The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-04-27
By MRS. M. E. PLASSMANN

In this ~iconoclastic age members of
royal families are no longer regarded
with the awe and alteration which was
formerly theirs, and we are not at all
surprised at learning that a prince diff
fers little in appearance from other
men of the same age He has the air
Of one who is of assured position,
whether gained from wealth o descent,
and that is about all the superiority
he a claim; and even this he takes
pains to conceal, as the heir to a throne
is none too certain of his heritage.
The title of prince, however, is in
variably associated in our minds with
a charming youth clad in velvet, and
giittering with gems-the hero of count
less fairy tales.
Prince Macmillan, who visited the
Upper Missouri did not figure in the
%eonvential role either in age or in dress.
From the accounts given of him in
Bradley's Journal, Mont. His. Rec. Vol.
Iu.), he was nearly seventy years old.
although, other writers say he was
younger. He was a man of medium
height. rather slender, ans teeth, pas
Sonately fond of his pipe, unostenta-
tiousa and speaking very broken English.
His favorite dress was a white SLOUGH
hat, a black velvet coat, rather rusty
from long service, and probably the
greaSiest pair of trousers that ever en-
cased princely legs"
It was this man who left Fort Union,
July 6, 1888, for Fort Mckenzie on the
Marias. The journey was made in the
keel boat, Flora, while for ONE reason,
hNRnnzia hoH cont PoYpor-fha man
who had won the trade of the Piegans
for the company-"and n Harvey"
by land to the MariaS fort.
For upper river navigation on the
Missouri the company used two kinds
sf boats-the keel boat and the macki-
nav, the latter for down river travel.
What a keel boat was like, is best
given by Maximilian, in his description
Of the Flora: This vessel was a strong
built sloop, about sixty feet long by six
teen broad, with a deck, a mast, and
sail. The goods were deposited in the
middle space; at the stern there was a
cabin, ten PAGES long and five O. six
broad, with two berths, one of which
was allotted to MI. Mitchell, and the
second to me; the other persons, three
IN number, spread their beds in the
evening, on the floor. At the back of
this cabin was a little window, with
q sliding shutter, and on each side a
port-hole, which, in fine weather, adj
mitted light and air. Round the vessel
there was a ledge, about a foot and
q half broad, on which the men walked
backwards and forward when, the water
being low, they had to propel the boat
by means of poles. In the fore part of
The vessel was the apartment Of the
engages, and, an iron crate for cook
ing; here, too, the game which we had
taken, was hung up. About half Of OUR
men were destined to tow the vessel
when there was no wind"
The boat carried. on this occasion,
Gfty-two persons, including the crew,
as Mr.. Mckenzie had taken the pre-
caution to engage a crew of twice the
usual number The evening before they
set out. there was a grand display of
fireworks, which frightened the Can
adam voyageurs, who had never before
seen the like. It is probable, also, that
HE amount of liquor taken, may have
had its effect upon their courage.
Evidently there was no wind on the
following morning, when the boat start
ed on its way upstream, as Macmillan
says, our men began to tow the Flora.
The American flag was hoisted on the
fort, and several guns were fired. on
both sides, as a farewell salute" It was
a hot day, and the towers often had
to lie down and drink from the river.
After going a short distance, and see
ing them well started, Mr.. Mckenzie,
who had accompanied them, returned to
the fort, and there was another salute
In his honor. That day, The Is men
who towed u boat had been often OBJ
iged to put off the greater part of their
clothes, to wade through the water,
and the mud of the soft banks. The
trunk of a tree broke the door Of our
cabin, and we were frequently obliged
to row. For this purpose there We're on
the deck, two large and long oars,
which were worked by three or five
men. who walked backwards and for
wards. At a large pile of driftwood on