Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-08-04

I City and Fort Keogh was that which
led I'D the valley Of the Tongue river
It followed the stream across what are
today improved ranches. At one point
now on the J. r. Mckay ranch, the trail
passed a butte, opposite which was
house IN which lived a man by the
name Of Epps with q squaw wife. She
was gifted as a bead worker and sold
many finely-made beaded mOcassins
and belts.
Many saloons were located along the
trail in the eighties. With the coming
of the Northern Pacific railway in
1881, herds Of cattle were trailed down
Tongue river to Miles City for ship
ment. In 1884, when work was start
ed on the dam and ditch for irrigating
PURPOSES more saloons we're establish
ed. The cowboys, Mr.. Mcdowell notes,
Of the outfits delivering cattle (beeD
seemed TO be the hard drinkers. Many
Of them, he observes, had to be tied ia
the wagon and hauled out Of town.
In the absence Of bridges there were
many fords or crossings, along the
course Of the stream. The first ford
was located about l6 miles from Miles
City. It was called the Wolff Cross
ing" A mile beyond was the ''Pratts
Crossing" Mr. Pratts' sister, Mrs. Nor
rison, still lives on the old ranch. Sew
eral miles farther south was located
Seeley's crossing, now known as the
Summer ranch.
It was Seeley, as Alr. Mcdowell re-
calls, who originated bear and dog
fight. 1t was scheduled to take place
at Billiards. brewery located south OF
the railway tracks opposite the present
sales yards. Seeley made extrayagant
Representations as to the courage and
ability Of the dog. An iron enclosure
was erected. A large number Of people |
gathered for the event. The price Of
admission was one dollar. The dog, al
small one, was placed ia the cage The
bear seemed to want companionship
and became friendly with the dog, |
which cringed away from his adversary.
The event turned out to be such a fake
that some persons In the crowd grab
bed Seeley and compelled him to refund
their money. There was some talk Of
Iynching, but Seeley escaped.
Just beyond but adjoining the Seeley
place lived Johnny deaf Johnnie)
Sonnet In a IL by IA log house. 1t had
one door and a single window. Under
the window was a two-by-three table
which was fastened to the wall Bis
tin plate was nailed to the top Of the
table.
Il know where my tin plate is all the
time" he said
The third crossing Of the river was
located here. A few miles above was
located the Piper Dan crossing. Dan
was one Of the famous early-day char
acters IN the valley. He operated q
saloon and road ranch A man by the
name Of Mcmillan, who was associated
with Dan, belonged TO q Highland regi-
ment stationed at one time at Halifax
After their discharge from the British
army they drifted west and located on
Tongue river. Mcmillan was well edu-
sated and had been hospital steward.
Many Of the people living In the valley
who were sick were benefited by the
application OF his knowledge Of medi-
Zines. Dan was simply a piper but Of
'en had no pipes.
On the west side Of the river near
Piper Dams place lived an old man by
he name Of Plunkett. He was awaken
ID one night by two strangers who ask
ID for coffee. After they had partakenl
Il the meal he provided these strangers
held him up took his money, two
watches and other personal belongings
week or so later he heard noise I
It his door. Not taking any chances, .
le fired his gun, but all the slugs were
registered in the log above the door.
The fourth crossing was at the Burns
place, afterward CrRwford's, at the
mouth Of Elk creek. The Kidder stage
tation was located here, Mr.. Kidder ]
having the mail contract for the Ton
-ue river route. His son was employed
With COW outfit on Powder river. A {