The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-04-05
RIVER RIPPLES

The steamer Benton AID Captain Grant
Marsh's new boat, the ". J. Behan, will OPP
crate between Sioux City and Bismarck this
season, carrying government freight between
these points under the contract secured by
the Power Line. Bentonites will miss the
gallant Benton which has always done
good work on the upper river.
Mr.. W. s. Wetzel has received the appoint
ment Of agent for the Coulson line at Ben
ton. The company will find that they have
secured a valuable representative at the head
of navigation in Mr.. w. who is a business
man of superior qualifications and just the
sort of a 'rustler' needed in that position.
Congratulations are in order all around.
MI. Wheaton, telegraph operator, Informed
Us this morning that the ice had moved out
at Fort Buford, but is still intact at Bis
marck. The raise FROM neither the upper
Missouri nor Yellowstone has yet reached the
latter point, but it is thought the ice cannot
stand the pressure only a short time longer.
Boats may be expected to leave Bismarck
for the upper river next week.
In q long review of the steamboat business
of the upper Missouri the Pioneer Press
comes to the conclusion that there will be
plenty of work for the season of 1882. It
says "The opening of the Northern Pa
ciic to Miles City and beyond OF course
initiates against trade somewhat on the Mis-
s)uri and Yellowstone, but it is a question
if the immigration and its attendant and in
eyitable increase in freightage requirements
will not nearly make up for the loss. Ger
tain it is that there is no talk Of taking any
butts out of the river, and owners and cap
tains seems confident of plenty of business.
1t is greatly to be desiied that freight be fur
nished for the upper country as soon as pos
sibly, as trips after the first week in October
are dangerous always, and seldom profitable
to the shipper, at least. Altogether We may
look for as lively times on the Missouri this
year as ever before, and a large increase in
the south and east bound tonnage seems
certain"
The report published last week that the
Montana had been sunk in the Ohio river
proves to be too true. The accident occurred
on the 18th ult. at the falls of the Ohio It
Louisville. The steamer was taken over the
dam, the accident being caused by blockade
of coal barges in the vicinity. The Bismarck
Tribune has the following concerning this
boat The Geographic news published this
morning gives the very unpleasant informa-
ton Of the wrecking Of the Montana on the
falls of the Ohio at Louisville. The Mon
tana was almost a new boat, having been
launched at Pittsburg in the spring of 1880.
She came directly into the upper Missouri
river trade, and in the fall of that year her
cabin and upper works were wrecked by a
wind storm while laying at the Bismarck
landing. She went to st. Louis for repairs
as soon as she could be got together. The
cab'n was rebuilt that winter, and the boat
has since been running in the Pittsburg and
ST. Louis trade as one of the Big Seven Line
OF which Captain Evans, Of Pittsburg, is
President. A month ago, and there has
probably been no change since, Capt. Nick
Bueson was her master, Barney Earle clerk,
dAu IN aiU ndtC, Ill SOOu llVCl utu
and we'll known in these waters. The Mon
tana is said to have cost $40, 900 originally,
and about $4,000 was paid by the insurance
companies for the damage done the boat at
Bismarck. The rebuilt cabin was even
more elegant than the original one. Her
master, Captain Bueson, owned an interest
in the boat, and the other shares were owned
by Capt. John Todd and Capt. Joe Todd.
Whether or not she was insured the telegram
does not say"
LATER-We are pleased to state that later
intelligence is to the effect that the gallant
Montana got out of her mishap with very
slight damage and is cow blowing her way
up the river in the direction of the head Of
navigation. The many friends tn Benton of
the owners Of this craft will be pleased when
they read this postscript.
TRADE TOPICS.