Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-07-28

ers. the water being very swift through
the gorge for the distance of a mile or
more.
After entering the canyon looking
ahead only a short distance, we APP
peared TO be on a level with the tops
of the trees below us. and we realized
that we were in for it with a run for
our lives.
We nerved ourselves for what might
come to us. after entering the rapid
there was no such thing as turning
back or stopping. Boat No. / was in
the lead. At n point there was a
large rock in midstream. nearly flat
on top, and partially covered with
water, but with a slope upstream. We
were going at such a rapid rate thai
We failed in our efforts to avoid the
rock, but instead the boat climbed I'D
nearly high and dry on the boulder.
We all jumped out ON the rock. swung
the boat loose and jumped in again
and went on milling and swinging UNI
til We finally reached the lower end of
the gorge where at a quiet spot we
hauled up to the bank for a rest.
Boat No. 2 followed right side up. al
SO landing beside lis. AT that time
boat No. 3 was III sight, whirling down
the rapids. AT the very last bad rapid
it capsized. splitting crew and duffle in
to the river. The Johns boys got out
without difficulty. but we had consid-
cradle trouble saving Fat Mack. from
drowning. Such things from the boat
which floated were gathered in and
saved, but all heavy articles went to
the bottom and were lost.
We made camp. built Up a big fire.
dried out the wet clothes and blankets.
and incidentally rested up after the
strenuous exertions through the can
yon. Having been raised along the
banks of d river. I was pretty nearly
as much at home in the water as out.
but after that experience I have al
ways been somewhat afraid OF the
swift running mountain streams. We
decided that In the future. on the
trip, in case of noting any suspicious
appearing places ahead. we would haul
UP to the bank and investigate.
The next day we were jill our way
again. but worked more cautiously
However, we met with no more ac-
cidents. although at place In a box
eaHyen where the water ran very quiet
and deep, there is a sharp turn in the
river where we were fearful of falls
and were extremely careful. No falls
or bad rapids were encountered AT
length we came to the junction of the
Blackfoot and He'll Gate rivers, where
we felt our worst navigation troubles
were over. We were o alongside the
little town OF Missnula. where We drew
our boats ashore and stopped over for
several days. We found a population
of somewhere around 100 people. most
ly men. The business houses / rem
ember were Worden and Higgins store,
Bonner and WEIGH store. Billy Stevens,
hotel: william McWhirk, saloon. Chris
Marten, blacksmith. Charles Hayden.
livery stable. another livery barn. af-
terward run by John Hayes Multi
gam, and the grist mill and saw mill
of Worden and company. Worden and
Higgins each had quite good homes
/ and there we're a number of log cabins
. scattered about. There was d bridge
| across the river just below town. On
G the river bank Immediately above the
bridge Worden and company had an
t ice house In which We were given the
t privilege of camping during our stay.
In Missoula we learned that some Is
: miles or more down the river there
t was a canyon through which we could
not take our boats. 1T did not take
S much argument. after our experience
: on the Blackfoot, to convince lis that
r we would not attempt 10 run the can
4 yon referred to.
There appearing no reason TO pre-
4 vent, we went on down the river to a
G point opposite Frencht0Wn. Here We
r landed and went into town We met
a ma named James Bonticue. Whc
1 was running a small pack train WI
t contracted with him TO take III be-
t longings to Cedar. After helping him
pack up. we concluded to ride down the
G river SO far as it appeared safe TO do SO
4 AT the first rapids, we landed and took
E the trail On foot. The last / saw OF
: the boats they were going round and
E round i'm a whirlpool. At a little stop
t ping place across the Missoula river
j from the mouth OF Cedar, we me
G man who was looking for a partner to
:, 90 In with him whip-saWlng lumber
Brother Fred accepted the proposition
S and went to work there. The rest oil
E lis crossed the river on a ferry and
walked up Cedar creek to Louisville
: thn rYrinrirral town Arriving there We