The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-06-15


rays reports, and he thinks it does him in
justice, for Furay reports that he was told
that the service was put on by Maginnis's
influence, and retained for the benefit of
the Democratic party in that region. Let US
see if the records throw any light upon Ma
ginnis. The service seems to have been or
dered because Of the following order:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. c., April Il. 1880.
To the Hon. the Second Assistant Postmaster General
SIR.-I have the honor to call your atten-
ton TO the fact that the extension Of the
Rock Greek route to Etchetah, and dropping
Fort Custer from the Bozeman and Fort
Keogh route, cuts of the direct connection
between that fort and the settlements of
Montana, for whose protection it was insti-
tuted, and to which its business was mat
ter of vital importance. The matter may be
remedied and justice done by the extension
of daily or six times a week route from
Fort Custer to Coulson and thence to White
Sulphur Springs, thus carrying out one of the
main purposes in the establishment Of the
Rock Creek route, to-Wit, direct connection
between Helena and the Union Pacific Rail-
road There is one or more little routes in
this country totally inefficient | recommend
that the contracts be rescinded, and a direct
connection be established between Coulson
and White Sulphur Springs, from whence
daily mail on q good schedule goesto Helena.
I hope the new service may be let on rapid
schedule, as the country is an easy one and
the roads good. Only one range is crossed
AM that by good road.
Very respectfully,
MARTIN MAGINNIS,
This seems to settle some Of the RESPONSE
bility, outside Of the department, for the
useless and costly service from Fort Custer
to Coulson Parker came forward and took
the work at $38, $40, and the circular began
it's tedious Journey. In the course Of time
the Coulson postmaster reported that the
Fort Custer postmaster wouldn't 'srecei7e
the unhappy circular. The papers on file in
the department show that the Fort Custer
man then reported in the following refresh
ing way:
..This mail route is no earthly use to any
one at this post Aside from one post office
on the route, we have never had letter or
paper pass through this office going to White
Sulphur Springs. The post Office referred
to above is Coulson, and we have good mail
facilities with that Office by another route.
It's g nuisance"
What had become of Maginniss important
<sdirect c onnection?' With, this emphatic
statement staring him in the face, Brady felt
compelled TO reduce the service to once
week he ought to have discontinued it Ell
tirely, but he saw chance to get out Of the
difficulty. The reduction was made on Aug.
Is, $780, Thea came the following tole-
graphic remonstrances, to which Maginnis's
attention is directed:
HELENA, August 1e, 1885,
| The discontinuance of the Custer and
White Sulphur Springs route throws the
mails of Eastern Montana into confusion.
Tri-weekly mails run out from Martinsdale,
and that place receives only weekly supply.
The Postmaster at Custer will reverse the re-
| port of his deputy. The department should
restore the service. The whole question was
settled before left. The route. must be re-
| stored. MARTIN MAGINNIs.
HELENA. August %, 1880.
To Thomas J. Brady Second assistant Postmaster Gen.
| Changes in Yellowstone service thrown all
| Eastern Montana mails into confusion. Alb
| solutely necessary to restore direct mail TO
Fort Custer by embracing it in Bozeman and
Keogh route. MARTIN MAGlNNIs,
| B. F. PoTTs Governor.
Ill
FORT CUSTER, Aug % 1880.
| The Hon. Postmaster General:
| Endorsement by assistant postmaster at this
place regarding mail route to White Sulphur
Springs was made during my absence and
without my knowledge, under misapprehen-
sion of facts. Country along the route has
been Of late filling up unprecedentedly fast
with settlers, and a daily mail in my opinion
is needed for their accommodation, and to
help open the country. The delays occa-
stoned by changing from daily to weekly
may be of serious nature in military opera
| tions at places north and west. Respectfully
suggest the service be again made daily.
/ THEODORE BOREUP.
It appears, then, that the change threw
| that unfortunate circular into confusions;
also that Maginnis had s'seen" Boreup also
that the Indian reservation was filing up
with settlers. Boreup is a post-trader, and a
warm friend Of Maginnis. Parker is yet to
be heard from. The daily service was at
once restored by the order Of French, the
recently dismissed chief clerk, and Parker or
his friends continued to draw the $38, $40
annual pay. Furay now denounces the SER
vice from Coulson to Fort Custer as fraud,
and says the Postmaster and Maginnis both
knew it.
In Maginnis's telegram to Parker, the con-
tractor, on Aug. 10, he declares that the ser
vice must be restored on Parker's line to
H. larr. 1o&ow Io O