Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-10-13
CORRESPONDENCE.

AOho 1lEtOhIEh.- ledN'
ling Grand Rapids [ promised mum
Der OF my friends that on my arrival
in Montana, I would give them an
unvarnished description of the country
as seen by me; its resources, prospects
etc, and the inducements offered to
the ''Pilgrims from the States
| / left Bismark, D. T. Sept. 10Th.
on the \. P. r. r. for the terminus
Glendive, traversing for the first 100
miles country that aside from the
wild wierd picturesque scenery as
viewed from the cars, was uninviting
in the extreme. There are sections of
the territory of Dakota, that are as
fertile as the best lands in any country.
this however is statistical information
and is accessible to all [ am treating
solely of what came directly under my
personal observation. The land along
the line of railroad, as stated are poor,
sterile and wholly devoid of any
character of vegetation. There is not
grass sufficient to graise a goose, or
soil enough to sprout a black eyed pea
[ arrived at Glendive the terminus
on the evening 18th of Sept Not
having by any means, been impressed
thus, with the far far west: Glendive,
Well an adequate description of this
Dive. I find my vocabulary of the
English language, wholly unequal to
the occasion. Al the depot we were
reminded that truly 1.-the star of the
empire was taking its course westward. :"
For here the hotel friend was crying
Justify, Grand Pacific Hotel, the only
frst-class house in the city. was
captured, or rather taken in by the
| high sounding name "Grand Pacific, -
and thither [ bent my weary way,
with an equal admixture of hopes and
regrets. The hotel consisted of log
shanty, constructed entirely on the
summer plan, save everything that
belongs to an ordinary house in Gods
country. Three rooms, dirt roof. dirt
floors, and dirt in the same proportion
to everything else in sight. Supper is
announced-Ye Gods ! now. | am nc
epicurean, nor as you know have spent
) more than half CD Of my life at Del
) monico's, but this repast CD would
sicken the heart of the leanest, lankest
and hungryest tramp that ever counted
ties. [ arose from the aforesaid re-
past, with an aching head; musing to
) myself ''was it to be ever thus" I
left Glendive, regretfully CD at $3.50
by coach for Miles City 80 miles dis
tant. Behind four brones mules, away
we went, and we did 90, and no mis-,
take. Ola Moses's time, was now g
j matter of history; over hills, canyons,
gulches, arroyo and coalies, we were
gaining at the rate of Maud S. best.
: [ thought Of the ride of Tom O'Shan-
tie, John Gelpine, Mazeppa and a host
of others. [ felt like invoking the
| Spirit of the departed Hank Monk,
when he said on a memorable occasion
to the great editor and philosopher,
''keep your seat Horace we will get
there safe and on time" [ got to
Miles, but misserere. 1t would re-
quire the mathematical erudition OF
mine friend Gaynor to determine
whether [ was composed of whole
number. or fraction. Miles is a
fourishing place, and an immense
business is done here [ should Judge
has a population of 5000 or more,
Here you will find the ideal frontier
town and where every tenth house, is
somthing other than q saloon. Fort
Keogh is situated 3 miles up Tongue
River from the city. The officers
quarters as we'll as the soldiers are
nice in appearance, and present a
pleasing contrast to the usual squalid
huts. From Miles, [ took passage on
the hurricane deck of prairie schoon-
er for my present location. My ride
to Junction was in every way more
enjoyable then from Glendive to Miles.
The country as rule is high rolling
table lands, or mesa's and seemed we'll
adapted for cattle or sheep raising.
Sheep raising in this country is a pay
ing business and [ am told they more
than pay for themselves each season.
[ have already contracted symptoms of
sheep fever, but am unable at this
time to diagnose this very contagious
disease.
Well am at Junction, and am far
better pleased than anticipated. The
= Z = L.