The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-06-03

doomed for the river was slowly
eating its way across the whole
section OF bottom land, which was
McNulty ranch.
But the McNultys were not
particularly worried. While we
were enjoying some of the famous
river valley hospitality in the form
of an excellent lunch. they told
us they were almost the farthest
point up the river which the gov
eminent had purchased in anticipa-
ton of being flooded by the back
water of Fort Peck dam in eastern
Montana.
Some To Re Flooded
For almost 200 miles the gov
eminent has bought up all ranches
in the bottom lands. The lower
ones will be flooded by the back
water, while some of the upper
ones. like the McNulty place. may
never actually feel the rise in the
water. The reason land was
bought so high up is to avoid any
damage suits in the future should
the ice, held up by the slack water
farther down, flood the up-river
bottom lands.
These lands. mostly above the
mouth of Musselshell river. still
are being worked by their former
owners under a year-to-year lease
at their own risk. Below the
Musselshell the government defin-
itely has moved out everyone and
has burned all ranch buildings
We suppose for the twofold pur-
pose of making sure they won't
be occupied when the water does
come up and to help keep the
river clear of driftwood
Welcome Green Trees
Though we had seen trees on the
smaller river bottoms all the way
down from Fort Benton. most Of
them had been rather stumpy cot .
tonwoods and flock willows on the +
bars.
Today brought us to the first
Of the large river bottoms and
with them the larger trees. At
every bend were several acres OF .
refreshingly green trees. almost
the only spot Of color in an other
wise somewhat drab landscape
Enjoying their cool shade. II was
hard to realize they were con-
waging a gallant but los
ing fight for life. Attacked
mercilessly by lightning, ice. high
winds, high water. and. worst OF
all, caving banks. they buried their
roots deeply and held onto Mother
Earth with an amazing tenacity.
Every timbered bottom has its
forest giants leaning over the
'dge Of the bank, hanging on
grimly until all hope is gone.
snags Dangerous
And then, when the river does
claim them. they try. with a good
zeal Of success. to remain near
-heir old stamping grounds The
weight Of the dirt their roots take
with them hold them TO the river .
bed and when the ice comes down
n the spring. II strips them Of all
heir smaller branches leaving an
Ugly and dangerous sawyer to trap
iome unwsry boatman busy with
liz fight against the current
Along every bottom and bar
hese sswyers and snags are either
fsible By themselves or by the
'iffle they make. Their toll
Igainst the old keelbosts. mack
nsws and steam boats vas stag
'ering. but. with our light canoe.
We easily passed over thoe We
we're not able 10 see on the surface. (.
Our stop At night vas made At !
smous old Turner Landing. the
ormer steamboat and freighting
tstion. now Link ranch. 4
This spot was once quite a VII
age ana bossted 50 or 50 log Z
Iuts Al that time steamboats,
Inloaded their cargo there for the Z
ssy points. and II was transported
Inland by long lines Of bull wagons. !
Here. too. was old Wilder ferry. Z
n which sheep were crossed when
hey had 70 be taken a hundred Z
niles north for shearing. Z
Not many miles above Link Z
snch is an old buffalo ford used Z
" the old cattle rustlers when i
hey would come south from Z
- 49, ..at - y