The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-06-07
THE PATRICK COLONY.
It's Arrival in Benton and the Tales Told
on the Worthy Major.

The Red Cloud brought in over hundred
persons, constituting what has been widely
advertised as the Patrick colony. They
came for the most part as deck passengers,
and looked weary enough after their long
trip up the Missouri from st Louis. There
are seventeen families in the colony, and
few young men, foot loose and able to rustic
for themselves from the start. For the
most part the people are poor, some Of them
absolutely without means, and not few had
to depend upon the generosity OF Captain
Williams during the trip, Of whom they all
speak in the highest terms. They are work
ing people, and look as if they would make
good citizens in time.
Tents were secured for all On the levee, be-
low the old fort, and their wants provided
for by the generosity OF our people. Yes
terday Messrs. AL Hamilton, Col. j. j. Dom
nelly and W. B Settle made the round OF the
city soliciting subscriptions for their aid, and
were entirely succes slul Ia an emergency
of this kind Benton is net found without "a
heart, and big one too. The object is to
provide for their wants until employ ment Can
be secured, which, we believe, will not be
very long.
When the Red Cloud and its colony ar
rived Major Patrick was conspicuous only
by his absence; neither WAS he represented
on the levee by any authoriz ID agent. Yet
several of the people on tbs boat were snx'
,ous to see him, very anxious according to
their representations.
We don't wish to do Major Patrick an in
Justice in his absence, but some of his peo-
ole tell rather damaging tales on him. They
are not disappointed with b. nton or Mon
tana, but are outspoken in their disapprova'
uf some Of the methods of Mr.. Patrick. A
RIVER Press representative interviewed sev.
eral of the parties, and they unite in the
statement that Mr.. Patrick agreed TO have
| transportation ready 10 take them 10 Barker
when the boat arrived. Furthermore, sew
| el lal Of them assert that Patrick got money
Of them il sums varying from $10O 70 S3oo
agreeing first to return the same At St. Louis
and then at Benton upon their arrlvni-Du
as vet he has shown NO disposition to DO 81
Some Of the parties had orders for inone,
from Patrick upon one Of our nerchants
who. of course, refused to accept them, A
Patrick had made no arrangement Wbaleve
to provide the funds or security for the same
A few Of the parties who claim that the.
gave Patrick money, arrived here in dest'
tute condition.
This is the story they tell and We give
literally On the other hand, Major Pa'ric
claimed when here that he gave up S2,oU
of his own money to assist these people I
Montana, paying the passage entire 10
many of them His friend, Major MeloI
cor firmed this statement, alleging that Mage
Patrick had raised money in St. Louis
help the party along. There is mllstak
somewhere that we would like TO see cleare
up. and any statement that Mr.. Patrick ma
have to make will be cheerfully published
these columns. He has done some good IN
migration work for Montana and we Wou
t like to see him come out Of this business VII
d clean hands.
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