The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-02
THE RIVER PRESS
II il renorted that half-breeds are taking

It is reported that half-breeds are taking
advantage Of the mortality among cattle,
caused by the late cold snaps, to kill animals
for their hides, and play that they died from
exposure and starvation. If this is so, steps
should be taken by our stock men to put 9
stop to such proceedings, and punish the
offenders.
Although we have had such heavy snow
tails here during the past Wint er, there have
been but q few inches at Fort Macleod, n.
w. Territory, and the cattle belonging to the
Indians, as well as those of the settlers, have
wintered with nc loss whatever, feeding upon
the ranges, and not having been hay fed or
sheltered q single day during the winter.
Meesrs. E. r. Wilton and Il. T. Marshal.
have consolidated their string bands, and now
have q band that is sufficient for any enter
tainment, and with the practice together they
are now having will be inferior to none in the
Territory. They are prepared to furnish mu-
sic for balls, parties, and entertainments of
every description. Read their advertisement
in another column.
The mail carriers from Fort Macleod, who
came il Monday, report that north Of the
Marias to Macleod there is very little snow,
and cattle are in excellent condition. At the
Fifteen Mile Butte there is a little snow, and
from there down to the Marias there is hardly
nrxY h.,f frorr +hc% mint fhorn 10 O q vo.70h 90
we have here. Evidently our neighbors in
the Northwest Territory are more favored
this winter than we of Montana.
Messrs. w. S. Baker and A. DeLormer will
open q dry goods house early in the Spring,
and will locate on Main street, near the Court
House. Mr.. Baker has gone East to purchase
goods, and they will put in an extensive and
attractive stock, and the ladies will find every
thing in the drygoods line they may call for
at this house. Both the gentlemen are we'll
known here, and popular, and we predict for
them a hourishing business.
We are informed that a gentleman in Wis
consin has written to parties at Benton, ask
ing for information about the facilities and
need for the erection Of 9 saw mill in this
| vicinity. There is probably no point in the
Territory where there will be q greater de-
mand for lumber in the future than at Ben
ton, and q good saw mill on one of the many
streams convenient to timber would beyond
| doubt prove q profitable Investment.
The telegraph line and our exchanges vie
with each other in telling of the extremely Sc
we're winter in every part Of the county. We
can only advise those who are exposed to
q rigorous climate to move to Benton. Here
the water is running in our streets, no one
thinks of wearing oyercoats, and laborers
can be seen in all parts of town working in
their shirt sleeves. Talk about your tropical
climate, here it is, right here. Next.
Messrs. O.. q. Churchill and Mat. Furnell,
who came in from Sun River last Saturday,
horseback, were taking a look at the cattle on
their way down, for the purpose Of forming
an idea Of their losses SO far, report that the
mortality, as yet, has not been as great as an
ticipated. Mr.. Churchill, who is a stock man
of long experience, gives it as his opinion
that the loss in cattle so far has not exceeded
six per cent, and that, should the present
month prove favorable, the entire loss during
the season will not be greater than ten or
twelve per cent, a loss which our cattle kings
can very well stand.
Benton is swimming. The water from the
melting nov is running through our streets,
and people are cutting bitches on several of
the cross streets to convey it to the river. In
some low places the water is knee deep, and
the first boat Of the season, the 'sJno. Green
makes regular trips to and from the school
house. The water is q foot deep N tor
of the ice on the river, and running faster
than Hanlon ever rowed. IF this thaw keeps
10 much longer the river is likely to break
up, in which case it is hardly probable thai
it will freeze very hard between now anc
spring, and navigation will open earlier thar
usual.
If there are beings who merit the scorr
and contempt Of 9 community, and Wht
should be made to suffer social ostracism, j
is the men or women who, merely from {
morbid desire to NEEDLE in the business o:
others. and q relish for scandal, go from
house to house retailing hurtful things agains
their neighbors. These despicable creatures
mere trayesties on the noblest handiWork O
God, spare not the truth to make. their in
famous prattle more palatable, and hesitate
Il @Z. n. =. CT $500. - - raar1o@ nf hnnorohI