Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-04-25
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Roads Snyea@ Remd Their Progress but the Journey Was Successfully onIeedi Al Days

and most varied conditions possible for
a bicycle. He made a profound study
of bicycles, tires, equipment, uniform
and systems Of packing. On June IA,
1897, he and his company n young
Mr.. BOOS with a captains epaulettes
upon his shoulder were ready to start.
They're Off
"As the sunrise gun was booming"
the young reporter commenced in his
first article to The Muscular, written
at Fort Harrison, Helena, "t%wenty-three
bicyclers glided out of Fort Missoula,
with st. Louis, Mo-, as their objective
point. The troop, as 1t approached
the bridge, in double file, with its white
packs and glistening wheels, made a
beautiful showing"
The packs and the wheels didn't stay
white or g%liStening very long. That
summer" 80 years ago was very wet,
and the first rain which fell upon them
from a Blackfoot sky "clogged Il
wheels with mud. The rain continued
completely" Another storm broke On
the following night as they reached
Avon, forcing the party to walk almost
to Elliston the next day. On the fourth
day they crossed the divide in a snow
storm before arriving at Fort Harrison!
Nothing daunted," was the Helena
Independents complimentary comment.
They rested a day and went on toward
Livingston or the fort to fort trip
Fort Harrison to Fort Custer.
Standing the Calf
Good sports, those colored boys, able
to stand the gaff, and willing to follow
their white officer to the end OF the
road.
Where do you expect to go today?"
was a common query from incredulous
roadside spectators. And the answer
generally was, de LaWd only knows
we're folloWin' de lutenant!"
Nor could the rain and snow last for
ever. The party struck into eastern
Montana where the plains are covered
with prickly pear. Reporter Boos'
log is a brave and somewhat casual ac-
count of the difficulties overcome. but
certain phrases in the old galley proofs
will jolt the tourist who thinks Of trav-
cling as sitting back on cushions and
worrying over nothing more alarming
than a dirty spark plug.
When nearing Beaver creek the
road became impossible for bicycles
and the order was given to keep the
railroad track"
In the worst parts we carried our
heavily loaded machines on our Shout
ders . The mosquitoes were very
bad Our beds this night were very
hard and care had to be exercised not
to rest on prickly pears ="
In the Gallatin valley irrigation
bitches had flooded the roads with
waste water. In the ruts near Boze-
man the boys took many a header over
twisted handle bars. But on they went
through one little town after another,
through Columbus, Laurel and Park
City. Sometimes the machines would
be strung out for miles. But always
the company assembled in strict for
nation before wheeling into a town,
to the marvel of natives who opened
their mouths in surprise or for advice
and comment. There were plenty of
wise guys in those days; you will re-
call that it was in the Gay 'Nineties."
Coming out of Laurel, three old u
try Women going to town held the
whole road and kept their team going
fast enough to prevent our passing,
but too slow for our usual gait. We
asked for half the road and were
laughed at-but we had a chance and
took advantage of it by passing. The
women were SO surprised and aston
ished that they forgot about their