{ title: 'The Hardin Tribune-Herald (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, May 29, 1925, Page 2, Image 2', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about Chronicling America - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/sn86075229/1925-05-29/ed-1/seq-2.png', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn86075229/1925-05-29/ed-1/seq-2.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn86075229/1925-05-29/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn86075229/1925-05-29/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
About The Hardin Tribune-Herald (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973 | View This Issue
The Hardin Tribune-Herald (Hardin, Mont.), 29 May 1925, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/sn86075229/1925-05-29/ed-1/seq-2/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
Page Two THE HARDIN TRIBUNE -HERALD Friday, May 29, 1925. Captain Fisk's Expedition From Minnesota To Fort Benton and Bannack City In 1863 (14 M. E. PLASSMANN) 0 I T WAS in the spring of 1863, that Captain James L Fiske was detailed to escort a company of emigrants from Fort Abercrombie to the upper Missouri country. This was following the Sioux massacre in Minnesota when it would have been extremely dangerous for any train to pass through the Sioux hunting grounds without a military escort. Captain Fiske chose St. Cloud as the place of rendezvous, and set the date of leaving there at June fif- teenth, about the time our little train unes( Jrted, left Omaha. At Fort Ripley three gentlemen, Messrs. Major. Hesse and Hannay, who expected to join an expedition for the survey of part of the Oregon boundary line, arrived with the re- quest from the Secretary of War, that Captain Fisk would take them under his protection. On - 0 1-e-waY IQ_ Fort Abercrombie, and shortly before reaching there, the party \say further results of the Sioux massacre. The place was de- serted, and had been burned. The bodies of Mr. Smith and others mur- dered by the Sioux, were buried here. The scene was most melan- choly. A dismantled mill, broken wagons. farm implements, and scattered ashes, were all that re- mained of the once thriving settle- ment.\ This was not a promising outlook for the company before their journey was fairly begun, that would lead them through the midst of the Sioux country. At Fort Abercrombie. Captain Fiske issued orders for the march. The wagons were to travel close to- gether during the day and be cor- rated at night, with the cattle in the coral, and the tents outside. While on the march, flankers were sent out lifor two or three miles on either side, and scouts rode fifteen miles ahead; all this to prevent being surprised by the Indians. Fires had to be out at \taps and a password alone per- mitted of leaving camp, as orders were given to fire at any one who did not use it in answer to the cen- try's challenge. The horses—for the escort was a cavalry company—were hitched near the tents. The first wild animals that caused them annoyance, were the wolves, that kept them awake by howling. For the first month of the journey, nothing remarkable occurred, but near Lakes Lydia and Jessie, a red arrow was found lying on a rock, Say \Bayer\- Insist! For Colds Headache Pain Lumbago Neuralgia Rheumatism' Accept only a Bayer package which contains proven directions Handy \Bayer\ boxes of 12 tablets Abo bottles of 24 and 100—Diug,giata ispirin the trade mark of Bayer Mario facture of iloaosceticacidester of ilalicylleacid Repauno Gelatin Powder -The Most Efficient Dynamite for Mining We Render You Quick Service on Mail Orders A. C. M. HARDWARE HOUSE Main and Quartz Butte Montana and pointing south. The Sioux in- terpreter Antoine Freniere, explain- ed that this was a votive offering to the God of the Rock. A few Sioux were seen, who beat a rapid retreat at the sight of the train . Not far from Mouse river, the scouts came upon a comp of Red River hunters, with their rude carts The next incident of the trip was forming a circular enclosure, with- meeting Broken Arm's band of Ag- in which the tepees were pitched. sinniboines. Broken Arm called on The exterior decoration of the camp the Captain, and after the usual pre - was furnished by stakes, on which liminary ceremonies, made a long straps of buffalo meat were dry- speech. telling of the friendship of lug. \These erections,\ writes Cap- the .Assinniboines for the whites, tam n Fiske. \looked in the distance and asking that the Great Father be like a red wall around the camp.\ informed of the fact, and gently urg- Most of these Red River hunters- ed to abide by the treaties made be - were half breeds from Pembina. Cap- tween them. tam n Fiske found them neat and It goes without saying that the well behaved. They reported that a Captain assured his Chiefship that On the wolf's head was a scarlet cloth cap, worked with beads, and above this a woolen cap with a metal chin -strap. On the arms of the fig- ure were hung small arrows, to- bacco, etc. Antoine Freniere states that this is a war sacrifice of the Sioux.\ t I APTAIN JAMES L. FISH, who was detailed as escort for Parties of Emigrants to the Northwest in 1863, bringing his charge safely through the hunting ground of the hostile Sioux Indians, band of a thousand Sioux were south of them at that time, which was al- arming intelligence for the Fiske party. It was more alarming as they were entering the buffalo range, and had already killed sever- al. Where buffalo were, there might be Indians. One of the Red River' hunters acted as a mail car- rier for the Captain, who gives this graphic description of his dress, which was typical of the Canadian voyaguers. \He wore a felt hat, with a gay wreath; a dark -blue coat with a hood; drab legging fringed with scarlet and black cloth, with bead work and gilt buttons on the out- side; and moccasins embroidered with stained porcupine quills. To this add a crimson sash about his waist; cross belts (for his shot pouch and powder horn) covered with beautiful work in colored beads; a knife sheath and shot - pouch similarly ornamented; a pow- der -horn, with bright colored tas- sels and brass nails; and a hunting knife and rifle. He rode a well - trained hunting Rob Roy pony, and had a buckskin saddle or pad, with elegant designs in colored beads; also a blue -broadcloth saddle cover, with red fringes, and decorated in the same way as the saddle.\ This profuse ornamentation cf one man's attire and belongings, must have made the Captain's unitorm seem tawdry in comparison. Before reaching Mouse river, one of the scouts discovered what he took to be a new variety of scare- crow. This is as Captain Fisk de- scribed it: \It consisted of a large stake, about seven feet high, plant-' ed in the ground, having another stake across it like arms. The whole was covered with wolf skins, and the head of a wolf was on the top. 4 This Time TRY Bohemian Hop -Flavored RI IAN MALT Gives Best Results Choicest Materials Asit You r Grocer Montana D I attributors -- BUTTE MALT SYRUP c . Sit S.. Idaho at.. MOM. Molt teas the Great Father already knew how friendly the Assinniboines were, and if they continued to be so, then peace and prosperity would be theirs. Neither one was telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and knew it. But that is the way with diplomats of any color of skin. During this visit of the Assinni- boines, the latter asked for some of the headache medicine the doctor had given them the previous year. t The doctor handed around his snuff box and soon the Indians were fairly sneezing their heads off, which somewhat detracted from their wonted dignity. The Captain had a small mountain howitzer with him. With a desire to impress the Indians with its pow- er, he had a shell fired at a moun- tain some distance away. -- He - took the Indians to see what harm was wrought by the shell. They said, when they saw the broken rock and splinters of shell, \shot too hard.\ They did not like it, but were will- ing to give two ponies in exchange for it. \The big gun shot a little gun out of him, and that little gun went off himself when he struck the mountain, doing much mischief,\' was their explanation of what had happened. Freniere claimed that this tribe received their name because of hav- ing burned on a rock some Chippewa prisoners in 1812, Assinni boine be- ing two words meaning \burnt rock.\ This may or may not have been the true derivation of the name, but it is worth recording. Near the last of August, when on Frenchman's fork of the Milk riv- er, Mr. Major, one of the men spec- ially committed to Captain Fisk's care, started alone to walk ahead of the train. He. did not come into camp that night, and was not found until the following evening, by hich time he was utterly prostrated. ifffkb. - flirt ftWoritetreerposu re and above all by thirst. This was the second man lost and found on the journey. While on the Milk river, the par- ty met the first Gros Ventres, when about a dozen of them visited the camp. Captain Fisk speaks of their language, which he says, \is the most extraordinary and uncouth that can be imagined. It is guttur- al and seems to consist of a cough, a groan, a grunt, a whistle, and a 'tst tat'. They never speak a syl- lable distinctly, but appear to ar- rest the half -formed words in their throats. Mr. Meldrum, agent at Fort Union, has been many years among them, and cannot speak their language; he says he believes it is almost impossible for a white man to learn it.\ A little after the Gros Ventres visited them. the Fisk party met the first white men they had seen - since leaving General Sibley's detachment. These were men connected with an ox train belonging to Colonel Hun- kins, of Bannack, who were going to St. Charles for two quartz mina to treetati at Itantntele. The tratat left Bannack in June, and it had tali - ken them until the last of August to reach this point. Such was ra- pid transit in the pioneer days The meeting with Hunkins' train took place about a week before the company reached Fort Benton. Here Captain Fisk's escort ended, and the emigrants then left for their vari- ous destinations unattended. This final leave-taking occurred on Sep- tember 7, 1863, after a journey of nearly three months.. When Captain Fisk bid farewell to the emigrants he had escorted from Minnesota to Fort Benton, he had discharged his duty to them, but not to the government. There were the wagons and stock still re- maining which he purposed selling in Bannack, or in Walla Walla, both across the mountains, and about 20 of the emigrants decided to accom- pany him. The journey to Fort Ben- ton was noteworthy in that there were no deaths, or serious accidents on the way. Early in the trip three men deserted, taking with them government horses. Captain Fisk -empowered the captain_ Bowe Red River hunters to follow the men and regain the horses. Fortunately, although the road the party followed traversed the Sioux hunting grounds, they were not attacked, which was remark- able, as the Sioux were at that time exceptionally hostile and the offic- ers of General Sibley's command had warned Captain Fisk against under- taking the journey, as it would be foolhardy to attempt it. That it was successfully accomplished was due to Captain Fisk's excellent su- pervision. Every precaution was ta- ken to prevent being surprised by the enemy. Before reaching Fort Benton, the men from Bannack who were met, told of the gold discoveries there, and the still richer ones at Virginia City. This news, doubtless it was, which led to the 20 leaving Fort Benton with him, although the gold lure might have led them north, in- stead of west, there being reports of new mines on the Saskatchewan, and they later passed miners bound for that region. On the tenth of September, the party arrived at Sun River, and the next day camped at the Crossing where was then the government farm of the Blackfoot agency. Cap- tain Fisk speaks of the new man in charge there; Mr. Vail, the brother- in-law of Plummer, having moved to Bannack. At this farm there were then many large fields cultivated, and says the Captain, \Wheat oats, and all kinds of vegetables raised.\ He also states, \ there is hardly any stock left.\ This last may have been owing to the Indian raid mentioned by Mr. Gillette when all the horses there were run off, including his own. While on their way to the Dear- born. three of the party had an am- using experience, which the reader will better appreciate, if he recalls that George Ives, Plummer, Stinson, and the rest of the road agents were still at large, and had the country terrorized. This is Captain Fisk's account of it. \While riding down to the Dear- born this morning, ahead of the train, accompanied by Dr. Dibb, Lieuttenant Johnston and Antoine Freniere, all of us dressed in buck- skin suits and probably looking somewhat 'wild,' we observed a man riding up the ravine leading to the river, and put spurs to our horses to intercept him ,as we thought he was coming from Bannack City and we wished to get news from there. The stranger, catching sight of us, rode up very slowly ,looking some- what pale and scared. Suddenly re- cognizing Lieutenant Johnston, he greeted him - with great cordiality, having, it appears, met him in Fort Benton. He then asked us to help him look for his purse, which he had thrown away in the grass, taking us for road agents, (1. e. highwaymen); after considerable search, we found his bag of gold dust, containing about $3,000.\ Such were the, good old days of '63, when robbery was common, and Henry Plummer, as sheriff, administered the law. No wonder the stranger greeted Lieu- tenant Johnston \with ; great cordi- ality.\ From the Dearborn, tie party moved on to the Little Preekly Pear, and remained for a day at Morgan's ranch to rest their stock. Here they were presented with a beaver, which their cook converted into \excellent bouillon.\ On September 17, occurred the first death; that of William H. Hol- yoke, who had made the journey for his health. He was buried near Morgan's ranch, on the mountain- side, and accorded a military fun- eral. Captain Fisk had a headstone .erectsd at the grave. and syringed with Morgan to have the -grave rue - planted there, \and to guard it from desecration.\ A day or so from Morgan's ranch, three hundred Pend d'Oreilles were encountered, on their way to hunt buffalo south of Fort Benton. The Captain was impressed with the good appearance of the horses, and the mean looks of the Indians; but he found them \civil and well-be- haved.\ Mention is made of the gold dig- gings on the Prickly Pear, where the miners were busy preparing for the next season's work. Crossing the Di- vide, a salute was fired, then they passed down Otter creek to the Lit- tle Blackfoot where they made camp, and some of the company atteMpt- ed to wash out gold, which there yielded from two to ten cents per pan. ' Here they also fished and found game plentiful. I They entered the Deer Lodge val- ley near Johnny Grant's ranch. \Cottonwood City,\ says Captain ;Fisk, \is springing up near here on i the Deer Lodge. It contains about thirty homes and one hundred and I fifty inhabitants. Messrs. Higgins and Worden have large stores, with , supplies of all kinds for the min- ers.\ When near the crossing of the Big Hole river, the party met a train coming from Virginia City. The Cap- tain asked one of of the train where he came from. \He answered pretty gruffly, Hell Gate. Where had he been? StinkingiWater. What was the name of this valley? Big Hole. The stranger went his way without an- other word. These wagons had been taking vegetables from Hell Gate to the Virginia City mines. The farm- ers had got very high prices for their produce. Potatoes and onions, were worth from 25 to 40 cents a pound.\ The next encampment of the party waft on the Rattlesnake, and from there it was but a comparatively short distance to Bannack, where they arrived on September 28, about two weeks after the long journey ov- er the plains and mountains ended.. On nearing the town, a salute was fired from the little howitzer, which had been upset by a team of mules taking fright at the top of a hill above Bannack, and running in- to the carriage on which the gun was mounted. But -it was soon in place again, and in readiness to an- nounce in no uncertain tones that strangers of importance were mak- ing their entry. I well remember the scene as they came into town, preceded by the flag that was later to float above the pole above our house. A delegation of citizens mainly composed of those who had been part of Captain Fisk's company of the preceding year, went out to welcome him. Of this number were N. P. Langford and James Fer- gus. Mr. Langford had been one of Captain Fisk's assistants on the former expedition. It was not a pleasant day, as snow, driven into their' faces by the wind had caused the mules to take fright and overturn the howitzer. The party came in at the upper end of the valley, crossed the Grasshopper and camped on Yenkee Flats, so- called because Captain Fisk's men, of the previous year, who were most of them from Minnesota, had camped there. This is Captain Fisk's account of the derivation of the name. As Yankee Flats bordered on the Grasshopper, it may also be stated that this stream was orig- inally known as Willard's creek, having been named for a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It was bar. Charles Burnley who gave It the present name, because of the countless grasshoppers on its banks. While in Bannack, Captain Fisk visited its mines, both placer and quartz. He states that the former yielded from five to fifteen dollars a day. He also speaks of the little quartz mill with its four wooden stamps, which crushed \$1500 worth of gold per week.\ It was this mill which furnished the ingots that were quilted into the lining of the overcoat my father wore when he went east to secure the division of the territory—the gold that was to demonstrate to the authorities the wealth of this section. After selling part of his stock and provisions in Bannack, Captain Fisk went to Virginia City where he readily disposed of the remainder. Before leaving Bannack, the flag and howitzer were entrusted to the care of my father, Judge Edgerton, as he was the only representative of the U. S. government residing there. It was this howitzer that was used to shell the cabin of Pizanthia, the Mexican who killed Copeiy. I se. Cuticura Soap . Pure , and Wholesome Keeps The Skin' Clear • p, Oletsneid. Talcum eoki everywhere. STRAWBERRIES Fancy Glenmary strawberries, three gallon crate $4.50. Champion Goose- berries, medium size, best quality, three _g_allon crate, p.m. Montmor- eney Pie Cherkine, three frarOD crate, $3.1.5. . We pay the express.. Your money back if not satisfied. s Rend Money Order or Certified check now. Ask for complete price list. CHERRYLANE ORCHANDI4 Greeaseres, Wash. Ring Gears and Pinions Worms and Worm Gears Axel Shafts COMPLETE NEW STOCK ATTENTION ' AUTOIRTS AND GARAGES We also carry used parts for most every make and model • of car Instant Herxice--Best Prices Write ---Wire.---- Phone Carl,Weissman &Co. Auto Wrecking House Phone 6854, Great Falls, Mont. r 16° wia\naltartil:it - T‘trk/1 444\ \ lid iii' fr - 4 o r, aa •- • •••• .4 11 0 ' larirlefrek 40 4 111 ' 10 e Welt s Orr i n vklef 4ts) ride sit Sean so 441041tY1 WITRUIX.14,40 GIVEN NOM NAME 11140 AMNIA= •14 .1 + \1.1 :00 1 :3 1 3 141 1014 2 r:OW 4 E ll ;11 liwe ami a•- Our ...-r..-1\ 11414.101141 4:41011140AL .1141\W. Ir. 43: . , 1 1 04 0 0ahirl.\r\arga°7 4:1 n1\\i8.4,Tvoloc\wil. PA. SURVEY POWER LINE TO EDGAR MYSTIC LAKE -BILLINGS TRANS- MISSION IS TO BE AUG- MENTED New Carrier Will Transmit 50,000 Volts From Montana Power Com- pany's New Plant; Will Give Bill- ings Three Sources of Power. The Montana Power company, is making a survey for a high -power transmission line front Billings to Edgar which will be tied up with the line from the company's new Mystic Lake plant at Fromberg, thus affording dual lines over a great part of the distance from Mystic Lake to Billings. Work on the new line which will carry 50,000 volts will be started soon and will employ 76 to 100 men. The line will be 28% miles long. Easements for right-of-way over great part of the new line within Yellowstone county were filed in the office of the county clerk and re- corder recently. These easements indicate almost a direct line from Billings to the Edgar gravel pits and thence down the Casper line of the Burlington railroad to Edgar. A line which taps the present Mystic Lake -Billings line at Fromberg is now supplying the gravel pits. The present Mystic Lake -Billings line goes through Red Lodge, Wash- oe, Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, Park City, and Laurel. The proposed Ed- gar line will constitute the hypoten- use of a right angle triangle 'which the Mystic Lake -Billings lines will form when the construction program is complete. Billiugs is now supplied by lines from\the Madison River, Great Falls and Mystic Lake plants. BEAUTIFY IT WITH \DIAMOND DYES\ Perfect home dye- ing and tinting is guaranteed w ith Diamond Dyes. Just dip in cold water to tint soft, delicate shades, or boil to dye rich, permanent colors. Each 16 -cent package contains di- rections so simple any woman can dye or tint lingerie, (Ms, ribbons, skirts, waists, dresses, coats, stockings, sweaters, draperies. coverings, hangings, everything new Buy \Diamond Dyes\—no other kind—aid tell your druggist whether the material you wish to color is wool or silk, or whether it is linen, cotton, or mixed goods. Balloon Your Ford, Chevrolet - or Overland -- $82. Prepaid Your 8taAlon Complete 4 25 4 40 Miller Balloon tire' 4 211 x 1.40 Balloon tube* 4 29 x 1.40 Balloon Wheels 5 29 it 4.40 Rims .1 Rim Wreach Write for oar tire and accessory price list on Miller Nationally Known for Quality Tires. Strain Bros. GililtAT FALLS 2 Grazing Tracts Bordering LOLO NATIONAL FOREST 25,000 ACRES and 10,000 ACRES AT $ 3 PER ACRE Splendid grass, water, ,brouse and shade. Has a southern slope giving early pasture. Railroad spar touches the land. Terms: 10 per cent down, balance divided into 10 yearly payments. BLACKFOOT LAND DEVELOPMENT CO. Drawer 1690. Missoula, Mont. A I 4 •
