Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-27

i7eard on ell SIDES. a great many Hiie
buildings have been erected, and others
are in process of construction.
On the 9th General Goodman and staff
visited all the occupants Of the cars. The
drum corps headed the procession. Visit
ing was indulged in most every day By
sonrc portion of the delegations, and
general good time was had, which assisted
materially to pass off the time.
On the 7th at 1l:30 A. NJ, we passed /
Helena, capital Of Montana, which has a
population Of S,50e. Being now fourteen
hours behind time, they agreed to run US
in from here to st. Paul at the rate Of |
forty miles an hour, but they failed 10 do /
SO. Helena is a very dusty place; is built !
at the foot Of the eastern chain of the |
Rocky Mountains, and has population |
estimated at $500, but it seems a snaall
place for that number of inhabitants. 1t
is the commercial center Of Montana.
There are four national banks, with an ag
gregatc deposit of $3,000,006.
From Helena we moved sfong at j more
rapid speed, it being down grade for sew
eral hundred miles. We passed hurriedly
Through several very fine villages, only
stopping at the end of divisions, and when
they take on coal and water. At Town
send we got the first glance Of the Missouri
river. We then began to realize that xe
were nearing "the States" as we call them.
They must have some terrible billiards.
in this country, as all the kay-stacks are
very small, and very securely fastened
with poles and ropes, TO prevent them
blcKing away.
We followed down the Missouri for sew
eral miles. Before reaching Gallatin, on
one side is the Missouri river and on the
ether high, rocky 1edges, the whole making
g pleasant contrast from the country Just
passed through. The next place Of i'm
portance is Livingston, small place, but
famous as the teraninusof the Yellowstone
| Park Railroad. We remained here over
an hour, and an amusing incident occurred.
We had gentleman aboard by the name
Of Ward, who was nicllnamed "the cow
boy" from being always full of fun and
! hallocing at every thing of any interest he
saw. An old COW was being driven along
! by small boy. Ward cspied her, and, be-
fore the boy could get her away, he had
her MIXED, while the G. A. r. boys held
her. On several occasions, when the train
would stop sufficient time. If there gas a
COW within reach, he would see she was
MIXED
At this place Lsaw same Of the finest
specimens ol t.2zidern.y i ever wiincssed,
and a great many of our passengers made
some handsome purchases.
Leaving Livingston the road follows
down the Yellowstone river, one OF the
most beautiful streams of water in the
United States. 1t flows very swift, form
ing many beautiful rapids, which are grand
to behold. Passing through the large cat
tie range of Montana, on each side of the
railroad are the snow fences, reminding OF
} the intense cold winters and the immense
: mortality that occurs among the herds
5 Next we passed in sight OF Pompeys Pill
Lara huge rock of sandstone between 40(
! and 500 feet high. We also passed Custer
! small town only a short distance from
} where our brave and beloved Custer wa!
} cruelty massacred. We then soon crossed
: into Dakota, and into what is called tn,
5 Bad Lands. They extend from the Mis-
: souri, river on the north, to Black Hills OF
the south, and derive their name from
t early trappers, because they were hard t.
1 traverse, owing to their sandy and hill,
: nature. 1t is said they furnish ample fee(
i for cattle ranges, and stock does wei
S upon it.
e 1t was discovered that each house W,
7 passed, where there were no hills, ha,
= what they call a dugout. Where ther
are hills an excavation or tunnel is du
It In the sides of them, where the familie
n take refuge in case of blizzard, and the
e are quite frequent. 1t is not to be won
: dered at that all wish to sell out and re
S move from this region, which is a steril
9 and desolate-looking country, and wort
d ones life to live in it. | can now realiz
y why SO many inquiries are made by Da
h kotians for California lands.
s Before reaching Mandan a series of resc
L lutions were drawn up, and signed by al
e on board, thanking General Goodman 70
: the kindness and courtesies he had ex
n tended to all, and pledging the support G
+ the entire G.. a. Il. delegation to him fo
a the position of Grand Commander of tn
e G. A. r.
II At Mandan the train stopped sufficier
n time to allow the company to form O.
n dress parade, and permit the resolutions t
n be presented to General Goodman II
d was taken completely by surprise, an
t. could hardly respond to the eloquer
n words used by Judge Buckles in presen'
e ing him with them.
20 After leaving Mandan we crossed til
Ii great Missouri river bridge. 1t is !, 40
et feet long and 56 feet above the highe.
We water mark, allowing steamers to pa,
'e under it without opening draw. Steam
y ers run to this point from St. Louis at tE
G lowest stages of the river, carrying in
mense quantities of grain. We passe
e Bismarck, the capitol of Dakota, whic
D has population Of 1900, and appears
't be very thriving place. 1t was dar
e soon after, so the country was hidden frol
P US. but it is said to be rich grain countr
M from Bismarck to St. Paul.
le At Brainard the road branches, one rur
ie ming to Duluth and one to St. Paul. "
p took the st. Paul road, arriving there q
y 1l:30 A. NJ. on Sunday, September 9tl
d some two hours behind time. At tn
point | will leave you. ! could have file
E. much more space but have described th
d principal points. In all the country
/. have passed over | have seen yer
re few orchards. Without going farther, ii
IL population we have passed could co nsun
1t most all the fruit now raised in Californi
In my next | will give you some detail
'r of the Columbus Exhibition. You hay
a published the principal points, which wei
'e furnished by telegraph. Yours, etc,