The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1885-06-03

Besides the store Mr.. Burd has recent
" erected a good sized building, with
five or six rooms, which he uses as
those who wish to enjoy quiet game of
pool or billiards will find first class
table in separate room, where they are
free from the noise and confusion of the
bar room.
Mr.. Frank O'Neil also has neat little
saloon some distance from Burd's, where
he is always ready to give the boys q
merry welcome Both at the Muddy
and here every one is busy getting in
crops and preparing for the lambing
season.
A nine mile ride the next morning
brought me at my old camping ground
Birch creek-where found the same
old faces had left there about month
ago, and despite the late excitement
everything looked the same and all
hands as bright and cheerful as ever.
There are some fine ranches open to
settlers here, though it is probable that
the close proximity of the reservation
will be a strong preventive to settle
ment for some time. Messrs. Kipp &
Upham have done much toward paving
the way to settlement here, not only in
the substantial frame buildings they
have had built. but also in the taking
out of large ditch from point on the
creek about mile above the store and
running on to large bottom below.
this bottom is about eight miles long,
with an average width Of mile and
half, and is capable of being converted
into fine meadow or farming land it
only needs taking up and improving.
Above the store the bottoms are smaller
and the stream more heavily wooded,
making succession Of pretty spots, in
vitingly awaiting the settlers attention.
Like nearly all the larger streams Of
northern Montana. these streams are
picturesque and romantic. The bottoms,
some large, some small, with high bench
lands and hills, sheltering them from
the north wind on the one side and re-
f1ecting the last CLEANS of the setting
sun on the other, with the silver-like
thread of clear, cool water flowing
through them and just discernible
through the trees and foliage, make
delightful contrast to the dreary waste
of prairie land. Nearly all this land is
capable Of being used for agricultural
purposes; in fact, where it has been
utilized for this purpose. sometimes
without irrigation) it has given general
satisfaction.
Leaving Birch creek in the morning,
night found me once again enjoying the
beauties of the Marias at old Fort Con-
rad. The brown verdure and leafess
trees of early spring had given place to
bright green grass and leafy branches,
which greatly enhanced the loveliness
of the scene. A nights rest here and
the next day party of us started for
tie Sweet Grass hills, a distance Of
about forty-five miles. About five miles
out from Conrad we left the road and
struck across the prairie direct for the
middle butte, which we reached the
next day, having had no difficulty in
finding an easy road, the country being
very level up to within a short distance
of the butte Here we found Fred Der
went, Cary and some others hard at
work. AS I see Mr.. Cary has given an
account Of the prospects in the last issue
of the RIVER PRESS, it is unnecessary
for me to repeat it, as his report is very
explicit. The water in the gulch which
they were working when [ left was,
however, running low. but this could be
easily remedied by ditch which could,
with comparatively little labor and ex-
pense, be made to supply it. Wood is
scarce at this butte. A party of US went
out for a load, and it was only by climb
ING to within fifty yards Of the top that
we were able to get few dry, scrubby
nfnes. and these we had to haul down
by hand to where we had been obliged
to leave the Wagons-about half mile
below. The west butte, about ten miles
distant, is well wooded.
Returning to Birch creek after cou-
ple of days at the Sweet Grass, [ found
Mr.. G. Ii. Bristol. assisted by his charm
inc daughter, ready to receive and at
tend to the wants Of "ye hungry trav-
eIer'' that's old :; can't help it, thought,
he having rented the hotel department.
from Kipp 81 Upham. hANAPsA.
uazn.44Gass-s.4nn 4nnu-
The Rosebud at the Coal Banks