The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-12-05
From Helena to Fort Benton via the North
and South Forks OF Sun River.
Fort BENTON, November 26, 1883.

Editors of the River Press:
Leaving Helena just a week ago this
morning we passed out of a thick snow
at noon, and enjoyed a fine after
in the canyon, and a pleasant night
at Rock creek. After leaving Rock
creek the roads were found to be much
and snow a little more plenti-
full. The second night was spent at Flat
creek. Thursday morning we started up
Flat creek, and az WI climbed, the
amount of snoW increased, until the di-
vide between Flat creek and the south
fork was reached when the pulling was
quite hard, and plenty of snow Of Oc-
tober could be seen upon all sides. Along
the divide the track was very distinct
where the snow pillow of a month pre-
vious had made a path for Messrs. Hol-
brook g. Weston's 1000 pilgrim sheep
in order that they might be taken to
their ranch on the south fork, near Hay
Stack Butte. This storm Of October
was quite severe along the south fork,
cutting down the condition of the stock
in hat section quite severely. After
crossing the divide we passed over the
Dearborn Sheep Co.'s range down to
Florence. This range was quite free
from snow and the stock on the premises
reported in good condition. That this
company mean to get wool, good wool
and plenty of it, is evident from the fact
that they have put sixty thoroughbred
rams, purchased from Mr.. Gibson, into
their focks this fall.
A pleasant night and good fare at
Florence and we found ourselves Thurs
day morning or our way up the north
fork. The first place reached is Lytle's.
Here we pass over probably the best
range of the upper Sun river-most al
ways free from snow, and carrying plen-
ty of good fuel and water. Mr. Lyle
has on this range this fall 200 sheep,
brought yer this year from Washing
ton. While he has heretofore had good
luck running sheep upon this range
without sheds Or hay, we noticed this
year a large substantial shed nearly
completed, and plenty of fuel ready in
case we should have a hard winter.
that of Mr.. E. Beach, extending about
ten miles up the river. This range is
very broken from the river back for a
mile or so, after which the country rises
to a high plane. We first came to a band
of 800 common sheep just being brought
in from their summer range. The sheep
looked well and did not seem to have
suffered from bad weather as yet. a few
miles further up the stream we came
upon Mr.. Beach's band Of 800 thorough
bred ewes, VIII oh have been running
upon the range thus far this season, just
as the common sheep are run. They
looked in all respects to be in excellent
condition. The night was spent at the
home ranch of Mr.. Beach, where his
stock rams and some 400 ram lambs are
quartered. While in this section we
| saw Mr.. Bartlett, of the upper south
fork, and Mr.. Barrett, Of the upper north
fork. They reported plenty of snew.
| particularly in the former locality, but
as vet have experienced no serious re
suits. Friday night found us at Flor
| ence again, after a cold and snowy ride
Every day since leaving Helena we hao
had more or less snow. Saturday morn
! ing, with the thermometer indicating
temperature below the zero mark, anC
with a driving north storm, we started
| with the mail carrier from Florence tt
| Fort Shaw. A few miles below Flor
ence the driver pointed out a place
| where he said the day before 1000 pll
grim sheep from Washington had beer
crossed, on their way to the Teton
| Pretty rough weather to be driving such
| sheep across the plains of northern Mon
| tana, and the owner will do well If ht
meets with no loss. All the way from
| Florence to Fort Shaw the storm con
| tinued to sweep across u path making
the thirty miles down, in an open wag
on, anything but pleasant. The stock
along the road looked to be in fine con
dition, but evidently took very kindly
to the brush for the day.
At Fort Shaw, where we were obliged
to spend the afternoon and night, there
seemed to be a lively contest going or
to see who could burn the most govern
ment wood in a box stove in a giyer
time. Tt looked very much like a steam
boat race up the Missouri.
At six o'clock Sunday morning WI
left Fort Shaw for Fort Benton by
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