The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-12-20
BENTON TO BARKER.
The Prosperous and Progressive
RanChmen on The Road.
"a Good Stage Lne-Extensive Road
mprovemerts-AR Rustsing
Lumbernnan, Etc.

A visit 70 bdEkcI dllei aiI ihIel val Vi
a wear shows very great change, both
along the road to the camp and in the
gulch, the progress made in that time
being vast deal more than the reports
received would lead one to expect.
The first thing in the way of prog, ess
that strikes the traveller who has been
over the road before is the superior stage
facilities as contrasted with the former
outfit The stage now goes through in
one day We left Benton at y O'Clock
a. m. and pulled up at Clendenin at 81
u, M, which il pretty good record for
distance of seventy miles. At present
blackboard is used-but q large, hand
some and easy riding vehicle, built ex-
pressly for this purpose-which in the
spring will be superseded by Concord
coaches, when the line will compare fa-
vorably with any in the territory. They
have now excellent stock from
one end of the road to the other and de-
lays and mishaps are simply out of the
question. John w. Power is the pro-
prietor of the line and under the super
intendency of Gus Shaffer, the veteran
stage driver, it is certain to keep pace
with the requires ents of the business
and travel between Benton and Barker.
Leaving Benton the first house we
como to is at the nine mile coulee.
where George Croft has established him
self In the last year. Next is J. NJ. Ar
noux, on Highwood, who, as everybody
in this section knows, has one Of the
finest ranches within a hundred miles
of Benton. We found Mr.. Arnoux at
home and cred hot' on the subject Of
changing the location of the Belt creek
bridge to a point some two miles above
the present location. Mr.. A. claims
that the proposed change would shorten
the distance to Belt creek seven miles
and at the same time secure q better road,
avoiding the major portion of the much
dreaded adobe fiat. He displayed to us
map of the country showing the adj
vantages of his route, an3 If ii has al
the merits he claims for it, the subject
is certainly deserving the consideration
of the commissioners. However, the
matter should have been presented be-
fore work mad been commented on the
bridge. Mr.. ArnouX is again at work
on his coal mine and Is confident that
in short time he will have good vein
of coal opened up. We wouldn't ask Tor
{. better bonanza than good coal mine
rs convenient to Benton. and trust that
his expectation will be fully realized.
After passing the sheep raDch on Will
low creek we come to the ranch Of Gill
lett g. Tibadore on the same stream
and which is the second stage station
from Benton. A year has wrought won
derful chapges at this place. The boys
have comfortable new house, well con
structed, a large barn and corral, and /
great many acres of excellent farming
land newly fenced-and the good Worl
of improvement still goes on. This i
the old Phillips ranch and our opinion
Woulu UC lHdL tilcIC dlC lew iilolC 01SiA
able in the Territory. All they now re
quire to fill their measure of happines
is a mistress OF the cabin and such
good looking, genial fellow as Jim Gil
lett should not be long about filling thi
want.
The next place is on Cora creek wher
we Ston t0 take dinner This station
has been built within year, and
quite comfortable stopping place, wit
good accommodations for man and beast
Frank Lewis is the proprietor, and h
commands an important point OH tn
Benton and Barker road. Less tina
twelve months ago the location was ope
to entry.
From Cora creek drive of ten 2
twelve lies over the .boundless" bring
us to Mann's ranch on Otter creek. MI
Mann was one of the first to locate o
the southern half of the Barker road, an
in selecting he did not fail to make
good choice. During the last season b
has improved his buildings, built roao
and bridges, and fenced large tract {
land, making quite change in the al
pearance Of his place. A postoffice hs
been established here, called Otter, an
Mr. Mann is the p. M.
Following up he creek a few miles v
arrive at the Otter creek saw mill, Whic
has grown in a faw months RI uI1ife a