The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-02
IN THE BLAOKFOOT COUNTRY.
A "Reminiscences Of the Editor-An Old
Story Revived, with Changes Ac-
cordingg to HoyIe.

while travelling through Montana, last summer, in
the capacity Of correspondent, we wrote an impression
of the Blackfoot region, under the inspiration OF the
beautiful scenery of that valley, than which there does
not exist one more romantic or picturesque, and which
would be more visited if better known. The sketch
woven therein has a foundation in fact, which old
miners will recognize, and if it is not correct we will
lay the blame on the gentleman who told us the story
by our camp fire. The event has about died out of
memory, and no two stories of the tragic scene are
alike, bat all agree in the main particulars. We after
wards learned that the Frenchman referred to con-
fessed his crime in France, where he was executed for
the murder of another wife.-ED.]
A gem of the Rocky Mountains is the vale
Of the Little Blackfoot, situate midway be-
ton of Moore in romantic beauty, wild and
uncultivated, and only a couple of lonely
ranches subtracting just Q little from utter
lonesomeuess, which to as adds additional
charm. A description at best is tame, for
nothing can convey to the mind the perfect
beauty of the scenery, which gathers not its
power in sublime and ragged peaks. nor bot
tomless abysses, nor towering waterfalls, but
ALI AOuAACOs An6SAFC OAt4AAS0o 0A0 - ANAA
plicity of romantic details, which are the
poetry of landscape; not the %grandness OF
its parts, but its completeness as q whole,
satisfies the mind prone to admiration Of the
beautiful in nature.
It is from one to two miles wide, and per-
haps Is miles long, as level as 9 floor, and
walled on either side by mountains Of great
hight, those on the right being precipitous,
and covered only with grass and occasional
groves Of fir frees, while those on the lett are
undulating like 8 pile Of cumulous clouds, and
covered by heavyssand dense forests Of pine.
Through the middle Of the valley runs the
Little Blackfoot river, q rapid stream about
fifteen yards wide and IN many places SIX
feet deep, lined on each side with balm-of-
Gilead and cottonwood trees, all growing at
regular intervals from each other, as II plant
ed by the hand Of man. This stream is full
Of trout, and we had more than our usual
luck in catching them. Our camp fire was
by the side of this beautiful river, just five
miles below the "FrenchWoman's.' The
sun setting in q sky Of red, which reflected Q
rich purple from the dark forests OF distant
mountains away down the valley, and throw
ing streams of purple light down through its
whole length. Towering above and casting
q somber shadow as the sun sunk lower, was
the preciplce which the river had cut into the
side of the mountain, and crowned by q tuft
of pines, from whence came strange cries Of
wild animals which make the hills their
home.
We were eating q supper comprised OF
fried trout, bread and butter and coffee, when
we were a little startled st the sight Of 9 hui
man being coming toward us-in this soil
tude so unexpected. He was clad in 9 blue
shirt and a pair Of brown duck o~veralls,
and wore q straw hat which probably had
seen at least two seasons Of service. He car
ried in one hand q Ratchet, and il the other
a steel CAD about six inches long.
SLOW! stranger" said he, IS soon as he
got near enough. We answered, How y
according to the custom Of the country.
Scan you let a fellow eat Q bite at your fire ?
Have tramped since sunrise, stranger, and
begin to feel played. Can't stand what
used to could, though I was q tough one il
my time. Why, stranger, when ! come to
this coast in 40 the hardships was enough to
kill you tenderfeet, and I've been on the rus
tie ever since" We gave 8 cordial assent,
and invited him to share with us our supper
as we saw him unroll the contents Of the
handkerchief hanging from his belt, which
consi ted only Of dry bread. He drew up
with a thankful look, and continued: s'Haye
struck i rich, many times, but somehow il
always got away. Bug juice and freeze-out
was too much for me, but | never gave up
irving to get the best of 1t. I've sunk q thous-
and miles to Get bed rock in my time, and
have taken out that bucket full many Q time
in a single day cleanup, you bet. But now
I'm flat broke, stranger, an getting old, an
no home, an I'm hunting for 8 little dig
gins, Just enough to keep me in grub. Come
to this country in the early day 90 from
Californy, and have been rustling up an
down this valley ever since. They call me
Uncle Billy about here now-Mr. Sparks it
was when I had plenty Of dust, an' wore Q
billed shirt-about gone to seed now, pard-
ner."
supposed he had seen exciting times in
what must have been an eventful career, and
said it was not many Of the old 49-ers who
were left il the Western country.
s:You Just put it there, pard," IS he extend
ed a hand of immense proportions. I could
tell Won things that would raise Your hair for