Helena weekly herald., 1885-06-11
IN THE SPOKANE COUNTRY.
John hcCafferty's Pleasant Disoourses of
an Inviting Region.

Arriving at Spokane Falls on the 2sth ult,
l arranged for detecting trip to this mil
itary post. Accordingly, at a. m. on the
18th, Dir. Young. one of the enter
prislng proprietors of the Spokane Falls
and Fort Spokane Stage Company, assisted
me to seat In one OF the commodious
coaches of the line. The mail and ex-
press being next IN place, We skipped west
ward at the spanking rate Of ten miles an
hour. 1t was delightful morning and
We were enthusiastically in harmony with
the surroundings. Ordnance Sergeant
Oxley, ca route from Fort Townsend to
Fort Spokane, enjoyed the seat with me,
and he proved very interesting COM
panion. He has seen tweniy-three years
active service, several OF which have been de-
voted TO this department; he will prove,
no doubt, an efficient staff officer
As we trotted out the surroundings were
seen to great advantage. The town is
situated between the railroad and falls,
though the city limits extend beyond both.
Ii is natural business centre, and pros
peetively will expand to metropolitan
rank. Ii has immense water capacity for
milling operations. The falls of the Spo-
kane river are, beyond any doubt, the most
Y pleasingly artistic freak of nature along
\ the entire line of the Northern Pacific the
National Park is OFF the line, and there
\ fore all tourists over the route should
make stop at that point; otherwise they
would miss wild, wanton picture, replete
with delightful situations and charming
captivity.
One mile out the road slopes windingly
down to and across Hangman creek, so
named, | understand, in commemoration
OF the hanging of a number of Indian
chiefs by Gen. Wright during the Spokane
outbreak of ISIS. At the same place on
that occasion the General had at least
/ 1000 horses shot. Such vigorous action
completely demoralized the Indians, and
they begged for peace, when most satis-
factory treaty was maze with them, which,
! am pleased to add, they have never yio-
lated
Crossing the bridge we soon reached the
Swiss dairy farm, which supplies the city
of Spokane with milk and butter thence
to the village of Deep Creek Falls, fifteen
miles from Spokane. 1t is situated above
the creek On the great plateau stretching
westward to the British line. The popu-
lation of this village may number $50, and
the buildings, though small, are very neat.
I While the horses we're being watered the
mail bags were changel, after which we
bolted on to Courtright's station,
where we had dinner lie has a
! fine farm, and the Improvements are
! first class. Ii is thirteen miles
northwest of Deep creek falls. After par
taking of good meal Mrs. CourtrIght
entertained us with some select music on
her piano, all of which we enjoyed,
especially the popular eastern air, Il Never
| Drink Behind the Bar
"All aboard" sung out the driver. "All
set" replied the passengers; then, waving
a kind farewell TO the charming landlady,
we trotted on to Monjovi Postoffice. 1t is
the headquarters OF an extensive agri-
cultural and stockgrowing range. After
mai pouches were oyerhauled we struck
out for Davenport. Ii is a fine little vii
lage, and should properly he the county
seat. With a final relay we canlered on to
Egypt, thence to the elegant home of Mr.
Keeier, where we had supper. lie is one
of the pioneers of California, and, l am
pleased TO add, worthy representative of
that enterprising army of 49ers. From
thence to the Fort, distant three miles, in
just 40 minutes. As we reached the west
ern edge OF the plateau overlooking the
military post, a graded road wound north
ward down, 800 feet to Fort Spokane.
The driver halting at the summit to see
that everything was in place, Sergeant
Oxley took advantage of the movement to
call my attention to the strategical features
of the location of the post. 1T would
seem," said he, that nature had created it
for a military post" When was it estab-
lished 2" He answered, Col. Merriman,
with several Others, including Mr.. James
Monaghan, the Post Trader, left Colville in
search of a desirable location, and, after
many days of weary travel, finally selected
this site. This was in 1SSG, and it was
then named Fort Spokane" Since then,
with a very small Appropriation. less than
$4,000, Col Merriman has carried to COM
pletion the building up of perhaps the
most elegantly appointed six-company post
in the Northwest. Having digressed a
little we now return to the bluff, from
whence we fairly flew down the winding
grade to the post and express Office, located
in Mr.. Monaghan's post trading establish
ment, just three-quarters of mile from
the summit, and which was made in five
minutes. Some of those curves seem before
me now.
As jumped from the coach, Mr.. Mona
CHAN received me with the frankness of a
frontier gentleman, and soon after i was
ushered into the sunshine of his beautiful
home, where was duly presented to Mrs.
Monaghan and their lively little daughter.
Also, to Miss Gallagher, their cousin. was
then elected their special guest during my
| sfav NJ the most and ha1e IN copsidor