The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-01-11

heralds of civilization driving prairl
lschooners followed, and where gol
was not found in the hills or panne
from the sands of the running an
lever onrushing mountain streams
they settled to CLEAN gold from tn
planting and growing of grain.
Better Transportation Needed
Bismarck and Pierre on the Mis-
souri, river become the gateways t
the great northwest. Deadwood wa
the center of the gold diggings. III
from the Lone Star state, over thu
old Texas train, there came to thu
northwest those herds of cattle, thu
longhorns, the increasing possession:
lof which created the great cattle
kings of the late seventies and early
eighties and which lasted until he
was outnumbered by the agricultur-
list who reduced his grazing realm
and strung the wire fences.
AS men came, the needs for better
transportation increased. Speed be-
lcame essential. Relay stations were
i located between Deadwood and Bis
Imarck Lateral trails led into the
interior. The swiftest and fleetest
horses were commissioned for special
duties and from the blackboard and
the wagon there evolved that pala-
tial vehicle, the bane of the Indian
the Sioux, Grow and Cheyenne and
the object of the road agent, known
as the Deadwood stage coach. High
wheels, a phaeton body, boot for
driver and rider and an iron rail-
ling around the top to hold the bag
gage, its interior seating capacity
was limited to eight or ten for COM
Portable riding.
Very few of these old relics re-
main. The coming of the great rail-
road transportation systems which
strung their trails of steel across the
continent sent these old Deadwood
stage coaches into the discard. Men
were too busy to think of the his
torical values contained in them and
they we're permitted to disintegrate
by exposure to the elements until to-
day only here and there is one to be
found.
Coaches Often Attacked
Around each one clings the mem
cries of the older residents who re-
call the strenuous days of a half
century ago when they were driven
across country behind steeds of flesh
guided by reins in the hands of ex-
pert men who knew the trails. Some
of them bear the scars of encoun
ters with road-agents who saw in
them the means to easily and quick
Iy acquire wealth, especially if it
happened that the passengers were
possessed of goods and gold. Often
hey were the objective of maraud-
ng parties of savage redskins who
the encroachment of the
white man on their hunting grounds.
some of them lie broken in the trail
tlong with the bones of the victims
Who were assassinated in the fury Of I
he attack, and very little trace of
hem remains at this day. Time and
he elements have way of eradi-
ating the scenes of sadder days.
II the traveller upon the Puget y
ound extension of the Chicago, Mil
yaukee and st. Paul railroad will :
AXE advantage of the short stop
lade at Miles City, Montana, he will b
ee standing under protecting can
py near the station one of the ORR
inal stage coaches, a proud aristo-
rat among the vehicles of forty or
&c he ~ nf
lie Miles City Roundup and Histori-
IL association. of which W. N. Ross,
onnected with the system, is the
Through the courtesy of
lie Milwaukee officials and Mr.. Ross,
lis stage coach has been given a
home. 1t is used annual
on the celebration of the early his
Try of southeastern Montana.
This famous Deadwood stage
'ach," reads the legend attached to
twas used as a means of convey
ice before the advent of the rail
ere wild and wooly' Regular trips
ere made in it overland road
,ents and Indians made it an Object
attack for plumber and booty. 1t
rs only when the Vigilantes cleared
e country of outlaws and rustlers
az journeys were made in peace and
curity."
Coach Enlivens Memories
Nowhere in all the great north
st is there greater pride mani
st than in the fact that there is pre-
rved for posterity the stage coach
Itch served its day and generation
way and manner that reminds
e of the fact that comfort and ease
travel was sacrificed for service.
ere fingers around this stage
ach, particularly in Miles City,
ose memories which are augmented
the "reminiscences of the older
idents who recall wildly those
'ly day experiences when dangers
,ompanied every trip made over
d.