Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-01-14
ACROSS THE PLAINS with GEORGE w. GOwER
WHO GAME TO MONTANA WITH THE GOLD RUSH

name, but heard him say his people lived
In LaSalle county, Illinois.
There may be pioneers stili living who
can recall these hangings, but / never
heard of them.
During. his stay in Idaho, Mr.. Cover
engaged In many different occupations, like
most old-timers, but 1t Is not believed that
he made a fortune here. How long he re-
manned In the territory, he does not say
but not long enough, evidently to wean
him from his wife and child back in James
vile, and he started on the return trip,
going south, to within fifty miles of Salt
Lake City, where he hired out to one OF
Creighton's outfits on his way to Omaha.
There were forty wagon In the train,
and four mules to a wagon and four men
accompanied each wagon. Two occupied
the high front seat; one driving and the
other carrying a gun. Two men were on
the rear of the wagon, both with guns. II
will be remembered that In 49, the Indians
were becoming fully reused, and it was
not safe to travel through the Sioux coun.
try In small companies, or unarmed.
The drivers, or other employees Of the
train were given numbers instead of names
to which they responded. Mr.. Cover was
No. s.
Near Julesburg the train ran out Of pro-
visions for man and beast. On reaching the
town they tried to buy what was needed
for the rest of the journey, but the captain
In charge OF the post refused their request,
saying that he was not allowed to sell
anything; but as they were In absolute
need, II they would give him $120 for q
bag OF flour, and IS a bushel for shelled
corn, and could manage to steal 1t, they
might take a hundred pounds Of flour and
a few bags OF corn.
The wagon boss called No. s, (Mr,
Cover, and told him to take any three
men he wanted, and a large piece Of can.
vas. Each man was to carry a gun, and
a ffar dorr M m fho fort afpra hnIaa faka
a bag of flour and shoot II necessary, but
not come back without the flour. About
midnight the detail set OUT; passed the
guard safely. secured the flour, and placed
1t on the canyas. Each man then took hold
of a corner of the canvas, holding a cooked
revolver In the other hand, and In this
manner carried the flour to the train. An
other band stole the corn In 4 similar man.
ner, thus supplying their needs until they
could purchase what they wished.
At Wind river on the way to Idaho. Mr..
Cover says that his company was de-
tained two days vainly trying to cross.
There was no ferry nor bridge, and the
water was very deep and ewift. If horses
or mules tried Its passage, they Invariably
came out the side they went In. Finally
Mr.. Cover, knowing his horse was 4 good
swimmer, volunteered to cross and carry
a rope to the further side. When the mules
saw his horse In the river, they plncked
up courage to follow, and did 80 In such
numbers, that to save himeelf from those
crowding around him, be was forced to
shoot a few. He had taken off most Of his
clothes before starting, and carried his gun
above his head. He made the crossing safe.
II, as did most Of the rest of the men.
Four, however, we're drowned, and forty
mulec and horses.
Since his return East, Mr.. Cover has
made hip home at Janesville, where he re-
Gently celebrated his golden wedding. He
has never revisited Montana, but Z nephew,
w. X. Shields, lives In Havre.