Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-06-25

time before the Empire Builder
prophecy was fulfilled but the sturd,
little towns which have arisen alonl
the foot of the bluffs and upon tn
prairies back from the river attes
the future prosperity of the region.
In close proximity to Schmidt, the
first station south of Mandan which
at the present time boasts of nothing
more pretentious than depot, prair
lie dog village is passed. These little
! animals are very fastidious in theil
tastes, invariably choosing the very
best land in community where they
establish their town, thus doing a
great amount of damage. Despite
efforts to get rid of them, both by
shooting and through the medium OF
poisoned gra.:l, they still continue to
flourish.
South of Schmidt. Haystack Butte
is passed. 1t is of clay formation and
of a shape similar to hose found in the
bad lands. The clay is of variety
that may be used for manufacturing
bricks. There are immense deposits
of good brick clay in this section,
that some day will be utilized and
converted into material that will be
used in the construction Of homes and
business blocks in the cities of future
years.
Haystack Butte marks the beginning
of a little section of bad land country
that extends for distance approx
mating quarter of mile. The form
ations are fantastic and unique, and
in some cases multicolored, possess
ing scenic beauty, alluring and at
tractive.
Fire recently destroyed the elevator
at Huff, the second station south of
Mandan, but the structure will be re-
built at an early date. Huff is a new
town, comprising restaurant and
general store and several other small
buildings. In course of time, as the
surrounding community develops, j.,
will become thriving little commun.
ity.
Gwyther is the first town of any
size visited by the railway. Just be-
fore the town is reached the hand
some farm residence of p. ]. GWyther
is passed. This is one of the finest
and most up-to-date country homes to
befound anywhere, having hot and
cold water and many other modern
conveniences. 1t typifies what coun-
ry life in America may become in any
community. Half a mile south of
Gwyther the train passes the old
Fort Rice buria! ground. All of the
bodies, which had been laid to rest
in a little knoll overlooking the river,
have been disinterred and removed to
other cemeteries.
There is a great difference in the
color of the water where the Cannon.
bali empties into the Missouri, the
former stream being less muddy, and
the conflux of waters presents mot
tied appearance. Here may be found
the peculiar rock formations known
as cannon balls" whence the river
and the town derive their appellation.
A "Y" has been constructed by the
railway leading into Cannonball, south
of which town grading has been done
to Fort Yates. The main line, how
ever, veers to the west and continues
to Mott.
When the survey for the road was
made west of Cannonball, it was dis.
covered that the Cannonball stream
crossed and re-crossed the proposed
route several times, necessitating the
Of large number of
bridges. To remedy this trouble the
contracted for several large
channel cuts, which divert the course
Of the stream, keeping it on the north
side Of the track. AS result the line
crosses the Cannonball but three
times, three modern bridges being
built, one steel span structure, and
with steel Orders.
For about fifteen miles west of Can
nonball the railway crosses the Stand
ing Rock reservation. The Better
Farming Special remained on the "Y''
at Cannonban for half an hour while
W. G. Palmer of the agricultural COL
lege secured several fine photographs
of the train. During the interim four
In dian youths astride ponies rode up
and inspected the institute on wheels
with a great deal of wonderment. The
same curiosity was exhibited by var
ious Indian families passed enroute.
Among the Indian homes near the
railway is that of Red Tomahawk,
the Sioux Indian who was member
of the Fort Yates Indian police when
Sitting Bull held his ghost dance and
was subsequently killed. Bullhead
and Red Tomahawk were the two In
dams who shot Sitting Bull, Bullhead
receiving a bullet wound that caused
his death.
Rolling prairies and buttes charac-
terize the country from Cannonball