Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-08-22
NORTH DAKOTA BOYS
AT AMERICAN lake
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP AND
IMPRESSIONS OF SOLDIER
BOYS EN- ROUTE. e
UNBEATABLE HEAT AND DUST
STORMS THROUGH PAsco DEs-
-'.~.'.'- ERT REGION.
COMPANY A MAKES FINE APP
PEARANcE ON DRESS PARADE
IN LIVINGSTONE.

|
Tribune readers will be interested in
the soldier boys from North Dakota,
especially ComanyA, so send few
notes about the trip from Bismarck.
As prearranged, our special train
was made up at Mandan, N. D., and
at 4:30 p. m. Saturday, August Is, we
started on our journey to the Pacific
coast, the train consisting Of eight
coaches and one baggage car, carry
ing in the neighborhood of 500 men,
Nothing out of the ordinary occur
red on our journey. The trip was
practically new one to most of the
boys, and it was enjoyed immensely
Sunday, Aug. Is, at 10 a. M, we
pulled into Livingston, Mont At this
place all the companies, headed by
the famous Lisbon band, were out on
dress parade. We marched through
the principal streets OF the town, the
boys making a fine appearance, as
testified by the remarks made not only
|
residents of Livingston as well.
| With all due respect to the other
companies in the parade, Company A
made by far the best appearance, not
only in looks, but in executing the diff
ferent maneuyers n
At II a. m. we left Livingston and
q ri GSH or 81 n
mountains. Crossing these mountains
is one of the incest features of taking
a trip to the Pacific coast. Words
cannot begin to describe the wonder
full scenery up these mountains. We
could look out of our car windows and
see snow white mountains seemingly
just short distance away, but in real
ity between 20 and 40 miles. Huge
boulders, large rocks, deep chasms, all
tend to thrill the traveller when pass
| ing by these marvellous works OF ma
ture.
In crossing these mountains, it is
also impressed upon the traveller very
| forcibly, what a task it must have
been to build a railroad across them
1t is certainly a magnificent piece of
engineering, especially when we think
OF thenumerous tunnels, and also the
bridges hundreds of feet high span
ming from one range of mountains to
another.
We arrived at Helena, Mont, Sun
day evening, and here we were also
out on dress parade.
4 Between Elliston and Missoula,
Mont.s the writer, through the kind
ness Of Adjutantj General Poole and
, the engineer; had the novel expert
ence of riding on the engine. The ride
: was certainly thrilling one and
much appreciated %<,@ -.
1t was this piece of track that was
/. completely washed away by the awful
, floods in June last. Parts of the old
track are still lying out in the water
or up on the mountain side where
they were washed. In fact, the food
did SO much damage that repairing
is still going on, and at the present
time the Northern Pacific is still
obliged to use the new grade of the
Il Milwaukee road.
While riding the engine we passed
! through what Is known as t'Hold Up
1 Cut" made famous by so many train
, hold ups. It was at this place that a
!. Northern Pacific train was held up
about two years ago by two men, the
. engine crew compelled at point of gun
to uDcouple the engine and take the
express car one mile distant, where
!, 1t was completely blown to pieces and
: $4,000 secured.
| There is a great deal OF railroad
i work being done In this part of Mon
' tana, caused by the new Milwaukee
: road and extensive repairs made BY
/ the Northern Pacific.
S Wages are about $3.50 per day.
n From Butte to Missoula, Mont, the
e new Milwaukee road runs parallel
E with the Northern Pacific.
+ Early Monday morning we passed
e into the state of Idaho At 6 a. m.
e we pulled into Sand Point. This is
y right In the center of the awful forest
fires now raging in this country.
= Upon our arrival in this town the
( smoke was SO thick that we could
y hardly see one another across the
S street, 1t being also hard matter
n breathe. Friday night, ! am told,
the fires were 80 bad around this
!. town that the fire department was
e out all night.
IS At 1880 a. m. Monday we steamed
E into Spokane. After dress parade in
L this city. we were relieved from fur.
a Their duty, and given two hours to see
!? the sights The writer, together with