THE PADDLE WHEELERS OF YESTERYEAR
From Fort Benton to the Klondike gold fields, in the early frontier days,
The wheelers were the major carriers of freight throughout the western waterways ,
Passenger lists were unsurpassed with merchants, outlaws and Famous Adventurers bold,
There were buffalo hunters, fur traders, notorious Madams and seekers of Gold.
Enroute the Paddlers stopped at every settlement and docked at camps remote,
Bargained for fuel to stoke the boilers that made the steam to powere the boat.
They traded furs for flour, beans and bacon and kegs of whiskey for the firewood;
Boat Captains learned to barter with skill and made deals as best they could.
Traveling by wheeler, there came the landed settlers, complete with mules and wife,
They built cabins and soddies, plowed, planted seeds; worked hard in this new life.
There were cows for butter and milk, hogs for bacon; and laws laid down with rules,
Soon there were children, then came Churches followed shortly by courts and schools.
The Paddler Wheelers were the life-line that made the northwest boom and survive,
When the great railways reached the west, the Paddle Wheelers retired with pride,
Having given great tribute to opening and taming the wild wilderness of the Northwest.
Sponsorer of many Pioneer families who settled and stayed. History tells us the rest.
Images and verse copyright of Faye Facer
