davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
History of Put-in-Bay.

At Put-in-bay and Kelly's island this
year the black bass season was the best
ever known. One man caught q hum
dred bass with hook and line IN a single
.aay- sss.y 4he- tlshing s!easaE1 is now closed,
although the fishermen make hauIs
during the winter through the ice.
Adam Schardt lives on Kelly's island.
He is a rare old German with sweet
accent. He gives the following history
of the early settlers of Kelly's island:
In the first place the island was liter
ally covered with snakes and reptiles,
and 10 human being, not even the
noble red man, had the courage to dis
pute their right and title to the island.
During heavy storm many years ago
a schooner was wrecked off McGodgain's
point. The boat carried a cargo Of live
hogs. All hands were lost but the hogs
swan ashore, and as they found little
else to feed upon they made a diet of
snakes. In the course of time they sue
ceeded in devouring all the snakes on
the island. Then the Kelly family put
in an appearance and began devouring
the hogs, feat which was accomplished
easily and quickly. Nothing has since
succeeded in exterminating the Kelly
family.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Whereupon an opponent said that

etc. Whereupon an opponent said that
the young mans speech forcibly re-
minded him of an incident that occur
red at big secession meeting just before
the war. Judge Wardlaw. a level head
ed statesman, was advising calmness
and moderation in speech he was
making, when be was roughly inter-
rupted by one of the rising young men.
The judge predicted an early blockade
of the ports, cessation of commerce and
distress therefrom. What would be
done then? "Blow the blockading yes
sells out of the water !" cried the young
man, amid great applause, and he was
the hero of the day. Well, the war
came on, and so did the hlockaders, and
they didn't get bloWed worth a cent,
and the heroic young man, after ver-
brief, but to him satisfactory, experience
at the 'front.' came home and served his
country as conscript officer, a sadder
but wiser man, for he said SO.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Maiden N ew S.

From Geo. d. Patterson we learn that
the new mill of the Montana Mining
company, at Maiden, was started up
last Wednesday at 10 O'Clock. Mr.. Pat
terson left the camp soon afterwards and
did not learn the success of the run, but
as the mill is one of the best in the ter
ritory, and under the management Of
such practical man as Mr.. Essler, with
thousands of tons Of rich ore in sight,
there can be no question about its s-ce-
cess.
The "littIe smelter'' had not been
started up to that time, but everything
was about in readiness to fire her up.
Il would seem that Maiden is just enter
ing upon an era of decided prosperity.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Canadian Grievances.

WINNIPEG, December AT a meet
ing at Calgary Saturday, delegates were
appointed to proceed to Ottawa with
the purpose of presenting grievances.
Among the reforms asked are the follow
ing: That the Northwest territories be
represented in the dominion parliament;
that the northwest council be purely
elective, and have additional powers
and subsidy, that the settlers shall have
the right to cut all the timber they re-
quire for their own use. Meetings have
been held elsewhere in the Northwest
for the purpose of passing similar resol-
utions and strengthening the hands Of
the Calgary delegates. The territorial
press is all but unanimous in urging
remedial legislation, and strong case
has been made out.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Capt. Baker Interviewed.

Capt. I. 2. Baker, the "Block P' rus
preston that has obtained throughout
northern Montana the past year to de-
tract in the least from his confidence in
the future greatness of Fort Benton. He
is as enthusiastic as ever on the subject
II am often asked" said he to our re-
porter this morning, ''by eastern people
what I think Of Benton, and my reply
invariably is that it is going to be good
town. And [ never find anybody that
disagrees with me. A person who has
never been here can examine common
railroad map and see by the location Of
YOUR town that it is a natural trade CEN
ter and almost certain to be an impor-
tant point. What you need now is a
railroad, and if my information is cor
rect you will have railroad communica-
ton with Helena sooner than good
many expect. This is not the road YOU
stand most in need Of, but it will have
good influence and hasten the construc-
ton of branch from the Canadian Pa
cific, which, in my opinion, will be
Benton's most important railroad con-
nection."
"Will the proposed road from Helena
be local enterprise?' asked the re-
porter.
"It will be built in the interest Of the
two towns, is all can say"
''You do not refer to the Jim Hill pro-
ject?"
mo. / do not believe Jim Hill will
build a railroad in this country until he
can float bonds to secure its construction,
and you know that cannot be done very
soon."
"Do you think Montana is worse off,
with reference to the business situation
and outlook, than Dakota or other por-
tions of the northwest ?n we asked.
"Why, you don't know what hard
times are here. There is no comparison.
I have bought oats at Bismarck for fif-
teen cents tushel, delivered, and
wheat only brings a proportionate price.
This simple statement is enough to indi-
cate the condition Of affairs in Dakota,
when it is remembered that grain is the
main reliance. Here you have
cattle, sheep, mines and other resources
and may we'll consider that Fortune has
favored YOU"
NJ. Baker is of opinion that the river
business next season will be better than
last, and altogether is inclined to take a
hopeful view of the situation from a
Montana standpoint. A chat with him.
besides being interesting is a good cufa
for the blues. EH,
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
The Editors Apology.

Look here, you wretch,o shouted an
angry politician to an editor, what do
you mean by saying that?" and he
slammed a paper down on the desk.
The editor smiled, picked it up and
read "Jim Smith, of the lower dis
trict, eats with his knife.n "Well,
amt it so?o he asked,
"No, SIR" howled the politician, IT
don't eat with my knife, and [ want an
apology
"You shall have it, sir"
Thanks; good day"
The next issue of the paper contained
the following paragraph: "Jim Smith,
of the lower district, does not eat with
his knife. He only uses his fork and
fingers
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Incident of the Campaign.

incidents of the recent campaign oc-
casionally come to the front in enter
tanning form. A young man who was
canvassing for the congressional nomi-
nation in the third district of South Ca
rolina said in substance, that by reason
Of education before the war, or service
during it, no matter how honorable, or
decentralization incident thereto, or all
put together, no man older than himself
was fitted to grapple with the momen-
tous questions Of the hour new issues
must be met by q new generation, cut
out and made toorder for the purpose,
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Little Rocky Gold.

r, G.. Power & Bro. received thirty
six ounces of Little Rocky dust yester-
day from Thos. O'Hanlon, who has a
store in the vicinity of the camp. Sew
enteen dollars is paid for Little Rocky
dust 50 that this lot is worth $612. Some
of the claim owners are still at work
with rockers and making wages When
spring opens and water is abundant, as
it will be, there will be lots Of money
taken out of the Little Rockies, not
withstanding the lying and malicious
reports circulated by some of the pill
grims and ner-do.W wells who visited
that country.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Uanvassing the Vote of the Territory.

The territorial board Of eAhvassers
met at Helena Thursday for the purpose
Of canvassing the votes cr at least that
was the day fixed for this purpose. The
Herald received to day, however, con-
tains the statement that the board did
not perforss its duties because the re-
turns from Choteau county had not
been received, and County Clerk Muir
ply is vigorously arraigned for neglect
of duty, violation of his oath, etc. The
following is an extract from the article {:
The returns are all in except those of
Choteau county, and this being the
thirtieth day after the election, the cam
vassers are all here in accordance With
the law, some, OF course, at great lncon-
venience and expense to themselves
The United States marshal, Hon. A. &.
: Botkin, who is one of the canvassers of
the delegate election, has remained
over for this purpose, and of course is
greatly disappointed and inconvenience
ed with the other canvassers that the
returns are not all in. The difficulty
and disappointment, not to say the
violation Of the law, is all caused by the
reprehensible conduct of the clerk of
Choteau county, John F. Murphy, who
has violated his oath of office by not
sending at once the abstracts Of the vote
of that county as required by law. The
consequences of such action by an ofii-
cial are impossible to contemplate, etc.
We have seen Mr.. Murphy inrefer-
ence TO the matter, and learn that the
returns were sent to Helena by him in
due season. He showed us the receipt
for the registered letter or package, from
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Fort Assinabo1ne News.
Special to the River Press.

Special to the River Press
FORT AssINABOINE, December s..
The Catholic fair held last month was
grand affair.
The officers and ladies gave grand
concert on the Goth, which was largely
attended and appreciated by all, the
hall being packed. The singing was
very fine.
The 18th infantry band will give a
musical and dramatic entertainment
here on the 18th.
The Assinaboine minstrels will soon
come to the front. after which they will
elideavor to pay Fort Benton visit
Mr.. Author B. Hall and G.. E. Godfrey
have volunteered to stay and go with
the troupe as far as Benton. M.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Married Again.

CHICAGO. December 5.-Levy, the
cornetist, was married again last night,
his bride this time being Miss Stella
Sosta, the Belgian soprano and member
of his concert company. Levy presented
his wife with 81, 900 worth of diamonds.
Levy's numerous previous matrimonial
difficulties have been widely published.
His last wife was Minnie Conway, who
procured divorce from him a short
time ago and married Osmond Searle.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
The New Quartz Mill at Maiden.

We condense the Following interest.
ing notes of the starting of the new
quartz mill of the Maginnis Mining
company at Maiden from the Argus Of
last week:
Promptly at o'clock on Friday Dec.
Cd, everything was pronounced ready
for operation and the invited company
of ladies and gentlemen gathered around
the 55-horse power engine, over the
valve of which Mrs. A. M. Essler, the
esteemed wife of the perintendent,
presided the signal was given, orr lady
engineer opened the valve, the steam
rushed in and the monster, with a
groan, as though loath to commence it's
unceasing work, slowly moved ont its
long arm. wheels, pullies and belts re-
spending to its influence, and in another
instant the mill was thing Of life. "A
moment later the crusher and stamps
were started and then what noise was
there-as lady expressed it "you
couldn't hear yourself Think
The new mill is S0X94, 50 feet high,
and cost over $4,000, inclnding new
machinery. The new mill Is considered
one of the finest in the west and results
arc expected from it's working that will
astonish the natives.
The Maginnis Mining company was
restocked last wintir in the sum of $780,
900. S. T. Hauser is president of the
company and A. M. Hotter one of the
principal stock holders. A. M. Essler
is the superintendent.
The company will employ, in mill
and mines, fully forty men throughout
the winter, running day and night,
shutting down only for repairs.
Basing his opinion Oh the results Of
the old mill. considering the incom-
pleteness as compared with the new,
the superintendent is confident OF
cleaning up 1000 per month.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10

Auditor j. 2. Woolman, the receipt be-
ing dated December l, four days before
the board met.
1t is clear the Herald has done Mr..
Murphy great injustice. The strangest
part of it is that the same paper which
contains this article has the result of the
official canvass of the board on the
adoption of the constitution, Choteau
county returns with the rest. It will be
in order for the Herald to explain.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
x. Biedler's Opinion of the Little Rockies.

In his capacity as deputy United States
marshal, x. is holding things level over
at the Little Rockies, and preventing
the introduction of liquor on the reser-
vation. He being an old miner, is
heartily in sympathy with the men in
the new diggings, and assures them
against molestation if no shooting
scrapes, fights and whisky smuggling,
are INDUCED in by the miners. He has
an exalted opinion Of the diggings, and
told an Argus reporter that he had seen
500 ounces Of gold dust, with his own
eyes, and brought over 40 ounces to
BroadWater, Mcnamara & Co., Fort
Maginnis, for shipment, WORTH as he
claims, $3.50 per ounoe.-Maiden
Argus.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
ROBBERY AND MURDER.
r. M. Beard Probably Shot and Killed on
the Canadian Pacific-Dutch Harry
Wounded in the H1p-Border
Ruf1anism.

The following dispatch was receive
here Saturday afternoon:
GOLDEN CITY, B. c., Nov. %.
| EDDY, HAMMOND & Co.
Baird left here yesteaday. Was shot
and killed on the train. Money taken.
! Harry shot in hip, but escaped. [ have
offered 81 900 rewa rd. Wait for instruc-
tions. Ed. L. JOHNSON.
| A little over two months ago r. NJ
Beard left here in charge of pack
train loaded with 75O gallons of whisky,
for the Canadian Pacific railway The
pack train belonged to T. J. Demers and
the whisky to Eddy, Hammond & Co.
and L. J. Demers The trip was sue
cessfully made to the lakes of the CO.
lumbia river, 110 miles from the rail-
road. Here the goods were sold and
delivered to the dealers on the railway
The pack train, save the necessary
horses for Beard and Dutch Harry, who
accompanied him, was sent back and
arrived here safely. Why Beard went
from the lakes up to Golden City is not
known, and all the information received
of his robbery and murder is contained
in the dispatch above. 1t is believed he
went forward to obtain full payment
for the goods sold. It is believed also
that the word "train" in the sentence,
twas shot and killed on the train, y
should read trail, !" as trains only run
to within fourteen miles of Golden
City on account of cave in the tunnel
The amount taken from Beard is sup
posed to have been $4,000.
R. NJ. Beard was a Scotchman and
had lived in this county over twenty
years a portion of the time in Missoula.
He had recently been engaged as clerk
for Agent Roman, and was a man adj
mired and liked by every one. His
thorough honesty was unauestioned,
and his upright life is best atteste6-- by
the important trust imposed upon him
by Eddy, Hamm ond & Co. and T. J.
Demers, His parents are reported to be
still living in Scotland and wealthy.
Fuller particulars Of his murder will be
received in due time, and it is to be
hoped that his assassins may meet their
just deserts. The necessary steps wiz
be taken to secure, if possible, this result.
-Missoula Times.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10

naming IN the Fort Benton post Offlce
for the week ending December 6, 1884:
Algers Mrs T. NE Nc Donald MrsN
Allen JOS Mckay Donald
Burton T J Oluson James
Brown Walter 2 Rice j r
Bevens Tom Rice S M
Berry D f RoWley Jno
Bell A H Robinson A &
Carter T. Seaton Ira
Duncan Jno Sheppard Frank
Derwent Fred Smith Horace
Field Barr X Strong M i
Fitzgerald I'll STANDBY w
Fitzpatrick Dan Stone julius
Forrest Andrew Stunkins w 6
Griggs VIM n Taylor Jas I
King Jasper 2 Thomas Chas
Iezoze Mrs Frank Thorpe Luclen
Martin J N Vroom e A
Martin r. A Wilde Peter
Persons calling for any of the above
letters will please say Advertised.
M. "A. FLANAGAN, p. M.
Book and Job Printing a specially at
tie RIVER PRESS office.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10
Letter List.

The following is a list of letters re-
naming in the Fort Benton post office
for the week ending December 6. 1884:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-10

Book and Job Printing a specially at
the River Press office.
The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28
1t Wasn't HIS Lucky Day.

'T'm in luckT exclaimed rather
cloud young man as he stepped up to
an old gentleman IN Brooklyn. near the
bridge, recently. 81 just picked it up
he said. "Why,i it isn't pocketbook;
thought IL was though"
The farmers attention had been at
tracted. "It's a-a--a pair of kids.
SAID the lucky man as he unrolled two
gloves, "and III be hanged If there isn't
u ring on this finger" and he held up
the left-hand glove to remove it.
IL guess 1t Is ring" calculated the
old man as the glove was being turned
wrong side out"
Certain; and you're in luck, too, my
friend said the young chap as he pull
ed out an exceedingly heavy plain gold
ring. ~ GU were along with me when
| found EN-. and I'll do the square
thing. Well go halves on It,"
"Ill take it," said the old farmer. aud
he placed the ring and the gloves in his
breeches pocket. "I'm kinder short OF
money just at the present time. bal
The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28
A Vinegar Mine .


Some miners In the employ Of the
Live Oak company have lately been en-
gagged In sinking a shaft ON another lo-
cation and nearer Bear river than Live
Oak. The place is south of Grass Val
ley. and the region has receiyed but lit
tie attention In the way of prospect
ing for mines. The miners In sinking
the new shaft had no trouble with
water. In fact, the ground has been
unusually dry. A few days ago. how
ever. a thin stratum Of some hind Of a
damp rock was struck. and there were
some evidences of effervescence In this.
Passing through this thin stratum the
miners came TO a small stream of what
was at first supposed TO be COM
mon water. but on closer investigation
1t proved TO be II strong acid. Some Of
this acid has been brought to town and
has been examined by experts, and
they pronounce IL to be acetic. as strong
as acetic acid Of commerce. In short. =
vinegar mine has been struck. The ef-
fervescence obseryered IN this thin
stratum of damp rock Ia accounted for
by the action Of the acid ON some al
kali contained IN this thin stratum. A
sump has been made In which the acid
Is left TO collect. and all further work
has been suspended for the present.
One of the miners insists that the fluid
is pure vinegar of the best variety of
the cider kind. lie accounts for
the milk in the cocoanut' by the fact
that the ground of the water shed
there slopes toward the river, and there
are large number of apple orchards
toward the top of the water shed. and
that for years great abundance of fruit
has fallen and rotted ON the ground
/ ana that the juice has gotten low iAto
the rocks. The owners are talking OF
pickl factory on a large scale. aud
one of them thinks If they could tap
the stream higher up. where alcoholic
fermentation is in progress and before
acetic has begun. good article of APP
ple-jack can be distilled from the fluid
At all events. the fluid is remarkable
one and prove . bonanza.--Grass Val
| ley Tilinrs.
The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28
Mexican Politics.

Mexico has no political conventions.
The newspapers do the nominating.
The papers begin discussion of candl-
dates about year previons to the presi-
dental election. Next they "postulate'
or nominate certain candidates. At
the head OF the paper will appear, eve
postulate" so and 80 naming the journ-
ais choice. Then, on election day, the
voters assemble at the polling places.
and each deposit written ballot for
electors, who are to constitute the cleo
toral board of the state. The law stipu-
lates that the ballot must be written,
and table, with writing utensils, is
provided beside the ballot box, and the
ballot must be written and Immediate
ly deposited under the inspection of the
supervision. Sometimes the voters of
the different parties will meet few
hours previous and agree upon some
candidate. but usually each voter has
made Il choice of candidates without
any press ure from party machinery.
The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28
To Sell a Mine.

The Leadvile Democrat pertinen tly
remarks: tits always pleasant to the
miners eye to see a real nice specimen
of mineral. native metal or ore, but il
is positively too late in the season ia
show pieces of ore for inspection with
an eye To business) accompanied by
very rich specimens of free gold OF
wire silver, with the additional state.
ment that the latter was picked up on
the claim. II will not sell that way
AS too many have been sold already
The broker or prospector desirous Of
selling property with some showing
of mineral, should select specimens be.
low the average. 1T he then succeeds in
inducing probable purchaser to ex-
anime the mine. the property will most
likely go of. if offered reasonably. The
art of selling mine or good prospect
is difficult to learn, because most peo,
pie cannot understand that such pro-
perties can best be disposed OF in the
same way as the sales of Other things.
such as general products and real estate
are realized. to-wit, by honest dealing.
That is the whole secret, but it seems
Il conundrum to the average dealer in
mines. A claim which does not yield
mineral enough to pay at least for the
expense of the work thereon is not a
mine. 1t is prospect and nothing
more. If 1t is opened into mine. the
quantity and quality of ore, and Its net
value in the market, must show sur.
plus over the cost of mining Our in
vestors know all the habits ut this late
hour"