The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-02

on the Northern Pacific railroad WAS
nearing saltwater "a town in the west
ern part of the Yellow stone valley).
the engineer discovered the track
ahead Of him completely blocked by
cattle. Before the train could be
stopped it rushed pell-mell into the
very midst of the animals, and plOwed
them from the rails. right and left. A
heavy snOw-plOw was in front Of the
engine, and il crushed four. killing
them outright. Fourteen others were
damaged more or less by the time the
train came to a standstill, and yct the
rest would not move. The train men
then got down and drove the animals
of, clearing the track with great
trouble. They seemed perfectly wild
with cold and fear. and several Of
them attacked the train men, causing
the latter to fly to the nearest prOtec-
ton.
Near Miles City a curious spectacle
il to be seen. The whole valley on all
sides If the town is filled with cattle
that have come in from the range to es-
cape the cold. Among the short.
stubby rose-bushes that grow along
the banks Of the Yellowstone and
Tongue rivers is sea Of heads, be-
longing TO the astOnisbed animals that
are seeking what protection the scant
shrubbery affords. Even in the streets
Of the town great droves Of cattle me-
ander back and forth, as the tall
houses ON either side have the appear
ance, il not the reality. Of conveying
warmth. The weather in the city
must be at least ten or fifteen degrees
warmer than out on the prairies. and
no doubt the cattle feel the difference,
and will hang around until it mOder
ates sufficient to allow return to the
regular grazing grounds. But there is
great deal Of suffering among them
for food, for there is not enough in the
town nor in the valley surrounding it
to make even one square meal for the
immense crowd of animals now con-
gregated hereabouts.
A number Of cattle, among which
We're some pilgrims. went out on the
ice of the Yellowstone river opposite
town yesterday afternoon to drink at
one of the watcr-hOles cut in the ice
for the purpose of supplying the town.
The old rustlers went at the thing in
the right way, and quenched their
thirst without any difficulty; but
the newcomers. the Texans, to
whom it was new experience. were
not so fortunate on their side, and
forty-tive of them fell into the aper-
ture. one after another, and were
swept under the ice and drowned.
Scores of others that fell in but man
aged to get out in some way, were so
badly mOistened with the cold water
that they froze to death shortly after
ward. Numberless bodies are living
along the river bank, farther up stream,
frozen stiff, having evidently come t,
their deaths in this way. Cattle men
are taking the matter in hand. and
cowboys have been detailed to patrol
along the river opposite these danger
Gus places, in order to prevent like ac-
cidents.
The cold weather appears to have
brought myriads Of coyotes and prai-
rie wolves from somewhere, as the
whole territory is literally alive with
them. These scavengers formerly fol-
lowed in the wake of the mighty buffalo
herds that once filled the plains of
Montana. but now that thew have re-
turned it must be that no more buffalo
are to be found, and the cattle are to
supply their place. These miserable
brutes are committing great ravages
on domestic cattle, particularly the
calves. The latter are weak. tender,
and stunted with cold, and can not
keep up with their stronger parents.
The coyotes watch these calves. and il
one becomes tired and lays down in
the snow to rest he is sure to be set
upon by "a score of ravenous wolves