In the "Montana Post" for February 11, 1865, there appeared the following advertisement:
OVERLAND STAGE LINE. Ben. Holladay, Proprietor. Carrying the Great Through Mail between the Atlantic and Pacific States. ----- This line is now running in connection with the daily coaches between Atchison, Kansas & Placerville, Cal.
Tri-weekly Coaches between Salt Lake City and Walla Walla, via Boise City, West Bannack, and Tri-weekly Coaches between Great Salt Lake City and Virginia City, Montana, via Bannack City.
Carrying the U. S. Mail, Passengers, and Express Matter.
Also tri-weekly coaches between Virginia City and Bannack City.
Coaches for Great Salt Lake City and Bannack City leave Virginia City every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday Morning, connecting at Fort Hall; and coaches to Boise and Walla Walla, and at Great Salt Lake City, with the daily lines to the Atlantic States, Nevada, and California.
Express matter carried in charge of competent and trustworthy messengers.
For further particulars apply at office. Nat Stein, Agent, Virginia City, Montana Territory.
A large advance over the capabilities of the old Mackinaw boats may be seen recorded in the log of a Missouri River Steamboat:
"First trip of steamer Deer Lodge, Captain Lawrence Ohlman, Clerk H. A. Dohrman, Engineer S. G. Hill.
"Left St. Louis March 20, at 6½ o'clock p. m., for Fort Benton, lost 12 days by ice, and arrived at Fort Union May 1, where we laid 4 hours and then started on our way up the river. Reached Fort Benton May 18, at 4½ p. m. Discharged 200 tons of freight, and started on return to St. Louis May 21, and arrived there June 3, having made the trip down in 13 days and 15 hours.
"Trip No. 2. Left St. Louis for Fort Benton Wednesday, June 6, at 6½ p. m., with 210 tons of freight, 60 tons for Randall, Rice, and Sully, 150 tons for Benton. Running time from St. Louis to Fort Sully 16 days; to Fort Rice 21 days; to Fort Union 27 days and 6 hours; to Milk River 29½ days; to the mouth of Judith, or Camp Cook, 35 days 10 hours. Discharged 147 tons of freight and laid there 12 hours, and started again for Benton. Passed Drowned Man's Rapids in 2½ minutes without laying a line or working a full head of steam. Laid up at Eagle Creek 3 hours, and arrived at Fort Benton July 13, at 4 p. m. Time from St. Louis 36 days and 21 hours.