davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
History Of Alfalfa.

Five hundred years or more before the
birth Of Christ, alfalfa or lucerne was
we'll known and priced as forage plant
in ancient Media. The history of the
discovery Of it's value and first cultiva-
ton is lost in the haze of bygone ages.
From Media lucerne spread to Greece
and the Roman empire. In the days of
Cato, Virgil and Varro it was among the
cultivated plants, while Columella and
other Roman writers on husbandry
gave full directions for what was then
held valuable as crop for rotation with
wheat and other cereals. From Rome
it spread to France and Spain, where it
received the pleasantly-fowing name of
alfalfa; thence it accompanied those
agreeable and upright gentlemen, the
Spanish discoveries, to make some re-
compense for the evils resulting from
their visit and lend force to the adage.
"Tis an i'll wind that blows nobody
good.n In this new and congenial
home it grew wild, growing luxuriantly
for centuries on the plains of Buenos
Aryes, until it was supposed to be plant
native to those broad pampas. At the
time of the conquest it was in Mexico a
staple crop. From Chill the plant was
taken to California, where it passed
underline name of Chill clover.
Since the live stock business of the
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
The --latest From Ne1hart.

J. r. Wilton and III. G. McIntre re-
turned from Neihart last Friday. They
report that work on the Queen of the
Hills has been suspended, the amount
of work required by the contract ($5 ,OOO)
having been expended. Mr. Kingsbury
has gone to Butte, and whether or not
he will take the property is one of those
things that are past finding out. The
bond does not expire until the 3lst of
August, and the general opinion in the
camp still is that the purchase will be
made. Mr.. Wilton says that the mine
made a good showing, and he be-
lieves it is the best property in the
camp.
Mr.. Ballou, of the Hudson Mining
company, is in the camp and is pushing
matters right along. He has informed
Tuck Lambert that the company is fully
satisfied with the Mountain Chief and
that they will take the mine. This
company is turning a good deal of money
loose, and it looks very much as if they
mean business.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Windmills on Western Ranches.

An exchange says: The windmill is
now becoming an important adjunct to
the property Of western ranchmen. Not
but that the windmill could have served
the same purpose before, but they have
never been required in the past as they
are now, and will continue to be for all
time. We have had considerable OBJ
servation on the western plains, and we
will give some of the reasons for the in
creaslng need of this motive power for
drawing water for stock, or, for that
matter, for household use, and for other
purposes.
When the country was but sparsely
settled, and that only by stockmen, the
settlements We're very naturally made
upon the streams and about the springs.
1t was there that the ranchman took up
his abode, and there he watered his
COW ponies. The cattle and sheep were
herded on the streams, or the former be-
ing range-herded or allowed to run at
large, depended entirely upon the
springs and streams for water. The
dividing ridges were neglected and
wasted, and while the grass, though
even OF an inferior quality, was closely
grazed upon the streams or eaten off
and trampled until the ground was bare
especially where water was hard to find
was wasting in its abundance.
The rains upon the plains, though
occurring at such times and seasons as
to make farming Improbable, are gen.
orally sufficient for pasturage. Conse-
quently they are clothed with yerdure
to a greater less extent. But they are
not pastured, from the fact that the
ranchmen follow the water courses.
At the present time new order of
things is being brought about-owing to
the ceaseless tide of emigration on one
hand, and the purchase of land by COM
panies and corporations on the other
hand, and the demand from all sources
1t is very natural consequence that SO
long as men can devise means to use
these lands, they will not dc without
them, especially when preferable lands
art out OF their reach.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Disastrous Fire at Billings.

The Independent reports that the pas
sehgers from the east brought the news
of disastrous fire at Billings Monday
night, nearly a whole block having been
burned ont. The loss is estimated at
$4,000. From the Yellowstone Journal
the following particulars are obtained:
The fire originated in McKee's saloon
at midnight. That block is occupied by
Fenke, wholesale liquor dealer; Bah
cock & Miles, hardware; Hendlin, fruits
and confectionery Rockwell & Terry,
of barber shops and saloon. This
block is nearly all destro, ed and the
loss on buildings alone would be about
$50 900. There was some opportunity to
save goods, therefore the loss on them
would not be SO great as at first sup
posed. The fire did not extend beyond
the block above mentioned.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
CAPT. w. S. SCHLEY.

In March, 1884, Sergeant Long, while
hunting, looked from northwest side of
Mount Carey TO Hayes Sound, seeing on
the northern coast three capes westward
of the furthest seen by Mares in 1876
The sound extends twenty miles further
west than shown by the Engle Land
chart, but is possibly shut in by land
which showed across the western end.
The two years of station duties, observa-
tions, all explorations and the retreat to
Cape Sabin were accomplished without
loss Of life, disease, serious accident, or
even serious frost bite. No scurvy was
experienced at Conger, but one death
occurred from. it last winter
[Signed.] GREEDY, Commanding.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
The Best Wool Market.

J. Solomon has purchased this season,
in round numbers, $4,000 pounds of
wool, the price ranging from Is to III
cents per pound. The wool is all from
Bitter Root, and Mr.. Solomon states that
there is but one large clip left in the
valley-that of Mr.. John Hobbins, who
will have about 10000 pounds. The
total clip of the valley will amount to
about l25, 900 pounds. s.-Missoula Times.
AS is the case every year, better prices
are paid for wool at Fort Benton than
elsewhere in the territory, or in the
west, for that matter. What clips were
sold here brought from Is to 191 cents
none less than the former figures.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
From the Husbandman.

Gilbert Ecker sold ten head of three
year-old steers last week to T. p. Nc
Donald, our enterprising butcher, at $50
per head.
J. E.. Johnson purchased this week
800 head of steers, one, two and three
year-olds. from J. T. Moore, Thomas
Fleming, A. J. Stephens, Len Lewis,
and Moses Marks, of this valley, paying
$35. so per heed. The cattle are to be
collected and delivered at Martinsdale
in August next.
During his visit here Aaron Hersh-
field purchased one hundred shares in
the Springs association from Spencer,
Mayn & Heitman, and one hundred
shares from w. T. Ford. This gives
him four hundred and five shares-a
controlling interest. There is, however,
no change to be made in the manage
ment of the property or in the policy of
the company. The price paid for the
stock, we understand, was its par value.
The death of Walter Scott, of Copper
opolis, which occurred here Saturday
night last, though not unexpected, will
be sad news to many of his friends
throughout the country, He has been
confined to his bed for nine weeks. and
has at times suffered severely. He had
cancer of the stomach and heart disease.
The latter, it is thought, was the im1ne-
diate cause of his death. He was 80
years of age, was born in Washington
City, and was a brother to Mrs. r. H.
Clendenin, Of Martinsdale. He came to
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
The Hanging Down the River.

From Capt. Todd and other officers
and passengers on the Bachelor we
CLEANED all that could be learned in ref
erence to the reported iynching of five
men down the river--in the vicinity of
Rocky Point, as it was first reported
here. No definite information on the
subject could be secured by those on the
boat, but rumors OF all kinds were thick
enough. Billy Downes and Charles
Owens are certainly among the victims.
Sixteen men came to the formers place,
below the Musselshell, in the afternoon,
and finding a number of horses they
knew, picked them out and took them
Off some distance, returning soon after
ward. They then remained until even
ing, when they 'invitedn Downes and
Owens to accompany them, which they
did, of course. The men never returned
and the plain inference is that they were
lynched. Other places along the river
were deserted, and there has been either
general skipping out or cleaning out,
which is not known at this writing.
There was unusual reticence manifested
at the different landings, and nothing
whatever of definite nature has been
learned.
Both Downes and Owens are we'll
Known Ill TOIl beuLOu. Iue lOTIueT
has been a trader on the Missouri for
some years and bears a good reputation
among the merchants here with whom
he had business relations.
The report has been circulated about
town that Bob Main of Rocky Point is
one Of the victims, but there is no foun-
dation whatever for it, except that Main
was not at Rocky Point when the boat
landed there. 1t is known, however,
that he intended to leave, so there is
nothing in that. The first news of the
reported lynching was brought to Rocky
Point by the boat, and if Main has fall
en- into the hands of the cowboy vigi
lantes nobody down the river knows it.
We do not believe that Bob deserves
any such fate, and shall be glad to hear
that he is still in the land among the
living.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Fort Benton Montana. Wednesday, July 23,

plains has become SO important an in
dustry alfalfa has spread widely through
the western states and territories, yet it
may be truly said that it has obtained
footing in areas but very limited in COM
parison with those it will occupy a de-
cade hence. The arid plains of Kansas,
Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico
have already given satisfactory proof of
the value Of this plant, and there is
abundant reason for believing that by
its cultivation the heef-producing cap
acity of the west will be quadrupled.
In the higher regions of New Mexico
from four to six tons of alfalfa per acre
can be grown, while on the lower lands
the yield is yet heavier. Stockmen es-
innate that ten acres of those lands, in
their natural state, are required for the
support Of each head Of cattle it is plain
that by the cultivation of alfalfa the
number of cattle on those lands may be
enormously increased.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Strayed or Stoien-S25 Reward.

Strayed from Big Casino Mills, near
Reedsfort, M. T., two work horses-one
brown, eight years old, bald face, two
white feet, no known brand; and one
gray, years old, branded A . on right
hip. They are believed to have been
taken up towards the head of Rock
creek in the Snowy mountains, and
from thence driven off to be disposed Of
The above reward will be paid for in
formation which will lead to the recov-
cry of the horses, and arrest of the par
ties holding them, if stolen.
w. III. WATSON.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Crow Horse Thieves.

Eight Grow Indians driving about
fifty head Of horses passed along the
old Martinsdale road, a few days ago,
moving towards the Judith and making
all possible speed They passed Steele's
and Lamott's places, keeping the public
road and apparently had little fear Of
being molested. This occurred just after
the horses on the Teton were stolen, and
these horses are undoubtedly portion
of the band stolen at that time. They
crossed the Missouri at Lippards ranch,
a few miles below town.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Lost a Hand.

Camp Poplar River celebrated the
Fourth, and V. Bogy, brother of the
late Tom Bogy, and who has charge of
I. G. Power & Bro 8 store at that place,
undertook to fire off the old cannon, but
by some mishap he had his right hand
blown to pieces, and it was found neces-
sary to amputate the arm near the ell
bow. This unfortunate occurrence put
a dampner on the celebration for the
remainder of the day.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Horse Lost.

Lost about three weeks ago, on the
Frenchman's ridge, a small bay horse,
left front foot white, stripe in face, new
ly shod all around. When lost he had
on saddle, bride and picket rope, and
an oilcloth coat tied on the saddle. A
suitable reward will be paid for infor-
nation that will lead to the recovery of
the animal. Address the RIVER PRESS,
Fort Benton, M. r.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Arrival of the Bachelor,

The steamer Bachelor, of the Benton
app line, threw out her line at the up
per landing at o'clock Saturday night.
The we'll known and popular river rus
tier, JOS. Todd, is master, with the
equally clever and obliging Will Per-
kins in the office. The Bachelor left
Bismarck on the 7th and has been just
twelve days on the trip, which, consid-
ering the stage of water, is good time.
She had big load as far as the Coal
Banks, where some seventy-five tons
were discharged. Following is the
manifest:
PASSENGERS.
G. w Bittman, F Vollstedt, wife and
four children, Miss Lille Healy, Miss
Rena Healy, Master T G. Healy, Jas
Deare, III Linlenkohl, T e Delaney,
Fred Clearwood, wife and child, Jere
Thornton
Thomas III Howard, Florence, 25 pkgs;
w o Dexter, separator; J B Terhune,
pkg; f Volstect IL Mrs A Wright, 9;
F w Bucksen, II; J M Campbell, l. G.
Peterson, Z; I'll r Buck, /; M A Flana-
gan, 8; Rev Ebersville, l M J Lea
ming, head Jersey cattle; Geo w
Crane, 2; Cans & Klein, 2; L B Power
& Bro, 888 pkgs, car lumber; T ] Todd
& Co, 8; [ G. Baker & Co, 500; III J
Wackerlin & Co, 20; Murphy, Maclay
& Co, 1,243.
The Dauphin rapids are in bad condi-
ton, as the work done by the engineers
was set at naught by the floods this
spring. It took the Bachelor half
day to pass the rapids.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
More Horses Stolen.

Some half breed freighters who were
camped on Arrow creek Friday night
last had all of their horses, fifteen head,
stolen, it is supposed by Grow Indians,
probably the same raiding party that
got away with the Teton horses. The
teams are loaded with wool and pelts for
Jack Waite of the Judith. 1t is about
time that something were done to stop
this kind of business.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Sheep for Sale.

Four thousand five hundred sheep for
sale. One band of $500, with good
range and everything necessary to con-
duct the business successfully location,
in the Judith Basin. Also, 1000 head
on Arrow creek, these to be sold without
range. These sheep are all well bred, in
fine condition, and entirely free from
scab. HAY Bros, Arrow Creek.
Address, Fort Benton. M. T.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Sheep for Sale

1000 wethers, two and three years
old; $500 ewes and lambs; so head of
thoroughbred merino and halfbreed
Shropshire bucks. These sheep have
been bred to thoroughbred merino and
Shropshire bubks, and are of superior
grade. Apply to
@. d. PATTERSON,
Fort Benton.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
A Band of Horses for Sale.

A band of about 100 stock horses for
sale AT A BARGAIN. For further infOr-
nation address J. K care Of the RIVER
PRESS, Fort Benton
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
For Sale.

An interest in we'll established sheep
business, under management of a good
man, and fine range. Apply to A. c..
JOHNSON Fort Benton
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Taken Up

By the undersigned, a roam mare with
star in forehead, weight between 1000
and l 100 pounds. Has no brands. The
owner can secure the animal by paying
expenses. MCCUAIG & GEARING.
Dupuyer, M. It.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Horses for Sale.

[ have now number of good horses,
broke in good order, at my ranch on the
Shonkin, four miles from the city, and
parties wanting saddle or work animals
will do we'll to call and see them. Will
sell cheap for cash. J. III. GREEN.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Sheep for Sale.

One band Of $500 ewes and lambs,
also band of 1000 wethers. These
sheep are acclimated and entirely free
from scab and ticks. Address-Sage
Creek Sheep Co., Utica, Montana.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Estrayed.

One gray mare, brandrd JF on left
thigh. A liberal reward will be paid to
any one giving information as to her
whereabouts. Address Silas Butcher,
care of McCuaig & Gehring, Dupuyer.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23

Montana about five years ago and has
has resided at Copperopolis for the past
three years. Bishop Brondel, of Hell
ena, conducted the funeral services,
which were well attended.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
LIEUT.. a. w. CREELY.
GREELY RESCUED.

Himself and Five Others the Only
Survivors OF the Expedition.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23
Sheep for Sale.

1900 head of first class stock sheep for
sale. For particulars inquire Of Hrsh-
berg & Nathan, Fort Benton, Mont.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-23

igned. GREEDY, Commanding.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
MIR. BELroRn,s NIL.
What Induced Him 20 Urge Half Million
Appropriation for Southern Soldiers.

~ hAht AANhA w bAkN AhthAh
Appropriation for Southern Soldiers.
Representative Bedford, of Colorado, intro
duced in the house on Monday bill to
appropriate 100000 for the erection Of a
home for confederate soldiers at Fredericls-
burg, Va. In discussing tho bill yesterday
he said, "My chief object was to unity and
solidify tho friendly feeling Of the north and
South. i spent six days at Fredericksburg
recently, and was entertained by what saw
and heard. l visited the confederate and
national cemeteries and mingled freely with
the people l found who were members Of
either army during the war. l then made
up my mind that inasmuch rs the, soft
sweet hand of nature had covered these
battlenclds with most beautiful flowers,
which wero blooming with equal luxurianco
in both cemeteries, that wo should follow her
example, dsregarding prejudice and join our
hearts together, aud as one step in this di-
rection l introduced tho bill. If the people
of the north thoroughly understood tho peo'
pie Of tho south they would advocate tho
passage of tho bill So far as / Am person.
ally concerned, | will insist on its passage"
Judge Bedford regards his bill as an i'm
portant one, and he says that 1t is for the
benefit of tho southern people, who are
nearly all democrats Ho proposed the bill
to make tho democratic house provide for its
people. and says that they will other have to
" dig bait or fish,"
The bill has been referred to tho appro-
priationB committee.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
Agricultural Experiment. stations.

A subcommittee of the house committee on
agriculture yesterday reported to the full
committee bill to establish agricultural ex-
pertinent stations in connection with the
various state agricultural colleges The bill
provides that it shall be the duty of those in
charge of the experiment stations to conduct
original researches or verify experiments on
the physiology of the plants and animals; the
diseases to which they arc severally subject,
with the remedies for the same; the chemical
composition of useful plants at their different
stages of growth; the comparative advantages
of rOtative cropping as pursued under a vary
ing series of crops; the capacity of new plants
or trces for acclmation within the isothermal
limits represented by the climate of the sew
eral staff ons and their vicinity; the analysis
of soils and water; the chemical composition
of manures natural or artificial, with
experiments designed to test their compare
tive effects on crops of different kinds; the
adaptation and value of grass and forage
plants; the composition and digestibility of
the different kinds Of food for domestic ami
mails; the scientific and economic questions
involved in the production of butter and
cheese, and such other researches or expert
ments bearing directly on the agricultural
industry Of tho United States as may be
! deemed advisable, having due regard to the
varying conditions and needs of the respect
| i've states.
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
The great Levy ut Lincoln hall tonight.
Preparatory Graduating Exercises.


The chapel of Howard university was filed
with a large audience last night to witness
the graduating exercises of the preparatory
department After prayer and IL very fine
musical selection, Mr., John II. WEIGH, of
Baltimore Md, delivered thourhtful ora
ton on THE Known and the Unknown"
Mr. L. W. Henderson, OF South Carolina, fol-
lowed in n well-timed Grafton on "A Free
Ballot" Mr. G. Herbert Ronfro, of tho dis
trict, talked upon the topic, Peace and Ma
tional Prosperity" Mr.. Hart A, Wayland, of
Virginia, followed in good ora
tion on "Reforms and Reformors."
Mr.. Charles S, Syphaz, Of tho district,
spoke on Talents Improved or Wasted" The
Grafton of Mr., Juuius w. CAMS, of North
Carolina, might have done credit to one more
conversant with questions of political econ
omy. He talked upon the necessary relation
of labor TO capital Mr., Anthony Pinckney
of South Carolina, delivered the closing
speech on Religion tho True Ciyilizor,"
which was n very creditable effort.
Tho other graduates arc Henry e. Thomas
Allen j. Alstor, Eneas O. Mack G. Fraser
Miller, all of South Carolina; John Howard
William b. syphax, James O. Lancaster, OF
the district.
The fifteenth annual commencement of the
National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.

The crew of the the United States steamer PEN
sacoa were paid off at the Norfolk navy yard
yesterday and discharged.
Enslgns J. A. Sherman, b. o. Scott, and Alex.
ander Sharp ordered to examination for promo
ton; Chief Engineer A. ]. Kicrsted, TO duty at
the League Island navy yard Dist instant; Capt.
John Irwin, detached from special duty at the
Mare Island navy yard and placed on waiting
orders; Passed Assistant Surgeon M. ID. Jones.
his resignation accepted, to take effect juno 10,
1885, with leave until that date; Chief Engineer
K. NJ. Brakeman, from tho League Island navy
yard 3lst instant and ordered TO hold himself in
readiness for sea servicei Passed Assistant Engi.
neer w. l.. Nichol, returned from Monocaey and
placed on waiting orders; Surgeon j. A. Hawke
granted leave during June.