit to that favored section leads US to most
heartily concur in the opinion. One who
has never visited this portion of the county
will be well repaid in making q trip to this
prettiest Of .Montana's Wales. The first farm
that attracts your attention as you ascend the
the valley is the home of Hon. James Ar
noux which is situated in the most charming
SPOT imaginable. Mr.. A. has some 300 acres
of excellent agricultural and pasture land.
His residence is a large story and q half
Gothic structure with a nice wide veranda
extending across the entire front, and con-
tains eight large, well ventilated and really
elegantly appointed rooms. II is certainly 9
model farm house, and reminds one Of an
old-fashioned New England homestead. Mr..
Arnoux has about 100 acres under cultivation
. his crops being mostly oats and wheat.
The grain is the finest we have seen in the
Territory, standing fully five feet high and
as thick or heavy as it is possible for grain
to grow. His garden cannot be exceiled IN
Montana everything in the way Of vegeta-
bles NAV be found here in abundance, and
he has demonstrated beyond a doubt that
almost all classes of fruits can be success
fully grown here. Apples, currants, raspber-
ries, gooseberries and in fact all kinds OF
hardy fruits are thriving here. Mr. a. Is
also engaged in stock raising, and we are
not surprised to learn that the genial and
ever hospitable farmer disliked to leave his
beautiful home for even 9 day unless com
PEELED to do SO by the urgent requirements
of business.
Two miles above is the ranch of Howell
Harris, suberbly located. We were unable
to learn the number Of acres under cultlya-
ton. but Judging from Howell's go-a-head-a-
tiyeness the ranch must be thriving.
A short distance on and we were greeted
by the ever jolly and good-natured lied
auckland, who has q splendid farm and 9
good crop, besides . choice garden. Red
was very busy hauling hay and getting ready
to harvest.
Horace J.. Clark is snugly ensconced on
the next ranch and has o pretty farm. Mr.
Bywater has rented and is working the place
this year, and has q luxuriant garden and q
fine crop Of grain.
The next place that attracted our attention
was the very pretty and neat home OF MRS.
M. E. Berry, and we can justly pronounce
it the cosiest home on the creek. This lady
has but recently located there and hence but
a few acres Of grain and a small garden is
the result. She is having her farm fenced,
however, and in another year fields Of Wav-
ing grain and q large garden will attract the
attention Of the passing traveller.
Across the creek and almost opposite
dwells the genial bachelor Jack Harris, and
his latch-string is ever out 70 the enchanted
wavfarer. Mr.. Harris has some 80 acres
under cultivation and the yield to the acre is
simply remarkable. Jack has a pleasant
home, yet there is something wanting to
make the house appear brighter and more
attractive to his bachelor heart, and-We
are waiting to extend congratulations and
hope the jolly bach. Will not keep US in aus-
pense.
Everyone knows Jared Smith, whose farm
abioins Mr.. Harris, and Mr.. S. has one OF
the many good locations on HighWood. Dir.
Smith was; absent in the hay field during
our visit. but we learned that he has be-
tween 40 and SO acres under the pillow, and,
like all ranchmen in this section, has . large
garden with which to supply Benton cpl
cures during the fall and winter seasons.
But a short distance beyond is the splendid
property located BY Gun" Smith, but now
owned by B. M. Boyle. This gentleman
has fully rs acres of grain and an excellent
garden. at least so acres of this grain is
on bench land and has never had one drop |
Of water by irrigation. Yet this crop is
fully 8 feet in height, very heavy, and the
heads are literally covered with grain. Mr..
l.. A~-~.~3 - ra~ Gel /