The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-05-28

down as a matter of history, was the
pilot who took the steamer Josephine
in June, 1875, to the Josephine tree
the highest point on the Yellow
stone ever reached by steamboat
This tree was located two miles above
where Billings now stands and was
plainly inscribed. Some years after
it was washed away by high water.
Glendive, for some months sup
ported by railroad graders and ex-
pectancy, became in 1881, an active
steamboat terminal by reason of the
railroads building activity. 1t was
not a rollicking frontier town, but
rather the resort of those who were
at the forefront of the road bed to
gamble and to take advantage of the
easy money which flowed from the
graders. 1t was the resort of petty
thieves and hold-up men. 1t was here
that a red hot stove engaged in bak-
ing bread, was stolen from tent
while the occupant was temporarily
absent, in broad daylight.
In 1881 four steamboats, were
brought up to Keogh and loaded with
captive Nez Perces, taken to Yankton
and from there to Indian Territory.
The forcible embarkation of these
Indians with their squaws wailing
and their old men lifting high their
voices in lamentation was a sight
never to be forgotten. 1t was stated
at the time that General Miles had
promised these Indians that they
AL H. - hot,
ton, but that he was powerless to
make good his word. The people of
the far west were in partial sympa-
thy with these Indians, whose fight |
and flight across an almost impene-
trable country was a feat to be adj
mired. This was the last appearance
of steamboats, at Miles City-the rail-
road had evolutionized and revolu-
.ionized Yellowstone transportation.
1t took four days and nights to
make the trip to Miles City by stage
coach, provided weather conditions
we're right; if not, much longer. 1t
S now difficult to picture the hard
hips of such journey, SO luxurious
y do we travel. There we're no stop
,ver places or privileges, and as
esult one arrived at Miles City dead II
ired from loss of sleep and sore from
he joltings of the coach, hung on
borough braces, stout leather straps, II
living to the vehicle swing that
.ept one in constant motion. In the
winter the trip was particularly I'M
INVITING, for the passenger must also
re prepared to combat the cold with
he Warmpcf of fI1r oarpoQptc OTito |
ften it was necessary as the result
f breakdown, or inclement wea-
her, to camp at night in the lea of
oulder or in the timber. But stage
ravel was not without it's compen-
atoms, when, on a beautiful sum-
Ter morning one sat enthralled, ex-
lied, glorified, and beheld the COM
lg of the newborn day; the wide
ista, new land stretching out its II
arm welcome; an inviting uplift
nat fairly thrilled and entranced the III
nlooker and brought to his vision II
lie happy homes and cities great of Il
thousands yet to be-" II
The stage driver was a parsonage H
vast Importance, with whom none II
ED converse unless he invited it. II
] the meanwhile, day or night, he II
liked continuously and convincingly II
his steeds, four of which usually III
insisted of fiery and unframed Ii
oronks" that dashed away from the II
alton at mad gallop and were not III
strung out" for several miles. In III
lie Harvesting and hitching of the
orses, the driver did not take part, HI
'cept to give orders as one in SUI Ill
'eme command. He was, in some
stances, a drinking man, and has
zen known to come into a station Ill
III speed, SO fully under the influ-
ice of the cup that used to cheer, |
at it was necessary to assist him
ON his seat. And yet, accidents
ere few. The driver, drunk or i
Der, had wonderful control Of his Il
ock, and being usually provided
It'll more staid wheel horses, which II
'pt the road and made the turns II
tn care and caution. The old-ttme
age driver was man of unique II
aracteristics. His like cannot be II
und In any vocation. He knewIH
all the big men of the ter II
DRY. He did not disguise his con- III
mpt for pilgrims" or "tenderfeet"Il Hi
W known as dudes" in the verna- II
lar OF Wyoming. His vocabulary II
IS inadequate to express his feel
60 regarding those who had driven II
,ity bus or country stage. He was
tremely gallant to the ladies and II
lighted to have them sit beside him II
the drivers seat, for which he al II
Us reserved the space. He wore
1ntlet gloves, except at his meals, Hi
cOmDOrted himself Az one who'll
ed an important place in the
rid. Passengers, as q rule, espe-
lily those to the manor born" for II
ed themselves for the trip with
tie OF rye, which at frequent in =