Local Stock Hands Join Wagon Train to Pryor

Mary Abrahmson, stock hand at the Glasgow Stockyards and resident of Wolf Point, set out this past weekend on an old fashioned wagon train. Abrahamson accompanied by friends Hannah Ferguson and Troy Melum met up with Bridger native Duncan Vezain in Bridger, MT to set off on the trail over the Prior Mountains through the "prior gap" and down into the town of Prior, MT. The total expedition aincluded 40 to 45 other riders and 5 covered wagons. "There were people from all over the world. Some from the UK and Germany even," said Abrahamson.

Abrahamson said the train set off on Saturday at 9 a.m. and covered about 8 to 10 miles that day, and camped on private land with permission from the owner. "It was fun," said Abrahamson, "We stopped, set camp, had dinner and of course enjoyed in camp festivities." The next day the crew broke camp and set out again at 9 a.m. to finish the last day of the trip. Abrahamson described the trip as going fine, and other than having to pay a fee to cross through Crow Tribal lands, it looked like they would finish uneventfully, until they were stopped by local landowners.

Abrahamson described the scene as a peaceful "old-west" stand off apparently between travelers and locals. "It never got too heated on either side," said Melum, "some people did get frustrated though." Abrahamson said Vezain had to call the tribal authorities to come out and negotiate them crossing the land, because returning the way they came would have taken far too long. Finally after four hours and a hefty fee of $500 the train was allowed to proceed. "We basically had to bribe them," Abrahamson exclaimed of the fee, "they took cookies from us, a little girl's hat, and $500... despite us believing we had all the permissions we needed... we also had kids, and elderly folks and we almost ran out of water. It was over 100 degrees outside, so we had to cut into our camp water." Abrahamson said they arrived in Prior at around 9 p.m. Sunday night.

According to Abrahamson and Melum, Vezain puts on this wagon train to raise awareness of a larger four day wagon train he does over Labor Day weekend. They said the rides were originally put on by George Miller, "an old cowboy from Baker" who has since passed away, so Vezain continues the ride in his honor. Anyone can contact Vezain to attend the wagon train over Labor Day. "We only paid $20 to take the two day ride last weekend, and that included breakfast, lunch and dinner each day and hay for the horses," explained Abrahamson adding, "He also has horses and saddles for rent, or there are wagons to ride in also." If you are interested in attending Vezains future rides he is available at 425-3540.