Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-10-06
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER L.
r,,E SMOKY WATER COUNTRY IN 1870.
"WENTY-FlVE years ago the
upper Missouri river country
was a region almost unknown
outside of military circles. Its
grassy plains and c~actus-covered
nils were the heritage and stronghold of the
migratory Sioux patton whose powerful
tribes pursued their savage avocations
,nmolested, throughout its wide extent.
From the Red River of the North to the
base of the Rocky mountains, all was
nature in a state of savagery. The great
river that flowed in a southeasterly course
through almost the entire length OF Da-
kota territory, was then called the Mis-
souri, on the maps, but by the warrior
whose raft of logs tied. together by deer
thongs. was propelled from shore to shore
with oars of willow wood, and by the
solitary squaw, whose bull.boat rocked
anon its Eeaving tide, it was called the
"Minne-sho-sho," from a name-word of the
Onkpapa Sioux, which signifies "smoky
water" This name bestowed by the
Indians in reference to the large amount
of foreign constituents that are held In
solution or suspension in the running
water, and which although innocuous and
nearly all mineral render it unfit for drink
ing purposes, until settled, has been trans
lated into the white mans %unronantic
speech, as the "Big Muddy" in reference
to the turbld, yellow flood, into which tits
transformed, during the spring freshets
and 1.-THE June rise."
All who, in later years, have stood upon
its willowy banks and watched the grace
full steamers that go up and down its
flowing waters; bearing on their
crowded decks, the commercial wealth of
the northwest country, must have felt that
this magnificent stream. is emblematic OF
the grand imperial domain through which
its resistless waters roll.
We have looked upon its placid breast in
summer, heaving scarce perceptibly with
the rise and fall of the strong but stealthy
tide beneath; and have seen at night, the
mirrowed crescent of the moon, rejected
from it's dancing wavelets.
We have looked for it in the cold of win
ter, and found it not. In its stead appeared
only a deep, white, ice-locked gorge, wind
ing it's desolate way between long ines OF
snow-clad hills.
In the spring time we have seen that
mighty bridge dissolved, and the massive
blocks of ice, clear and smooth as glass,
that formed the piers and abutments OF the
wondrous superstructure carried down
headlong with the foaming, yellow torrent
or cast In wild confusion on its shore.
In all seasons, and in all its varied as
poets, we have found it beautiful, and dear
will it ever be;, this wild, majestic, ever
changing river, to the hearts of all who
have learned to revere the works of nature
and to love the land that gave them birth.
Not many years have gone by since the
beautiful river flowed in unbroken soil
tude through desolate hills and silent, UNI
habited prairies. The northwest country
was a vast and trackless wild, unpeopled
save by roaming bands of rude and savage
indians. Herds of buffalo trampled the
low banks of the broad river, and the
thirsty wolf, Tapped unmolested the waters
of its many tributaries. A landscape more
drear, a scene more desolate, cannot we'll
be imagined. The vast, treeles plains that
stretched away to the westward and east
ward, of the long, winding line OF the
Missouri, were covered only with the
coarse grass of the prairie, and were un-
tenanted, save by the deer and the buffalo,
and the small, shy creatures that furnished
game for savage sportsman. What won
der that these wise men, reasoning
from the severe climate, the sterile soil
and lack of timber, should declare the land
a wilderness, uufit for human habltatl0n,
and prophesy that the whole, vast expanse
of country, wonld remain evermore, a
desert Of barren land sacred forever to the
wintry winds, the wolves and the ndian
Gradually all this was changed, nature
the wise goddess of the universe, had long
been silently at work, preparing the and
for human habitation. Deep in her hldden
laboratories, beneath the bare, brown hills,
She had prepared in inexhaustable quaint
ties. masses of precious ore and Ignite.
The unseen forces were at WORK
above the clouds and wrought chemical
changes in the soil and atmosphere. Thu
heavenly dews descended, and the gentle
rain wa filtered through the softened air,
and where it fell upon the parched surface
of the thirsty soil, new forms Of vegetable
life appeared. The freshened earth
blushed INTO beauty, and nature smiled
upon the regenerated land, and pronounced
1t fit for homes of men.
Then destiny, the handmade of nature
led by the hand to the recreated world OF
the new west, the adventurous souls, that
III all times have formed the vanguard OF
the ever advancing army OF pioneers
There were the fur traders, who sought to
exchange the products of civilization fol
the furs of buffalo, otter and beaver, that
were slain and %entrapped by the wild
d~enizens of the plains. With them came
those dauntless missionaries of the cross
the Catholic priests, who hoped to instil
the germs of true religion into the super
stiti0us minds of the unlettered children
OF the Great Spirit. Following these, came