The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-05-27

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 a 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.
= = =
GIendive, 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 a 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
would be returned to their reserva-
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 ad-
mired. This was the last appearance
of steamboats, at Miles City-the rail-
road had evolutionized and revolu-
tionized Yellowstone transportation.
1t took four days and nights to
make the trip to Miles City by stage
coach, provided weather conditions
were right; if not, much longer. 1t
is now difficult to picture the hard
ships of such a journey, so luxurious
ly do we travel. There were no stop
over places or privileges, and as a
result one arrived at Miles City dead
tired from loss of sleep and sore from
the joltings of the coach, hung on
thorough braces, stout leather straps,
to the vehicle a swing that
kept one in constant motion. In the
winter the trip was particularly I'M
inviting, for the passenger must also
be prepared to combat the cold with
the warmest of fur garments. Quite
often 1t was necessary as the result
of a breakdown, or inclement YEA
ther, to camp at night in the lea of a
boulder or in the timber. But stage
travel was not without it's compen-
sationS, when, on a beautiful sum-
mer morning one sat e~nthralled, ex-
allied, glorified, and beheld the COM
ing of the newborn day; the wide
vista, a new land stretching out it's
warm welcome; an inviting uplift !
that fairly thrilled and entranced the
onlooker and brought to his vision
the happy homes and cities great of
thousands yet to be-"
The stage driver was a parsonage
of vast Importance, with whom none
held converse unless he invited it.
In the meanwhile, day or night, he
talked continuously and convincingly
to his steeds, four of which usually
consisted of fiery and untamed
i'bronks" that dashed away from the
station at a mad gallop and we're not
strung out" for several miles. In
the Harvesting and hitching of the
horses, the driver did not take part,
except to give orders as one in SUI
preme command. He was, in some
instances, a drinking man, and has
been known to come into a station
full speed, so fully under the influ-
ence of the cup that used to cheer,
it was necessary to assist him
his seat. And yet, accidents
were few. The driver, drunk or
had wonderful control of his
stock, and being usually provided
with more staid wheel horses, which
kept the road and made the turns
with care and caution. The old-time
driver was a man of unique
characteristics. His like cannot be
found in any vocation. He knew
iamiliarly all the big men of the ter
-itory. He did not disguise his con-
.empt for pilgrims or ~"tenderfeet"
low known as dudes in the v%erna-
was inadequate to express his feel
regarding those who had driven
/ city bus or country stage. He was
gallant to the ladies and
delighted to have them sit beside him
IN the drivers seat, for which he al
Ways reserved the space. He wore
gauntlet gloves, except at his meals,
Ind comported himself as one who
an important place in the
world. Passengers, as a rule, espe-
tally those to the manor born" for
flied themselves for the trip with a
)ottle of rye, which at frequent in-ll