The Nation - News from Sept. 5, 1989

The Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive began in the golden light of sunrise as the lead longhorns crested a ridge in single file and then all 2,700 animals formed an undulating, bawling river of beef. The six-day, 60-mile journey from Roundup on the high plains of eastern Montana to the stockyards of Billings is the largest spectacle in Montana’s yearlong celebration of its birthday as a state. The cattle, herded by a band of 105 drovers, was joined south of Roundup by a contingent of about 300 covered wagons and 3,000 riders prepared to spend the next week on the trail. At late morning, cheers greeted the sight of huge longhorns being herded through Roundup, leading the miles of wagons and riders toward their rendezvous with the main herd. The re-creation of an Old West drive will climax with another parade when the cattle arrive in Billings on Saturday.