The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-12-17
To Fort Asslnabolne.

1t is only few years ago that
traveller in the lower country would not
find house from Fort Benton to Fort
Belk nap, save old Fort Price. Now
everything is changed at convenient
distances along the road houses have
been erected, and the old-times way OF
camping on the prairie is done away
with. The first stopping place is Nose
Solomon's, on the Marias, where crea-
ture comforts a good bed ana other nee
essaries of life may be found. Moses
place is now recognized establishment
and from either way parties are bound
to stop and take something Further
on, at the old Cyprienne Matte place,
w. A Cameron holds forth. He has
quite Il stock Of goods and is no doubt
doing we'll We now cross the Marias
amid slush ice which starts the horse
and he crosses the stream as II he was
shot, after which the road passes over
the Marias hill, from which point
view is had Of an immense tract OF fine
grazing country north and east. This
is really the first glimpse that one gets of
Mon tana's eden. To the north are seen
the Sweet Grass hills, to the east the
Bears Paw mountains, and to the west
and south Highwood It is.a splendid
view. The coal banks are reached about
O'Clock in heevening and wear pleas
antly SURPRISED that good meals are serv
ed up, as only a short time since nothing
could be purchased for man or beast.
This place is in charge Of Chas Mitchell
and will become popular with the travel
ing public. An early start is made the
following morning to enable us to make
the drive to Assinaboine before night,
as the distance is forty miles and only
one place to stop on the road. The
Sandy hay field lies to our left and the
country around is magnificent. We
notice great number of cattle quietly
feeding, probably estrays FROM the south
side of the Marias. They look sleek and
fat. We arrive at the Box Elder sta
ton. stop about an hour to feed the
horse. L. Fl. Sweetland is in charge Of
the place This used to bssz the spot
where the festive and scalp seeking In
dian camped. It was the debatable
ground Of the Assinaboines md Black
feet The square butte or .ssle Bears
Paw, which over looks the country is
near here and has been in sight ever
-, Inft hn ia
butte we have been told was named by
the Indians on account of its resem-
bance to bears paw. The mountain
stands alone from the main range, and
on the top is a level plateau ending
abruptly on the prairie. 1t can be seen
for more than a hundred miles. The
Box Elder is a beautiful little stream
and it will not be long before its banks
will be dotted with fourishing ranchers.
There are several small creeks between
Box Elder and Assinaboine which run
dry in the summer, although towards
the mountains water is found all the
year around. We reach Assinaboine
about dusk with tired horse and an
equally tired driver. We are made
welcome by Mr. McCulloh and Sam
Heron. The latter is the same old six
pence, and his hearty greeting was fully
appreciated Sam has charge Of the
restaurant which is first-class, splendid
meals being furnished at reasonable
cost. Mr.. McCulloh is the resident
partner Of the firm of BroadWater Nc
Culloh s. Co. He has not changed
during the past ten years ana is
deservedly popular at the post. The
firm is doing splendid business. as in
deed they ought. They have as large
and complete stock as any store in the
territory nothing within the wants of
man but what can be obtained. They
have now displayed magnificent stock
of holiday presents fully equal to any
we have seen, and they are going Oft
like hot cakes. The clerks at the store,
Messrs. Devlin and Caldwell, are polite
and attentive and are very popular
Ole Oleson attends to the spiritual wants
of the firm in having charge OF the
saloon adjoining the store Ole is a
great favorite. The officers at the post
are most hospitable and make fellow
feel at home They furnish good cheer
to the pilgrim and wanderer. 1t is a
pleasure to meet them; their hospitality
is whole souled and genuine.
In the last holiday number Of the
RIVER PRESS appears q complete des-
cription of Fort Assinaboine, said to be
the largest post in the United States, ex-