Rocky Mountain husbandman., 1884-08-21
-Mz-0-m-
JOTTINGs BY OUR TRAVELLING MAN.
Down the Yellowstone-Intervie With Muir
ply, the Horse Thief-The Town Of
Big Timber.

Stepping on board passenger train at
Livingston for ride down the road,
found only few vacant seats, there being
a great many passengers eastward bound
Many of them were ladies, mostly Montan-
ians, travelling without attendants, going
for visit to their old homes in the East; !;
some were tourists returning from trip in
the National Park, while few were from
Oregon and Washington Territory. | was
interested in hearing the expressions of de-
light that appeared general with the tour
lists. The general theme among them was,
"Such beautiful valleys"
Grand old mountains"
"Charming streams!"
"Healthful climate!" etc, etc.
Nearly all were inclined to speak harshly
of the extravagant charges for living in the
National Park, but they all appeared to
agree that it is the great grand Wonder of
the world, and most of them admitted their
complete satisfaction, declaring that they
would not regret the time and expense of
their long journey, since in viewing the
curious things of the Park they felt amply
repaid, and would have been glad to stay
longer.
Turning about to see if | could meet an
acquaintance, | recognized Geo. Conrad
deputy sheriff of Lewis and Clarke county !;
also Hon. Saml Word, of Butte City. The
last named gentleman being connected with
the Union Pacific railroad as its attorney,
was somewhat surprised at finding him
travelling on Northern Pacific train. He
spoke encouragingly of business and min
ing operations at Butte. The mines, he
thought, never looked better, and shat the
people were just beginning to realize the
magnitude of the wealth in them. New
mills were being erected and smeiter own
ers were looking about toward the increase
OF their working capacity. The Anaconda
company, whose works are now the largest
in the U. S., had just decided to increase
them to double their present capacity. AS
Mr.. Conrad was reticent as to his trip, my
chat with him was short.
Gancing out at the car window ObServ-
ed that the train had borne us away from
the town and was carrying us down the
beautiful valley OF the Yellowstone at the
rate Of twenty-one miles an hour. The rail-
road follows along the low bottom most OF
the way. This is narrow and badly cut by
the crooked stream, and the hills which
border upon its edges rise pretty abruptly,
yet furnish much country fit only tor stock
to Craze upon. How supremely overrated
is the Yellowstone valley. To read the
flaming accounts that haye been written
about it, one would suppose that it was
wide and contained a great amount OF agri-
cultural land, but it is quite to the contrary,
/ being narrower than many On our valleys
along the small streams. Its fame is large
ly imaginary. The farming land, however,
that il does contain is good. The altitude
is lower than many other valleys, and crops
are therefore further advanced. Having
wheat in some fields had commenced.
The first home | recognized was that OF
James Ennis, a fine location for the dairy
business. Sprngdale was next. 1t is the
depot for Hunters Hot Springs, which is
situated abolt two miles to the north on the
opposite side of the river. The place, OF
which a glimpse was had, stands on slopine
land with beautiful surroundings, the water
apparently flowing from a spur OF the Crazy
mountains. Gliding on down the valley the
farmhouse of Thos. STather was passed
| then the fine dairt ranch of Dodge Bros.
and further on we look ed down into the
| fields of n. ]. Fell, and across the stream
the fine large meadows and bright grain