Fergus County argus., 1904-02-10
STAGE DRIVER
OFF THE ROAD
Benton Coach Had a Stormy Trip on
the Way Over to Lewistown
Last Friday and Saturday.
PASSENGERS GIVEN A SCARE
Were Afraid That They Should Have
to Spend the Night on the
Open Stage.

c. +. Bell, the genial Helena archi-
tect, is in the city this week deliver
ing plans and specifications for diff
ferent buildings which are to be con-
structed in this city within the next
few months. Among other plans he
has one for the new Jail and sheriff's
residence which is to be constructed
the coming summer Mr.. Bells plans
for the jail were decided upon at the
last regular meeting of the county
commissioners, but the county clerk
was ordered not to advertise for bids
until this week.
The plans contemplate a two-story
stone structure to be built back of the
court house and to cost $4,000. There
will be other contracts for the iron
work, plumbing and heating of the
building. In addition to the cells and
cages for prisoners. there will be am.
pie room for a sheriff's residence and
a jailer's office. The bids, advertised
for in this paper this week, will be
opened at the March session of the
county commissioners and the con.
tract for the building let.
Mr.. Bell also brought plans for the
residences of ]. T. Wunderlin and Geo
J. Wiedeman. Both. when complet.
ed, will be modern structures in every
way and will add much to the resi-
dental beauty of this city. They will
both be built in the early spring and
summer.
The architect had a rather exciting
experience on his way over from Hell.
ena. Knowing that the Montana rail.
road is out of commission great deal
of the time just at present. he took
no chances but came to Benton. from
which place he boarded the stage Fri
day morning for this city. A big storm
with heavy wind which swept across
the plains greatly retarded the pro-
gress of the stage, so that 1t was dark
when they reached the bench the 9TH
er side of Denton. The snow had COM
pletely obliterated the road, SO 1t was
a matter of guess with the driver. He
first lost the road about o'clock in
the evening and got off about 2 miles
before he became aware that he was
not on the right track. The driver
was George Wyers, one of the best
that handles the strings, and he did
not take any chances, but promptly
got off with his lantern and plowed
along with his feet through the snow
until he found the road. Jumping back
upon his seat he took the lines and
started out at smart gait, hoping to
make up for lost time. But it was
not long before he was again off the
track and was again compelled to
hand over the lines to one of the pas
sengers and search through the snow
for the lost road.
Although he was not far off, not
more than half mile, there was some
difficulty in finulng the road this time.
The passengers were c. Z. Bell, Will
liam Fergus, Andrew Fergus and
Harry Fifer. They had an abundance
of warm overcoats and blankets and
none of them felt apprehensive for
themselves. but the younger men were
AFRAID that they would have difficulty
in keeping the elder Mr.. Fergus warm
in case they had to remain out there
all night.
But George finally struck something
which gave him his bearings and
within a few moments he was once
more in the drivers seat bowling
along towards Denton. This station
was reached before midnight and af.
ter getting a good supper, the passen.
gers were given accommodation un-
til the next morning. when the trip
was resumed and finished without fur.
ther incident.