The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-05
SHONKIk SHOTS.
An Interesting Batch of News From Our
Nelghborlng Valley

Every body is sorry to have Uncle Ware
ham leave us, for aside from being
good citizen and neighbor. he is friend
to everybody, and no one who has ever
partaken* of the hospitality of Mr.. w.
and his good wife has cause to say other
wise.
H. A. Nottingham has also disposed
of his ranch at good figures and will go
to the same locality, and while we de-
plore the loss of these two families we
bespeak hearty welcome to them from
their new neghbors.
LOG BOOM.
From the great pile of logs, daily
growing larger, at Kanouse d Settles
mill, it is evident that there will be no
lack of lumber in this vicinity the COM
ing summer. We congratulate the pur-
chasers of this property on their fortu-
nate venture, and prophesy an ample
return upon tE cir investment
ROAD MATTERS.
It is to be hoped that something will
be done before long to improve the coz
dition of the road from town to the
mountains. No one living at distance
from this load has any idea OF the travel
on it, and none but those who are en-
gagged in handling freight, such as wood,
grain, or other farm products In large
quantities, can better make known Its
terrors. IF oaths could fence, certain
grade near Olsen's, where several loaded
wagons have rolled over this winter,
would be enclosed with parapet as
high as the walls Of Jericho, and it there
was any virtue in profanity, the creek
crossing near this grade would be paved
hard as adamant with cuss words. Not
long ago a train loaded with oats at
tempted to cross this place in the morn
ing, and although the "skinners" ex-
horted the mules after the most approved
style, whole day was consumed In
getting the train across. Thinking TO
be able to make the top of the hill be-
fore dark they started around the afore-
said grade, when over rolled one heavily
loaded wagon, smashing the bed and
scattering the grain broadcast. The
drivers searched their whole vocabulary
of expletives for suitable word to eX-
press their feelings, but in vain. None
could do Justice to the occasion, and
nothing remained for them to do but
meekly gather up the wreck and dam
aged cargo, with sadness in their hearts.
Several such instances could be cited,
but it is not our purpose to report dlsas-
ters but to show the unsafe condition of
the road as it now is. The new road as
proposed, if allowed, will be an i'm
provement in some respects over the
present one to portion OF the travelling
public, viz: those who live at the upper
end of it, and those who live below and
haul their supply of wood and timber
from the mountains, as it will save a
long, hard pull up the Lacy hill. But
who live in the immediate vicinity of
the old road who will still use the pres
ent one because they would be obliged
to go from two to four miles out of their
way to reach the new road, and for these
reasons we hope that the present road
will be kept up in such a condition as
will make it safe and passable. We
trust that our efficient pathmaster will
recognize our needs this coming spring
and make such repairs and improve
ments as the state of affairs requires.
ALMOST A FIRE.
The other day some of the children
who remained in the schOolhouse dur
ing the noon intermission discovered
smoke issuing from the roof, and
promptly gave the alarm Teacher and
pupils resolved themselves into hand
brigade, passing water from the creek
by to the blazing roof; but it required
nearly an hours hard fighting before
the flames were subdued.
The school was held in an adjoining
house the remainder of the day, and
thereafter until the damage can be re-
paired.
The school is progressing finely, and
any one who doubts this assertion has
only to visit it, and they will have an
opportunity of examining the pupils to
their own satisfaction.
THE WEATHER.
This is the kind of weather to make
anyone appreciate good fire, for al
though not so severe as in winters past,
the steady cold of late seems to be felt
more than usual by man and beast. AS
February is now past no one anticipates
any great stress of weather hereafter,
and many predict an early spring. Our
WOodchuck had calculated to come out
on the I'd, but the frosty appearance of
his denis outlet suggests that it will not
be good day for his chuckship, SO he,
in accordance with the custom of his an
cestors, has retired to the innermost re-
cesses Of his barrow, there to sleep for a
time, regardless alike Of shadow and
sunshine.
VANDALS.
Some unhung vandal has been anus
ing himself Of late by killing trout in
the Shonkin canyon with giant powder,
as pieces Of partly burnt fuse, and the
number of dead fish found floating in
the still pools attest. These pot hunters,
who were never known to kill bird on
the wing Oh catch fish except in some un-
lawful manner, merit severe punish