davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
American Iron and Steel Rails.

MI. Hinman of Dunkirk, n z, banker,
and president of the Dunkirk Locomotive
Works, is at the Pacific, and expresses the
opinion that the admission Of foreign iron
and steel rails into America need not worry
the manufacturers in this country. He
thinks the American rail and other pro
ducts of our mills are of just as good
quality as the foreign article, and that
where the latter has been bought it was
because the purchaser wanted the goods
for immediate use, and could net get them
here owing to the fact that the mills in
the United States were too busy to keep
up with the demand Chicago Tribune.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Western Enterprise.

John Taylor, Of England, member Of
parliament and president Of temperance
national league of England, who recently
visited the west had this to say Of it as he
was embarking for home:
"In the far west my utmost admiration
was drawn out by the wonderful charac-
ter of the public improvements in the
towns and cities. Why, these are sup
piled with everything that is modern. We
have been accustomed IN England to
think of the west in America as half civ
ilized, barbarous SORT of territory, full of
will beasts or half wild men, The charac-
ter Of the men I came in contact with
everywhere was a revelation to me. Then
the great confluence of railroads at dis
tributing centers, the flood Of travel, the
restless push and energy Of the people all
gave me new ideas Of your country. In
one town where stopped they told me
about raising capital for street car line
in forty-eight hours. The men in town
were all cramped for money, too, because
it was distributed in SO many channels,
but everyone gave something and 50 the
money was raised. Why, doubt if there
is any such enterprise as that anywhere
in Europe, or in the world, except here" :"
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
Our Decay in the Matter of Foreign Tonnage
and Prosperity in the Coasting Trade
--Some Recommendations by
the Commissioner of
Navigation.

WASHINGTON, January 2-The report
OF the commissioner Of navigation sets
forth in detail the various aids and ad-
vantages enjoyed by the shipping Of other
nations, and concludes that it is impossi-
BILE without a change Of the present con
ditions for our navigation to regain it's
lost supremacy in the foreign trade. He
says our vessels must be put on an equal
ity or be gradually forced out of the con
test with foreign ships. Bounties or sub
sides are paid by Spain, Italy, Germany,
France, etc., and British vessels have been
and are aided under one guise or another.
lating to the West Indian and South
American trade, which naturally belongs
to this country, but is almost entirely mo
nopolized by European ships. With re-
gard to the coasting trade the case is diff
ferent, and the shipping employed am
ounting to 3090,28 tons, without includ-
ing many crafts not documented, is rea-
sonably prosperous, especially upon the
lakes, where coastwise trade IS developing
rapidly, the increase in American tonnage
there during the year ended June Sd,
1887, being 21,161 tons. The gain on the
Pacific coast was 6,761 tons, and was about
the same on the western rivers. The to-
tai documented tonnage of the United
States is 4,105844, distributed as follows:
Atlantic and Gulf, 2,638,272; Pacific coast,
376,445; northern lakes, 1922; western
rivers, 327,405 The foreign registered
tonnage is 1,O15,562 tons.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
The Quality Deteriorated.

New York Special Telegram: a com
munication was received at the produce
exchange to-day from Antwerp complain
inc that the quality Of so-called Ameri-
can refined lard had so deteriorated in the
past few years by the introduction Of
greases, animal fats and vegetable oils
that much prejudice had been created
against American lard in Belgian markets,
and unless something was done to pre-
vent this adulteration laws would be
passed excluding it from the Antwerp
market. The communication was re-
ferred to the lard committee, with the re-
quest that it confer with President Orr
next week.
Americans often wonder why their pro
ductions do not meet with better sale in
foreign markets. It is explained in such
statements above quoted. Until they
learn how to give honest goods and honest
weights they cannot hope to command
the confidence Of foreign buyers.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Destructive Fire in Butte.

BUTTE, January 9.-Ross Deegan's
building, on West Park street, burned last
night. It was not insured here. 1t was
worth from $1,000 to $4,000, and was occu-
pied by Warfeld & Hansey as a livery
stable. The hay in the rear part of the
basement was set on fire by an incendiary,
Forty horses which were in the barn were
all gotten out, but between $1,000 and
$4,000 worth Of carriages, including q
hearse, were burned; also ten tons Of hay
and quantity of grain. There was no
insurance. Two small buildings alone
side, owned by NJ. Bernheim and J. i.
Wade, one occupied by Cohn as fruit
stand and the other by Ricksiek as
butcher shop, were not burned, but they
were both gutted, though the loss is not
important. The Mining Journal office
adjoined the barn on the east, and though
not burned, considerable damage resulted
from the hurried removal of printing ma
terial. The Office was fully insured.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Dissipated Wanderers Frozen.

HELENA, January 8.-Coroner s. Morris
yesterday brought in the body of the man
who was frozen to death on the Northern
Pacific railroad track near Butler Station.
An inquest was held last evening, though
the name Of the unfortunate person could
not be definitely ascertained. 1t is sup
posed, however, that the victim had been
drinking and started to walk to Helena,
but was overcome by the cold and perish
ed. The body is that of man about 40
years Of age, of medium height, stout pro-
portions, with light colored hair and mus
tache TIE clothes and general appear
ance indicated that he was a laboring
man. Another occurrence of similar
nature was reported last evening, the in
formation stating that the frozen body of
a man had been found near the Jay
Gould mine, though diligent inquiry failed
to throw any light on the subject.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Montana Bar Association.

The annual meeting Of the Montana
Bar association took place at Helena
Wednesday, January 4th, in the supreme
court room, Judge FL. N. Blake presiding
Judge Blakes annual address had for it's
subject: The Power of Congress Over
the Territories" The following officers
were elected: President, w. W. Dixon;
secretary, F. P. Sterling; treasurer, Cor
neilus Hedges; vice presidents, 7. H. Car
ter, II. R. Whitehill, L. A. Luce and J. W.
Streyell.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Pat Donan's Gem.

New York Tribune: Col "Pat'' Donan,
the scintillant genius of Devils Lake, has
been coruscating in New York for week
He carries in his pocket an uncut gem,
which he says has made all the great jew
elers Of New York from Tiffany down
groan with envy. Tt is an opal, and in its
unfinished state Donan says it is second
only in size and value to the one owned
by the czar Of Russia and worn by the
empress. Tt is larger than a hens egg,
and when cut may still be as large as a
pullet's egg. IL the cutting should be ac-
complished on this stone without the dis
covery of flaws ii would be worth $4,000
to $4,000. OF course its value is now
speculative. 1t was found In Spanish
Honduras, where Col. Donan has grant
from the government, in connection with
Gen. Thomas Il. Rosser, of Confederate
fame. They are working a gold mine
there and incidentally finding opals.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Blockade on the IT. g. N.

BUTTE, January There has been a
blockade in Beaverhead canyon since
Wednesday night. One passenger train
has been in the snow banks there since
then, and another since Friday morning.
A rotary snow pillow was in between the
trains and could not get out until the
snow was all removed by shovelers, which
was accomplished this afternoon. The
long delayed trains are expected to arrive
at midnight. The rotary is now able to
work and the road is open close to Gran
ger. The Anaconda works we're short Of
coal but a train load started out of Camas
at o'clock this evening.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Particulars of a Shooting ARRAY Near
Helena.

HEEENA, January 10.-J. NJ. Erskine,
business manager and general overseer of
Bach, Cory & Co. S store, was, on Sunday
last the man reported in shooting affair
at Basin City, which resulted in the seri-
Gus, though probably not fatal, Wounding
Nof Mr.. Leo Suter, a gentleman we'll known
in this city, having formerly resided here,
being in the employ of the several Klein
schmidt Bros. in their various business
establishments in Helena. A dispute ori-
ginated over some business affair, result
ing as stated, the ball striking Mr.. Suter
in the face, glancing around under the
skin, and coming out at the back OF the
neck. From Mr.. Erskine, who returned
to Helena yesterday, the following state
ment is obtained: On Friday last he was
sent to Basin City to attach the store of
Sutor & Lasalle Serving the papers and
leaving a deputy N charge, Mr.. Erskine
went up to wood camp and attached a
small store belonging to the same firm, re-
turning to the hotel for supper. After
supper some one called IN and said Mr..
suter was outside and wanted to see Mr..
Erskine Mr. Erskine put on his oVercoat
and stepped outside, when Mr.. Suter
struck him on the forehead, knocking him
down. He got up and started away, suter
following, He repeatedly warned suter
to keep away from him, but, finally seeing
Suter reach toward his hip pocket, he
fred his pistol, hitting suterin the neck.
Mr.. Erskine says there was d number Of
witnesses who Will testify to the above
statement.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
why Americans Die Early.

From the Boston Courier: "You have
a great country" said an Englishman to
an American; Il admit it. A grand
country, vast in its territory and of bound
less resources, but your climate cannot
compare with that of England for salu-
brity."
"It can't?"
Certainly not"
"Why, now, our climate is one Of the
principal things we pride ourselves upon.
We have all kinds to suit-frigid, temper
ate-torrid- and each possessed Of a salu-
briousness equaled nowhere else in erea-
tion.'
"But it is ayerred that Americans die
early"
die early?"
"Yes sir, and especially your business
men,
"And don't you know the reason?"
1T is found to be in the nature Of your
climate, 7 presume"
'tIn the nature of our climate! No sir;
the reason Americans die early is because
they amt hogs, because they know when
they've got enough. Public spirited, pa
triotic and unselfsh, they die early, sir,
to make room for the rising generation !
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
The Land Grant Roads.

A Washington special after discussing
the result of the investigation of the Pa
cific railroad commissioners says:
But if one cannot look to the report it
self for any substantial information as to
the means of disposing of any Of the land
grant roads, those who hold close rela-
tions to the road themselves have been
giving out intimations here as to what can
best be done with them. An officer of the
Central Pacific road has recently said that
the owners of the road do not care what
the government does, and that they are
quite willing that the government take
the road under the mortgage if it desires
to do so. The owners admit privately
that they have made all they expect to
out of the enterprise, and that it will be a
better financial operation for them to
permits the government to foreclose this
mortgage than for themselves to under
take to liquidate the enormous indebted
ness owed to the government, and it is
not believed here that they are going to
undertake any such gigantic task as that.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Patents Will Not be Hastily Issued.

HELENA, January 8.-President David
son is in receipt of the following tele-
graphic reply, in answer to the resolu-
tions of the Helena Board of Trade wired
to Hon. VIM. F. Villas yesterday concern
ing mineral lands:
WASHINGTON, D. c. January 7th, 1888.
To A. J. Davidson, President Helena
Board Of Trade:
No patents of the kind referred to are
being issued and the question as to the
necessity of mineral afidavits by the
company is pending before the depart
ment and no action shall be taken until
this question is decided, and no patents
will be issued within sixty days. In the
meantime any proof that you have to of
fer, will be fully considered.
L. c. @. LAMAR.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

still points with pride to the fact that no
one Of the many dress improvers built up
from it has ever yet been seriously affected
by electricity.
And so with malice toward no one, but
bad bills against several, ] jump off this
piscatorial peapod in order that | may
devote my valuable time to rocking
polecats off my basaltic homestead ranch.
AS | have left several remarks unre-
marked, I also leave sufficient space below
for others to jot them down il their own
loving way"
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Fatal Snow Slide on the Canadian Pacific

The mild weather of last week brought
down several snow slides. On Thursday
one from Mount Macdonald struck the gal
lery work of shed Ia Qast years work max
ing a complete wreck of $50 feet Of the roof.
The timber, trees, ETC., we're piled In first
class shape on the track and against the
crib work Workmen we're busy clearing
away the debris, when they we're warned
that another alavanche was coming to-
wards them. Every man made a rush to
get safe place Two Finlanders were
too late; one, in jumping from the shed
roof, landed on his head and broke his
neck, and the other, caught in the edge Of
the drift, had one leg crushed and broken.
Mr.. Marpole, superintendent, and Mr..
Balfour, inspector of bridges, were with
the workmen and the former had very
close call having been dragged for two or
three hundred feet under one of the cars
but escaped uninjured. We are not likely
to have another block before the middle
Of February. Lethbridge News.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
To Intimidate the Press.

DUBLIN, January 8. The Telegraph de-
clares that the opposition of the farmers
to plan of Lord Londonderry, the yiceroy,
to hunt in the county of Meath, was the
only reason for it being proclaimed under
the crimes act The viceroy, it says, re-
Gently rented hunting seat ia that
county The farmers convention, hear
ing Of this, resolved not to allow hunting
over their farms, and the county was
thereupon proclaimed. In regard to the
proclamation of Dublin, the Telegraph
says that the obvious intention of the
government is to intimidate the press.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

FoRr MAG1NN1s, January 1.-THE tenn
perature for the week ending to-day, has
ranged from "a below to % above, with
twenty-eight inches of snow. To-day the
temperature was eighteen below with a
strong northwest wind blowing at the
rate of thirty six miles per hour. The
strong winds have been keeping the roads
clear and as far as known stock has not
been affected in this vicinity.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Fifty-two Below.

BELGRADE, NJ. T. January AT I
o'clock this morning, spirit thermome-
ter registered ffty- two degrees below zero
which seemed to be the coolest night
since 1866. Stock is suffering severely,
and should the present cold snap contin-
ue the loss will be heavy. All freight
trains are abandoned. Passenger trains
going west are from twenty-four to thirty
six hours Mte.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Distances from Fort Benton and Great Falls
OKA, December 80, 1887.

Okla, December 80, 1887.
Editor of the River Press:
A question has been raised here among
the settlers as to which is the nearest rail
road point to us, Fort Benton or Great
Falls. Will you kindly tell us through
the columns of your paper?
A SUBSCRIBER.
The following distances are from the
United States war department map, as
prepared under the direction of Brigadier
General A. H. Terry. This is the only Of
fetal and correct map yet published OF
this section. Okla is not upon this map.
Ubet however, is located, which is sub
stantially the same thing. The distances
given below are in a straight line ard
show that, practically, Okla, Ubet, Utica
and Stanford are the same distance from
both Fort Benton and Great Falls. All
other places in the Judith basin are much
nearer Fort Benton. A straight line from
the places mentioned to Fort Benton does
not 60 through the HighWood mountains,
but north of them With the exception
Of the Arrow creek hill the Benton road
is much better than that over Rocky
Ridge to the Falls A bridge was put IN
at Arrow creek last fall, and the hill is to
be graded and much improved in the
spring. With rail and river competition.
with merchants with large capital, with
our bridge over the Missouri and the best
and shortest roads, we shall make Fort
Benton the lowest shipping point and
cheapest source Of supplies for every one
living IN the Judith basin. Always haul
your load down hill, Trade grayitates to
the river port Here are the distances
mentioned:
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
To Reduce Their Reservation.

WASHINGTON, January .6-Delegate
Toole's bill does not provide for the re-
moval of the Assinaboine and Grs Ventre
tribes, but simply for the ratification of
the agreement made between the North
western Indian Commission and these In
dams for reduction of their reservation.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Probably Frozen to Death.

Butte, January 7-Adyices from
Georgetown state that three young men
were hunting there week ago. They
wounded deer, md Gust Anderson took
its trail, while his two companioes re-
turned home Itwas very cold and An
derson not returning search was made for
him. Three parties have been out since,
but up to Thursday no trace Of him was
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Murder and Suicide.

CAMDEN, N. j., January 7-Isaac Mer-
rick this afternoon shot his young daugh-
ter at their home on Central avenue, and
then turned theweapon upon himself with
fatal effect.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

to my room. I drink from six to twelve
cupsaof it during the evening. I have
gained fifty pounds sinceI began drink
ing it, but it is a dangerous drink" he
said buttoning his overcoat up close. at
opens all the pores, and I am tingling
from finger to toe. I should catch cold
now very easily, but it is the very best
thing with which to throw off cold if you
take it at night"
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Reported From Michigan.

MARQUETTE, Mich, January THE
snow fall in the upper peninsular for the
last forty eight hours IS Unprecedented.
Up to last night two feet had fallen on a
level and the storm still continues. All
trains are late and general blockade is
probable
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
The Maverick Bank Assigns.

CHICAGO, January IA special to the
Daily News from Douglass, Wyo,, says:
The Maverick Bank assigned to-day to
A. L. Butler and Chas. D. Broadbreck.
The cause is said to be inability to collect
outstanding debts. The assets are said to
exceed the liabilities. The institution
was largely patronized by cattle men.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Shot by a Cattle King.

ARKANSAS Cry, Kas, Januaay IA
special from Anthony states that Walter
E. Treadwell 5he great cattle king, shot
Chas, G. Clark, his old partner, wounding
him seriously. The origin of the difficult
ty is not known.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Doesn't Need a Diagram.

The Rubber trust is meeting in Boston
ION business which does not concern the
public" The public does not need to be
told what it is. Highway robbery IS
highly ineligible in all it's phases with
out the aid of diagram Louis Re
publican.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
Blockade Raised.

BUTTL, January 9. The Utah i North
ern passenger trains, due here Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, but delayed By
snow banks in Beaver canyon, reached
Butte at 10 O'clock this morning.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS.
A New Postmaster Selected for Fort Benton

WASHINGTON, January 9.-Among 9. the
nominations sent to the senate to-day
were those of Mrs. F. A. Helm, as post
mistress at Corvallis, Ore; c. w. Price,
postmaster at Fort Benton, M. T.; G. A.
Mustum, postmaster at Billings, NJ. T.;
Sarah Hodgson, postmistress at Deming,
N. NJ. J. L. Clark, postmaster at Green
wood Springs, Col; John B. Wright, Of
Tennessee, to be chief of the mineral di-
vision Of the general land Office, vice John
Leborne, removed.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

found. He undoubtedly froze to death
In Wednesdays search, S. Cameron came
near losing his life. He became worn out,
gave up and lay down in the snow. His
friends found him, got team, and took
him home, and he is now all right
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

Fine Book and Job Printing speciality
ii the RIVER PaEss effice.
The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11

A $500 premium and the RIVER PRlass
one year for $3.50
The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1888-03-19

This driving of the fur seal inland is
not uninteresting. A number Of Aleuts
having gotten between the animals on
the shore-most of them probably asleep
and the waters edge. the latter. awaken
ing and finding their retreat to the surf
cut off, scramble further up on the land.
The Aleuts, probably dozen in number,
form sort of funnel-shaped skirmish line
and approach the animals that keep retir.
ing before them. To prevent their being
overheated by exertion, which might
affect the skin, if not Immediately strip
ped from the slain animal, they are sci.
dom driven more than half mile an
hour, and often allowed to rest. As far
as possible, the selection is made from
male animals about three or four years
old, when the fur is in the prime; but as
the maximum of strength and beligerency
is not reached for few years after this,
it is easy to see why the best animals for
fur have not the best places on the rook.
cries, but are found skulking off by
themselves. So numerous are they, and
SO easy to drive to the killing ground,
that the Aleuts have notrouble IN securing
the whole 100, 600 in week or ten days
over a months time. There is ian object
in hurrying the work, as the skins are
better earlier in the season, but if there
be much warm weather during this time
the driving is slower and all other work
is correspo ndingly retarded.
The seals having cooled off for two or
three hours, they are killed in herds of
about one hundred to one hundred and
fifty strong, by striking them on the
head with peculiarly shaped clubs, made
particularly for this purpose. If the day
is warm they skin the animals rapidly.
killing but few at time, but if cold
they can kill even thousand or so before
beginning work in taking the skins. 1t
takes about five minutes to skin seal, a
work that is very severe, although in
cases it has been done by a very ctive man
in minute and half.-Woman, for
March.