151 AT THE PAINTED WOODS. 
upper river, where, after a series of adventures and mis- 
adventures was killed by a madman on the upper Big 
Muddy in the year 1885. Upper Missouri steamboat- 
ing became a business of the past and with it the wood- 
yard man’s prosperity ended in that section—closing 
down with the Great Northern railroad’s westward ad- 
vance to the Milk River Valley. 
With the advent of the season of 1894, came hopes 
to a few of the most patient of the ‘‘stayers’’ among 
the woodyard men onthe Missouri immediately north 
of the Northern Pacific railroad. The activity came 
about through a gradual increase in population and a 
stride in the development of the resources of the region 
named. Painted Woods Landing becamea place of ac- 
tion once more. Its generous proprietor exhibited the 
product of his garden and field as testimony to its wealth, 
and to his own industry and perseverance. 
To take up the abandoned woodyard again, help and 
supplies were needed. A young man from Montana 
was secured as chopper, and in company with the pro- 
prietor’s son George,the two made preparation to go to 
the Capital City with team and wagon for supplies. 
It was on one of the closing days of September that 
the two started out cheerfully from the Landing on what 
proved to be their last round trip ride. The father came 
across the road from his garden work to give final in- 
structions and admonition to his rather wayward son, 
after which the impatient and well groomed team sped 
rapidly along the river through the deserted streets and 
airy castles of Painted Woods City. The poise of a 
hawk,—the scamper of a gopher to clear the road and 
oe, 
See 
ee ne 
