davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

trip when they happen to have a load.
Be sure you see that your tickets read
VIA BENTON LINE
The line that carries the U. S. Mail. An
other advantage Of the Benton Line tick
cts IS that the
STAGE LINE FROM FORT BENTON
is controlled by the same management.
Persons holding Through Benton Line
tickets have preference of seats in Stage.
six persons, by going together in one
party, can avail themselves OF Immigrant
rates on wagons.
"a weekly line Of Steamers will run to
Fort Benton during the boating season,
leaving Bismarck every Saturday. One
hundred and fly pounds Of baggage al
lowed a passenger to Fort Benton"
Catered to Park Travel
Yellowstone National park tourist traf-
hc was, even in hose days, an item worth
catering to, for we read the following on
Page Two:
TT you are going to MONTANA, de-
mand through tickets via BENTON LINE.
Take Northern Pacific Railroad Wit Bis
marck, making direct connection there
every Saturday with the BENTON LINE
Of Steamers, BENTON" HELENA"
BLACK HILLS" and BUTTE"
For FORT BENTON and at Fort Ben
ton with the BENTON g HELENA DAILY
STAGE LINE for Fort A~SSinniboine, Fort
Mcleod, Fort Walsh, Yogo Mines, Mar
Jinsdals, Sun River Crossing, Fort Shaw,
Silver City and HELENA.
cat Helena with DAILY STAGES for
Butte, Missoula, Deer Lodge, Virginia
City, Bozeman, and from there Excursion
Parties fit out for the famous YELLOW
! STONE NATIONAL PARK"
1t viii be noticed in this quotation
from the little folder hat h Benton
Line operated its own stage outfits to
Helena and other points. These overland
lines were established by Mr.. Power to
meet the demand for reliable t~ransporta-
ton facilities. His company operated
mule and bull teams for handling freight
to the various points inland, as well as
an exceptionally well equipped line Of
passenger and mail stagecoaches.
This overland express n passenger
service between Fort Benton and the in
land cities was very extensive, especially
! during the fall when a large number Of
miners left for the eastern states via the
river route. At this time, Mr.. Powers
company operated stage lines between
Helena and Fort Benton and between
Fort Benton and Billings n these
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

Senator Power during his career, is to
record the history of Montana in all that
las to do with the transportation, COM
merce, the raising of livestock and the
pursuit of diversified agriculture. From
the primitive days, the needs of the
miner, the freighter, the oncoming stock
man, SheepgrOwer, homeSteader and mod
ern farmer have been catered to in each
step of transformation of the Treasure
state by the ever-increasing stores and
supply stations which sprouted from the
little log cabin on the edge of the Mis-
souri, at old Fort Benton.
While the great store and warehouse
at Fort Benton continued for years as a
forwarding station, the mercantile activi-
ties Of Mr.. Power were directed toward
the south and into the more pc pulous
sections of the territory. Helena was
selected as the location for the first
branch house, and, as time went on,
other stores were established and the
activities Of each branch widened in
scope.
Enters Freighting Business
Despite the fact that in those days
there were no railroad strikes nor umor
Of strikes, the question of adequate
transportation facilities was a most vital
problem to the miners and settlers.
Thousands Of people were being attracted
to the Territory and the merchants eX-
perienced much difficulty in securing the
provisions and supplies necessary to meet
the growing demand.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

was different. The best of them could
almost set their own price for their serv-
ices. So indispensable were they that the
best talent was paid as much as $1,000
per month
This vas the status Of steamboat traf-
fc on the old Missouri in the spring of
1867 when Thomas c.. Power, then %
years Of age, unloaded his first stock of
merchandise brought up the river by
steamboat from st. Louis, for the pur-
pose of engaging in the fur trade among
the tribes to the north.
Mr.. Power, a young civil engineer, who,
for about three years., had been in the
employ of the government, had only a
year or two prior to this time, accompa-
MED the famous expedition Of General
Sully against the Sioux nation, across the
wildS of North Dakota. He was in charge
of Sully's sutler ship. On this and other
Upper Missouri trips he had met many
old traders returning from the Northwest
with the fruits of their toll; he had OBJ
served the immense wagon trains of pill
grims headed for the gold fields. 1t was
then that he became thoroughly imbued
with the spirit of the new West, and
foresaw his opportunity in Montana Ter
ritory.
Started i'm a Log Cabin
Placing his stock of goods in a log
cabin, he began to barter them for gold
dust and for furs, his customers being
for the most part Indians, soldiers, trap
pers, prospectors, miners from the placer
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
100000

he Benton line had tn overnme contract of course which accounts for the
repOnderanc of that class of freight. The steamer Sherman,s since sold at St Louis
vas owned by the Overnmen and operated under the direction of Capt. E B Kirk
es ready fol- the Missouri md YenowSOn liver traffic, the latter scarcely counting
so slight was it as compares with the aggregate. The Eclipse was the first boat of
the season to pull out for up river which se did april TO- number following in the
days Immediately succeeding. The closing of navigaHOn is usually from TIT 1tt
the 18th OF vem0G ant TINS year the quite arrived from ABOVE and ent INTO
winter quarters NOvembT TO-, the last untl1& During the seasOnt there wei eeghty-
six departures m eighEhve arrivals rom and at Bismarck me only two trips al
told we're mad on the YeIOwstOne. At Fort Benton, thu head of navigation, ad
more than 1900 miles above bismarck there we're forty arrival during the season
an unusual numberan m fully atteShng the excellent effect of the gOvernmen work
he Benton boats, too, withstand the generally low WAFER, were able to take
much heavier freghs han usual ant this ability as may easily be imagined, is an
factor in Transportation coverings so long n tOruOus a course. Only one
bOt m to grief but this was he Red Cloud, one of the largest M handsOmest
which struck a submerged stump near BOuches grave, abOuts sixty miles rom Fort
Peck an sunk almost instantly. The boat was a total loss. A Lage part of thu
gregate tOnnag es4O0, custom house Measurement. Te exports from Benton were:
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

OF this condition, the "Rlock-P" line
made capital IN its appealing advertis-
ing. For instance, on Page Three of the
folder We read
THIS IS THE BEST ROUTE
Because you AVOID A TEDIOUS RIDE
over a narrow gauge railroad. Because
you know when you start just what your
expense viii be, as our rates are pub
lished open, and that is the limit of your
expense. Not SO by other routes, where
only a portion of your expense is pub
lished, and before you reach YOU desti-
nation you find your outlay doubled, and
expense for extra baggage more than
passage,
"EMIGRANTS SHOULD GO TO MON
TANA VIA RIVER ROUTE
Because it is more comfortable for
families and children to travel on a
Steamer than to be cooped up in emf
grant cars for 6 days.
Meals and Berth are included in first
class ticket via Benton Line. Three
Square Meals a Day. A good Bed at night.
The best attention, the finest scenery
and the healthiest climate in the world,
are the inducements offered by the Ben
ton 'Block-P' Line"
Again, On Page Four, we find opposi-
ton lines of steamers are not estimated
at a very high standard in this piece of
advertising matter. We read
Beware of tickets that read good or
any boat! They are not good on any
boat-only a few wild ones. that make a
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

ing the above will be of some help, we
remain,
T. c. POWER & BRO,
December 81, 1899. FIT. Benton, Mont.
IC has been said of Mr.. Power that,
during the bUii train days, he was per-
.9rslly in charge of the work, and that
. -~rsquertly put IN 20 hours a day as
APaG 81 rating crews at the old Fort
6eIc'>' nd on the road Until the
cy' - Railroad, trains of not less
tn u r. IS. sOrae drawn by oxen, and
a. - 1-lules gSre constantly en-
plt.r- suL. thus, L.; only the p"~v7' in
stiCutions. but other pioneer .
were KEEP in supplies.
The steamer Benton. first OF e 2oE...
P line Of boats, was Launched AT C'1t;-
burgh, Pa. 1t was loaded at hat pO1lll
and for two years made trips from that
city to Montana. The other vessels were
built and put int service within a year
or two. When the Northern Pacific rail-
road arrived at Bismarck, N. D., the trips
were limited to and from that point and
Fort Benton.
According to Captain Baker, who is the
sole surviving executive of the old Ben
ton line, the Block-P boats were m
ployed in the transportation Of materials
to be used in the construction Of the
Great Northern railway lines. for many
months after the arrival Of surveying and
construction crews in northern Montana.
RetrOspectiOn
Twenty-seven years ago, in comment
Continued on Agricultural Page)
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

proved successful enterprises. augment
ing and facilitating the Steamboat traffic.
Boat Arrivals in the sos
Following is a list of the boat arrivals
at the Fort Benton levee, from 1880 to
1888, as compiled by T. G. Power 81 Bro,
for the Montana Historical Society. Many
of these steamers were the property of
the Benton Block-P" line.
1e9O.-Butte, May Z; Helena, May II;
Benton, May 25; Nellie Peck, May 81;
Helena, June g.; Peninah, June Is; G. K.
Peck, JUNE Is; Butte, June %; Eclipse,
July 9; N. Peck, July 13;fHelena, July 10;
Benton, July 81; Butte, July 90; G. K.
Peck, July 81; Eclipse, August 1; Far
West, August /; Helena, August 6; Rose
bud, August IL; Butte, August 81; jose
phine, August 20; General Meade, August
1s81.-Far West, May 10; Helena, May
20; Benton, May 80; Dakotah, June 6;
Far West, June =; Red Cloud, June -;
Benton, June "a; Rosebud, June 26; G.. K.
Peck, une %; Butte, July IL; Benton,
July %.
1882.-Butte, May Z; Black Hills, May
10; Helena, May IA; Benton, May %;
Butte, June 8; Helena, june 6; Far West,
June -; Black Hills. June IL; Benton,
June IA; Butte, June 81; Helena, June
90; Benton, July 5; Butte, July &c; Hell
ena, July 10; Butte, July 80; Black Hills,
July 81.
1889.-Butte, MAY IL: Eeleea, May 10;
Benton, May 10; 1suCte, -; Black
Hills, June 10; Helena, Jus 10; Benton,
June %; Butte, june "a. Black Bulls.
tune 81; Helena, July !, al AIls,
July 13; Butte, July IL; Hello CtY e.,
Black Hills, August 6,
1884-Batchelor, May IT; Ee-,1oa, Ma
81; Helena, May %; BatcleI.F, Afay rs;
Helena, June 10; Benton, Jure Is; Eat D
elor, June 81; Helena, July q; elena,
August 4.
1862. Y. Bachelor, May 7; Helena,
May 16; Benton, May "a; Batchelov, May
"a; Rosebud, June 6; Benton, Tune II:
Helena, June IS; Rosebud, July 3; Helena
July Is; Bachelor, July 20; Rosebud
August %.
1896.-Rosebud, May Is; Helena, May
%; Bachelor, May %; Rosebud, June 5;
Benton, Jun IA; Helena, June IA; Rose
bud, July 2: Judith, July 6; Helena, July
8; Benton, July Is.
1687.-Rosebud, April 20; Helena, May
8; Judith, May %; Helena, May %;
Eclipse, June /; General Perry, June 2;
Benton, June 10; Eclipse, June 10; Hell
ena, June 10; Judith, June 80; Rosebud
July s; Benton, July 6; Helena. July 20,
Benton. July 20; Helena and Genera.
Perry, July 81; Eclipse, August 2; Mis-
souri,, August 6; Helena and Eclipse, Au,
gust Is; Rosebud and Missouri, Septem-
Der Is; Bachelor, September %.
1850. Y. Bachelor, May 20; Rose
bud, June 80; Missouri, September IL.
This is all we " any record of. Hop
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
enOrmOU

IrOIn SJ. LOuIS 10 rOTG
Benton in cargoeS or 100 to 500 tons
without breaking bulk.
The prospectOrs and argonauts them
selves travelled in large number by over
land routes; but a great number also
travelled via the old Missouri. Nearly all
the merchandise including every neces-
sity of life and all mining machinery
and heavy freight came up the river.
Rapid Development
Steamboat traffic leaped to enormous
proportions in a phenomenally snort
time. Prior TO 1864 there had been only
six steamboat arrivals at Fort Benton.
In 1866 and 1867 there were 70 arrivals.
/ 1867 the trade touched the high water
mark; and at that time it presented
Of the most extraordinary developments
in the history of commerce. At times
there were as many as thirty to forty
steamboats, on the Missouri river between
Fort BenUon and the mouth Of the yell
lowstone, which distance was one con-
tinual panorama of scenes of wildness as
primeval as the jungles along the Anna
zon.
Imagine yourself set down in the un-
broken wilderness along the Of
Big Muddy" where nothing dwelt eX-
cept wild animals and wilder men; where
the savage indian made life a constant
peril; where nc individual human habi-
tatiOn greeted the eye. 1t would have
seemed marvellous and ineXplicable to
then find this river alive with noble
craft, as beautiful as any that ever rode
the ocean, stored with all the necessities
of civilization and crowded with paSSen-
gers as cultured, refined and we'll dressed
as the cabin list of an ocean liner. Ger
tainly his was a most extraordinary
scene which was flashed for a moment
before the world and then withdrawn
forever.
Enormous Profits
some startling statistics have survived
showing the magnitude Of the steamboat
business on the Missouri river during the
five years mentioned. In the year 1865
1000 passengers, 5000 tons of merchan-
disc, 40 steamboats, had passed Sioux
City before June 1, en- route to the head
Of navigation. These carried more thar
10000 tons of freight.
The profits of a successful voyage were
The reported profits Of some
Of the trips Of 1866 were as follows: The
St. John, $4,000; the Tacony, $4,000
the w. j. Lewis, $4,000; the Peter Balen
cleared more than $40, 900 on a trip will
the Octavia.
Freight rates from st. Louis to For
Benton in 1866 were IL cents per pound
Insurance rates were 6h per cent of tn
value insured on side wheel boats am
8 per cent on stern wheel boats. TIL
fare for each cabin passenger was $500
In spite of the high prices charged an
the enormous profits cleaned, however
the officers and crews of these boats wer
not very highly paid. The master of tn
boat received 5000 per month; the cler
$50; the mate and engineer each $12I
Wages of Pilots
On the other hand, with the pilots
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

Birth of the "BIOck-P" Line
Observing that there was good profit to
be made in freighting, Mr.. Power had al
ready, in 1868, put several wagon trains
on the trails leading from Fort Benton
inland. At that time the greatest por-
ton of supplies for the mining camps in
the southern part OF the territory was
being shipped from Omaha and other
river points by steamer to Fort Benton.
This addition did not relieve the situa-
ton so far as was concerned the hand
ling of merchandise from Fort Benton
west, but Mr.. Power, finding that his
firms experienced some delapS because OF
inadequate steamboat transportation,
conceived the idea Of building and oper-
ating a line of river boats. So, to be as
sured of the required stocks Of supplies,
Mr.. Power, in 1869, together with I. G..
and Geo. A. Baker, of I. G.. Baker g Co.,
built the steamboat Benton" This ven
ture proved all that was anticipated for
it, and in 1876, Mr.. Power and his ascot
ates had constructed and launched the
steamboat, Helena" another named the
Butte" and several others, operated
under the direction of what was called
the Benton Block-P' line.
Officers of the Company
The officers Of this company were 7. G.
Power. manager; John H. Charles, super
intendent, Sioux City, Iowa; and Isaac
P. Baker, general agent, Bismarck, N. Oak,
The firm derived its name from the
trade brand of the boats which appeared
in large size above each Of the steamers.
The "Block-P" was designated in the fol-
| IomirC monpor -
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

camps, and all the Others of that pic
turesque frontier population which was
scattered here and there over the plains
n In h mountain gulches, n who
found their way occasionally to the head
of navigation Oh the Upper Missouri to
exchange their earnings for provisions
and equipment.
From that log cabin store in the less
than fifty years that Mr.. Power was
actively at the head Of his enterprises,
emerged a chain of commercial institu-
lions covering a considerable portion Of
Montana, with a combined business floor
space Of more thar two square miles.
That modest log cabin was a crude affair
but it served its purpose well, and from
it have sprung scores Of modern mercan-
tile institutions, rs per cent of which are
housed in the latest type Of hreproof
buildings.
To review the commercial activities of
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

In an interview given the author of this article at Fort
Benton a few months ago, CAPTAIN Baker paid high tribute
to those Old-time characters who were charged with the re-
SpOnsibiity of transportation in the early days of Montana
Territory. He said, in part: "When we realize that trans
pOrtatiOn is in reality the king Of the universe, and life
itself requires everywhere an inexhaustible supply of good
water, to reclaim the resources of a vast virgin territory,
requiring good drainage, the pioneers, searching for the min
eraI wealth as well as the agricultural wealth OF Montana,
chose the headwaters of an uneXcelled and truly inexhaust-
able good water supply.
1.-THE original pathfnderS, in the earliest days, filed up
this great waterway and kept going until they reached the
head of navigation on the longest navigabIe stream in the
world and near a wonderful waterpower site, established
the birthplace of Montana, where the sun rises and sets at
Fort Benton.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
THE MISSOURI

THE MISSOURI
Well, stranger, 1 came up that river
R Rad I'VE sure GOT a strong liking for her;
She's human like, pard, in her ways.
Where them summer clouds most touch the
SDresS ike linen a-bleach in the sun,
While the mountain flowers bloom on their
wbePe them little rilIs trickIe and run.
Till bounding down through the mountains
With remnants of mist all unfurledj
A thousand bold streams come a-leapihs
on the caves of the roof Of the world.
In the land of the geySers and glaciers
Where the hills have been battered. and torn
BY mysterious hands in their making
That there river Missouri was BORN
Some rivers are smiling and happy,
Some rivers are sullen and grim,
Some rivers remind you OF ragtlme
And some have the sound of a hymn.
Some Sauater along at their leisurei
The Missouri. well, she's kind of different
From the rest of 'em-Im here to say.
Now raybe the reason I. like her
The reason I think she's the best,
The friendliest, strongest and biggest
Is because she's part OF the west.
a highway that led from. the eastward
To this country of sapphire and gold
A trail that lured with a promise
The hearts of the strong and the bold.
Steamboats,? Well stranger, I reckon
There never were steamboats, so fine
As those that came up that river
To Fort Benton, the old Block p" line.
NOsing their way through the current,
Making 4 swing round a bend,
Loaded with stuff for the miners
A-WOrk at a real rainbOw's end.
Back in the days of the sixties,
The days that / long for again,
The days of real joy and real sorrow,
The days of real women and men.
And, I'll bet the Missouri is lonesome,
As l am for those early days,
For the both of us sure are old timers
And she's human like in her Ways.
BY b H. FLETCHER.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
| P |
Advertising the "BIock-P" Line

Advertising the "BIOck-P" Line
An accompanying Illustration On this
page shows a small reproduction of two
pages Of an advertising folder, such as
was used by the company in the early
eighties. This folder 1.-THE property of
Captain I. P. Baker,, is in the form gen.
orally used by railroads and other COM
mon carriers, is eight pages and neatly
n attractively printed. To read its con-
tents is to learn in most forcible language
that competitive advertising is not a
commodity new alone to the twentieth
century.
were then just nicely established, and
with the crude running stock of that era,
these roads were experiencing the diff
culties and discouragements that were
peculiar to early-day rail transportation.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

Through the navigation of the Upper Missouri river,
the British Northwest Territory was opened up and devel-
Oped. The providing Of transportation facilities made pos
sible the organization and maintenance of the Royal North
west Mounted Police, and the opening up for trade and COM
merce which has resulted in the Northwest states and prov
inces of today.
"When we think Of transportation, and when the pres
ent generation are erecting monuments for the pathhnders, 1
would suggest the remembrance of those brave men who
piIOted the wagon trains from Fort Benton to WhOOp-Up
and HoedOwn, Fort Walsh and Fort Mcleod, and such a
monument should carry the likeness of such a man as
Thomas Clary, than whom no more capable wagon boss ever
existed. This because these men fearlessIy entered a wild
and treacherOus country; they entered and conquered a ter
ritOry that has now become the breadbasket of the world"
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

IN CndC nan GeCdQe Was
a reflection Of the
metamorphosis
which came over the
country at the head
waters of the Missouri
river through the dis
covery of gold in Mon
tana territory. The old
river afforded a sure
for travel and
commerce to within a
comparatively short dis
lance Of the famous
camps of Last Chance
a n d Alder Clutches.
There was no other
route that could COM
pete with it; for the
river could carry freight
~ o. - - Tl--.L
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
The Block p Lead All Boat Lines in the
Transportation of Freight to Fort Benton

In commenting upOn the rapid use of navigation on the Missouri river ant the
enormous traffic in freight ad paSengerS thatO obtained in the late seventies ana
eay eighties tn Warner and Beers History Of Montana published in 1885 offers the
following facts INT statistics relative to the business of the BlOckP nd other INES
as pertains the unOadings at bid Fort Benton Ievee:
1.-THE fluctuations in river feights during the past three years have been great"
In 1S9t The mporaiOns by liver amounted to 100000 pounds. In 1880 they Tell 10
10O0OOOO pounds. In 1881 the river freightsu up the missouri and eno"A0on AGAIN
SweMed to 100000 pound Notwithstanding tn rear approach of railroads. but in
1887 the river trade again declined the total mpOranonsL Dy river Oens %H5A
pounds or less by over 15OOOOOO pounds than they we're in 1881. The principal cause
of this decline is the hminuiOn in the quantity of freghtsu up the YelOwstone. IN
1881 tn efrdghts thatc came b. the Yellowstone river amounted to 842ONW pounds
This is largely due to the fact that the Yellowstone river was tapped by the North
en Pacific, thus shutting fl thu liver rade There has also ben a falling of in
government frdghts by river. In 1881 the government freight up TIT Missouri m
Yellowstone amounted to 100000 pounds while in 1872 it only mounted to 100000
pounds a decrease OF %IOONW pounds rms ADDED 70 the demle IN the hPS"Sme
frdghtsl leaves OE a decreae of 100000 I'M 100000 of pounds in private freghS
nj the Missouri river during the year 1882. The private frehghs to Benton amounted
to 2156OOOO pounds, Viii in 1882, they were only reported ats 2S761As a decrease
Of hl1all nnnnds during the wear as shown in the following tahL:
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06
lRv DAN r.. CONWAY

This is the sixth of a series of articles deal
ing with the history of navigation on the
Upper Missouri river.