Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-10-28
State Had Brief Counterpart
OF Pony Express i'm 1867-68
BY ELMO

BY ELNO
n R ONTANA had brief cOun-
N terpart of the overland
go Pony Express in 1867-6S,
which, in its short history pro-
duced experiences for its riders
rivaling those of the Pony Express
of the Overland Trail and of the
escape from Indians of John Col
ter some 90 years previously. Col
ter, it will be recalled, left the
Lewis and Clark expedition at
Mandan and returned to Montana
as a trapper. About the second
season he was in the country he,
with others of Manuel Lisa's fur COM
pany, tried to establish fort and trap
ping activities near the Three forks
of the Missouri river Golfer and a
companion one day encountered a band
of Blackfeet. His companion was killed
Golfer was stripped and given a chance
to run for his life to give the braves
some sport before he died. He man
aged to reach the river and hide in
side a beaver dam, escaping after
nightfau down the river and making
his way, naked and cold, to Liza'S fort
down the Yellowstone.
The Montana Pony Express, estab-
hshed as mail route from st. Paul
TO Helena, began service in 1857. Fort
Hawley, near the confluence Of the
Musselshel and Missouri rivers, was
the point where the mail route cut
away from the Big Muddy and made
across the country on fairly direct
route to Helena.
The service was poorly performed,
and an establishment that might have
been of inestimable value to the inland
country was more of a detriment Mail
was repeatedly lost enroute. The pony
riders had long and difficult journeys
between stations. Fuel was scarce, and
newspapers were heavy. The papers
were burned, and letters made excellent
cigar lighters when ignited from a
camp fire. To receive a letter over the
route at ali, says Lieut.. James II.
Bradley, pioneer Montana trooper,
was rather a matter of surprise. The
government refused payment for the
poor service, and the route was aban-
doned.
In the spring of 1868 AL Bradbury,
superintendent of the western division
the best on the route-arrived at
MusselsheH City to close the company's
affairs.
Attacked by Indians
In mid-April he left for Helena with
Henry Mcdonald, q daring and sue
cessful rider, and three or four other
men, with one or two loose horses IN
addition to their saddle animals. Their
route took them over the Judith noun
tains. AS they neared the base of the
range they saw in the distance some
IN cstn1Vx 1,voxxor xol7Nca YrnOuoTs~e Y4fc wore
threatening. The party sought q com
knoll and dug small rifle pits
with butcher knives.
The Indians repeatedly attacked the
knoll. The men were under q hot tire
for more than two hours until dark
ness came. All their horses were lost.
Two men were wounded, though not
disabled.
After dark the men abandoned their
position and eluded the Indians. All
the party but one reached the settle
ments in safety and without further
Incident. One, a Dennis, became separ-
ated from his companions in the night,
and floundered around In q strange re-
gion in the darkness in much anxiety.
Morning came, and Indians on his
trail Despite his best speed Dennis
was being rapidly overtaken by his
pursuers.
In badlandS, SCARED by wind and
water, deep ridgy ravines with their
steep walls we're difficult to traverse.
Dennis was getting hungry to the point
of weakness, with no food at hand. 1t
must be the end. he thought.
Water had worn tunnels through the
terrain in places. Dennis came to one
of these. He hustled into 1t, with the
Indians uncomfortably close. The reds
quickly discovered Dennis hiding place.
they hesitated. That twisting, winding
tunnel might give them distinct adj
vantage If Dennis were on the look
out. Only one man could go IN at q
time. Should Dennis be armed, the first
man, at least, would be killed.
AT last, after searching the vicinity,
the Indians discovered the other end
Of the tunnel Dennis was their man
now. they believed. The next question