Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-01-14

WET UNHERAIDED were the shin
ing steel rails that bring COM
merce and communication to ev-
cry part OF Montana from the outside
world. and even q hint that one ever
held notions of flying through the air
WAS enough to ~0str2cize the most re-
spected citizen Hewbeit a half century
ago Teton county enjoyed mail and
passenger transportation service that
asked no favors in efficiency from the
node and service of the twentieth
century
The nature of this accomplishment is
fully explained by Sheriff Jim Collins
who came TO Teton county in 1884 and
started in the cattle business on the
ranch which he still OWNS and operates.
In spite OF the office which the people
have conferred on him Sheriff Collins
has quietly distinguished himself by
remaining q pioneer cattleman of the
era when stockmen were virtual kings
OF the r~angeland.
The mail and passenger service was
fully rs dependable as that enjoyed by
the surrounding community at present.
thus did Mr. Collins commend the dill
gence OF those whose duty it wa to
bring communication from the outside
world to the pioneer ranchers.
The Wells Fargo company operated
q stage line between Helena and Fort
Benfon- Old Agency was the first sta
TO north of Sun River on the branch
lin which left the main line at Sun
River and served Old Agency, Brady.
Collins. and Conrad Later when these
towns came into existence it included
Bynum- Pendroy. and Dupuyer.s Nj
Collins continues.
Prom the time hat the horses tore
DlEcking and plunging out of Helena
Ill the last relay gaIloped into Fort
bentOn b coach never slowed doHn
10 less than the fastest pace the horses
could maintain. -Four and six-hOrse
teams were used to haul the stage. de-
pending on the load and the condition
OF The trails THE horses were taken
directly from the range. FIJI. OF life and
pep The leaders usually were broke to
the reins but the xheeiers' only re
q~uIren1entS we're to follow the leaders
and run their Garndest- -Four men were
required To hold the broncos while they
were being hitched to the coach bef1Ind
closed doors in the livery barn. After
Inc door were opened the vehicle was
unretrievably committed to the broad
open spaces"
Passengers waiting for the stage were
often somewhat mystified to behold the
stage q come ~careening into view
and dash past the depot and axav
across town to dwIndIe into the offlnr
Twice around the town the vehicle
would sway and rumble before the
driver ouL bring them to a halt he
lore me p0Sfoffice long enough to grab
a DIT Of mail n a passenger or two
lnen away the ponies would stampede
again Tor q little more exercise before
ne loading could continue This would
last Is long as there were plenty OF
passengers and mail and when every
uling Was safely slowed aboard the
uT1Ver woIld unwind his whip and give
Inc bTOxcS all the running they wanted.
Tine instance Is cited OF q woman
WITH = dog boarding the stage at Cho-T
teau- AS the driver was unable to h0ld
Inc horses any longer the STAGE sud
oeniy departed leaving her dog behind.
hearing her CRY U that her dog was
lett behind the driver called back over
ms shoulder, forget your dog. you're
lucky 20 Be here yourself.