Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-09-23
BY MRS. M. E. PLASSMANN
HAVE already written Of the RI

HAVE already written Of the river
journey to Omaha In h summer Of
1853. taken by our party consisting
Of l6 persons. and of how we tut
fitted there for crossing the plains. We
were bound for eastern Idaho. having
no knowledge Of the western portion Of
the immense area from which q new
territory was to be formed within two
years, and named Montana.
The story has also been told of our
reaching Snake river where we heard
Of the gold fields to the north. There
we could winter n continue our west
ward journey the following spring. 1t
was not the gold fever which stranded
us east of the Bitter Root mountains,
but the lateness of the season. Had we
known what was to be our destination
it would have been much easier for us
to have gone up the Missouri to Fort
Benton and perhaps remained there until
spring instead Of going on to Bannack.
We enjoyed every minute of our
river trip, n on arriving at Omaha
reluctantly left the boat. Each day
with new and delightful experiences.
Some OF our number had been through
canals on calm and uneventful Jour-
neys. all Of us were familiar with the
chopping waves Of Lake Erie, and had
been rendered deathly sick thereby, but
none Of us ever before tried river travel
There was nothing for us to do but fill
in the leisurely hours with enjoying to
the full the strange sights M sounds
each day provided.
1t was the perfect month of June.
welcomed by the surrounding country
through which we ploughed our way up
stream. The banks on either hand were
in gala dress of tender green, and the
scent OF wild Strawberries was in the air.
There was no annoyance from insect
pests. and the weather was all that could
be desired.
From st. Joe onward we passed his
toric points, but of this we were ignorant.
OF river navigation we learned a little
and soon recognized to a certain extent
the superior position of the pilot oth
aloft In his little house above the rest
of us, and in the estimation accorded
him by those on board the boat. We
did not then know that no boat could
travel without a licensed pilot and that
the number of Missouri river pilots was
then limited because of the Civil war.
Pilots Were Scarce
No boat could employ a pilot who
was known to be d~isloyal, and most of
them being Southern born, were natu-
rally in sympathy with the ~confederacy.
The demand being far greater than the
supply, the pilots often demanded large
pay, q thousand dollars or more, in one
or two instances, and the demand was
honored. What else could a captain do?
1t was simply a question of paying the
price asked or remaining an indefinite
period tied up at the wharf. In one
such emergency a captain told a pilot
he demanded more in salary than the
boat could earn in the line Of profit
during the proposed trip. This explana-
ton, or plea, failed to reduce the amount
Of cash assured the pilot before he
would step on board the oat
With such exorbitant salaries it is
little wonde there were some OF hose
pilots who wished to advertise their i'm
p%ortance to less favored mortals. One
pilot was the Wner of the largest and
most expensive gold watch on the river.
He wore it hung from his neck by an
impressive gold chain, and 1t was this
man, or another, who covered his hands
summer with those Of light kid
Many pilots. like gamblers. were fond
OF diamonds. OF one pilot the story
goes that when the boat was crowded
with passengers he refused TO take his
meals In the Texas with the other Off
GERS of the boat, as he wished to display
his gems before the admiring or envious
gaze of the cabin occupants.
Il is said that when the call for Mis-
souri, river pilots wa the most insistent
a man applied for the position who was
unknown to the boats captain.
Have you ever been up the Missouri"
he was asked.
"Yes." he replied.
How did you go7"