The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-21

From Utica to the Gap it is twenty tige
miles, over country that is simply superb.
| 1t is called the stockmen's paradise, but i
| also offers every inducement to farmers for
| agricultural purposes. We were informed
that irrigation was hardly necessary as
'sbabbling brooks of crystal water" flowed
through the entire basin. At the Gap we
found Stephens Bros. doing large general
mercantile business and also running first
class hotel. They are popular gentlemen
and hence are enjoying a large trade.
Judith Gap is the junction OF the Benton,
White Sulphur Springs and Fort Maginnis
stage lines, and jumping aboard of one of
the latter coaches, behind large and really
magnificent team-of jack rabbits-we sailed
out for Fort Maginnis Eighteen miles dis
tant is Trout cfeek on the banks of which
G. w. Travener has taken up ranch and
erected one of the neatest and best kept
stations On the entire stage line. From here
to Reeds Fort, on Big Spring creek, it is
twenty five miles, over splendid country,
that is now virtually 'pre-empted' by cattle
and horse kings. Reeds Fort is q misnomer.
No fort is visible, and the Majors residence
does double duty as post Office and hash
factory. The Major had nice ranch which
he disposed of at handsome price, and ru-
NOR has it that he will close up his business
and fade from the scenes of the place where
many years Of the best part Of his life has
been spent in traficiDg with the ab-
brightness. Mrs. Clegg is engaged in merchan-
disng here and is doing large business
She has erected new and commodious store
room which she will soon occupy. The lady
Informed us that her sales during the past
three months footed up in the neighborhood
on we reach the relic Of JuneauX' stockade.
Mr. j. still has store or trading post here,
and has large trade, but the stockade, SO
necessary but few years since for the pro-
lection and security Of life, is thing of the
dim past and bat crumbling wreck of its
former SELF Perhaps mile further we find
the well stocked store Of Bourassa &
Pichette. The store is in charge of the latter
gentleman, and from the number Of custom
mers present We judged they must be doing a
land office business. From here to the foot
of the judith mountains, distance Of per-
haps six miles, through -eally magnificent
valley, almost every foot of arabic land is
taken up--a large proportion Of the locators
being half-breeds, who have built cabins,
and who just farm enough to furnish them
selves with the necessities Of life.
1t is three miles over the mountain but as
you sshoof" it up and down the divide one
feels like questioning the veracity OF the
driver as to the distance. We were willing
to wager our wardrobe against three cent
stamp that by actual measurement the dis.
tance is over nine miles. From the base OF
the mountain to the new town Of Ourland,
it is i've miles At the latter place there are
| two saloons. store and barn. These build.
ings comprise the present town, of what, &C.
cording to the belief Of II resu!en.s of the
burg, is destined to become the future me
tropolis Of that section of the Territory.
| From Ourland to Maginns it is five miles
| 1t is the same distance to MadenEille, tht
new mining camp ia the Judith, both places
which we will describe in another article.
Tom.
/ ~ ~