The Bozeman courier., 1927-10-07
HOW GRAVEYARD CREEK
CAME BY ITS MAMIE
By oMON TANA Lou" GRILL

Fifty years ago in eastern Montana
the naming of small streams tributary
to the Missouri and the Yellowstone
rivers was left largely to the. person who
took bath. waded across, was found
dead in it, or became associated with it
either for permanent residence or tempo
rary abode. There is perhaps no other
section of the country where such wide
variety Of names have been attached
to the smaller streams. How Graveyard
creek came to be named is one OF the
interesting historical episodes associated
with the establishment of Fort Keogh
by Gen. Nelson A. Miles. The creek was
named by James B. (Jack) Hawkins,
who came to Miles City in July. 1877.
Originating IN group OF pine COW
cred hills about 25 miles west by south
Of Miles City. Graveyard creek meanders
north toward the Yellowstone. To the
east flows the Moon 1.-TWO Moonsl creek
that derives its name from a famous
Northern Cheyenne chief. This fact is
mentioned for the reason that if the at
tentiOn of Two Moons had been called
to the circumstances before he died, he
might have shed some light upon the
establishment of an Indian cemetery in
the trees along a small stream few
miles to the west Of the creek that bears
his name.
Jack Hawkins. born in Texas. in July
1848, at 26 years of age was a member
Of company D, Frontier battalion, Texas
Rangers. He was mustered in at Blanco
City Tex on May 25, 1874. and honora-
bly, discharged on the second day of No
vember, 1876. Learning that gold had
been discovered in the Black hills Of
western Dakota territory, Hawkins de-
Cided to go north. After spending a
severe winter in that region. ne jOurneyed
west and struck the Old Bozeman trail
bound for Fort Ellis when ne heard Of
the establishment Of Fort Keogh. He
had reached the Big Horn valley in Mon
tana, and turned off the trail to arrive
in Miles City in July. 1877.
Young and vigorous and in need of
employment he turned to whatever Of
fered in the way Of occupying his time
prOfttably. He was an expert with rifle
and siX-shOoter The government troops
stationed at the, Fort were constantly
in need of forage for their horses The
making OF hay in the bottom lands for
the government market was profitable
venture. For year or two Mr.. Hawkins
was employed by others who laid claim to-
the privilege of making hay in the bot
tom lands adjacent to the fort. AS the
demand for wild hay increased the. hay
making operations extended far UP and
down the Yellowstone and Tongue river
valleys.
About the second or third autumn
that Hawkins had spent in Miles City
after the haYing season had closed, ne
reconnoitered to the west and striking
the mouth of Two Moons creek followed
that stream to point where ne crossed
over the divide and discovered a pasture,
untouched and luXuriant with native
grasses. On one side Of the unnamed
stream the hills rose rather abruptly
and it was here that ne built himself
a. small cabin. In seeking a less hilly
terrain over which he could more con-
veniently return to Miles City, ne
crossed the Yellowstone river on the ice
at a point near the, mouth OF the pres
ent Stagger creek, and followed along
the north side o fthe Yellowstone. on
more level ground to the city. In the
spring he returned and began putting
up hay and arranged for the delivery
Cf all that he could haul in to the Fort
Keogh quartermaster.
He made frequent trips to the fort.
Standing in group of men who were
discussing the hay market, Hawkins was
asked from whence he had come with his
hay.
From over Graveyard way" he re-
piled.
How far is that?" he was asked.
About 25 miles west he told his in
quirer.
Hawkins had built his cabin in the