The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1883-10-25
JUNCTION CITY,
It's Past HissoH--Present Condition and Future
Prospects.
From 1877 to 1893.

, |
Of several stage lines, and near the
conjunction of the Big Horn with the
Yellowstone, is situated in latitude 40
north and longitude Io7 west, of
Greenwich, in the south eastern por-
ton Of Montana, about 200 miles from
the eastern boundery Of the territory |
and in the extreme eastern portion OF
Yellowstone county 1t contains some
70 buildings and about 800 inhablt-
ants, is built on a low strip Of land, on
the banks Of the Yellowstone river,
and sheltered on the north and east
by a series of bluffs and high table
lands, while the river bounds it on the
west and south, and across the stream
/ is the Crow reserve.
The town is the outgrowth Of a
former Indian trading post, established
in the fall Of 1877, by Paul McCor-
mick, as a branch of his then Miles
City house, and for some time it was
the only business house in that portion
of Yellowstone valley, and depended
almost entirely upon the Crow Indian
trade for its support
William Taylor built the first house
within the present town limits, on the
table lands, in June II, and in con-
nection with two other pioneers, built
) and operated the ferry now owned by
Brown, Davis & Co.
The Cantonement, just below the
town on the opposite side Of the river
was built in summer of 1877, by the
government as a warehouse for unload
ing and storing freight transported BY
steamboats, up the river, to supply
troops then stationed at Ft. Custer
. 1t was named in honor Of the presen
commander of the Dakota departmen
Of the army Teuys Landing.
The building of this cantonemer
materially assisted the growth Of Jnn'
ton, and with the advent of tn
steamer Far West" loaded wit
freight for the landing aad settlers ;
this point in summer Of II, it enjoye
quite a boom, and from that time bul
and settled up rapidly.
As early as 1876, Huntley & Clar
secured the contract to carry ma
between Ft Keough and Bozemal
and a postohice was established
Etchetah, a few miles below the pre-
ent town site, but in 7S-9, Joe Allel
then postmaster, moved the office
Junction, on his own responsible
and as several parties raised conslde
able comment about his so-doing.
remarked that 'if there was any la
to pervent him from moving the pos
office at will he would return IT,"
In July, IS Gilman & Saulsbu
secured the mail contract and put (
complete stage line outfit Of CONGO
1 horse coaches, and located one
their home stations at this point; al
in a short time Junction City "
= known up and down the river as o
Of the lyeliest places on the line Al
has held its own up to the prese
,T time.
To relate the experiences Of SCI
of the old stage drivers on that on
popular yet hazardous line. seve
of whom we are personally acquaini
IT. with, would fill a good sized octa
book; all the hardships known
~ pioneers these drivers experienced, Z
besides took chances every trip "
road agents, Indians, and misera
pieces Of roads, that would max
pilgrim tremble to think Of pas
rC over, and on reaching the nc
- station the boys would congreg
bring out the old banjo and fiddle.
the times they had Will ever live
their memory as Of the best in
.kct ,euitory.
heT Junction City at the present
~ ;r a,-ar,- carea , iuprfiou--lOr.