The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-21
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g months Observation-Disclosures. 30
Three inches year 50
months ........................ 81
months ......................... 25
Professional Cards, Inch, year.. Is
Rates for Transient Advertisements given at office.
FROM BENTON TO MAGIDNIs.
The Country and the Stopping Places on
the Road.
A trip from Benton to Fort Maginnis en-
tails stage ride of at least 80 miles, and is
anything but pleasant trip to contemplate
during the usually severe month of Decem-
ber, when the mercury is supposed to ramble
10 the vicinity Of forty degrees below zero.
But packing our grip We embarked on one
Of the Benton & Barker coaches and rolled
up through the Highwood and Belt valleys
to Otter Greek, where Mann's ever hospitable
hostelry furnished US with nutriment and
shelter for night The trip through these
valleys was not devoid Of interest, but the
country has been written up SO often that
The following morning we leave Mann's
on the cabin deck of one Of those easy ~
riding, and very properly named. buck
boards" for the famous Judith country. Our
driver was Jack McCroskie, veteran jehu
and one who handles the ribbons with the
ease that denotes thorough and careful ed
ucation in his chosen profession. He enter
tanned us with many thrilling narratives Of
early stage life WhilezseTasiIss his apprentice
ship on Holidays great overland route near
ly quarter Of q century ago, when it re-
quired men Of courage, fortitude and almost
bulldog tenacity TO Withstand the rather
| forcible persuasions of the eccentric road
agent Jack wears o-day a magnificent
breast pin, presented to him BY lady pas
senger, decade since, for some act of gal
lantry performed while il discharge of his
| duties. The country We 2 80 through is one
especially adapted to stv' / raising, being q
| rolling prairie, the hills and valleys of which
are covered with the ricu, nutritious bunch
grass for which Montana is SO famous. The
/
have a large band of sheep and an excellent
range They will also engage in farming
the coming year. A few miles further we
| notice the comfortable home and attractive
out buildings Of Mr.. Bowers, who is also a
prosperous sheep granger. Mr. Madden has
| the next location, but no one being hone, we
assumed charge of the CUISINE department Of
the ranch and produced meal that denoted
| fastidious taste Fifteen miles distant we
found the stock ranch Of Messrs. Robley &
! Baylies, young men who have left the COM
! forts and pleasures Of an Eastern home TO
build new homes and to take advantage of
the nlany inducement offered ia the New
Northwest They are located on Wolf
Creek and are il the midst Of section that
| is rapidly settling up with q thrifty and pro-
gressYe class Of people. They are urgent
| ia their demands fog the establishment of q
post Office here, and are unit in reoom-
mending the appointment of Mr Robley as
postmaster As such an Office would accoR-
modate at least fifty families q petition
forwarded to the department through our
delegate would undoubtedly meet with
prompt and satisfactory results. Ten males
onward we find the ranch of A. FL. Barney
Sc Co. the senior member Of. which preeides
| over the s'shack" and varies the monotony
Of sheep grangers' life by entertaining the
weary and crippled ''buckboard'' passengers.
The history of this firm is one that young
men might Edo well TO initiate, and also
shows the immense profits to be derived from
the stock business. A few years these anen
came west in search Of employment and
engaged in sheep herding. Being senslble,
economical and practical men they invested
their savings in sheep, and to-day are the
fortunate owners of q band Of nearly four
thousand head. Further illustrations or
comments are hardly necessary to prove our
assertion Of the immense profits to be made
in this branch of industry.
Seven miles further We drop into the Judith
Basin, and minute later roll up to the door
Of the Utica postof1ice, over which Mr.. Joe.
Cutting preaides. Mr. G. has also has
large and well selected stock Of merchadise
and appears to be enjoying lucrative trade.