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CAT. NO. 23231
978.6 K'tONTAMA
I'bntajia, Historical
society
Contributions
cop. 1
vol, X
STATE LIBRARY COMMISSION
SOUTH AVE. & MIDDLESEX
MISSOULA, MONTANA
'<*%^,
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CONTRIBUTIONS
TO THE
Historical Society of
Montana
VOLUME TEN
1940
THE FORT BENTON JOURNAL. 1854-1856.
AND
THE FORT SARPY JOURNAL. 1855-1856.
«AEGELE PRINTING CO , HELENA. MONT.
Contents
Pages
Officers of the Historical Society of Montana vii
Foreword ix-xi
Fort Benton Journal, 1854-1856 1- 99
Fort Sarpy Journal, 1855-1856 100-187
Appendices - 189-236
Notes and References 237-305
Bibliography 307-310
Index 311-327
V
lustrations
Blackfoot Council, October, 1855 Frontispiece
Alexander Culbertson Facing page 4
Mrs. Alexander Culbertson Facing page 8
Hugh Munro Facing page 20
Buffalo Press Facing page 28
James Bird Facing page 36
Colonel Alfred Cumming Facing page 42
Fort Benton and Fort Campbell Facing page 46
Star Robe Facing page 54
The Rider Facing page 60
Low Horn Facing page 66
Lame Bull Facing page 98
Fort Union Facing page 106
Edwin T. Denig Facing page 110
Rotten Tail Facing page 114
Four Rivers Facing page 120
Fool Bear Facing page 136
Charles Mercier Facing page 194
Officers
OF THE
Historical Society of
Montana
1938-1940
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MRS. JOSEPHINE I. HEPNER, President
O. F. GODDARD, Vice-President
MRS. FAIRIE L. EVANS GEORGE R. METLEN
JOHN B. PITCH, Secretary and Librarian
MRS. ANNE McDonnell, Assistant Librarian
FOREWORD
THE PUBLICATION of the two Journals offered by the
Historical Society of Montana in this volume is a matter
that should have been done some years ago, but it has not been
an easy work to prevail upon our various Legislative Assemblies
to furnish funds for many of the Library's proposed activities.
The original manuscripts have been in the possession of the
Historical Society for a period longer than we care to set forth,
but so many demands are made by the various State Depart-
ments upon each succeeding Legislature that the Historical
Library must make its battle for appropriations just as the
others ; too often without success. The Assembly of 1939, how-
ever, saw fit to set apart an appropriation sufficient for this
publication. We present it to the other libraries and the public
in general with some confidence that we may in some place or
other in the Appendices have unearthed from the uncertain debris
of historical data something new and of interest to our readers.
The journals themselves offer illuminating testimony as to
the way of life in the fur trading posts during the declining days
of that adventurous and picturesque business. The general con-
dition and operation of the trading posts throughout all the
years amid the Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri are matters
of intimate knowledge to students of Western history. Yet it
seems that no other Journals we have read have brought us into
a closer personal — one might say, homelike — touch than do the
Fort Benton and Fort Sarpy Journals. From them we get a
convincing statement of the business operations of the posts ;
we learn much of the character, courage and capacity of each
of the men in charge; we delve deeply into the jealousies, strife
and dickerings amongst the employes ; and we look with some
regret upon the social degradation attaching to some of these
men and learn that environment had its sinister influences upon
the lives of many of these unfortunates. On the other hand, we
are sure that the warp and woof of the fabric of some of these
did not have within its weave the silken thread of self-respect ;
they fell into surroundings where they fitted well.
We do not pretend to offer you anything new as to such emi-
nent fur traders as McKenzie, Culbertson, Dawson and some of
the others, but we have worked untiringly to secure as much
information as might be had concerning the men who worked
in the minor fields of endeavor. Most of these men worked for
what would be considered nowadays as starvation wages. They
met the hazards of life amongst a savage people with unsur-
passed courage ; the destructive hardships of the rigors of a
northern climate did not daunt them, nor did the lack of proper
food, housing or practically all of the so-called comforts of civi-
lization cause them to retreat. These hired men of the fur
brigades, men who trapped the streams of parching plains and
the farthest recesses of unknown hills were the true pioneers of
the mighty West. It has been our endeavor to find something
new as to some of the lowly ones mentioned in these Journals
that they may not go farther into the list of the unremembered.
It has ever been the story of men moving in masses that a few
of the leaders are made famous by the success attained or in-
famous through its failure. The fur brigades had men who
were only hunters and trappers but who had ample abilities to
be successful leaders. Our task, however, has been to secure
as much accurate information concerning all of them, great or
lowly, as might be accomplished and to identify the various
well-nigh forgotten geographical locations.
The success of this work is practically all due to the skillful,
resolute and untiring efforts of Mrs. Anne McDonnell, our
assistant librarian, generously fitted by nature and training for
just such an undertaking. A learned student of the history of
the great Northwest, always eager to enter upon further re-
search in the soil of this rich historical field, Mrs. McDonnell
here gives us refreshing evidence that she had a fine first-hand
knowledge of much of the story embraced within these two
Journals ; and to this she has added the logical skill of a genuine
tactician in such work.
It would be impossible for the most subtle and learned his-
torian to add much new information to the misty history of a
hundred years ago in this region, where but few records were
kept, without the aid of all other historians who have stored
something of the story of those times. For such assistance Mrs.
McDonnell was aided by the library staffs of tlu- Minnesota
Historical Society, the Missouri Historical Society of St. Louis
and St. Louis University. Not only did these institutions respond
generously to her every request, but she desires — and the writer
joins her in this — to particularly remember the personal assist-
ance of Miss Grace L. Nute of the Minnesota Historical Society
and Miss Stella M. Drumm of the Missouri Historical Society.
Also, acknowledgment is due to the following persons, namely
Ernest E. East, Peoria, Illinois ; Howard B. Lott, Buffalo,
Wyoming; James VV. Schultz, Eli Gardipee, Richard Sandoval,
Mountain Chief, all of Browning, Montana; J. Larpenteur Long,
Oswego. Montana ; Harry Stanford, Kalispell, Montana ; Clyde
McLemore, Helena, Montana ; R. A. Culbertson, Fort Benton,
Montana, all of whom helped her readily and without stint.
For all of this, and to all of these, the Historical Society of
Montana, its Librarian and Mrs. Anne McDonnell, in particular,
tender sincere thanks.
Our goal has been to give to you information of the men foimd
in the rank and file of the fur trade. Word of their origin, their
service, and their lives to the end, if possible, is almost as obscure
as were the regions where they labored when fur laden macki-
naws, keel-boats and pirogues streamed down the great river
each season to build St. Louis into the world's greatest fur trade
center. We trust the effort has not been in vain.
For Mrs. Anne McDonnell and all of us.
Sincerely,
JOHN B. RITCH, Librarian.
FORT BENTON TOURNAL
September 1854.
Thurs. 28 — About noon much to the delight of all in the Forf^,
Mr. Culbertson^, Lady^, and three men arrived from
Fort Union^, — Received him with a proper salute.
Hunter^ and man got back w^ith the meat of two deer.
Game very scarce — 1290 Dobbies^ today — 1- loads
wood. —
Fri. 29 — Mr. Culbertson gave men a feast and in the evening
a Ball at which two only of the number made a sorry
display of their reasons —
Sat. 30 — Little or no work doing, and the effects of intemper-
ance a little noticeable in the faces of the afore alluded
to two worthies. Slight rain and the Dobbies at a
stand still.
October, 1854
Sun. 1 — Throughout the day Bercrir'^ and men arrived with
his trade from Flat Head country — and with him
came a white man^ with a little money to trade.
Mon. 2 — Busy today putting up another equipment to send to
Flat Heads and traded the man's gold that arrived
yesterday $160 only in all. We hear the Flat Heads
have still a good lot of Beaver and some gold, and in
the morning shall send there the equipment put up
today. —
Tues. 3. — Started our intended expedition to Flat Head coun-
try which we hope will turn out as satisfactory in all
respects as our last. — Had all our horses brought in
and overhauled found a few missing, changed their
place for the present on a/ct of the grass. Made
some changes with our Coal makers^ which we hope
will prove beneficial to us all — Very cold frosty
morning, but fine warm day, all that could be wanted
for Dobbie making —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1854
Wed. A — Sent after some lost horses and found six of them,
but four are still missing' Fixed up a little at Gov-
ernment goods but was interrupted by the arrival of
George Weipert^'' w^ith two Waggon loads of meat
after Avhich he has been started some 20 days
Thur. 5 — Reco\-ere(l one of our horses and one belonging to
another party. War party that arrived here yester-
day started today and in the evening another arrived.
Cold disagreeable day. —
Fri. 6 — Sent all our horses on hand further down the river
on other side, to where there is better grass, under
charge of Mr. Rose'^ with two men — Exceedingly
disagreeable day from rain Ind unable to work at
Dobbies but did a little other outdoor and indoor
work. —
Sat. 7 — Another day of rain and still unable to do any out-
door job. Fixed up all our stores.
Sun. 8 — The same weather only a degree more disagreeable
the rain having turned into Snow — Towards evening
it cleared up a little and we took a walk to top of our
Three Butes^- from where we discovered the Moun-
tains to be white with Snow. —
Hon. 9 — Hard frost throughout the past night but a clear
morning and towards noon warm enough for us
again to commence to our Dobbies. Started 9 men
with 4 double yoke Ox Waggons to Mountain^'^ for
80 Logs or so for boat building purposes. In the
evs a few Gros Ventres'"* arrived to war. —
Tues. 10 — Again it has turned cold with slight rain early men
commenced Dobbie making but had to disist on ac-
count of cold. Riva (Rivet) ^'^ returned from a 40
days Beaver hunt or so. One of our moimtain men
also came back in search of his Oxen which arrived
a short time before him.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 3
October 1854
Wed. 11 — Another most disagreeable day and nothing earthly
doing. Dull times indeed and the more annoying that
we have so much to do. Started man back with his
Oxen to join those for the mountains and sent another
man with him. —
Thurs. 12 — Clear but very cold. Started Dobbie makers to work
but they had to give it up from the cold. Another
war party arrived and one departed.
Fri. 13 — Again clear and considerably warmer Had Dobbie
makers make up their mud into bricks and bring in
all their tools as we have to stop making any more
from the lateness of the season and are anxious to get
what we have made put on our building. —
Sat. 14 — Started all hands to building our Kitchen Beautiful
warm day. In the afternoon 3 Waggons having 16
logs arrived from the Mountains. A Pagan and Wife
arrived with a horse a Robe and a little meat, —
traded it — and immediately cleared out. Horse
guard^*^ arrived and reports one horse stolen. —
Sun. 15 — Another fine day. Nothing doing, and though so far
from civilization still the day bears more the impress
of Sunday that we have frequently felt it there. —
Men. 16 — Continuation of same weather. One and all in one
way or another working at Kitchen — A war party
arrived with some 17 stolen horses — Our hunter also
arrived with three small horse loads for us, and as
many big ones for himself
Tues. 17 — Same weather — Got on well with our Kitchen — In
the evening our Flat Head trader and men arrived
with 17 Horses he had traded and some few other
things ; but in all he has made but a very poor trade
from appearances but he has arrived too late for us
to balance. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1854
Wed. 18 — Started Revia (Rivet) with 2 Waggons etc. and
a small equipment to Milk River there to build
new houses and trade for the winter with the Gros
Ventres — Check and balanced our Flat Head a/c
and find it makes a very poor show indeed. Getting
along with Kitchen pretty well. Two Waggons ar-
rived from Mountains with 12 logs and driver of one
of the other Waggons arrived with his Thumb shot
oflf.—
Thurs. 19 — One of our mountain men having broken the Tog
(Tongue) of his Waggon detained them all day here,
repaired the old one and made a new one also. Had
Fort and stores swept out some Dobbies piled up
and proceeded on as usual with our Kitchen. —
Fri. 20 — .Started men back to Mountains and with them one
to take the place of wounded man and another to
assist in making shingles chopping etc. Sent also
some shingle tools as we want some 10000 shingles
to cover our new Kitchen. Partitioned off part of
our store for a harness house — And fixed up stores
a little getting these matters rapidly into a better
order under Mr. Culbertsons judicious management.
Continuance of warm pleasant weather. —
• , Sat. 21 — Our hunters got back with a little meat, but have
lost one of the Companys Mules and a private horse.
Getting on well with our Kitchen — Threatening
rain all day.
Sun. 22 — Nothing doing. Sent after lost Mule War party of
13 arrived all mounted on the Companys horses,
which they merely took however to cross the river
with and cast them loose when that purpose was
served. —
Men. 23 — Again at work at Kitchen — Mr. Tevis^" and Cadot^*
arrived from mountains and say our Waggons will
(be) here in the morning. —
ALEXANDER CULBERTSON IN 1855
Reproduced throug'h the courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin Company.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 5
October 1854
Tues. 24 — Our Waggons arrived, two having 12 logs and the
third unloaded and Wheel broken by the same man
that broke the last Attempting to rig it up by sub-
stituting an odd Wheel we have, having now no
wood to repair the broken one. Building away as
usual but our Sawyers have to stop from one of
them getting sick and we fear this will delay us
some.
Wed. 25 — Cold disagreeable day and rain all the time. Unable
to do any out door work No news.
Thurs. 26 — Better weather. Men started back to Mountains with
their three Waggons and we trust they will have
better luck this time than heretofore. Men also busy
again at Kitchen.
Fri. 27 — Same weather. Working away at Kitchen Today
Mr. Culbertson started in his carriage with three
men on horseback for horses on Milk River. We
anticipate he will be absent some 10 days. —
Sat. 28 — Finished the upper square of our Kitchen and put
on plates, and now our builders has to await for the
Saw3^ers getting out joists preparatory to finishing
the gable ends. Very windy and boisterous and in
consequence our Sawyers unable to work. In the
afternoon Bercier arrived with an express from Mr.
Culbertson that our Wagns were on the way, would
possibly be here tomorrow and to send out more
goods. Put up what we think sufficient — Started
three Ox Carts to the Teton for firewood but one
unfortunately got unmanageable and smashed the
Cart. Wagns arrived from Mountains with 18 logs.
Sun. 29 — Started 3 Ox Carts with goods to Mr. Culbertson
Our Waggons arrived with a lot fine fat meat— Very
acceptable. —
Men. 30 — Started two Wagns back to Mountains having to
retain one here to haul fire wood. Sent also six men
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1854
to timber now lying above and had 18 logs rafted
down, and pulled ashore. Checkes (d) Plettries
(Peltries) and weighed meat received try (by) Wag-
gons yesterday and fixed up stores. Hauled two loads
Firewood, two Saws going — everything brisk. — Got
in our broken Cart from Teton.
Tues. 31 — Again had 21 of our logs rafted down which were
like to go too far for our purpose but getting the
men to take water we got them stopped and landed
a little below the Fort. A war party arrived with
26 stolen horses, and another arrived going out. Two
Saws at work grinding Meal — making pans, and
everything pretty satisfactory. —
November 1854
Wed. 1 — Started men again to bring down some more logs
and they dragged the remainder to river's edge but
on account of the wind were unable to raft them
down. Wind also stopped our Sawyers. Put up
Gable and joists to Kitchen and we trust tomorrow
to be able to continue our daubbie work and shortly
to finish it. Waggons arrived from Mountains with
12 logs and shortly afterwards PauP^ arrived on
horseback Hauled load firewood and some Char-
coal.—
Thurs. 2 — Commenced to our Kitchen once more and got on
slowly with it — About noon Mr. Culbertson arrived
from the Gros Ventres all well Started men back to
Mountains.
Fri. 3 — Got on well with our Kitchen and hope to finish the
dobbie part of that building tomorrow. Mr. Culbert-
sons B in Law — Little Dog^® — and a number of other
principle men arrived on a visit. Got from them 2
Mules and 4 horses. —
Sat. 4 — Fine pleasant weather, at length finished the dobbie
work of our two story Kitchen and now all our fears
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1854
al)out this building are ended as the Carpenter work-
can go along smoothly at any time — Traded a little
meat and a few Robes from the Indians that arrived
yesterday also a few more came today from whom
got some more horses and a little more meat. 10
logs from Mts.
Sun. 5 — Again busy with Indians. Started two Waggons to
Pagan Camp and one to Bloody^^ Indians with a
meat equipment and a very few goods to trade a
stray Robe or two. Most of the Indians left.
Men. 6 — Started men back to Mountains. Put up Pickets
round our Kitchen so as to protect our Fort in
Winter. Used up all our Plank in roofing Kitchen
which was not quite enough for half of it. Making
as much haste as we can in these times to get out
more but can now only keep one saw going and that
very slowly. —
Tues. 7 — Today Mrs. Culbertson started with Carriage 4 Mules
and 2 Men for Camp. Put up a small equipment for
Blood Ind. Camp, to go in the morning — Finished
Picketing in our Kitchen. —
Wed. 8 — Started expedition to Camp under charge Hugh
Munroe-2 — with 2 Waggons and three men — Fort
getting pretty much deserted in these times.
Thurs. 9 — Men arrived from Mounts, with 5 logs and 12 Bdls
containing 3600 Shingles — The Little Gray Head^^
arrived wanting a trader for his Camp, and in the
evening Bercier arrived alone wanting more goods
for Gros V camp.
Fri. 10 — Heavy fall of Snow — Men started back to Moun-
tains— Started also Mr. Burd--* with 2 Wagns. and
some goods to Little Gray Heads Camp, and in the
afternoon — started Bercier with one 4 Mule Wagn.
containing a fine equipment for Gros Ventres
Camp. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1854
Sat. 11 — Today we have neither had arrivals nor departures
Put our Stores in order — Hauled a load of fire wood
and also crossed over our Shingles in the Yanb
Sun. 12 — About 3 P. M. Mrs. Culbertson and party arrived
and shortly afterwards Baptiste^^ with his one Wag-
gon lightly loaded with meat and some 40 Robes
etc. — He brings back most of his goods however
and we think has made a fine little trade but we will
better tell in the morning on balancing his a/c —
Men. 13 — Early another Wagn. arrived, from Michel^^ with
830 lbs. Dry Meat, Put up another equipment to send
to Michels Camp in the morning, and fixed up many
other things about the Fort.
Tues. 14 — Our Men arrived bag and baggage from the Moun-
tains bringing 6 logs two of which they brought into
the Fort and the others they left on other side, 11
Bdl Shingles and some 15 blocks to make more of —
All right. Started Wagn. with goods to Michel, also
put up and sent by same Wagn. a small equipment
for M, C's B in L to trade with in another Camp
Wed. 15 — Rested men from mountains. Hauled 2 loads Coal
and 1 load fire wood getting on rapidly with shingling
Kitchen, Made a fine little pig pen and Chicken
Coop one of our Sows having litered. —
Thurs, 16— Sent and had 26 of our logs rafted down and hauled
out of water. Wrote letters to Fort Union intending
to send a band of horses there in the morning. —
Fri. 17 — Early started Cadot with 31 horses to Fort Union.
Sent with him two men. Sent after the balance of
our logs and had tliem rafted down 26, making in
all 91 logs at this time from Mounts. — A few
traders arrived in the evs. with a few Robes
Sat. 18 — Men fixing road to haul our Boats out of River —
Late last evening our Indian arrived with our three
Oxen which we had expected with our Carts from the
NATAWISTA IKSANA (Airs. Alexander Culbertson)
FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1854
Gros Ventres some days since but which he found in
the Prarie and they must have strayed off. Sent
two men with them back who returned in the eve-
ning- having met Wagn. and Cart with each two
Mules on their way in close — They sent on two of
the Oxen to fetch the remaining Carts. M Cham-
pagne also arrived very late and states his Waggon
will be in in the morning. —
Sun. 19 — Waggon and Cart arrived loaded with Meat from
the Gros Ventres, Michels two Waggons arrived
loaded with 209 Robes, etc. etc. and Munro with
his two Waggons arrived loaded with Meat and
Robes so that notwithstanding the day this has been
one of the busiest we have ever passed in the Coun-
try. Put up two equipments to start in the morning,
one with Michel to his Camp and another to the
Gros Ventres. —
Men. 20 — Started two double yoke Ox Waggons to the Gros
Ventres and one Mule (4) Waggon,— also 1 4 horse
Waggon with Michel to the Pagans. Busy writing
and balancing a/cts fixing up Stores etc.— Hauled
our two Boats out on Bank high and dry. —
Tues. 21— Started men splitting up blocks they brought from
the Mountains into shingles, — Mr. Burds Wagn. ar-
rived today with balance of his trade and goods.
Put up a fine large equipment to send to Hamils^^*
Houses under charge of Mr. Rose. —
Wed. 22 — Early started Mr. Rose with Mr. Monroe and 4 men
with equipment put up yesterday and immediately
afterwards Mr. Culbertson and Mr. Tevis started on
a visit to the Gros Ventres. Very windy but very
mild. —
Thurs. 23 — Lonesome times nothing at all doing in the way of
trade, nor have we any arrivals of any kind — Ex-
ceedingly windy morning but calms a little at noon
10 FORT BEXTOX JOl'RXAL
November 1854
so as to let us saw a little. Other men hauling our
logs into Fort and pileing (piling) them away. —
Fri. 24 — Raining and snowing and altogether very disagree-
able. Sent after 2 loads fire wood and another Wagn.
to haul wood for fireburner. —
Sat. 25 — Clear but cold. Got on well with all the work of the
Fort — Hauled balance of our logs, etc. etc. A trader
— the white Calf-^ arrived with some five Robes. —
Sun. 26 — Late last night Baptiste arrived with a letter from
M Champaigne in want of more goods, and states
his Wagn. is on the way in with 200 Robes. Put up
an assortment in consequence to fill this order in the
morning. Windy and cold. The Crows Flag arrived
with some 9 Robes for trade. —
Men. 27 — Again late last night Perry^^ arrived from G Vs
express, but having lost his way was behind two days
He came for three Wagns. to move Revais his
Inds having all left him. Started Panton with a
Wagn. to Michel! containing the goods put up yes-
terday. Also started 1 Ox Wagn. and 2 horse do.
to the Gros Ventres in conformity with express
reed, yesterday but scarcely were they started when
Mr. Culbertson arrived.
Tues. 28 — Put up a small equipment to send to Blkfoot Camp
per Baptiste — Arrived three W'agns, and two Carts
from Gros Ventres with 619 Robes 2300 lbs. Meat
etc. etc. also one Wagn. from M Champaigne with
200 Robes and a few other things — Pretty Busy —
Wed. 29 — Started Baptiste with one Waggon and small equip-
ment put up yesterday. Started also an Ox Wagn.
to M Champaigne as we hear he has about another
load for one.
Thurs. 30 — Again put up anotlier eciuipment to .send to another
Camp in the morning. Some few traders arrived
from whom got a few Robes.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 11
December 1854
Fri, 1 — Early Mr. Culbertson started with family on a visit
to Blood Inds. Started also Mr. Burd with 2 Carts
and equipment put up yesterday, but shortly after-
wards he returned having- met some Inds. who in-
formed him the Camp he was going- to had moved
up to Mr. Rose. A few traders arrived and three
War parties. Fort crowded. — Late our long looked
for Express arrived from St. Louis.
Sat, 2 — Indians all cleared out — No new arrivals, quite quiet
and able to do a little writing — Yesterday was very
windy having blown down our pickets — and today
is also a little too windy for us and very cold
Sun. 3 — Early Ox Wagns. arrived from M Champ (Cham-
paigne) having 366 Robes etc. etc. and shortly after-
wards a few Inds. arrived with some 40 Robes to
trade, but they will await Mr. Culbertsons com-
ming —
Mon. 4 — Two War parties arrived and these with what came
yesterday crowd us a little — No Word of Mr. Cul-
bertson— Ice begins to run pretty briskly —
Tues. 5 — Warriors all started — Our Ox Wagn. arrived from
Gros Ventres with 52 Robes Ind. awaiting Mr. Cul-
bertsons arrival becoming very impatient —
Wed. 6 — Started two Ox carts with some goods to M. Cham-
paigne as we are afraid to delay any longer waiting
for Mr. C. who has not turned up today either —
Started another saw today but from wind unable to
work at ornamental work of kitchen. Hauled two
loads fire wood
Thurs. 7 — All the work of our Fort progressing nicely. Late
last evening an Express arrived from Mr. Culbert-
son for three Mules, as his horses were stolen by
some party or another — and today sent him that
number with two men also a few goods asked for
12 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
December 1854
Fri. 8 — In the evening Mr. Culbertson and party arrived
along with some 5 or 6 Indians — Finished roofing
and all outer work to Kitchen and began with floor-
ing.—
Sat. 9 — Traded with a good many Indians and three started
back home Two Carts arrived from M Champaigne
with 191 Robes etc Very busy today and having
slept but little the past night very glad it has come
to a close
Sun. 10 — Another busy day trading and giving — got a good
many loafers however off our hands. Put up an
equipment to sent to Rose and another to Michell in
the morning.
Men. 11 — Started two Ox Waggons to Mr. Rose and two Ox
Carts to Michell. In the afternoon a Wagn. arrived
from Michel with 200 Robes and a little later another
Express from Revais wanting two additional Wagns
to move him along with the Gros Ventres again.
Put up some few goods for Revais. —
Tues. 12 — Started two Wagns. to Revais — Traded some 18
Robes from an opposition Indian that arrived yes-
terday. No arrivals today further than one return
War party, so got all our writing up to date. —
Wed. 13 — Started one Wagn. back to Michel but this time
with no goods as we hear his Inds. are about out of
Robes and he only remains to wind up.
Thurs. 14 — A Waggon arrived from Rose today and one from
Baptiste having together 428 Robes etc. finished
flooring our Kitchen Dinning Room. —
Fri. 15 — Nothing stirring. Weather very mild in these times,
the River runs pure and as free from Ice as in
Summer and today after Sun set our Ther. stood
at 54°.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 13
December 1854
Sat. 16 — Mr. Culbertsons B in L started and took with him a
few goods for trade — An Indian "Spotted Cow" ar-
rived with some Robes for trade also a large party
going to War and another coming from it — Thus it
ever is with these dogs.
Sun. 17 — Busy trading. In the afternoon Cadot arrived from
F. Union with men who left here with horses 17th
ulto. He brings no letters, as Mr. Clark^*' accompa-
nied him so far as Milk River and will be here
probably in the morning. —
M Champaigne arrived having wound up his trade
with Pagans for the present.
Men. 18 — Waggon and Cart arrived from Michels with balance
of his trade 233 Robes. Shortly afterwards Mr. Clark
arrived and in the evening B Champaigne arrived
stating a Wagn. and Cart will be here tomorrow from
Mr. Rose —
Tues. 19 — Wagn. and Cart arrived from Rose with some 240
Robes etc. etc. Put up an equipment to send to him
in the morning also one for Baptiste to start with
for Blood Ind Camp. Our two Wagns. dispatched
12th inst. for Revais returned today having been
wandering about in the prarie ever since with-
out finding their destination.
Wed. 20 — Started Baptiste with 1 Wagn. containing the two
equipments put up yesterday. Some traders arrived —
Thurs. 21 — Put up an equipment for Pagan Camp and started
M Champaigne therewith in an Ox Cart — Finished
trading with those of yesterday —
Fri. 22 — Two traders arrived with some 23 Robes. Fixing
up Mr. Clark's things for him to start immediately
for F. Union. Very mild weather. —
Sat. 23 — Early Mr. Clark and three men started with a band
of 36 Horses for Fort Union Traded with our friends
14 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
December 1854
of yesterday and in the evening the Little Dog ar-
rived with a few more Robes. —
Sun. 24 — Early a man at long last arrived from our Gros
Ventres traders in quest of goods and God knows
what. Put up a large equipment to send there on
Tuesday, tomorrow being Xmas Late in the evening
Mr. Rose arrived from his Camp stating his Wagn.
will be here in the morning.
Men. 25 — Put up a fine equipment to start with Mr. Rose in
the morning — His Wagn. has not yet turned up how-
ever. In the evening went to a little jolification not
only on a/c of the Season but because also Mr. Cul-
bertson intends taking his departure for F. Union
in the morning
Tues. 26 — Early Mr. Culbertson and family also Mr. Tevis
started for F. Union — Started 1 Ox Wagn. and 1
Ox Cart with Equipment to Gros Ventres Mr. Rose's
driver arrived stating his Oxen had given out so
sent another man with an additional yoke and
towards evening all got back safely. Mr. Rose started
with Mr. Culbertson to accompany him so far as the
Marias.
Wed. 27 — Early Mr. Rose returned and immediately started
him with 3 Horse Wagns. containing Equipment put
up 25th inst. Hauled two loads fire wood.
Thurs. 28 — Very boisterous and disagreeable day Hauled 2
loads wood. Fort looks very empty in these times.
Three Gros Ventres arrived from War but count
no coup —
Fri. 29 — Wind throughout the past night so very strong as
to alarm a good many of us. Even our solid Dobbie
walls shook under it, and the whole of the pickets on
the S W side were blown down. Put these up again
but the wind still continues so strong as to prevent
our other out door work.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 15
December 1854
Sat. 30 — Calm but very cold, Ther. in the morning- 5 below
zero — A party of Pagans with some few Robes and
meat arrived to trade. Hauled 2 loads firewood and
saws going well.
Sun. 31 — Traded with our Pagan friends when a party of 5
Blackfeet arrived with a good many robes for trade,
the same number also went to the opposition house''^.
They however put oflF their trade until morning. —
January 1855.
Men. 1 — Traded with our Blackfeet^- and two others of their
party brought down their Robes from other Fort and
traded here. Very cold and considerable snow fell.
Gave all hands in the fort a small feast.
Tues. 2 — More snow fell throughout the night and Ther. at
10° below zero and on this we have not a stick of
firewood in the Fort — Late to recover our Oxen and
it was dark before we got any wood home. Our
Blackfeet also keep hanging on and begging much
to our annoyance. —
Wed. 3 — Still more snow and more cold. A man sent by M.
Champaigne was found by the Inds. this morning
nearly dead had him brought to the Fort and found
him only a very little frozen on the hands and one
arm — Champaigne wants a Wagn. to fetch him home
his Ox having nearly given out the trip being too far
without wood to risk it — Shortly afterwards Cadot
arrived from Milk River with letters from Mr. Cul-
bertson & Revais.
Thurs. A — Started a Wagn. to Champaigne. Very cold and
Snow very deep. —
Fri. 5 — In the afternoon our Wagn. returned having been
unable to get along on a/c of the Snow. Ther. in the
morning 26^ below zero.
16 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
January 1855.
Sat. 6— Again started two men and 4 horses to Michels
assistance, but this time we send no Wagn. as per-
haps they can get better on with the Cart they have.
In the afternoon Mr. Wray^^ arrived badly frozen
from the Gros Ventres He reports he has left one
Wagn. loaded with meat at Box Elder Creek^^ horses
given out, in charge one man, plenty timber, and
that he has left another loaded with Robes, 6 miles
on the other side Marias driver nearly frozen to death
and no timber near. Immediately sent Cadot and
one Ox driver to the assistance of nearest Wagn.
Sun. 7 — In the afternoon men arrived from Wagn. on the
Marias and bring the driver thereof very badly
frozen in left foot, we think he will loose it — Men
could not find the Oxen and abandoned Wagn. Robes
and all to the mercy of the passing Ind. This is most
damnable. —
Men. 8 — Before daylight started Cadot on horseback to take
charge of the Companys property on Marias and
shortly afterwards started two other men with two
other Yoke of Oxen to haul it to the Fort and to
hunt for lost Oxen. —
Tues. 9 — A few lousey Pagans from Little Robes^^ band ar-
rived with a horse and a Robe or two to trade and
shortly afterwards Cadot arrived with the good news
of having found the Oxen and that they and the
Wagn. would be here towards evg. but in this latter
party our hopes were only raised to be blasted —
The Oxen and men arrived but the Wagn. remains
upset at the Teton, and thus again is this valuable
lot abandoned to Wolves and Inds.
Wed. 10 — Before daylight started men and Oxen after upset
Wagn. and about noon we at long last got it safe in
Fort. By it we received 251 Robes but cannot say
wether any have been stolen or not until other Wagn.
is brought in as Mr. Wrays a/c comprises both loads.
FORT BENTON JOURNAl> 17
January 1855.
In the evg. M Champai.e:ne also arrived and says his
Cart will probably be here in the morning.
Thurs. 11 — Started an Ox Wagn. to Revais with a few goods,
and at sametime 2 Yoke of Oxen to fetch in the
remaining Wagn. on the way. At 10 A M Michels
Cart arrived and by it received 96 Robes etc. Late
in the evening much to our surprise the man left by
Wray in charge of Revais Wagn. arrived having
abandoned it also and its fate is even more uncertain
than the last brought in as a party of opposition
people have since passed on to the Gros Ventres —
Such men, Such actings !
Fri. 12 — Started a man on horseback to take the place of the
helpless wretch that arrived yesterday Two Pagans
arrived with as many Robes traded and put out. A
little Snow fell throughout the past night — Much
milder than several days ago. Nine sick men, or
frozen, about the Fort. —
Sat. 13 — Man who abandoned wagns seemingly brought the
horses so far as the Marias when they give out he
says and as a matter of course abandoned — Sent him
with another man to hunt them up but they did not
find them. Cadot killed three deer yesterday on Teton
which he today went after and brought in.
Sun. 14 — No news. Had our horses brought up to opposite
side intending to move them tomorrow as where they
were they strayed too much, and one of them a mare
belonging to Mr. Culbertson is missing. A Blood
Ind war party arrived going to war. —
Men. 15 — Sent three men on Teton to cut knees^^ for a large
y2 Keel37 ^ Mackwss goat we intend building-
Hauled one load fire wood and one load coal — Sent
Cadot after lost horses but he returned late without
having found them. He brought with him the meat
of one deer he had killed — War party started, not
18 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
January 1855.
however without a good deal of grumbling and some
threats on act. of the scarcity of provisions in these
diggings.—
Tues. 16— Sent an Indian to Little Robe Camp to see if these
Indians had not picked up our horses, but he shortly
returned stating he had met with a party of Crows^^^
on Marias who shot at him, and sure enough he had
a wound in his thigh but it looks very much as if
he had done it himself — Three Wagns. arrived from
Rose bringing us 596 Robes. Men again went after
Knees and today hauled one load of them and one
load fire wood.
Wed. 17 — At long last our waylaid Wagn. from Gros Ventres
arrived rifled of its contents. We find on this trip
we have lost as per bill rendered us "1000 lbs. Meat"
75 Tongues=^9 7 \Yolf Skins 28 Robes and a few
other things — So much for inificient men. Hauled
one more load knees and a load of fire wood. —
Thurs. 18 — As we are now unable to cross horses to band on
other side sent those on this side 12 in all to Teton
with two men. Wagn. from Gros Ventres yesterday
brought one horse and a mule which they left on
the Teton but on sending for them this morning
and after a whole days hunt, they were nowhere to
be found and we suppose a war party that passed
that way yesterday must have picked them up. This
is just a little bit more carelessness of these d —
foolish men — Hauled the balance of knees to Fort
today and one load firewood. —
Fri. 19 — Sent Cadot on Teton to hunt and to look for lost
Mule and Horse, he killed one Deer but did not find
the Mule or Horse. Hauled 2 loads firewood and
our horse guard on Teton also brot us a Cart load.
Cold and threatning Snow —
Sat. 20 — Considerable snow fell throughout the past night and
again our River has closed up in Front of Fort. Cows
FORT BENTON JOITRNAL 19
January 1855.
missing today. Two Wagn. load and one Cart load
fire wood.
Sun. 21 — Some more snow fell throughout the night and morn-
ing. Recovered our lost Cows in the afternoon Mr.
Burds family and one or two others who have been
out hunting for the past 15 days or so arrived with
all plenty meat. Report Pagans camped on Milk
River at Revais houses with all plenty meat. Ice
strong enough to cross horses opposite the Fort.
Men. 22 — Put up a few articles to send in the morning to Pagan
Camp on Milk River to trade meat with. In the after-
noon B Champaigne arrived and says Mr. Rose with
his Wagn. will Camp tonight on Teton — hauled two
loads firewood. —
Tues. 23 — Started Cadot and two men with equipment put up
yesterday. Sent also six horses to help Mr. Rose
along but he has not yet arrived. Very bad travelling
in these times as it now thaws and the prarie is one
entire lake. Hauled 2 Wagn. and 1 Cart load fire
wood. —
Wed. 24 — No Rose not even a leaf yet, and we cannot con-
jecture what is keeping him. Hauled 2 Wagn. load
firewood. Our two saws at work sawing a little all
the time. —
Thurs. 25 — Late last night Mr. Rose's Wagn. arrived all safe
and this morning he and Monroe with their families
cast up. Counted Robes 125 in all. Traded 53 Robes
from 3 Indians. Two loads fire wood.
Fri. 26 — Ice opposite moved ofif but the river soon got choaked
up and water commenced rising rapidly — A lucky
thing for us to have our boats high and dry. 2 loads
wood.
Sat. 27 — Started M. Champaigne to Pagan Camp on Milk
River with a fine large equipment and we trust he
20 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
January 1855.
will have good luck in his trade — Indians all cleared
out. Not a bite of meat now in the Fort and what
can be keeping- our Wagns. at Revais is more than
we can divine. —
Sun. 28 — In the morning a man arrived from Michel and
states they are unable to cross the Teton and in try-
ing to do so they lost the lead bars to one of the
Wagns. — Gave him another set and started him
back. —
Men. 29 — Put up a fine equipment to send to Blood Indian
Camp in a few days. Hauled two loads fire wood —
In the Evening M Champaigne returned from his
Wagns. half dead if groaning and grunting could
make him so. What a miserable set of beings we live
amongst here — All sick or pretending to be so about
the Fort men women and children. Fine pleasant
day River open and free of running ice and flocks of
Geese and Ducks seen flying past. —
Tues. 30 — Started Mr. Burd to take the place of M Champaigne.
Hauled 2 loads fire wood.
Wed. 31 — A messenger arrived from Mr. Burd to see what
was to be done as the Marias was too much flooded
to cross it. Also a messenger arrived from a Wagn.
on other side Marias from Revais also to see
what was to be done. Sent both back immediately
silly fools to do the best they could to get across as
speedily as possible. Sickness prevents our starting
Blood Ind Equip.
February 1855
Thurs. 1 — Tiresome times all sick Hauled two loads fire
wood.
Fri. 2 — Another Express arrived from Revais in quest of
provisions for trade, and in the afternoon our Wagn.
from other side Marias arrived and the men with it
^.HI**^
J^"
HUGH All'XRO
From Rising Wolf by J. W. Scluiltz. I'ublislied by Houghton, Mifflin
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 21
February 1855.
tell us Mr. Burd and VVagn. has also crossed. Re-
ceived from Revais 106 Robes. —
Sat. 3 — Started Mr. Rose with a large Equip and 3 Wagns.
to trade with Blood Inds. and Blackfeet and also
started a Wagn. with a supply of provisions to Gros
Ventres and with it B. Champaigne. Hauled one
load fire wood. —
Sun. A — A sick Ind : who started with Mr. Rose yesterday
returned today. Very mild with slight rain. —
Men. 5 — Dull times and very mild. Our black spotted Cow
gave us a calf last night. In the evg. a party arrived
from war with a number of horses. —
Tues. 6 — Another war party arrived, and all of them crossed
their horses today to this side. An Indian arrived
from Baptiste with a found horse and states he has
been a good deal delayed by his oxen straying, but
that they are all found and still going ahead. Hauled
one wagn. load wood. —
Wed. 7 — Warriors all left. Fine pleasant day Nothing how-
ever stirring which renders our life here tiresome
indeed. Commenced sawing bottom for a new Boat
^ Keel y2 Mackinaw
Thurs. 8 — Same weather and almost the same incidents A
party of Blood Indians arrived from war with 24
horses.
Fri. 9 — And still the same. Warriors started with their
horses. No loafing in these times there being nothing
for whites or Inds to eat. —
Sat. 10 — Slight snow in the morning which turned to rain and
finally cleared off towards noon. In the Evg. Cadot
arrived with two Wagns. loaded with meat. Most
acceptable in these times of starvation.
Sun. 11 — Nothing of moment occurring. Fine pleasant day.
22 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
February 1855.
Mon. 12 — Again started Cadot to Pagan Camp with two
Wagns. in hopes of getting another supply of meat.
Hauled one load of Coal Warm pleasant day
Tues. 13 — Same pleasant quiet times. Warm and Geese flying
past
WeA 14 — The "Big Feather"**' an Indian that has long been
sick in the fort started for Camp nearly recovered
and by him sent Mr Monroe also recovered to Mr.
Rose's assistance. Opposition'*^ started one Waggon
to Gros Ventres and two arrived from Pagan Camp
without loads however — Hurra for us. —
Thurs. 15 — Nothing new stirring. An Indian solitary and alone
arrived from war with three horses. Windy and
disagreeable. —
Fri. 16— Fine pleasant day — Nothing of moment stirring —
One load fire wood. —
Sat. 17 — Still pleasant and same news. —
Sun. 18 — About noon B Champaigne arrived and reports a
Wagn. and Cart close from Revais with Robes and
meat. Gros Ventres trade getting to a close and we
are most thankful of it.
Mon. 19 — Sent a man to meet our Gros Ventres Wagn. with a
pick axe to fix the road on the hill a little which is
in bad order. Quite a change in our weather, snow-
ing blowing and cold. —
Tues. 20 — A man from the opposition arrived and states that
our Waggoner wants another Yoke of Oxen to help
him along. Colder still and every appearance of the
River again closeing — Hauled 1 Waggon and 2 Cart
load fire wood.
Wed. 21 — Sent word by the return opposition man that we
were unable to attend to our Waggoners case and
as we anticipated without any assistance our Wagn.
and Cart arrived all safe with a tolerable load of
FORT BENTOX JOURNAL 23
February 1855.
Robes and Meat — but too late for us to count them.
Ther. 5 degrees below zero.
Thurs. 22 — Rested our men and Oxen and put up an equipment
to send to Revais in the morning. Still very cold,
and firewood at a premium No news. —
Fri. 23 — Unable to find our Oxen till too late to start
Wagn. for Revais — About noon three men arrived
from Ft. Union with three horses — Mr. Culbertson
and party arrived there safe 25th ultimo — Bufo.
plenty and good prospects for trade in the lower
country, but no news lower than Ft. Union. —
Sat. 24 — Started our Wagn. to Gros Ventres earh-. Still very
cold — Ther. 5° below zero — Hauled one Waggon
and 2 Cart load wood. —
Sun. 25 — Cold as ever — River stronger than it has been this
year. Had one Cart load wood hauled notwithstand-
ing the day, Mr. Dawsons^^ family being very sick. —
Men. 26 — Considerably milder and prospects of an agreeable
change, the wind having got into the South — Hauled
1 Wagn. and 1 Cart load wood, — Hauled also some
wood on Teton for our last Coal pit^^ this winter.
Crossed all our horses from other side on the Ice,
found all right, and sent them out on Teton. —
Tues. 27 — Fine mild day — Ice melting fast and snow all gone —
Men occupied as yesterday — Set fire to our pit on
Teton.
Wed. 28 — Most unexpected sight — a Bull close back of the Fort
being the first we have seen Killed it and thus the
famishing thousands about the Fort got a bite. Work
going on smoothly. —
24 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
March 1 (1855)
Thurs. 1 — Early Paul with the Ox Waggon arrived from Rose
with a small load of fresh and dry meat and in the
evening Mr. Burd also arrived with a fine Waggon
load of meat — Pretty good prospects for future trade.
All well with the exception of Mr. Dawsons wife*'*
who gets feebler and feebler daily. —
Fri. 2 — Busily engaged writing letters for below as tomor-
row we intend starting our Express.
Sat. 3 — Started B Champaigne with three men and twelve
horses for Fort Union. Fixed up our stores and had
fort swept out etc. etc. —
Sun. A — Fine pleasant warm weather, only a little too windy.
No news.
Men. 5 — Put up a few goods for Pagan Camp and sent them
per M Champaigne in an Ox Cart. Some few N.
Blood Indians arrived with a good many Robes say
25 or 30 Packs, every one of whom went to opposi-
tion Fort, much to our chagrin —
Tues. 6— Made many attempts to get some of the 25 Packs
that went to other Fort yesterday, but thus far with-
out success — A man arrived from Revais and
states a waggon is on the way with 250 Robes and
that he still has 150 Robes behind. — He wants some
more goods. —
Wed. 7 — Two Wagns. started from other Fort to oppose us
at Pagan Camp. Started a Waggon to Revais
with a few goods. Men sent on Teton to cut logs
to lay our boat on, and also 5 logs for a small Skiflf.
Thurs. 8 — No news. Work progressing as usual. Very pleas-
ant day. Mr. Dawsons woman getting very low in-
deed,
Fri. 9 — Fine pleasant day — Without incident
Sat. 10 — Messrs. Rose & Monroe arrived from Blood Ind
Camp with two Wagns containing the Bain, of their
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 25
March 1855.
goods and 235 Robes the Inds. having all gone lower
down Milk River and speak of coming to the Fort.
In the evg. the Wagn. also arrived from Revais
with 250 Robes.—
Sun. 11 — Mr. Dawsons Wife died and was interred back of
the Fort.
Mon. 12 — Disagreeable cold day accompanied by Snow. Hauled
2 Wagn. and 2 Cart load of wood.
Tues. 13 — Had our horses moved above to Pablors (Pablois)
Island. ^'^ Commenced straightning plank for bottom
of new Boat. Hauled wood as yesterday.
Wed. lA — No news. Still cold and snowing a little. Work
progressing slowly. —
Thurs. 15 — Very cold and Ice again running in the River. —
Fri. 16 — A Waggon arrived from Michel with 55 Robes 132
Togs (Buffalo tongues) and some meat. Pretty good
prospects for a big trade where he is. —
Sat. 17 — Put up a large equipment to send in the morning to
Michel — still very cold. —
Sun. 18 — Started 3 Wagns. to Michel with equipment put up
yesterday — Cold as ever
Mon. 19 — The "Painted Lodge" Pagan arrived with some 25
Robes for trade — No change in our weather and
firewood in great demand. —
Tues. 20 — Traded with "Painted Lodge" 22 Robes in all. Still
cold
Wed. 21 — The Indian started back for Camp this morning.
Commenced laying bottom of a large 80 ft. hermaph-
rodite Keel Boat^^. Much milder.
Thurs. 22 — Another pleasant day. A man at opposition Fort
died and was hurried today Work at Fort pro-
gressing smoothly. —
26 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
March 1855.
Fri. 23 — One of our men John Adams died early this morning
and was decently interred by his comrades back of
the Fort. Still at bottom of Boat. —
Sat. 24 — Cleaned inside and around Fort Finished bottom
of our boat and turned it over. Very warm for the
Season. —
Sun. 25 A party of Blood Indians arrived for trade, headed
by Mr. Culbertsons Bro in Law, Gave them a salute
and hoisted our flag. — Mr. Dawson very sick.
Men. 26 — Traded with Blood Indians and got through with
them. A Pagan arrived to call us to Camp on Marias
to trade meat and they intend coming to Fort with
their Robes, . etc.
Tues. 27 — Put away Robes traded yesterday 108 in all. In-
dians all cleared out, Put up an equipment to send
to North Pagan Camp, at Clarks Houses'*^, where we
hear there are 20 lodges. Commenced planking sides
of our Boat. Revais arrived with 3 Wagns. con-
taining 499 Robes from himself and 70 from M
Champaigne. In the evening another man arrived
express from M Champaigne.
Wed. 28 — Put up some goods for Michel and started a Wagn.
with them to him.
Thurs. 29 — Started two Wagns. with an equipment to Clarks
Houses, charge Revais. Fine pleasant weather. —
Fri. 30 — Another Waggon arrived from Michel with 203
Robes, — He seems to be doing a pretty brisk busi-
ness.
Sat. 31 — Started an Ox Waggon to Michel and as he does
not ask for any more goods sent him only a little
powder Opposition getting short of goods. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 27
April 1855.
Sun. 1 — Pleasant weather but notliinf^: stirring.
Mon. 2 — Swept out Fort. A band of Indians the "Big Lakes^''"
arrived with some 20 packs Robes for opposition
house.
Tues. 3 — Got a small share 74 of the Robes that arrived for
opposition yesterday. Nearly done with our big Boat.
Made up 5 Packs Beaver.
Wed. A — Two Wagns. arrived from Michel with 400 Robes.
The "Painted Lodge" also arrived with two other
traders having some 60 Robes for trade. Made 31
Packs Robes.
Thurs. 5 — Started two Wagns. back to Michel with a fine load
of goods, and we think these will be the last. Traded
with the Painted Lodge 73 Robes in all and he put
out.
Fri. 6 — Some North Pagans arrived to look at our goods
etc. etc. and shortly afterwards 3 came to trade.
Traded with them 63 Robes.— Made up 25 Packs
Robes.
Sat. 7 — North Pagans, some Blackfeet & Blood Indians
arrived and are camped on Teton so that the Fort
is full of loafers. A small party headed by the White
Cow against the Bank'*^ arrived from whom traded
105 Robes on order and 73 Robes they brought —
A wagn. also arrived from Michel with 300 Robes.
Sun. 8 — Some Blood Inds. and Blackfeet arrived from whom
traded 420 Robes. A slow tedious trade as we were
at it all day. —
Mon. 9 — Another busy day trading with these Indians 441
Robes. —
Tues. 10 — At it again but the trade is now about over — 170
Robes today Revais also arrived with 246 Robes he
traded with North Pagans at Clarks Houses —
28 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
April 1855.
Wed. 11 — Commenced caulking- bottom of our new Boat which
we have put off on a/c of the Inds. and they are
still pretty troublesome. Traded from them today
100 Robes. Two Wagns. arrived from Michel with
500 R—
Thurs. 12 — Pecotte (Picotte)^'^ of the opposition started for
below in a small skiff. Indians still around us beg-
ging and trading a little — Got today 70 Robes. —
Fri. 13 — Still bothered by the Indians a good deal traded
Henrys-''^ from them today some 30 Robes. Today they raised
boy Camp. In the evening- the Rising Head^^ arrived
born from Michels Camp with some 40 Robes to trade. —
Sat. 14 — Traded with Rising head when he immediately
cleared out to join his friends — Finished our New
Boat, a fine affair and launched her — Now nearly
clear of Indians except a few loafers to whom we
have given their walking papers. —
Sun. 15 — M Champaigne arrived bringing in balance of his
goods and 277 Robes and now we may consider our
trade as over 1020 Packs Robes this year, besides
some 50 Packs small skins. —
Men. 16 — Commenced caulking one of our old boats, and re-
commenced Pack making, today had only 1 Table at
work and made only 50 Packs. Jackson^^ and
Monroe started on a Beaver hunt. —
Tues. 17 — Made up 160 Packs Robes^-* today. Very windy and
men unable to work at Boats.
Wed. 18 — Made today 150 Packs Robes. Launched another of
our Boats. Started a man to Camp at Bears Paw
after an Ox left there in winter by Revais and
which we hear the Indians have now in Camp. —
Thurs. 19 — Made 97 Packs Robes and 9 Packs small skins.
Started Cadot with 2 men and 10 horses after meat.
Sawed some plank to make a skiff for Revais.
02 i
xn 6
W I
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pQ :
o ^
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 29
April 1855.
Fri. 20— Made 100 Packs Robes and 11 Packs small skins.
Finished a skiff for Revais and commenced caulking
our other Boat —
Sat. 21— Made 92 Packs Robes and 13 Packs small skins.
Launched our last Boat. Revais started in a skiff
on a Beaver hunt. Cadot arrived late with the meat
of 3 Bulls. Hauled two loads wood. —
Sun. 22 — Dull cold lonesome day. Opposition people loading
up their Boats today and we hear are to start in the
morning. —
Men, 23 — Made 150 Packs Robes. Opposition people had to
unload, their Boats being inifffciently caulked.
Tues. 24 — Made 91 Packs Robes and all our mixed skins which
finishes this job leaving 700 loose Robes. — Opposi-
tion Boats started for below.
Wed. 25 — Commenced Pressing^^ our Packs and today pressed
230.
Thurs. 26 — Pressed 250 Packs today. Sent Cadot with two Men
after meat on other side. —
Fri. 27 — Pressed 250 Packs again. Cadot and men returned
with the meat of 4 Bulls.
Sat. 28 — Pressed 2 Packs which finishes this job River ris-
ing gradually. —
Sun. 29 — Balanced mens a/cts and hired those who are agree-
able who are very few.
Mon. 30 — Hauled dunnage for Boats. Baled Boats out and
took Inventory of Goods etc. left.
May 1855
Tues. 1 — Loaded up two Boats. Very windy. — (Total eclipse
of Moon this evening)
30 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
May 1855.
Wed. 2 — Loaded other Boat, but the strong wind prevents
us covering them properly. —
wind abating got everything ready by night for an
early start tomorrow ; all hands slept aboard of their
respective boats tonight.
Thurs. 3 — Rained little during night, boats started this morn-
ing at 4^ A. M got Safely round the point ; only
ten men left in the fort. Sun rose beautifully this
morning every appearance for the boats to make a
good run today. — Two men left for Pagan camp, to
look for an ox that was lost in the winter ; large
War party of Gros-vents (Ventres) arrived @ fort
this evening — Wind rose about 9 A. M. and con-
tinued blowing very hard all day.
Fri. 4^Beautiful day. — A fine litter of Ten Pigs born last
night. This afternoon Moreau who started yester-
day for camp returned reporting the man who
started with him gave out, he left him on his way
to fort @ Sand Creek about 20 miles distant. — 1 load
of wood hauled to day. —
Sat. 5 — Fine clear day. The man that gave out on his way
to camp came in after midnight. — Grosvent war party
left this morning; cleaned for to day. — Kept horses
between the two forts today ; fearful of the Gros-
vent's stealing some of them. — Another addition of
stock, a litter of three young pigs. —
Sun. 6 — Most Beautiful warm clear morning, slight wind
towards evng. All quiet about Fort to day, river
appears to be on a stand. —
Men. 7 — Beautiful warm day, Cadot started hunting, also two
men went to pagan camp, one for his wife the other
to look for a stray Oxen. — Opposition sent out hunt-
ers to day. — An Indian of other fort brot. in Mr.
C's Sorrel Mare that had been across the river for
some time to the fort to night she has a fine colt
about a week old.
FORT BENTON' JOURNAL 31
May 1855.
Tues. 8 — Very fine day went with a man on 'i'eton for load
of wood no News @ fort to day. —
Wed. 9 — Beautiful day, towards night hunter arrived with
meat of three Bulls. — opposition hunters also arrived
to day. —
Thurs. 10 — Another fine day, fixed up Govmt. goods'*^ this
morning. — No news. —
Fri. 11 — Fine day rather windy, Men went to Teton to cut
timber to make a skiflf one load of wood hauled
to day. —
Sat. 12 — Another fine day; hauled logs to build Skiff, no
News ; very high wind after Sunset and cloudy. —
River rising gradually.
Sun. 13 — Fine day Men arrived from camp who started on
last Monday ; The four nations are together below
the Little Rocky Mountains and are moving further
down. — River rising. —
Men. 14 — Flying clouds all day; this evening @ 4 o'clk heavy
Shower — one saw going, making boards for Skiflf. —
river rising gradually —
Tues. 15 — Very rainy disagreeable day no out door work do-
ing.— River rising very rapidly.
Wed. 16 — Fine clear morning, but cloudy and showery during
afternoon Men Sawing today, a load of wood hauled
for use of fort, — River rising Clear at night
Thurs. 17 — Beautiful day. The Indian who went hunting with
Mess. Munroe & Jackson arrived @ fort to night
(having left them on Missouri this morning) for pro-
visions, reports they will not be in for some time
yet ; men Sawing yet ; River rising rapidly. —
Fri. 18 — Fine clear morning Showery & windy during after-
noon, river rising rapidly finished sawing timber
for Skiflf to dav.—
32 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
May 1855.
Sat. 19 — Cloudy, rainy disagreeable day — hauled a load of
wood, moved the Kitchen to day. — Opposition hunt-
ers arrived this evening, an Indian brought us a load
of meat river on a stand. —
Sun. 20 — Rainy disagreeable day fort full of water. The In-
dian who came from Jackson left this morning. —
No News. —
Men. 21 — Disagreeable rainy day. No out door work doing. —
No News.
Tues. 22 — Cleared up this morning, cloudy at night, Express
for Jackson returned this morning. — War party of
Pagans returned from Flat Head, lost one of their
party, hauled a load of wood to day. Made &
launched our skiflF to day —
Wed. 23 — Clear day. Hunter left to Surround^^ with a man
and two Indians across river. — War party left for
camp today — hauled logs in fort to day to make a
foot way. — also took apart Govmt. wagons. — Traded
four beaver from war party. — Man from opposition
came down to stay @ fort tonight. —
Thurs. 24 — Rainy disagreeable day — Hunter returned early this
morning with meat of 4 Bulls — War party of Pagans
arrived from Flat Heads with horses — Load of wood
hauled to day. —
Fri. 25 — Another rainy day, two loads of wood hauled ; Little
Pagan, came to fort to stay to day No News —
Sat. 26 — Several showers to day — one load of wood hauled.
Two Indians & families came from camp to day. —
Commenced to make a garden. — All the Indians mov-
ing down Milk River on their way to Ft. Union —
Sun. 27 — Beautiful day, Indian went out and brought in meat
of two Elk. — rainy at night, river falling.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 33
May 1855.
Mon. 28 — Cloudy morning, clear at Noon Cloudy at night. —
Cadot & Man started for Mountain this afternoon
to hunt, crossed two wagons to start for timber to
Mountains tomorrow — river on a Stand. —
Tues. 29 — Clear day, Started two wagons (ox) to Mts. Made
and finished planting garden. No News!
Wed. 30 — Cloudy morning clear at night — At noon a party of
women (and children) were crossing in opposition
boat when it Sunk there being 14 persons in her,
they floated down to the point below, when they
were picked up by our boat, being more frightened
than hurt. — War party of pagans arrived from Flat-
heads no horses — This evening two men come from
other fort to ours to see if we would hire them, they
being dissatisfied above, — told them to come tomor-
row.—
Thurs. 31 — Beautiful day. — The two men came down today and
hired for each Twenty dollars per Month. — Reed,
two notes from opposition ; one of which was very
insulting Sent answers to both. — No News!
June 1855
Fri. 1 — Fine clear day — Cleaned out fort this morning — Men
arrived from Mountain, this afternoon ; having broken
one wagon only brought one load. — river on a stand. —
No News!
Sat. 2 — Beautiful warm day — Opposition people Started for
Mountain to make meat ; Load of wood hauled to
day. — No News!
Sun. 3 — Very windy, Cadot arrived from Mountain this
morning with the meat of an Elk, deer and an Ante-
lope.—
Mon. A — Three men went to Mountain to bring load of tim-
ber, also Hunter & four Men went to Bears Paw to
34 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
June 1855.
make meat, took two wagons eleven horses & Seven
mules — Very windy. — river rising-
Tues. 5 — Clear day, rather windy.— Wagon arrived from
mountain with load of timber this afternoon. River
rising. —
Wed. 6 — Beautiful day — brought logs across river this morn-
ing and hauled them into fort. — Windy @ night. —
Thurs. 7 — Clear day. — Men Sawing, Commenced hauling gravel
to put in fort one man commenced making dobbies
War party arrived @ other fort & State Indians on
Milk River.—
Fri. 8 — Beautiful day ; rather windy. — one man making dub-
bies. A war party of Pagans arrived this evening,
state plenty of bulTalo this side of the Bears paw
mountain ; hauling gravel in fort —
Sat. 9 — Clear day, hauled a load of wood two men started
across river to hunt this evening. —
Sun. 10 — Fine day — War party left this morning for Flat
heads. — river rising
Men. 11 — F'ine day rather windy. — men retd. from hunting with
two cabree^^. —
Tues. 12 — Beautiful day. Showery during the evening, clear @
night, men Sawing, one man at dubbies. —
Wed. 13 — Cloudy with Shower of rain & hail. — Men Sawing —
This evening a party of P'lathead Indians came on
other side of river took skiff across & brought Eight
to our Fort the remainder went above River ris-
ing.—
Thurs. 14 — Cool windy day.— The Flatheads from other Fort
visited us today ; gave them a present of Knives &
Ammunition, they report there are two of the Gov-
ernment Men^^^ with them and when the Governor
comes over their camp will accompany. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 35
June 1855.
Fri. 15— Fine day— Flatheads left this morning— Also a man
from our Fort. — Bird's Son^'^ & two Indians came to
fort & report the N. Pagan Camp they having some
three packs of Beaver they will be @ fort in a few
days— At 5 P. M. & reported Hunters & wagons
with meat @ the Marias river it being too high to
cross, Sent the Skifif to their aid.—
Sat. 16 — Fine day Wagons arrived about 4 o'clk P. M. about
6 o'clk P. M. the war party that left here on the
5th ulto arrived entirely stripped, they being chased
by the Crows, they Subsisted on roots for 18 days
& had no covering. —
Sun. 17— Beautiful day all quiet about the Fort.— No News.—
Men. 18 — Fine day. — Took down press, also the pickets around
the Smoke house. — One load of wood hauled, men
Sawing. — Hunter went out & returned with meat
of one deer, also an Indian brot one Antelope — No
News. —
Tues. 19 — Clear day Messrs Jackson & Munroe arrived from
their hunt at Noon bringing Some Seventy beaver. —
War party of Gros Ventres left for Camp to day —
Men Sawing — River falling. —
Wed. 20 — Fine day— Men Sawing, two Men at dubbies Op-
position wagons came in from Making meat. — Two
Indians arrived from N. Pagan Camp & report the
Camp above on Teton, will be at fort on tomorrow. —
they left at night. — River falling rapidly. —
Thurs. 21 — Rainy disagreeable day — Three Men at dubbies but
had to stop on account of N. Pagan Camp arriving
and Making their Camp between the two Forts,
did not trade any to day. — River falling rapidly —
Fri. 22 — Clear day. — Hunter went after meat on other side
of river. — Traded some forty beaver & a few Skins
to day. — laying planks around fort to day. — River
falling.—
36 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
June 1855.
Sat. 23 — Beautiful day, very warm, hunter returned with meat
of 7 bulls. — traded 40 Beaver from Burd to day. —
Load of wood hauled River falling.— Indians having
returned from hunting this evening, we expect to
make a good trade to morrow —
Sun. 24 — Clear Morning. — Six bulls killed to day by Indians
one behind our fort and five on prarie above other
fort.— Cloudy & windy @ Night River falling.—
Men. 25 — Clear Morning. — Tremendious hail storm this after-
noon breaking several of the windows. — No News!
Tues. 26 — Clear day. — Hauling gravel in fort. — Men finished
sawing to day; Cloudy at night. — Traded a horse
to day. —
Wed. 27 — Rainy day, cleared during eve. Cleaned Stores.
River falling. —
Thurs. 28 — Showery. — Hauled 12 loads gravel in fort to day.—
Fri. 29 — Clear day — Hauled two loads of wood — Cadot &
Burd left for the Bears Paw Mountains, to trap
Beaver Camp left for Mouth of Marias river— At
dark three Indians came to fort having left the
war party that started from camp yesterday for the
Snake country. —
Sat. 30 — Fine day : Crossed horses opposite fort No News.—
July 1855
Sun. 1 — July. — Beautiful day — all quiet about fort. — No
News. —
Men. 2 — Another fine day. Two men @ Dubbies, War party
Pagans, arrived from Camp at the Cypress Mts*^*.
they having arrived from below, and bring very un-
satisfactory News, the Express not having started
up to the 1st Ultimo. River falling. —
Tues. 3 — Fine day — Five men @ dubbies. — River falling. —
JAMES BIRD IN 1855
Reproduced through the court.'sy <if llouiiliton, .Mifflin ('oiupany.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 37
July 1855.
Wed. A — "Independence Aniversary", fired 3 Shots ea. at
Morning noon & Night; war party returned from
war. — Fine day; river falling. —
Thurs. 5 — War party left for Camp — Four Men at dubbies ;
Clear day — No News ! —
Fri. 6 — Exceedingly warm day — Five men at dubbies;
Shower @ night and very Cool with high wind. —
River falling. —
Sat. 7 — Fine Morning — Wray & Two Indians went hunting
to day. — Commenced painting. —
Sun. 8 — Hunters returned (late at night) bringing parts of
three Elk & an Antelope, having left the rest to
return & bring it. —
Men. 9 — Fine day Men went to Teton for a load of hay for
dubbies, two men making dubbies — No News! —
Tues. 10 — Beautiful day. — very warm — Five men at dubbies
No News. —
Wed. 11 — Fine day — Yellow Hair«2 returned from Bears paw
with meat of bull. Hunter & two men went hunting
to day. — Shower at night. — Five men at dubbies
Thurs. 12 — Clear warm day. Four men at dubbies. — Two men
left for Yellow Stone from the Opposition Fort. —
No News! —
Fri. 13 — Fine day Express arrived from St. Mary's^-* with
Govmt. despatches to be sent below — report Gov.
Stevens at St. Mary's & will be here in the course of
two weeks. — Four Men at dubbies River falling. —
Sat. 14 — Fine day Hunters arrived with Meat of 8 deer. —
No Buffaloes Sent a man with an Indian as express
to meet the boats.— River falling Three Men at dub-
bies— The Government Express left for to St. Marys
this morning. —
38 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
July 1855.
Sun. 15 — Fine cool day — One man of Gov Stevens^* Express
returned this eve. his horse having given out at Sun
River.—
Mon. 16 — Clear during day — Men filling fort with Sand to day;
one load of wood hauled — Rainy at night. —
Tues. 17 — Cloudy during day cleared up @ sundown. — Hunter
went out this morn to his traps & Returned with meat
of a deer. — No News! —
Wed. 18 — Fine day Indian went hunting and brought in meat
of two Antelope Hauled a load of lime stone to day
men sawing. —
Thurs. 19 — Beautiful day Hunter started hunting, Indian went
out & brot in two deer, if it were not for Indian we
would be poorly off having no provisions and the
Hunter being too lazy to hunt. — A load of Limestone
hauled to-day. — men Sawing. — Carpenter fixing the
floor of new kitchen, no dubbies made on account of
other work. — No News. —
Fri. 20 — Clear day Hunter arrived bringing meat of two Elk
& four deer. — Men sawing, load of wood hauled. —
Sat. 21 — Beautiful day ; men sawing one load of wood hauled. —
Carpenter finished kitchen floor. — No News ! —
Sun. 22 — Very warm, clear day. dull about fort every one
crying for tobacco. No News. —
Mon. 23 — Clear warm day hauled a load of hay also a load of
wood to day. —
Tues. 24 — Fine day No News. —
Wed. 25 — Hunter went across river for meat — Fine day. — War
party of Pagans
Thurs. 26 — Fine clear day Gov Stevens & one Man arrived @
fort this eve — Shot the Cannon & put up flag. — War
party arrived
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 39
July 1855.
Fri, 27 — Beautiful day ; the Governors train arrived & camped
on teton War party of Grosventers arrived to day —
Burning lime
Sat. 28 — Very warm — Cadot Arrived having been @ the
Judith, bringing the meat of ten fine fat cow^s. — Being
out of Provisions Gov. Stevens left fort this eve. &
went to his camp intending to remain there. —
Sun. 29 — Fine day War party of Grosvents returned to
camp. — , A few Indians still lounging about Fort.
Mon. 30 — Clear day. — Cadot together with Indians; men &
women went towards the Judith to make meat ; were
visited by some of the Govmt people to day, fine day
Tues. 31 — Cloudy Cool day, Government fixed & checked their
goods to day War party arrived from Crows this
evening. —
August, 1855
Wed. 1 — Cool rainy, & disagreeable day. — Barnes^'' left for
Oppon to day. — Governor paid a visit to day. — War
party arrived from Snakes bringing a few horses left
at night. —
Thurs. 2 — Very heavy showers during last night. — Govn Stevens
came to fort to day and remained all night; lent him
a red Cow & Calf to take to camp. — Cloudy during
morning cleared at Noon. —
Fri. 3 — Clear, pleasant day — Several indians arrived from
Camp — several of the camps at the bears paw Mts. —
on their way to the Judith to make meat Gov. Still
at the Fort. No News! —
Sat. A — Clear, very warm Bercier (express) arrived from
Yellowstone this evening to opposition fort, brings
letter to Gov. Stevens. — Gov. left fort for his camp
this evening
40 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
Au^st 1855.
Sun. 5 — Clear exceeding warm to day Governor came to fort
this morning and remains all night. — Indian came
from Camp this afternoon and reports three lodges
coming to fort to remain. — Cloudy at night. —
Men. 6 — Showery — War party arrived from Snakes^® with a
few horses. — Gov. Still remains at Fort. —
Tues. 7 — Cloudy morning clear at Noon Cloudy at night —
War party left this evening Gov Still @ fort — White-
washing houses load of wood hauled to day —
Wed. 8 — Alternately cloudy & clear Mr. Doty*^'^ arrived at
fort from camp and remains during night — Govn.
Still @ fort Express from Mr. Culbertson left Milk
river on 4th Inst, arrived here with letters & des-
patches this morning. — Three Lodges came from
Camp on Judith & pitched out side of fort — One load
of wood hauled to day intending to make Coal. —
Whitewashing progressing. — river rising
Thurs. 9 — Clear during morning — rainy at night — Sent an ex-
press conjointly with Gov. Stevens to pagan camp
above three butes^^ for horses. — Govn. & Mr. Doty
remains at fort. Tv^o Warriors arrived at Fort this
eve. from Snake Country. — Load of wood hauled
to day — Continue whitewashing fort. — river on a
stand
Fri. 10 — Alternately Clear & Cloudy heard from hunters
to day through Col. Crosby^^ who left there yester-
day they will return in the course of a week a camp
of Pagans & the Whole of the Grosvents there &
plenty of buffaloes — Gov. left fort this eve. for his
camp Mr. Doty Still remains the river rising
Sat. 11 — Showery. — Borrowed 3 lbs tobacco from Governor
Express came back from pagan camp having met 10
Lodges the rest being beyond Cypress Mts. — white-
washing progressing. — Big Snake'^'' arrived at fort
this eve. — one load of wood hauled. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 41
August 1855.
Sun. 12 — Clear during day, Rainy @ night Whitewashing. —
No News. —
Mon. 13 — Cloudy. — Jackson arrived @ fort this afternoon &
report hunters will be here early tomorrow. White-
washing— The Govn's blk Smith came to fort to re-
main to fix horse shoes & mend wagons. — Indian
arrived from Big Snakes Camp & report they will be
here tomorrow. —
Tues, 14 — Cloudy — Camp of pagans arrived this afternoon also
Cadot with fresh & dry meat — Whitewashing pro-
gressing Col. Crosby came to fort this eve & remains
all night —
Wed. 15 — Clear warm day Col. left this Morg. (Morning)
Three Grosvents arrived from Camp this Morn. &
report plenty of meat in Camp. —
Thurs. 16 — Fine day — Col. Crosby came to fort & remains all
night. —
Fri. 17 — Beautiful day — A Culbertson & family with Col.
Cummings & two other gentlemen with B Cham-
paigne & several Indians arrived about noon today —
hoisted flags & fired Salute — Liquor being plenty
several persons of the Govorners train made a beau-
tiful display of their gentlemanly deportment — then
left after supper & all was quiet again. —
Sat. 18 — Fine day. — Gov. Stevens came to fort to day & made
a fool of himself by seating him self out side of fort
in front of gate causing not only remarks of whites
but of all the Indians — Burning a coal Pit out side
of fort — Morreau started with wagon to bring one
left by A Culbertson Esq. @ Milk River.—
Sun. 19 — Michell & two others left for Gross ventres camp for
Mules Stolen @ Ft. Union last winter — Weather
Continues good. —
42 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
August 1855.
Mon. 20 — Cadot & one Man went hunting to day — Had horses
brot up to day find one missing — Fine weather. —
Tues. 21 — Very warm day horses sent on other Side opposite
Ft McKensie'i — Carpenter fixing Carts for trip to
Ft. Union No News!
Wed. 22 — Clear very warm — Carpenter Mending up wagon
for trip to Ft. Union. —
Thurs. 23 — Clear pleasant day — Cadot returned @ noon with
meat of three deer, game being scarce at the Moun-
tain.—
Fri. 2A — Cool day cloudy during evening. — Took Coal from
Pit amounting to 11 barrels No News! —
Sat. 25 — Cool day — Hunters started out this morning & Re-
turned with meat of two very fat deer. — one load of
wood hauled
Sun. 26 — Beautiful warm day
Men. 27 — Another beautiful day Mr. Munroe left to day with
Gov. people as interpreter & guide to Gros ventres
& Blk feet.— No News!—
Tues. 28 — Beautiful day. — Gov. Stevens delivered wagons har-
ness etc. etc. to us today M. Champgne arrived from
Gross ventres Camp this evening bringing back 5
Mules that were Stolen from Ft. Union by Gross
Ventres last winter. — Fixed up 6 wagons to start to
Ft Union for the outfit of this place. — Grosvents
plenty of meat. —
Wed. 29 — The day Pleasant and clawday Mr. Ray Started
with a train of six wagons for the yellow Stone at
y2 past 12 Mr. Culbertson Started also for the boats
at 1 A. M. in company with Some of Gov Steavens
Men
Thurs. 30 — Clowday and rane earley 2 grovonts left for The
camp in Companey with 3 Pagans Nothing Nothing
X
COLONEL ALFRED GUMMING
Reproduced through the courtesy of Houshton, Mifflin Company.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 43
August 1855.
More transpiered till 2 o'clock Col Crosby left for
the west Side of the Mountin with Pearson^2 i^te in
the eavening 4 Flatheads arrived reports acamp of
forty lodges Coming to The Fort
Fri. 31 — Weather Mild Mrs Doty and Jackson^^ igf^. for the
North Piegan Camp, a hunting Party of Piegans
came in from the Teton,
Fri. 31 — Flat Heads who came in yesterday and wer to return
today to their camp today, were detained in consi-
quence of having their Horses Stolen last ngt by
some Piegans.
September 1855
Sat. 1 — Morning Cold and Cloudy, by 11 ock. am cleared up
and became milder, the Big Snake came in from the
mouth of the Judth today and reports having seen a
war Party of crow Indians, six days ago Journeing
up the Judth he also reports that the Boats'^ had
not pased the mouth of the above named River, when
he left that point
Sun. 2 — nothig of Importeance occured today, the day was
Clear and hot. until 6 ock. P. M. when it clouded
up and Threatened us with a severe Storm, a war
party of Blood Indians left for the north, the waggon
Returned last night about, 11 Ock
Mon. 3 — Warm day nothing of importeance occurred, —
Mounted Two Waggons, Could not Rig eany morre
in Consiquence of not getting the Whels to fit
Tues. A — The day was clear and Pleasent Nothing werthay of
not occured
Wed. 5 — the day was Cool and Pleasent, the Express returned
from the Boats with letters from Missrs. Kipp'^'^ &
Hatch'^^ the Express returned also from the Flat
Heads, who wer on the other side of the mountions.
44 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
September 1855.
Thurs. 6 — we had quite a refreshing Shower this morning-.
Cleared up a 2 ock P M quite cool.
Fri. 7 — the day was quite unpleasent. by a very Heavy
wind, blowing all day. Mr. Chambirs'^'^ arrived from
Fort Union with letters to Coin Cumming.'^^ Mr
Culbertson and others, he informs us that the Sioux
ar inclined to be Hostile tewards the whites at the
Fort and are committing varrious depredations in
that vecinety thay had Stolen 8 eight Horses from
the Company Dr Lansday'^^ left fo St Maries today
Sat. 8 — the day was cool and pleasent. the opposetion Com-
pany started one waggon to the Yellow Storne the
Indian Hunters came in today, with a concridable
quantity of Bull Meat, and let us have 3 three Horse
loads, 5. five warers came in today from the lame
Bulls^^ Camp, thay are some Bloods with them,
thay inform us that that thay are talking about going
to the north to make a trade.
Sun. 9 — Pleasent day. a war party of Piegans arrived to day
from the Snake Country, nothing Els of importeance
occured.
Men. 10 — Cold with a heavy rain this morning, the Eagle
Chief^^ and other Gros Vantre left this mornig. also
a war Party of Piegans, 1ft for their Camp. Mr.
Culbertson Vaughan*^- and others arrived from the —
Boats.
Tues. 11 — Weather fine Michel preparg to go down to meet
the Boat
Wed. 12 — Michel Champan — Chambers and an Indian left in a
Skif for the Boat which left Fort Un on 27' Augt —
fine weather Traded Two Horses —
Thurs. 13 — Nothing doing — had Two Hogs relieved of their
nackers — Clowdy
FORT BENTON lOURXAL 45
September 1855.
Fri. 14 — Some few Gros Venters arrived in search of the Two
Elk^2 who is here Very sick
Sat. 15 — Cadott came in late last Night with a Deer — Little
Dog retred bringing in fiat Head Horses stolen by the
Piegans which are on Milk River with plenty of Meat
Sun. 16 — Clowdy and nothing new
Men. 17 — Sent two men to the Mountains to get timber for —
Mr Vaughn Kinerly^* & Willsen^^ went with them
Clowdy and Rainy
Tues. 18 — Rained and Snowed all Day and no wood in the Fort
V/ed. 19 — To Wagn returned from the Mts with Timber —
Weather Cleared of Cool
Thurs. 20 — The Journalist leaves tomorrow morng for the
Piegan Camp on a Meat Trade
Fri. 21 — Mr Culbertson started to the Piegan Camp with two
waggons to trade for meat to feed the hands on the
Cordelle when the boats shall have arrived — Mr
Jackson who was Sent by the Commission as a
messenger to the Blood Indians in the North returned
to day about 3 o'clock Mr Bird returned with him —
He was unable to find the Principal Camp of the
Bloods but about 8 miles from the Fort overtook a
small party of them — Three Piegans came to the Fort
to day — In the evening the party of Bloods seen by
Mr Jackson (consisting of three men & three women)
arrived at the Fort. When on the hill back of the
Fort they called a halt — commenced firing their guns
& raised their colors and spread them to the breese.
Mr. Monroe went forth to meet them and to extend
to them the hospitality of the Fort — They report their
encampment still a long ways off but making their
way in this direction. The forenoon was clear and
pleasant but towards night it clouded up and looks
much like rain — This morning per request of Col
46 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
September 1855.
Cummings I took a letter to Mr B De Rochis^ Bour-
geois of Fort Cambell authorising him (if he desired
it) to send out to the Indians to trade for "Meat",
An important event which I forgot to mention tran-
spired to day — It was that a yellow bitch belonging
to the Fort had a fine litter of puppies — who know
but that some of them which now lie with their eyes
unopened may in their day prove themselves worthy
of the travoise About sun set it commenced to rain
but soon ceased —
Sat. 22 — It cleared ofiE during last night — This morning was
particularly bright pleasant and beautiful — During the
forenoon the men of the Fort were engaged in clean-
ing up some of the houses — Traded for three packs
of Meat from the Blood Indians who came to the
Fort on yesterday Nothing New to day — Every
thing in the fort has been during the day in a state
of quietness — the weather has been very fine —
Sun. 23 — This day has been remarkably bright clear & pleas-
ant Early in the morning Mr. Monroe Sent two
pack animals with Gov Steven's men to the Marias
after fresh buffalo having learned by some Indians
who had just arrived that they were in abundance in
that vicinity. All the Indians who could raise horses
started off for the same purpose — It was as quiet as
usual in the fort during the whole day and though
it was the Sabath not an inmate of the fort attended
Church — Late in the evening some four or five Blood
Indians arrived from the North — They paid their
respects to their "Big Chief" Col Cumming soon after
dark and indulged themselves freely in the use of
weed.
Mon. 24 — The Morning bright with a strong wind from the
North West. Thermometer at Sun rise at 55° The
wind continued to blow very hard from the North
west during the whole day rendering it very dis-
J.k.A Ir- W^-^-i- 'Ac..-
FORT BENTON, MONTANA. ]VKE 10, 1S()(.
From a sketch by ( Ji'aiiville Stuart.
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FORT CAMPBELL, MONTANA, 1805
From a sketch by Granville Stuart.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 47
September 1855.
agreeable to be out of doors — In the evening' two
Peigan Indians arrived at the Fort from the Peigan
Camp — No New^s in the Fort — Everything as quiet
as usual —
Tues. 25 — The wind blew hard all last night but lulled this
morning just as old Sol peeped over the hills — The
day was very fine the sun shining forth with unusual
brightness making quite a contrast between to day
and yesterday as regards the weather — Early this
morning Mr Monroe sent an Indian to drive up the
horses to send for a load of wood — It was sometime
before they could be gotten up but they finally came,
when Henry & Demos took the wagon and George
the horse cart and brought in wood from the Teton —
The two horses sent out a couple of days ago to the
Marias for fresh meat was brought back to day well
packed with fat cow meat which was very acceptable
as we have been living on dried meat for several days
passed. The Indians who went out after meat also
returned to day well supplied. They killed I learn
one hundred and seventy six cows — If this aint
Slughtering buffalo by the whole sale you can "take
my hat" — but my advise is "To go it while you are
young" for when you "get old" you will have no
buffalo to kill as Gov. Stevens railroad hands will
consume them all. It being his project to feed his
hands upon them so soon as the road goes into
opperation which in the opinion of "your humble
Servant" will never be.
Wed. 26— The day has been very pleasant — Nothing of im-
portance transpired — Last night an Indian arrived at
the camp of Gov. Stevens directly from the Flathead
Camp — He reports that the Peigans and Flatheads
are together on the Muscle-Shell making their way
in this direction — George Weippert was engaged this
morning in putting dirt on top of the Store house
48 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
September 1855.
and sweeping out the same — A war party of five
Peigans arrived at the Fort late this evening —
Thurs. 27 — The morning commenced bright and beautiful — but
a little after noon a hard wind sprung up from the
north east and before night we had a slight shower
of rain, nothing going on of special interrest — No
News from any quarter — Several war parties came
in during the day
Fri. 28 — The morning bright and pleasant — Last evening soon
after dark the war parties which came in during the
day assembled in room within the Fort and had a
"grand time" singing dancing and beating on the
drum our old Cree friend was the leader of the
performance Gov Stevens sent a man to the boats
this morning — The object of which I suppose was to
find out the position of the boats and to learn the
probable time of their arrival — The day has been
remarkably bright and pleasant — Late in the evening
a party of Pend O Reilles^^ arrived at the Fort from
Deep River^^ where they left their main camp
Sat. 29 — The day was clear but very windy — In the forenoon
a large party of Gros Vents came to the Fort — They
had a good supply of meat, which was traded for by
Mr. Monroe — The women commenced to sweep the
Fort this morning but the wind blew so hard that
they were compelled to give it up — Late in the evening
it rained slightly —
Sun. 30 — Morning Commences bright and pleasant — During
last night it rained — Messrs Wilson and Kennerly
arrived at the Fort this morning about half past one
o'clock — having made a long and fatigueing ride from
the "Three Butes". They left Mr Culbertson yes-
terday morning who probably camped on the Marias
last night with "Lame Bull" Chief of the Peigans
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 49
October 1855
Mon. 1— Mr C— returned to day leaving the Waggons at the
Three Butes
Tues. 2 — Indians arring from the different Camps and report
Bufflo plenty
Wed. 3 — Express arrivd from the Boats and report there
being at the Judith
Thurs. 4 — ^*^Mr Monroe left for the Camp also a Government
party for the Boats
Thurs. 18 — Wray arrived from Ft. Union this evening with 6
wagon loads of goods
Fri. 19 — Plenty of Indians about fort cloudy looks like
snow — at dark two ox wagons arrived from boats
at the Judith-
Sat. 20 — One loads of wood hauled to day slight fall of snow
last night — Traded a few robes to day. —
Sun. 21 — Clear beautiful day. — Several Indians came from
treaty to day laden with presents and highly pleased.
Slight rain last night. —
Men. 22 — About 3 inches snow fell last night — Several indians
arrived from treaty ground 3 loads wood hauled for
Coal
Tues. 23 — Beautiful clear cool morning — 3 loads wood hauled
for coal. About noon to our delight Mr. Dawson
arrived — Many indians arrived from treaty : few robes
traded. —
Wed. 24 — Fine day coal pit set up & fired below fort — Robes
& some coffee traded — A wagon left for Milk river
to bring the one left by Wray — also men sent to
meet boat to aid them in bringing them up. —
Thurs. 25 — Clear pleasant day. — busy trading robes & other
articles to day also a small amount of specie. — load
50 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1855.
of wood hauled to day — News from boats, at or near
the citadel^i getting along slowly. —
Fri. 26 — Cool day — Trading a few robes etc. — coal pit pro-
gressing.— Indians leaving the Teton river & moving
towards Milk river. —
Sat. 27 — Fine day. — Robes & coffee traded to day — Coal pit
progressing — Some of Gov. Stevens, men leaving
for Washington Terr, their home to day, balance
to leave in a few days — No News. —
Sun. 28 — Snowy disagreeable day — a few robes traded today —
Gov. Stevens left for across Mountains to day, boats
some ways below mouth of Marias, and getting along
slowly. —
Mon. 29 — Snow fell yesterday & last night about 3 inches very
disagreeable under foot ; a few robes ; also some beaver
& two horses traded, clear at night. —
Tues. 30 — Fine day indians still about. — Fixed up stores. —
Express that started yesterday for boats, not yet
arrived. — Mr. Doty came from Government Camp
for Arms, Amunition, etc. on acct. of an outbreak of
indians^^ i^ Washington Terr.
Wed. 31 — Pleasant Morning Express arrived from boats bring-
ing articles sent for. — Also another express sent for
more goods required. — One load of wood hauled, a
few robes traded. —
November 1855
Thurs. 1 — Beautiful morning. Traded a few robes. — Express
that left yesterday arrived this afternoon accom-
panied by Major Hatch — Agent for the Black Feet
tribes. — Cloudy evening — Boats will camp near mouth
of Marias river. —
Fri. 2 — Slight fall of Snow last night Cloudy during morn-
ing but clear and Cool at night. — One Load of wood
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 51
November 1855.
hauled to day — Boats camp within 12 Miles of fort
by water. —
Sat. 3 — One or two Gros Ventre young- men arrived their
Camp being very close, and only we suppose await-
ing the arrival of the Boats to come all here in a
rush. Very strong N. W. wind which must have much
impeded the progress of the Boats. One load wood. —
Sun. 4 — A man arrived from Gov. Stevens for medicine etc.
one of his party being very sick. A number of Gros
Ventres also arrived from and in the evening returned
to their Camp. Boats now in sight from the Bute,
sleep very close tonight and will we think beyond a
doubt bring their very protracted trip to an end early
in the morning.
Men. 5 — At long last our Boats^^ came insight but were unable
to cross the ford. Dropped down to foot of rapid
again where we unloaded her and had everything
hauled into Fort but she still remains there on ac-
count of the wind. Crossed other Boat to landing
and tomorrow shall unload her, and we hope to be
able to fetch up Big Boat. This is the longest trip
on record. — 112 days from Fort Union which includes
11 days detention in building a boat, and 14 days at
the Council grounds — but it is also the most profitable
one. —
Tues. 6 — Unloaded our little Boat and had frt. (freight) hauled
into Fort — Hauled also one load wood Hunting lost
horses. Indians loafing in great plenty. —
Wed. 7 — Took masts and rigging out of Boats and tied both
up for the winter below the little Island at ford and
where we are very sure they will not be injured by
the Ice — Hauled one load wood and started all our
Horses above on guard. —
52 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1855.
Thurs. 8 — Arranged all our stores nicely — Started Blacksmiths
to repairing Wagns. — Men to building Bastion and
Wall at Kitchen — rather late — and hauled one load
wood. Some 15 lodges Blackfeet arrived to see the
Major.
Fri. 9 — "Dobbies" getting on well. Clear day but a little
cold. Started four men to Mountains for a few logs
and five to the Teton to make a large Coal Pit —
Traded 105 Robes and a good deal of meat. —
Sat. 10 — Snowed nearly all day, "but persevered a little in
our building — Traded 95 Robes
Sun. 11 — Clear very cold day. Traded 78 Robes Gros Ventres
moving camp. —
Men. 12 — Men returned early from Mountain with the logs
required — Still very cold but going ahead with our
Dobbies — Geo Weipperts youngest child died last
night and was this morning interred back of the Fort.
Tues. 13 — Another very cold day with slight sprinkling of
snow. Hauled 2 loads wood. Had Ice broke round
our Boats and straightened them a little. —
Wed. 14 — Men returned from chopping wood for Coal Pit, —
Had a visit from Mr, Clark who has arrived with
13 Carts loaded with goods to offer another opposi-
tion to us in trade, still getting a Robe or two from
the Gros Ventres who are now at mouth of Marias —
Hauled 2 loads wood —
Thurs. 15 — Cold and through the ])ast night a little more snow
fell — A little too bad times for dobbie building but
still we persevere. —
Fri, 16 — Had Wagns. Harness etc. all arranged for men to
make an early start for Ft. Union to fetch up Corn
of which we are much in want Mr. Clark we hear
has selected a sj^ot on the Teton where he intends
to winter. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAI. 53
November 1855.
Sat. 17 — Started 6 Wagons for Ft. Union under charge of Mr.
Rose, everything in excellent order and we have no
fear they will make the trip in safety. Hauled 2
loads wood — More snow. —
Sun. 18 — Some Gros Ventres arrived with a little fresh meat
and traded from them some 24 Robes. Another slight
fall of snow and very cold. —
Mon. 19 — So very cold that we were forced to discontinue our
building, but we trust to resume it tomorrow. Some
two Inches Snow also fell, and what first fell some
8 days since still remains. Had a visit from Clark
Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Tues. 20 — Much milder and enabled to resume our building —
Ice running plenty in the river. Hauled 2 loads
wood. —
Wed. 21 — Very mild and snow thawing. Sent 4 horses with a
couple of Indians after fresh meat. Messrs. Wilson
and Dawson with Major Hatch took a few miles ride
for exercise and visited Clark on the Teton at his
houses. Building coming along nicely, but we are
sorry to find we have too few dobbies to finish our
Bastion. Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Thurs. 22 — Again mild — Ther 26 in the morning Hauled again 2
loads wood — A few Gros Vs brought us a little fresh
meat, and in the evening Lame Bull brought us a
horse, a load of meat, and 3 Robes. —
Fri. 23 — Some more arrivals from Camp with meat and a Robe
or Two. Horses sent on 21st. Inst, after meat got
back today well loaded. Hauled 2 loads wood, which
will be the last for a day or two as the Major has
permited the opposition to send to Cam]) after meat
and we must not loose a chance. —
Sat. 24 — Started two Wagns. to Gros Ventres Camp to trade
meat under charge M Champaigne and Revais ac-
54 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1855.
companied him. Some Gros Vs arrived with some
more meat. Building drawing to a close, our dobbies
being about finished
Sun. 25 — Star Robe^'* arrived with a load of meat and put out
immediately. Pleasant day.
Mon. 26 — No arrivals from Camp. Mr. Wilson took a ride to
the Horse guard where he intends sleeping. Fin-
ished our Building for the present and took dowm
scaffolding the adobes being all used up. —
Tues. 27 — Michel arrived from Camp with his two Wagns. well
loaded with fresh and half dried meat. Hauled one
load wood Had stores arranged. —
Wed. 28 — Collected all our Cows and Oxen and found one Ox
missing which cannot be far away. Whitewashed
the building just finished and started men building
a pig pen and hen house — Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Thurs. 29 — Recovered lost Ox. Carpenters Sawing logs. Black-
smith tinkering at Bridle Bits being out of Coal.
Hauled 2 loads wood.
Fri. 30 — Finished our pig pen etc. Swept out Fort others
hauling in dirt to level it a little 2 loads wood. —
December 1855
Sat. 1 — Had men to fix up for a start for Mountains on Mon-
day, as we want about 100 logs out for building pur-
poses. Two loads wood.
Sun. 2 — Eagle Chief arrived with some 10 Robes for trade.
No news. — Cold and Ice running.—
Mon. 3 — Hauled one load Coal and one load Sent 9 Men to
mountains to get logs out for building purposes and
for Boats should we need them and there is every
probability we will. —
fy
,,^^ii^^'
t
/
M
STAR ROBE, BLACKFOOT CHIEF
Reproduced throug-h the courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin Company.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 55
December 1855.
Tues. A — Hauled 2 loads wood. Mild and an occasional Gros
Ventres arriving to trade. Every appearance of a
good trade this year. —
Wed. 5 — No news other 2 loads wood.
Thurs. 6 — Major Hatch and Messrs. Wilson and Dawson started
to select a spot for the Ind. Agency. Slept with wood
choppers at the Mountains. —
Fri. 7 — Examined "High Wood" for several miles below the
Narrows. Slept on Belt Mountain Creek^^ —
Sat. 8 — Visited Missouri Falls^^ and slept there.
Sun. 9 — Returned and slept on High Wood. —
Men. 10 — Returned to Fort and found a lot of Blackfeet await-
ing the Majors arrival and a few Gros Ventres for
trade. —
Tues. 11 — Traded a little meat from Blackfeet and on receiving
a present from Agent they all put out well satisfied —
Shortly after their departure a war party of about
40 Blackfeet arrived, and are having a long talk with
the Major. Little Dog and six others also arrived
with some Togs and a little meat to trade. —
Wed. 12 — Traded with little Dogs party when they also left.
Hauled 2 loads wood.
Thurs. 13 — A very quiet day for trade — Revais our hunter arrived
for meat for men at Mountains. Four Pagans arrived
with a few Robes for trade Two loads wood. —
Fri. 14 — Started Revais back with some meat for men at
Mountains. Traded 13 Robes a few Wolf skins and
some meat from those who arrived yesterday — A few
more Inds also arrived with a Robe or two and the
Big Snake and party to see the Major
Sat. 15 — Skunk^" and one or two Gros Ventres arrived with
some meat and a few Robes. Hauled 2 loads wood
and one of Bark. No news — Cold
56 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
December 1855.
Sun. 16 — Some Gros Ventres arrived with a few Robes, and
in the afternoon Camp of "Little Robes" arrived with
their Lodges which they have pitched in the Prarie
behind.
Men. 17— Busy trading Togs. (Buffalo tongues) Meat Wolf
Skins and a very few Robes. Some more Gros Vs
also arrived. Threatning Snow. Hauled two loads
wood. —
Tues. 18 — Little Robe Band moved Camp and intend settling
for the present at Pablos Island to dress what Robes
they have — Two loads wood as usual. —
Wed. 19 Some 15 Lodges of Blackfeet arrived and are pres-
ently camped inside the Fort. Very cold. The River
closed today. Gave the Blackfeet a feast and the
Agent did so also, likewise a present of a shirt &
Legns. each and a few Blkts. —
Thurs. 20 — Our men returned from the Mountains having got
out 100 Saw Logs besides some ps. for Oars etc.
Traded 113 Robes from Blackfeet and a lot of meat
when they all put out for Clarks and we wish him
joy of his visit. —
Fri. 21 — All quiet. A few Gros Ventres arrived with one or
two Robes for trade — Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Sat. 22 — The Little Grey Head and a good many other Piegans
with the Low Horn^^ and some Bloods arrived with
some meat and Robes for trade and to see the Major —
Gave them all a feast — Hauled 4 loads wood. —
Sun. 23 — Traded with the Indians who arrived yesterday some
113 Robes and a good deal of meat
Men. 2A — Most of Peigaus left. No new arrivals Very cold.
Hauled 4 loads wood. 2 of which from other side. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 57
December 1855.
Tues. 25 — A Blackfoot arrived for Teton and says spotted
Eagle''^ and party will be here in the morning — Gave
the men a feast as usual. —
Wed. 26 — Seven Blackfoot traders, Spotted Eagle at the head,
but as they had only 11 Robes in all amongst them,
and little or no meat we presume their visit is chiefly
to the Agent — Gave them a feast and the Agent gave
them a little present. Hauled 4 loads wood. —
Thurs. 27 — Traded the 11 Robes from Blackfeet and after an
infinite deal of begging they put out. 4 loads wood —
still very cold — Tonight the Fort is free of traders
or loafers —
Fri. 28 — Still colder with slight fall of Snow. One Gros
Ventres arrived with three Robes for trade Hauled
4 loads wood. —
Sat. 29 — Major Hatch called for two men from other Fort,
who with four from this have commenced prepara-
tions for a large Ball to be given by the Major on
New Years. Two Pagans arrived with a dead Com-
rade for us to burry — the Little Antelope — Hauled 4
loads wood —
Sun. 30 — All quiet. Another heavy fall of Snow — Cooks busy
for New Year and their labor begins to show.
Men. 31 — Interred "Little Antelope" in grave yard back of
Fort and put a flag over his grave for which trouble
and expense we got 2 Bales meat and a fine horse.
Four loads wood. —
58 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
January 1856
Tues. 1 — Major Hatch new years party came off last evening
and as the provisions are very plenty will be con-
tinued throughout the day and night — The dancing
amusement was varied this morning by a lottery got
up by the Major 49 prizes and 1 blank — Price of
Tickets nothing — Every person pleased and happy —
Wed. 2 — Another heavy fall of Snow — Started the Machinery
of Fort Benton once more — Four loads wood — Plenty
meat in Fort, plenty Robes in Camp, and altogether
a fine appearance for a prosperous and happy trade
this year.
Thurs. 3 — Started 4 men on Teton to make a Coal pit. Hauled
3 loads wood. Commenced Letter writing etc. for
below. A few traders with some meat today — Had
visit from Clark and family, who slept in the Fort. —
Fri. 4 — Still busy getting ready for express. The "Skunk"
and party of 7 arrived with great promises only for
trade, gave them a smoke and a little feast. —
Sat. 5 — Started Mr. Wray and one man with Express for St.
Louis to be delivered at Ft. Union Very mild morn-
ing and snow melting very rapidly, but about noon it
changed and in 5 minutes Ther. went below Zero —
Strong east wind, we never experienced such a sudden
change — and we fear for the consequences. Three
loads wood. —
Sun. 6 — Still very cold plenty Snow throughout the night. —
Men. 7— Hauled 3 loads wood — Big Snake and Red Horn'*^*^
Peigans arrived with 35 Robes and some 6 Bales
meat — traded them and put out — No news. —
Tues. 8 — Still "almighty cold" and snowing a little— No traders
today — One of our Ox drivers sick so only 2 loads
wood.
Wed. 9 — A very little milder. A little Robe Ind. passed with
one Robe to trade being all we have got for the past
FORT BENTON JOl-RNAL 5')
January 1856.
two days. Man still sick. 2 loads wood. Dull lone-
some times and lonj^ing to hear of our Wagons from
below.
Thurs. 10 — Much milder thoug-h equally lonesome. Mr. Rose's
Woman arrived from Camp with a dead child born
26 ulto. for us to bury. Two loads wood. Opposition
men started out hunting. —
Fri. 11 — Another mild pleasant day, the pleasantest we have
had for sometime, and snow begins to thaw some.
A war party of Blood Indians arrived and are at
present in the Fort. — they bring three horses they
say they found. Traded 1 horse. — 2 loads wood.
Still no news. —
Sat, 12 — Again warm and pleasant. Most of the War party
left — Rotten Belly ^"^ and Pickon arrived with a good
lot fresh meat & Robes last night, which they traded
today — Sitting woman arrived 2 loads wood —
Sun. 13 — Pickon and comrade left us, — Traded with Sitting
Woman, i°- but he still loafs on, Some other Gros
Ventres arrived with meat and a few Robes, traded
and left — The Little Robe band moving Camp from
above across on "Chantier''^^^ looked in to loaf and
anoy us but gave us no Robes. Same pleasant
weather —
Men. 14 — Sitting Woman at long last cleared out. having begged
us all tired of him. Spotted Calf arrived with some
fresh meat — This now is becoming a very unaccept-
able article of trade, we want Robes. — 2 loads wood.
Tues. 15— Two Elks— Bad Head^o-*— Tobacco Pants etc. etc. ar-
rived with any quantity of meat for trade but only
some 7 Robes amongst them all — Our prospects how-
ever are very favorable for a large trade this year, —
Plenty meat portends plenty Robes. 2 loads wood. —
I
60 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
January 1856.
Wed. 16 — b'ort cleared out, but immediately filled up again —
Beardy and some 12 other Gros Ventres arrived with
a lot of that now dispised article Bufo. meat for
trade — Two loads wood and had a cart load of "grass"
hauled to stuff pack saddles.
Thurs. 17 — Traded with Gros Ventres but most of them still
remain in Fort. Wister rode out to Coal burners on
Teton to hurry them along as we are now getting
short of that article — Two loads wood. —
Fri. 18 — An express arrived from Fort Union in search of
horses for trade etc. P Chine^"^ in charge — Plenty
Bufo. in lower country and very flattering prospects
for trade — Mr. Rose with our Wagns. arrived at Ft. U
16th Dec. and was expected to start back about 20th
of that month. Mr. Bird arrived from Bellies^*^^ river
— Recovered also 2 horses which have been lost by
our express man Wray — 2 loads wood — 1 load bark
for Blacksmith.
Sat. 19 — No arrivals from Camp — 2 loads wood still very cold
and again threatning Snow.
Sun. 20 — Lame Bull and some 4 Peigans arrived with more
meat for trade also the Rider^"" a Gros Ventres —
Plenty Robes in Camp !
Mon. 21 — Traded with Lame Bull and party when they started —
Calfs Robe^*'^ and a few other Blood Indians arrived
with a very few Robes and plenty meat — Started
Revais and two men with 10 of our fattest horses and
4 Mules to assist Rose Also sent 3 men on Teton to
get out knees for a Boat. —
Tues. 22 — Hauled half a load of Coal and half of Knees from
Teton. Fine pleasant day — Traded with Calf Robes
party — No arrivals today Hauled 2 loads wood.
Wed. 23 — Sitting Woman arrived with 4 Robes and a load of
meat. He brings also the last of three horses we
/'y.
V
TIIK RIDER, BLACK FOOT CHIEF
1 thiouuli ihc courtesy ot 1 Icuulit on. .Millli
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 61
January 1856.
sent with our express man 5th Inst and which must
have strayed from them. No news.
Thurs. 24 — Sitting Woman started back No arrivals Another
load knees and Coal and two loads wood. —
Fri. 25 — Hauled balance of knees for a 90 foot Mackinaw — In
the evening a Gros Ventre arrived with nearly a
wagon load of meat and 9 Robes. No news. —
Sat. 26 — Traded with Gros Ventre when he started Some
Little Robes paid us another loafing visit for the
100th time — Two loads wood — Mild and pleasant. —
Sun. 27 — Some few Gros Ventres with plenty meat and as
usual in these times a Robe or two arrived to trade —
getting heartily tired of this meat business.
Mon. 28 — More arrivals of Gros Ventres with meat meat — We
do wish they would stop it but it seems they will come
with it notwithstanding all we can say — Two loads
wood —
Tues. 29 — Big Feather Blood Ind arrived with 9 Robes and
some meat of course — Finished sawing knees for a
new Boat.
Wed. 30 — Mr. Culbertsons B in L arrived with some 10 Robes
and meat meat meat — 2 loads wood and one of Coal.
Thurs. 31 — A whole host of Gros Ventres arrived last night with
two Mules and two Horses lost by Revais — Fort
crowded — Traded 1 horse a lot of meat and a few
Robes.
February 1856
Fri. 1 — Mr. C's Brother in Law started back for Camp. Fort
entirely free of Indians. Hauled 1 load of Coal and
as usual two loads fire wood.
Sat. 2 — "Bad Head" arrived with 14 Robes. No news. Three
loads fire wood. —
62 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
February 1856.
Sun. 3 — Two men arrived for the opposition house from be-
low by whom we learn that Rose and Wagons are
laid up below Milk River, that Wray with our express
had been met this side of the Big Bend^"^ 22 days
out from this — horrible ! and that Revais was met
below the two forks^^*^ having lost all the Mules sent
by him and two horses — still more horrible — !! In
the evening our good friends the Gros Ventres ar-
rived bringing us one of the Mules lost by Revais
and the only remaining one is also in Camp — Rose
has lost 7 of his horses. —
Men. 4 — Made a present to our friends the Gros Ventres when
they started — Another arrived with 14 Robes and a
horse for trade — Hauled 2 loads of wood and one of
Coal.
Tues. 5 — Traded with Gros Ventres who immediately left. Mr.
Dawsons Comrade^^^ arrived from a distance of some
70 miles bringing one Robe d — him. 3 loads wood. —
Wed. 6 — A large party of Blackfoot traders arrived who all
went to opposition Fort — Bad Head arrived with
some 8 Robes. 3 loads wood. —
Thurs, 7 — "White Cow" etc. started — No arrivals today and
no trade — two loads fire wood and one for Coal Pit.
Fri. 8 — Several Gros Ventres arrived with a few Robes plenty
meat and the last of our Mules sent by Revais. Mild
and snow thawing a little — two loads fire wood and
one for pit.
Sat, 9 — Several other Gros Ventres arrived and the Lame
Hand Peigan with a good few Robes. No news.
Still mild and snow gradually lessening — Hauled
wood as above.
Sun. 10 Xiiolhcr iniM daw Some Gros Ventres arrived with
a good many Robes for trade.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 63
February 1856.
Mon. 11 — No arrivals today — Did not trade one Robe. Hauled
two loads fire wood and one for Pit.
Tues. 12 — Lame Hand arrived with some 20 Robes also one
or two Gros Ventres — Father of all people^^^ arrived
in the evg. Blood Ind. Two loads sleepers^^^ for
Boat and one load fire wood. Very mild — Ther.'
at 50.—
Wed. 13 — Traded with Blood Ind. and some few Gros Ventres
73 Robes in all — Hauled 3 loads fire wood — Expect a
large band of Blackfeet in a day or two. —
Thurs, lA — One or two Blackfeet and a few Gros Ventres arrived
from whom traded 144 Robes. Revais arrived with
Letters from Ft. Union and from our Wagons which
are still below Milk River and have lost some 13 head
of Mules and Horses. Sent three Wagns. to Moun-
tains and did a little towards cleaning our Fort. —
Fri. 15 — A large party of Blackfeet arrived under their chiefs
the Old Sunn. 11^ Big Sun^^^ Bull Sitting Down and
The tail that goes up the Hill.i^^ being their first
formal visit since the Canon was fired on them. They
were well received firstly by the fort, and secondly
by the Agent who made them a very handsome pres-
ent. Traded from them 300 Robes and from the
Gros Ventres 200 — a pretty busy day for all of us.
Sat. 16 — Traded some 200 Robes more from the Blackfeet
when they all put out well satisfied — Traded also
138 Robes from the Gros Ventres — Now the Indians
begin to pour in from all quarters and we may say
our trade has fairly commenced. — Hauled one load
of fire wood.
Sun. 17 — Some more Blackfeet arrived from whom traded 346
Robes. Started a band of 27 Mules and Horses to
the assistance of our Wagons and for Ft. Union
trade — Wagons arrived from Mountains with 10 logs
and 2 ps. for Ooars (Oars)
64 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
February 1856.
Mon. 18 — Had logs hauled into fort from other side hauled
also one load fire wood. Traded 624 Robes from All
tribes an assortment of whom we now have around
us
Tues. 19 — Another fine days trade — 765 Robes in all — Hauled 3
loads Coal and a load of wood Very busy times. —
Wed. 20 — Our Stock of goods begins to look down and we are
already short of many articles — Traded today 550
Robes making in all at present traded 5586 Robes-
Sent three Wagons to Mountains. Hauled balance
of Coal from Teton and commenced on another Pit
at the Fort.
Thurs. 21 — Trading again today with all nations but on account
of having to cash some of our most desirable goods,
trade has not been quite so brisk — traded only 259
Robes. Much colder today Hauled one load wood.
Men working away at pit — Carpenters caulking yawl
and sawing plank. —
Fri. 22 — Same work — traded today 273 Robes. The Ice broke
up throughout the past night without any rise in the
river and now we think our boats are saved. —
Sat. 23 — Men arrived from Mountains with 10 ps. 1 Wagn.
broken — Big Snakes band arrived also a few Black-
feet — Traded in all 435 Robes, but from appearances
we think the opposition must have doubled this, but
we are out of all our desirable goods. —
Sun. 24 — Still fine pleasant weather. Trade also still keeps
brisk — 249 Robes today —
Mon. 25 — Little Dog arrived and got through with him and
party — Endeavored to clean up our Fort a little —
In the Evening commenced snowing — One load
wood — Traded 622 Robes —
Tues. 26 — Traded with Piegans Bloods & Blackfeet but no Gros
Ventres today 343 Robes — Hauled 3 loads wood.
Found one of our Oxen with its tail cut oflF —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 65
February 1856.
Wed. 27 — Some Gros Ventres and a few Peigans traded today
212 Robes. Ther at noon 15 Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Thurs. 28 — Traded today 353 Robes — Still very cold. Hauled
three loads wood.
Fri. 29 — Low Horns band arrived and traded from them and
others 313 Robes. Cold as ever. Hauled 3 loads
wood. —
March 1856
Sat. 1 — A dance by two Soldier^^'^ bands today — Much
milder — Saw Geese for the first time — White Eagle^^^
Gros Ventre arrived, and traded from him and others
296 Robes. Three loads wood.
Sun. 2 — Still cold and unpleasant. Some few Blood Inds ar-
rived— -Traded in all 193 Robes being the poorest day
for a long time.
Men. 3 — Trade still duller but there yet remains plenty Robes
for us — traded 154 today — Hauled 2 loads wood. —
Tues. A — Visited by nearly all of the principle Gros Ventres
as they are about to raise Camp — Received from
them 59 Robes and 2 horses as a parting present but
they do not know how to make such presents — their
hearts are not strong — Wound up the ceremony how-
ever without very great loss to the Outfit. Traded
in all 344 Robes Hauled our logs across from other
side. —
Wed. 5 — Another busy days trade 414 Robes — Hauled 2 loads
wood. Mild and pleasant
Thurs. 6 — Early Maj Hatch and friend Wilson started for Ft.
Union where they will await the S Boats arrival —
Gave them a parting Salute from our Canon — Clarke
also started for below having sold out. Traded 418
Robes
66 FORT BENTON jOl'RNAL
March 1856.
Fri. 7 — Traded with Big Feather Blood Ind and party —
exactly 400 Robes today — Hauled 2 loads wood and
hunted up our stray Oxen Warm and pleasant. —
Sat. 8 — Mr. Culbertsons Bro in Law arrived on a visit, and
states his Camp is on the Teton with plenty Robes.
Traded 330 Robes — Had our Fort swept out and
hauled one load wood. —
Sun. 9 — Traded with some few Blood Indians 368 Robes — A
good deal colder —
Mon. 10 — Got 276 more Robes from Blood Indians Still
colder — Sent three Wagons to Mountains for some
more logs. —
Tues. 11 — Traded with Mr. Culbertsons Bro in Laws party 384
Robes today. Hauled one load wood. Much colder
and snowing a little — A few more days trade like
the present and we will be entirely out of goods. —
Wed. 12 — A poor days trade only 75 Robes in all. Men returned
late from Mountains having broken one Wagon,
they fetch 8 ps. only —
Thurs. 13 — Traded from Mountain Chiefs^^^ party today 213
Robes. Men in unloading Wagns. today let one fall
over the opposite bank, and effectually used it up
also. Discharged one of the men — Hauled one load
wood. Very cold and plenty Ice running. —
Fri. 14 — Still very cold and firewood in considerable demand.
Some Blackfeet Bloods and all sorts arrived — Traded
216 Robes — Had all our logs crossed from other side
and hauled one load of wood. —
Sat. 15 — Blood Inds very tardy in shifting Camp and in con-
sequence much trouble with them — Traded today
122 Robes— Nearly out of Blankets— Hauled logs
into Fort — and had Fort cleaned —
K
/ ■ .^/
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a^ ^e- ni
Jtimrt./*ik^M
LOW HORX, PIEGAN CHIEF
Reproduced through the courtesy of Houshton. Mifflin Company.
J
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 67
March 1856.
Sun. 16 — Some N Peigans arrived again to trade and from
them and remaining troublesome Bloods traded 260
Robes — Very much trouble by loafers —
Men. 17 — Three Bulls^^o Blackfoot arrived with some 30 Lodges
— their trade is almost over however but they keep
oflfering us cords P flesh (Parfleche) etc. etc. for
horses and such like — Blood Indians finally moved off
Started two Wagons to Mountains — Hauled one load
wood — Mr. Wray returned from Ft. Union and brings
us the news that our Wagns. will be here at long last
in about 7 days. — Traded 78 Robes. —
Tues. 18 — Blackfeet moved off after considerable begging —
Traded 21 Robes in all — We are now through with
our trade excepting a Camp of N Peigans — "Bulls
Head^^i — ^vho are waiting our Wagons arrival —
Possibly however all may yet be back with a few
Spring Robes to trade Amunition etc. — Thus far we
have 1316 Packs Bufo. Robes, and are pretty con-
fident of making it the 1500. —
Wed. 19 — All quiet about the Fort for the first time for many
a day. Arranged Stores for the reception of Com p
Wagons and preparatory to making Packs — Sawing
plank for a new Boat. Cadot arrived from Wagons
and started back again, they being much closer than
we had anticipated. —
Thurs. 20 — Early our Wagons 5 in number — 1 having been cashed
by the way — arrived — they have had a long and most
expensive trip of it, having been absent since 17th
Nov. and having lost 17 Horses and Mules on the
trip — So much for Winter travelling — Swept out
Fort.
Fri. 21 — Rested our Wagoners and gave them a feast, — Com-
menced making Packs with one table and got through
with 40 — quarreled with one of the men and gave
68 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
March 1856.
him a good thrashing and his discharge — Men arrived
from Mountains with 7 Ps. one Wagn. broken of
course. —
Sat. 22 — Started men back to Mountains. About noon Maj
John Owens/22 trader Flathead country arrived v/ith
several others — Maj Ov^ens very desirous of obtain-
ing supplies for his trade from this side. Hauled 1
load firewood. —
Sun. 23 — All quiet — Planing and talking with the Major. Very
windy. —
Men. 24 — Traded with a few Flatheads who arrived with Maj O
some 100 lbs. Beaver at low rates. Commenced mak-
ing a skiff to send express to St, Louis under arrange-
ments with Maj. O. Started 3 men to make another
Coal Pit on Teton. Hauled one load wood. Making
Packs with 2 Tables— 100 today.—
Tues. 25 — Bulls head and party N Peigans arrived to trade.
Our Wagns. returned from Mountains with 8 ps. —
Hauled one load wood. Made 100 Packs. —
Wed. 26 — Started Revais and two men in a Skifif with Express
to St. Louis — Maj Owens and party also started on
their return. Traded 385 Robes from N Peigans —
one load wood. —
Thurs. 27 — North Peigans started back — Started two saws mak-
ing plank for boat — one load wood 100 Packs. —
Fri. 28 — All at work one way or another and in nice order.
Made 77 Packs Robes and 5 Packs Wolf Skins-
Started 2 Wagns. to Mountains — hauled 2 loads fire
wood.
Sat. 29— Made 50 Packs Robes and 5 Packs Wolf Skins-
Swept out Fort and hauled 2 loads wood.
Sun. 30 — All quiet — In the evening our Wagns. returned from
Mountains bringing 8 ps. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 69
March 1856.
Mon. 31 — A band of N Peigans arrived to trade and sleep in
Fort. Plenty Bufs. close on both sides. Hauled our
logs into Fort and 1 load wood. Made 50 Packs Robes
13 small skins. —
April 1856
Tues. 1 — Traded with N Peigans 347 Robes etc. Made 50
Packs Robes, hauled 2 loads wood, and cleaned up
around the Fort. —
Wed. 2 — Started three Wagns. to Mountains for logs hauled
one load fire wood. Made up 50 Packs Robes 5 Pack
Beaver and 1 pack Grey Fox — A few Peigans still
remain in Fort and a few have started after Bufo. —
Thurs. 3 — Baptiste and our Ind Horse guard arrived from Moun-
tains with a good lot of meat. Bain, of N Peigans
moved off. Hauled 1 load wood.
Fri. 4 — Little Grey Head arrived with some 4 or 5 Robes
for trade, also the Red Bull with a horse for us
One load wood. —
Sat. 5 — Grey Head and other Ind started back. Men arrived
from Mountains with 13 ps. — Put up our new press
outside of Fort, one load wood — Men making Packs
as usual — Cleaned out Fort. —
Sun. 6 — Bad Head & Low Horn etc. who arrived late last
night traded a few Robes 2 horses and put back on
their return early. Big Snake and five others arrived.
Mon. 7 — Started three Wagns. to Mountains — Traded 1 horse
and some Robes from Big Snake and party who still
loaf on. Yellow Head^-'"* arrived from Camp. Hauled
1 load Coal and made 100 Packs. —
Tues. 8 — Big Snake started back to Camp — Arrived Young
White Calf and friend — Hauled 1 load wood Made
100 Packs.
70 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
April 1856.
Wed. 9 — Skunk arrived with some Robes for trade Hauled a
load of wood — Made 100 Packs Robes Our Horses
arrived from Mountains all much improved since
their trip from Ft. Union. —
Thurs. 10 — Wagons arrived from Mountains with 11 ps. Hauled
1 load — the last — of our Coal — Made 100 packs Bap-
tistes B in L arrived with a few Robes. —
Fri. 11 — Very disagreeable cold day — Snowing & raining all
the time — A considerable number of Gros Ventres
Chiefs and Soldiers arrived — Traded from them some
10 packs Robes entirely for provisions — Made 106
packs Robes which finishes this part of the business
making 1350 Packs Robes made up which with some
loose Robes makes us over 1400 Packs Robes to
date. —
Sat. 12 — Started three Wagons to Mountains. G Vs as is
their custom still loaf on — Skunk and other Peigans
all started back to Camp.
Sun. 13 — Much to our relief Gros Ventre party all left us. Mr.
Picotte of the opposition left with his "Returns" in
three Boats — Gave him a passing Salute from our
Canon being we suppose the first time an opposition
Bourgeois had such an honor paid him by this Fort,
but both houses have been on the most amicable
terms this winter both having done a most satisfac-
tory business
Men. 14 — Very high wind — Commenced on the only Boat we
intend to build this year 85 ft by 123/4 Hauled up
to Fort our last years Boat but the wind blew too
strong for us to bring up the large Keel — Had her
cleaned however — Men arrived from Mountains with
15 ps. — Two Peigans arrived to trade a few Robes.
Tues. 15 — Traded some 20 Robes and 2 Horses from Peigans,
who still loaf on. Had our Big Keel at long last
brought up to Fort. This is her first visit to these
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 71
April 1856.
upper regions and we hope it will be her only one,
as she is by far too big for our river — Very windy
as usual. Crossed our logs and had them hauled
into Fort. — A few Gros Ventres arrived. —
Wed. 16 — Traded with G. Vs some 18 Robes and 1 Horse when
they put back. — Peigans also left Commenced press-
ing our Packs 115 today. —
Thurs. 17 — Pressed 150 Packs Robes. Bufo. very plenty quite
close on both sides — Sent after and got a good supply
of meat.
Fri. 18 — Pressed 176 Packs — We are in no want of meat yet
Bufo. are so very close we can scarce keep our young
hunters in bounds. They killed four Bulls in point
opposite today — A young Peigan trader arrived with
a few Robes. Also two Gros Ventres arrived in
search of a runaway Woman. —
Sat. 19 — Pressed 104 Packs — Swept out and around Fort —
arranged Stores — Hauled one load wood — Finished
and turned bottom of new Boat. A Peigan arrived
with a few Robes. — G Weipperts woman died in
giving birth to a boy last night.
Sun. 20 — Three Lodges of N Peigans arrived and a few others —
Very windy day, and had to drop crossing Inds. for
a while. Bufo. still very plenty quite close.
Men. 21 — Pressed 150 Packs — Traded 120 Robes — Another very
windy day — Hauled a load of firewood. Mr. Bird
and family arrived — Three Cows killed in sight of
Fort.—
Tues. 22 — Pressed 215 Packs — A big band of Bufo. between
the two Forts — rare times these — Hauled one load
wood. —
Wed. 23 — Pressed only 131 Packs today ; our labors being inter-
rupted by a band of Bufo., after which we let the
72 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
April 1856.
men have a run — Four Lodges Gros Ventres arrived
and Camped on other side. Also some 6 or 7 Peigans
arrived to trade. Pleasant day
Thurs. 24 — Snowed all day and in consequence had to abandon
Pack pressing Traded some 14 Robes Hauled one
load wood. Men spinning Oakum.
Fri. 25 — Clear and much milder — Snow nearly all gone Pei-
gans started back to Camp. And in the evening a
few Gros Ventres arrived. One load wood, and spun
up last of our Oakum. —
Sat. 26 — Pressed 205 Packs Robes. Planked up sides of our
new Boat. Little Dog arrived from a visit to the
Flat Heads — Also some Peigans from other side.
Sun. 27 — A few more Peigans arrived — Traded some 70 Robes.
Bufo. still continues plenty and close
Men. 28 — Peigans moved off. Pressed 103 Packs Robes and
40 Packs mixed Skins which finishes this job for the
present. A large party of Gros Ventres arrived with
some Spring Robes for Sugar etc. but as we are
now entirely out of this article a good portion of
them fell to the opposition house. Big Calf Peigan
arrived and found his enemy the Plenty Eagles in
the Fort and cut him badly on the head. The former
traded and put out immediately
Tues. 29 — Gros Ventres all started back early. Had our meat
pile overhauled and found a good deal too much of
it spoiled — Cut some knees for a skiff, etc. etc. —
Wed 30 — Finished our New Boat, the biggest ever made here,
and raised her up for caulking — Made 57 Packs Robes
— Started 3 Wagons to Mountains — Hauled 1 load
of wood. No arrivals today. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 73
May 1856
Thurs. 1 — Set 8 Men to Caulking New Boat and got through
with half of it. Put up our Tongues in Bags 1581
in all for this year, but we have sold some 300 to
different parties. Hauled one load of wood. Sent
after and got 6 loads fresh meat.
Fri. 2 — A few Peigans and Gros Ventres arrived from whom
we traded 90 Robes and 2 horses — Finished Caulk-
ing our new Boat and launched her. Men arrived
from Mountains with 8 logs and a new Mast. All
going on smoothly
Sat. 3 — Chambers, Chine, and 13 Men arrived from Ft. Union
to assist in taking down Boats etc. Caulked our
Big Keel Boat and sunk her. Also had our old Boat
hauled out and put on the Stocks to dry.
Sun. 4 — Sent Chine and others after meat and towards evening
they returned with 5 Bulls. Bufo. are becoming scarce
in the vicinity — A few Indians arrived with some
Robes and 1 Horse to trade. —
Mon. 5 — Started three Wagns. to Mountains for the balance
of our logs there — Pressed 51 Packs Robes, — swept
Fort etc.
Tues, 6 — Set Fort Union men to covering houses with dirt.
Caulked our old Boat and sunk her —
Wed. 7 — Started Chambers Wray and B Champaigne with a
band of 39 horses for Fort Union. Men arrived from
Mountains but bring only 7 logs having broken two
Wagons. Sent after fresh meat —
Thurs. 8 — Had our Boats all bailed out finished covering roofs.
All making ready for a start on Saturday — River
rising — Took Inventory —
Fri. 9 — Commenced loading Big Keel and got nearly through
with it when it commenced raining and stopped us.
74 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
May 1856.
Sat. 10 — Rained all day. and impossible for us to work at any-
thing. Bothered besides by a band of Peigans who
arrived yesterday to dance.
Sun. 11 — Fine day and got through with loading all our Boats
satisfactorily. Men sleep on Board and tomorrow
intend making an early start with our 1540 Packs
and three Boats.
Mon. 12 — Fine day Our Three boats started for the Yellow-
stone with heavy loads and full crews, had the fort
cleaned out, received a band of Blood Indians and
traded a fiew robes and one mare from a Pagan —
Tues. 13 — Weather cloudey wind blowing fresh from S. E. Sent
three Waggons on the Teton for Coal Wood, had
all the Waggons not in use stored in Robe Ware-
house, towards evening commenced raining. The
Carpenters at Work getting the Doughboy tools
ready. The Fort full of Indians Bloods and Pagans.
Continue to trade a fiew Robes. G Wipert on sick
list-
Wed. 14 — Weather Clear and warm Sent three Waggons on
the Teton for Coal Wood. Commenced putting the
pit up. Sent the hunter with one man and five horses
for fresh meat, the carpenters complected the Dough-
boy tools for four men, The Fort crouded with In-
dians trade a fiew robes — All well
Thurs. 15 — Weather clear and warm, wind S. W. Sent two
waggons for grass for Doughboy purposes covered
the coal pit. The carpenters repairing the windows
of the Fort. The Fort full of Indians The evening
closed with fine weather All well
Fri. 16 — Weather clear and warm wind S. E. coal pit under-
way The hunter returned with fresh meat found
buflfelo far, had the dried meat overhauled and prop-
erly Stowed away. The Fort full of Indians
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 75
May 1856.
Sat. 17 — Weather clear and pleasant. — Mr. C's Brother in
law starts for his camp with several other bloods and
Blackfeet After a six days loafing. The men com-
mence to clear their places preparatory to making
doughboys. All well
Sun. 18 — Weather clear and warm. This day sent all the loafing
indians about the Fort to Camp traded a fiew robes,
towards evening weather cloudey with a little rain.
The hunter brought in the meat of an Antelope, This
evening the men mixed their mud in preparation for
making doughboys — The evening closes with fine
weather All well
Men. 19 — Weather clear and cool, Four men making dough-
boys. The two carpenters sawing timber for the
Bastion. The Blacksmith and one man tending coal
pit. During the past night one of the cows had a
calf The men made 451 doughboys The hunter
brought in the meat of an Elke and a Antelope, The
evening closes with fine weather All well
Tues. 20 — Weather clear and warm wind S. E. During the
past night the Yellow Head with a fiew other
Pagans arrived from the Flathead countrey brought
a letter from Mr. Owen. Several blood Indians ar-
rived from the Pagan camp. Drawing the Coal from
the Pit. The men making doughboys made this day
573 doughboys — The evening closes with fine weather
All well
Wed. 21 — Weather clear and warm. Sent the hunter after fresh
meat brought in the Meat of three bulls The men
made this day 525 doughboys crossed a number of
Indians, The Carpenters at work sawing timber for
the Bastion, The evening closes with fine weather
All well
Thurs. 22 — Weather cloudey wind easterly — The men made 592
Doughboys had Mr. Dawson's room cleaned out
76 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
May 1856.
and the carpet put in the warehouse The evening
closed with cloudey rainey weather The carpenters
at work on the Saws All well
Fri. 23 — Weather cool and cloudey wind Easterly This day
the men made 819 doughboys buried two Pagan
children brought from camp one of them the child
of Kelchiponestas Son/24 Who brought a letter from
Mr. Owen of St. Marie several Indians about the
Fort.—
Sat. 24 — Weather Cloudey The Men made 882 Doughboys.
Crossed a blood Indian and his tent to the South
Side All the Pagans left for their camp. The Oposi-
tion has lost fourteen head of horses suposed to be
taken by the North Assnaboins The evening closed
with heavy rain my doughboys will suffer All well
Sun. 25 — Weather cold and cloudey with rain, doughboy
business stoped untill it clears off. two Gosvonters
arrived from their camp at the Woolf Mountain and
crossed to the Pagans on the south side of Missouri.
The oposition found their horses. The evening closes
with cold cloudey weather thretening rain — All well
Men. 26 — Weather clear and pleasant wind westerly Sent a
Waggon to gather limestone This day did not mould
doughboys on account of the rain, the men made
their mud preparetory for moulding tomorrow, The
evening closes with fine clear weather All well
Tues. 27 — Weather Clear and warm men made 649 Doughboys
and piled up the dry ones sent a waggon after wood
to burn lime also after grass for doughboys — The
hunter brought in the meat of one Elk The saw at
work the evening closed with fine weather
Wed. 28 — Weather clear and very warm the men made 574
Doughboys sent a waggon after wood The evening
closes with cloudey weather threatening rain All
well
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 77
May 1856.
Thurs. 29 — Weather clear and very warm wind easterly This
day the men moulded 601 doughboys, The hunter
brought in the meat of two Antelope. Two pagans
arrived from a Camp of Seven lodges camped at the
foot of the mountains on the Missouri traded a fiew
beaver and some dry meat, The evening closes with
a heavy Storm of Wind and rain All well
Fri. 30 — Weather clear and Warm Wind Westerly the men
made 747 Doughboys Sent a Waggon after hay and
limestone, The Pagans at the Fort left for their
Camp, did not loose any doughboys by the Storm,
The evening closes with fine weather All well
Sat. 31 — Weather Clear and Warm This day the men made
907 Doughboys Sent the hunter out w^ith one man
brought in the meat of a bull and a cow Commenced
raining covered doughboys This day Nenonesta
blood Indian started for the Flat head country with
his wife and son a good ridance if he should never
return The evening closes with fine weather All
well
June 1856
Sun. 1 — Weather cloudy. Towards two P. M. commenced
raining heaviley and continued so for the balance
of the day. Covered the doughboys with what cover-
ing I could raise, The evening closes with cold
cloudey rainey weather with every aperance that it
will last. All well
Men. 2 — Weather cloudey with rain The men cannot make
doughboys, sent a Wagon after a load of wood Part
of the oposition fell down on account of the heavy
wind and rains, The men mixed their nood (mud)
for making doughboys on the Morrow, The evening
closed with cloudey weather thretening Rain All
well
78 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
June 1856.
Tues. 3 — Weather clear and cool wind N. W. The Men made
553 Doughboys Commenced burning limestone The
Blacksmith making Tomehawks The Carpenters
have nearly — Completed Sawing the timber for the
Bastion, The hunter brought in the meat of an
Antilop. The evening closes with fine weather New-
Moon in sight All well
Wed. 4 — Weather cool and cloudey wind N. W. This day
several Flat Heads arrived from over the Mountain
bring no news of importance The Men made 506
Doughboys The evening closes with fine weather
All well
Thurs. 5 — Weather Clear and pleasant Wind S. W. This day
the men made 490 Doughboys Sent the Waggon
after a load of Wood finished burning the lime, The
evening closes with fine Weather All well
Fri. 6^Weather clear and Warm only made 96 Doughboys
have been delayed on account of the scarcity of grass,
have the Fort cleaned out, The evening Closes with
fine weather All well
Sat. 7 — Weather Clear and Cool wind blowing a gale from
S. W. The men made 546 Doughboys this will finish
doughboy making for the present, put up three
Waggons to send to the Mountain for Scaffolding
poles and timber was prevented from crossing them
on account of the wind The Flatheads started back
for across the mountain Claimed and took the two
horses belonging to the Government The evening
closed with the wind blowing fresh All well
Sun. 8 — Weather clear and cool wind blowing :i gale S. \\ .
All the Indians about the Fort left to join the Flat-
heads at the Belt Mountain, two Flatheads arrived
and traded their beaver at the Oposition, The eve-
ning closes with the wind blowing fresh All well
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 79
June 1856.
Mon. 9 — Weather clear and warm, This Morning Started
Three Waggons and four men to the Mountain for
timber and Scaffolding poles, Also two Men on the
Teton River to make Charcol, One of the Sows had
six young pigs, The evening closes with Cloudey
rainey weather All well
Tues. 10 — Weather cloudey blowing a gale from N. W. with
ocational Showrs of rain. Cannot saw timber on
account of the wind The evening closes with Stormey
weather All well
Wed. 11 — Weather Cloudy wind still blowing heavy The
evening closes with fane calm weather All well
Thurs. 12 — Weather clear and very pleasent The hunter brought
in the meat of four Antelop, This evening our three
wagons returned from the Mountain the evening
closes with fine weather All well
Fri. 13 — Weather clear and very warm wind blowing from the
South — This day rafted the timber and hauled it to
the Fort Stored all the Waggons. The evening
closes with fine weather All well
Sat. 14 — Weather clear and warm This Scafolded the Bastion,
A number of Pagan Indians arrived from the Flathead
countrey One of them brought a letter from Mr.
Owen The evening closes with fine weather All
well
Sun. 15 — W^eather Clear and warm wind blowing fresh from
S. W. This day traded two horses and a fiew Beaver
and robes, descharged the hunter for neglect of duty
Crossed a number of Indians The evening closes
with fine weather All well
Mon. 16 — Weather clear and very Warm Wind S. W. This
day got everything ready round the bastion to lay
doughboys Sent two men on the Teton to put up
the Coal pit. One Waggon hauling doughboys.
80 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
June 1856.
Several North Pagans arrived at the Fort on dis-
coverey government business — The evening closes
with fine weather All well
Tues. 17 — Weather clear and warm wind blowing fresh from
S. W. Commenced laying doughboys on the Bastion
Sent a Waggon after wood, Crossed a number of
Indians on their way to the Pagan Camp, The Rising
head North Pagan left with his party, The evening
closes with fine weather All well
Wed. 18 — Weather clear and very warm wind blowing very
heavy from S W Could not make much progress
with the Bastion on account of the wind The evening
closes with fine calm weather All well
Thurs. 19 — Weather clear and warm all the Men at work on
the Bastion The evening Closes with fine weather
All well
Fri. 20 — Weather cloudey with continued rain could but do
little at the Bastion Towards evening Mr Wray
arrived from our Waggon at the Mouth of the Maria
River to high to cross request boat, This day
killed a Pig. The evening closes with cloudey weather
all well
Sat. 21 — Weather cool and cloudey. This Morning, Sent a
waggon with our boat to cross our goods at the
Mouth of the Maria. The building going on. Towards
evening our waggons arrived with one wheel broaken
Stored the goods too dark to check The evening-
closes with fine weather All well
Sun. 22 — Weather clear and warm. This day checked the
goods received from Fort Union found Six pair 3 pt
Scarlet blankets missing, the balance all right.
Towards evening the weather changed to very cool
with hail Mr Munro's brother in law brought in
the meat of two cows — The evening closes with very
cool weather All well
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 81
June 1856.
Mon. 23 — Weather Clear and Cool wind blowing a gale, This
day traded several robes and beaver, could not lay
doughboys on account of the wind, Sent a Waggon
after fire wood, The evening Closes with fine weather
Tues. 24 — Weather Clear and pleasant Made good progress
with the Bastion Sent the Blacksmith and One Man
to finish the Coal pit on the Teton, Sent a waggon
after hay and poles, put one man to make Dough-
boys, Sent the hunter and Mr Wray with four horses
After fresh Meat, Sent four horses out to fatten with
Mr Monroe's brother in law. One black One Yellow
One Spotted One White The evening Closes with
fine weather
Wed. 25 — \\'eather clear and pleasant, This day put one man
making Doughboys Made 183 — The hunter returned
with the meat of one bull — put up a good piece of the
bastion. One Waggon hauling Doughboys. The
evening Closes with Cloudy windey weather All
well
Thurs. 26 — Weather Clear and pleasant This day made 218
Doughboys, Sent a waggon after fire wood The
Mason work of the Bastion progressing Slowley The
two men on the Teton Set fire to their Coal pit. The
evening closes with cool cloudey weather and a little
rain All well
Fri. 27 — Weather Cloudey with heavy rain Sent the hunters
out with five Mules and horses. Made Doughbovs
spoiled by the rain. Worked a little on the Bastion,
The evening closes with cold rainey weather All
well
Sat. 28 — Weather Cold and Stormey with heavy rain I have
lost about two thousand Doughboys for want of
covering. This day Killed a pig and Salted the meat
towards evening the rain Stoped still Cloudey thret-
ening rain if it Continues will loose part of the
Bastion All well
82 FORT DENTON JOURNAL
June 1856.
Sun. 29 — W eather Still cold and cloudey wind easterly river
rising- fast During the day rained a little The hunt-
ers returned with Meat The evening Closes with
Cold Cloudey weather All well
Men. 30 — Weather Stormey wind blowing a gale from S. W.
Sent a waggon after poles for the Bastion, Two
men on sick list, The Carpenters made Three Wheel-
barrows and three doughboys moulds. Cannot work
at the Bastion The evening Closes with fine weather
July 1856
Tues. 1 — Weather Clear and Warm, Sent the hunters out
brought in the meat of a Buffalo Cow, At Work on
the Bastion Scaffolding, The evening Closes with
fine weather Made a fiew doughboys —
Wed. 2 — Weather Clear and Warm, The Bastion going up
Slowly, One man making Doughboys, The hunter
brought in the meat of a cow. The evening closes
with fine weather All well
Thurs. 3 — Weather Clear And Warm This day got one corner
of the Bastion up to the hight One man making
Doughboys, The evening closes with fine weather
The new Moon in Sight, All well The Berrey
brought in some fresh meat —
Fri. -1 — 'i'his day Weather Clear and Very Warm, Gave the
men a feast fired the Gun and hoisted the flag. The
evening closes with Cloudey Warm Weather All
well
Sat. 5 — Weather Clear and Warm, This Day got the Bastion
up to the proper hight on three Sides, Sent two
Waggons to the Teton for Charcol Sent the hunters
after fresh Meat. Sent One White horse out with
H Monroe's brother in law to the Mountain to get
fat, The evening Closes with fine Weather .-Ml well
■1
i
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 83
July 1856.
Sun, 6 — Weather very Clear and Warm The hunters returned
with fresh Meat One Man on Sick list All well
Mon. 7 — Weather Clear and Warm, This day finished the
Bastion to the Square say Twenty One feet higli
Cleaned the Fort out, The evening- Closes with fine
weather One man on Sick examined the dry meat
and piled it up —
Tues. 8 — Weather Clear and Warm Bastion nearly finished,
Several Pagans arrived from the camp, Sent a
waggon after wood, One man on sick list —
Wed. 9 — Weather Cloudey with Rain, Sent the hunters out
after fresh Meat This day finished the Doughboy
Work of the Bastion, Sent two Waggons after grass
for Doughboys Traded two horses from a Pagan The
evening Closes with fine weather All well
Thurs. lO—Weather Clear and Warm. This day gave the Men
say five (of) their tools for Doughboy making, cleaned
their places and cut hay, Dr Landis arrived from
Saint Maries at the Oposition Fort, Several Lodges
of Indians around the Fort — The evening Closes with
fine weather All well
Fri. 11— W^eather Clear and Warm The Men Mixed their
Mud this evening. Sent two Waggons after Wood,
Several Indians left for the Pagan Camp All well
Sat. 12— Weather cloudey This day the Men made 837 Dough-
boys The evening Closes with heavy Rain All well
Sun, 13 — Weather cloudey with rain covered the Doughboys,
The hunter crossed four horses and mules in readiness
to Start hunting in the morning The evening Closes
with Cool Cloudey Weather — All well
Mon, 14 — Weather Cloudey and Warm, This day the men
made 1140 Doughboys The Carpenters put in the
upper floor of the Bastion and Commenced the Roof,
84 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
July 1856.
Doctor Lansdel Started for across the Mountain with
two waggons The evening closes with cloudey
weather All well
Tues. 15 — Weather Cold and cloudey, The Carpenters com-
menced putting the roof on the Bastion, The men
could not make doughboys on account of the Weather,
The hunter returned with fresh Meat, Several tents
of Indians Arrived from the Pagan Camp. The
evening closes with Cold Cloudey weather All well
Wed. 16 — Weather very cold and cloudey with rain All work
stoped, A Number of Indians Pagans arrived at the
Fort The evening Closes with Cold Cloudey Weather
All well
Thurs. 17 — Weather Clear and pleasant the Men Made 1019
Doughboys The carpenters at Work roofing the
Bastion Two men covering Doughboys The Little
Dog Pagan and several of his relations arrived on a
Small trade The evening closes with fine weather
All well
Fri. 18 — Weather clear and Warm. The Men Made 1311
Doughboys — The Carpenters at Work on the roof of
the Bastion two men covering Doughboys, The
Little Dog with his friends left for Camp After trad-
ing some Meat and Robes, The evening Closes with
cloudey Weather, This evening traded a White
horse runner from the Blind Pagan All well
Sat. 19 — Weather Clear and very Warm This day the Men
Made 708 Doughboys Sent Our Waggon after Wood
Cleaned the Fort The Grosvonters raised Camp from
the Fort, The hunter brought in some fresh Meat.
The evening Closes with fine weather All well
Sun. 20 — Weather Clear and Warm, This day a number of
Blood Indians arrived at the Fort, traded a fiew
robes and meat — The evening closes with Very Warm
Weather All well
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 85
July 1856.
Mon. 21 — Weather Clear and Very Warm this day made a
trade of some robes Meat and horses, the Men
Making and piling doughboys — The Fort full of
Indians
Tues. 22 — Weather Clear and Very Warm This day The Bloods
and Blackfeet left for Camp, Traded several horses
and Robes, This evening an express arrived from
the Boats at the point Frenchman^^s requiring a
boat Sixty feet long, The evening closes with fine
Weather All Well
Wed. 23 — Weather Cool and Cloudey, put up three Waggons
to get timber from the Mountain getting things in
preparation for sawing the boat timber The evening
closes with fine weather All well
Thurs. 24 — Wether cloudey and pleasant — This day Started three
Waggons to the Mountain and four Men for boat
timber, four men at work on the Saws, today an
Asnaboin came into the Fort think he is a fool had
some trouble to Stop a Blood Indian from Killing him
The evening Closes with fine weather All well
Fri. 25 — Weather Clear and Warm Four men on the Saws
turned oflF Fourteen planks put up two mor logs
on the pit — three men at work on boat nails numbers
of Indians arround the Fort, Sent a waggon After
fire Wood All well
Sat. 26 — Weather clear and Warm four Men at Work on the
Saws. One Man piling up Doughboys Three Men
making Nails, The Fort full of Indians, A little
traed (trade) going on. Sent the Assnaboin back
of to his countrey in the Night The evening closes
with cloudey weather All Well
Sun, 27 — Weather cloudey with heavy Rain continued so All
Day
86 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
July 1856.
Mon. 28 — Weather clear and cool, The Men at Work on the
Saws Sent a Waggon after Wood The evening
closes with fine weather All well
Tues. 29 — Weather Clear And Warm This Day Shouquet
(Chouquette)^26 Smith^^v ^j^^j ^n Indian with Six
Mules and a horse Started to meet Mr Culbertson
on Milk River with letters for Mr Dawson & Mr C
a camp of North Pagans crossed the river and camped
between the Forts The evening Closes with fine
Weather All well
Wed. 30 — Weather Clear and Warm This day finished Sawing
the bottom of the boat The Indians traid (trade) a
fiew peltries All well
Thurs. 31 — Weather clear and Warm This day the carpenters
started for the Teton with two Men and one Waggon
to cut nees (knees) and other timber for the boat
Two of My Waggons arrived from the Mountain with
elleven (eleven) logs and all the men and cattle One
Waggon brock (broke) down at the dry fork with
Seven logs. The Indians raised Camp The evening
Closes with Stormey Weather the wind blew down
about twelve pickets All well
August 1856
Fri. 1 — Weather cloudy, Sent the Men after the brocken
(broken) Wagon and timber. They arrived this
afternoon and brought the wagons into the Fort,
Crossed all the oxen The Fort full of Indians again
The evening closes with fine weather All well
Sat. 2 — Weather Clear And Warm, This day rafted and
hauled the timber into the Fort Sent two Waggons
on the Teton for the Carpenters returned brought
in all the nees (knees) and other timber for the boat,
The evening closes with fine weather All well
FORT BENTON JOURNAI, 87
August 1856.
Sun. 3 — Weather Clear and Warm This day Killed the old
sow and Salted her, A Number of Pagans arrived
to trade The evening- closes with Stormey weather
All well
Men. A — Weather Clear and Warm, This day the Carpenters
and two Men at Work dressing plank for the boat
four men at Work on the Saws Sent two Men on
the Teton with a Waggon for timber to lay the bottom
of the boat on the evening closes with fine Weather
All well
Tues. 5 — Weather clear and very Warm All hands at work
on the boat dressed the bottom ]>lank and sawed
the bars. The evening closes with fine weather All
Well
Wed. 6 — Weather clear and very warm Commenced laying
the bottom of the Boat and spliting the knees, fin-
ished laying the bottom of the boat commenced
sawing the Sides, One Man Sick The evening
Closes with fine weather
Thurs. 7 — Weather clear and very Warm, This day turned
the bottom of the boat, four men sawing the Sides
The Fort full of Indians the evening closes with
fine weather All well
Fri. 8 — Weather clear and very warm All hands at work
on the boat — fine weather All well
Sat. 9 — Weather Clear and Warm, Planking the Sides of
the boat Six men on the Saws fine weather
Sun. 10 — Weather clear and Warm — All well
Men. 11 — Weather Clear and Warm This day finished sawing
the sides of the boat traded Considerable Beaver
from the North Pagans All well
Tues. 12 — Weather Clear and Very Warm The boat planked
up, Whitewashing the Fort finished the boat with
88 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
August 1856.
the exception of caulking, The Fort full of Indians
All well
Wed. 13 — Weather Clear and Warm, The Boat nearly finished
for launching. The Fort full of Indians All well
Thurs. 14 — Weather Clear and Warm This day the boat Started
to meet Mr Dawson with five men and F Wray in
charge Major Hatch arrived — All well
Fri. 15 — Weather Clear and Warm This day Mr Culbertson
and party arrived, The oposition people arrived also,
The evening Closes with fine weather All well
Sat. 16 — Weather Clear and Warm, Wind blowing fresh from
S. E. lots of Indians about All well
Sun. 17 — Weather Clear and Warm Wind S. W. We had a
Sermon from the Rev Mr Mackey^""* in Mr Cs room
and one in the Indian house for the Indians
Men. 18 — Weather Clear and Warm, Sent a Waggon after
wood Commenced building a necessary with Dough-
boys Sent the horses on the Missouri All well
September 1856
'Wed. 3 — Weather cloudey A Rose returned after an absence
of fifteen days found the Blood Indian and Blackfeet
Camps and deld (delivered) the Words of the
Agent — Mr Culbertson this day started for the
Boats with the Mules and Four pack horses The
evening closes with cold cloudey weather — Several
half Breeds from the Flat head countrey arrived to
trade All well
Thurs. A — Weather cloudy and cold witli rain Traded some
Beaver and Bear Skins with the half breeds The
carpenters at work on the Bastion, Sent after wood
All well
KORT BENTON lOL'RXAL 89
September 1856.
Fri. 5 — Weather Clear and Warm The Half Breeds left for
their Camp took two of Major Hatche's horses to
exchange, The evening closes with fine weather All
well
Sat. 6 — Weather clear and Warm. This Day cleaned the
Fort. The Little Dog left for Camp. The Black-
smith Shoed three of Major Hatche's horses The
carpenters finished roofing the Bastion. All well
Sun. 7 — Weather cloudey wind blowing fresh All well
Men. 8 — Weather Clear and Warm This Day put up three
Waggons Took the Scaffolding of the Bastion down.
The evening closes with cloudey weather All well
Tues. 9 — Weather Stormey with heavy rain. This day Mr.
Culbertson arrived from the boats left them at Cow
Island, brought three Mules and four horses and
four Men, The evening closes with cloudey weather
All well
Wed. 10 — Weather clear and warm Sent two Waggons after
Wood, finished Shoeing Major Hatche's Horses
this day traded One horse and a fiew Beaver, The
evening closes with fine weather All well
Thurs. 11 — Weather Clear and Warm wind blowing fresh. This
day put up Six Waggons, hauled up the small boat
ready to caulk Cleaned the Fort, Three Lodges of
Indians Camped at the Fort The evening Closes
with fine weather All well
Fri. 12— Weather Clear and Warm— This day The Flat Head
Camp arrived say Twenty five Lodges Traded some
Beaver and one Horse for Major Hatch All well
Sat. 13 — Weather clear and Warm This Morning Sent a
band of horses and Mules to Fort Union in charge of
L Beliveau and two Men, Traded Some deer skins
with the Flat heads All well
90 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
September 1856.
Sun. lA — Weather Stormey wind blowing fresh from N. E.
All well
Men. 15 — Weather cloudey This day A Culbertson Started for
the Judith with two Wagons and his bugey The
minister and his Wife left with him Major Hatch
left in the small boat with One Man to meet the
boats, have left in the Fort Three Men and two
families The evening Closes with cool weather All
well
Tues. 16 — Weather Clear and Warm Wind blowing fresh from
S. W. All well
Wed. 17 — Weather clear and pleasant Four Blackfeet Young
Men arrived from their Camp report them far ofT
they left immediately for the Judith. This day bor-
rowed 25 lb. Flour and Ten pound sugar from Major
Hamiltoni29 All well
Thurs. 18 — Weather Clear Calm and pleasant Commenced re-
moving the White Store into the room ocupied by
Major Hatch, The evening closes with fine Weather
All well
Fri. 19 — Weather Clear and Warm This day commenced
putting the goods in the New white Store All well
Sun. 20 — Weather cool and cloudy wind S. E. blowing fresh
All well
Men. 21 — Weather clear and Warm This day removed the
harnis and other articles into Chouquets room All
well
Tues. 22 — Weather Clear and Warm Wind S. E This day
overhauled counted and removed the robes and other
l)eltries into the robe house The evening closes with
fine weather All well
Wed. 23 — Weather clear and very Warm Wind S. E. This
day mooved the dried Meat into the lower room of
FORT BENTON [Ol'RNAI. 91
September 1856.
the Mens row The evening closes with fine weather
All well—
Thurs. 24 — Weather Clear and Warm — repaired the Windows
and Steps. Three Indians pagans arrived from the
Judith on horseback, sayed they were going over
the Mountain to the Flathead country appeared to
be in a great hurey could get no news from them
The evening closes with fine weather All well
Fri. 26— Weather clear and Warm This day several Indians
arrived from the Treaty^'^^ report our Waggons on
the road to the Fort, found the horses and brought
them to the Fort All well
Sat. 27 — Weather clear and Warm This day several Blood
Indians arrived report their Camp coming in left
them this side of Sipres (Cypress) Mountain a short
distance — keep the horses in Kips point — The evening
closes with fine weather All well
Sun. 28 — Weather clear and Warm wind S. W This day
our Waggons arrived One Toung (tongue) brocken
Several Tents of Pagans camped at the Fort. The
evening closes with fine weather All well
Men. 29 — Weather Clear and Warm Several bands of Pagans
came and camped at the Fort traded several robes
and some other furs One horse Mr Owens and
one of the Fathers^^^ arrived from the Flat head
country, The evening Closes with fine Weather All
well
Tues. 30 — Weather Clear and Warm This Day sent after a
load of wood Traded some fiew robes and other
furs One Horse numbers of Pagans around the
Fort — The evening Closes with fine weather All
well
92 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1856
Wed. 1 — Weather clear and Warm. This day sent Howard'^-
with Mr Owens man^"^^ to Sun river to bring down his
furs, Traded several Robes with the North Pagans,
The evening closes with fine weather All well
Thurs. 2 — Weather cloudy Wind Easterly This day traded
a fiew robes with the North Pagans The evening
closes with cloudy weather All well
Fri. 3 — Weather cloudey wind Easterly traded Two or
three robes with the North Pagans the evening
closes with Cool weather The oposition's wagons
arrived from Milk river had one horse stolen by
the North Assnaboins —
Sat. -1 — Weather Cloudy Wind blowing fresh from S. W.
The Blood Indian Camp reported on the Missouri
river below Mouth Maria river, Several Grovonts
arrived, The Indians crowding around the Fort The
evening closes with cold cloudey weather All well
Sun. 5 — Weather cloudey and Cold Wind blowing fresh The
Fort full of Indians All hands unwell —
Mon. 6 — Weather commences with Warm S Easterley breeses,
Mr. Owen and Chouquet Started to meet the Boats
The Blackfeet Camps arrive on the Teton river today
Most of the Children about the Fort unwell
Tues. 7 — Weather Clear and Warm This day Mr Owen's
packs arrived and stored Sent his horses to the
Card Say Seventeen plenty of Indians about
the Fort. The evening closes with cool cloudey
weather —
Wed. 8 — Weather cloudey wind Easterly Fort full of In-
dians. Commenced raining at two P M weather
cold — people of the Fort unwell —
Thurs. 9 — Weather clear and pleasant Wind blowing fresh
from S. W. Boat reported close Sent the horses
below on the Oposite of the river The evening Closes
with fine weather All well
i
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 93
October 1856.
Fri. 10 — Weather Clear Wind blowing- very fresh from S. W.
Boats cloas (close) The Fort full of Indians All
well
Sat, 11 — Weather Clear an<i Warm wind lig;ht from S. W.
The Boats landed below the Island and descharged
some freight came on and Stoped just below the
Fort — about Sun down will descharge in the morn-
ing All well
Sun. 12— Weather Clear and Warm Wind S. W. This day
unloaed (unloaded) and Stored Goods All well
Mon. 13 — Weather Clear and Warm This day feasted the
Blood Indians they held a Counsal with Mr Dawson
and apeared to be satisfied with the keeping of the
goods belonging to the Government at the Fort,
Traded some fiew robes All well
Tues. 14 — Weather Clear and Warm Trading robes from Bloods
and Blackfeet put up Mr Owens equipment and
opened some of the goods All well
Wed. 15 — Weather Clear and Warm Wind blowing fresh
Trading a fiew robes with Blackfeet and Bloods still
puting up Mr Owens Goods and opening equipment
All well
Thurs. 16— Weather Cloudy Wind blowing fresh Trading
robes opening equipment Fort full of Indians
brought the horses in to the (Fort) this evening
All well
Fri. 17 — Weather Clear Wind blowing fresh from S. W.
This day Mr Owens Started with his equipment for
Bitter Root Valey loaned him two Waggons and
four Yoke of Oxen as far as Sun river and two Men
Fort full of Indians bloods and Blackfeet — buried the
Little Dogs brother Cleaned out the Fort All well
Sat. 18 — Yesterday started two men on Teton to make Coal-
Today Burried Calf Robes Woman Indians all sick
and still loafing around Fort Hauled 1 load wood
94 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
October 1856.
Sun. 19 — Snowed all day. Nothing- of moment passing. In-
tended to commence building tomorrow but we fear
this weather will stop us. —
Mon. 20 — Still snowing and it now lies on the ground to the
depth oi \y2 feet. Barely able to get one small load
of wood hauled. Unable to do any other outdoor
work.
Tues. 21 — Another days incipant Snow — Such a severe and
early storm was never known before — One small
load of wood — Mechanics doing what little they can
without fires in these cold times.
Wed. 22 — Still snowing and it now lays on the Prarie to the
depth of 3 Feet. Impossible to haul even an empty
Wagon. Such a heavy fall of Snow is unprecedented
at such an early season. Doled the men and others
a scant supply of wood from the roof of our old store.
Thurs. 23 — Ceased snowing though it appears to want to renew
again. Commenced cleaning out the Fort with all
hands. —
Fri. 24 — Clear but very cold. Still cleaning away at Fort.
One of our Coal burners arrived from Teton with his
foot froze — Several Warriors we hear are froze to
death.
Sat. 25 — Another heavy fall of Snow today — Cleaning out Fort
and thus far got it about half done with — Impossible
to haul wood — and we are burning up our old W
House — slowly, but I fear surely. —
Sun. 26 — Clear and pretty mild — An Indian woman brought to
us for burial — Visited Mr. Picotte of the opposition —
Mon. 27 — Put men to cleaning Fort and hurrying woman for
which last service received a horse — No meat and
no wood and impossible to get any in these times.
Altogether we are pretty much tried. —
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 95
October 1856.
Tues. 28 — A \e)ung- warrior, frozen, ;uul thrown into the Fort
today by his friends to die — He lays in the Indian
House in great agony — Men still cleaning u]:) —
Wed. 29 — Men finished cleaning fort of snow but now it is such
a mud puddle as was never before seen — A band of
Nez perces arrived from whom traded 124 Deer 29
Beaver etc. some Bear Skins etc. — The "Little Grey
Head arrived on a travois he says to die — but we
have some hopes of his case. — Warrior still alive. —
Thurs. 30 — A few more Nez Perces arrived from whom traded
some 12 small Beaver and a few deer skins — Our
sick warrior removed to Camp and notwithstanding
all his belowing has some chance of recovery. Mr.
Rose's Sister in Law died in the Fort last night and
was interred today — Opposition Boat arrived. —
Fri. 31 — Still cold disagreeable times a very little trade with
the Blood Inds. who are now getting well of their
sickness and talk of moving Camp soon.
November 1856
Sat. 1 — Hauled 1 load wood. No word yet of our men who
went with Owens 2 weeks since. Removing goods
and planning to enable us to pull down old log
store. —
Sun. 2 — Still cold but Snow nearly all gone. Bothered con-
siderably by Blood Indian beggars — Traded some 6
or 7 Robes from them and one horse. —
Men. 3 — Set Sleepers and baled out Boats preparatory to haul-
ing them out — Hauled 2 Wagon load of Coal at long
last — Much bothered by Blood Indian beggars, but
we are happy to say they have now raised Camp and
but very few remain. —
Tues. A — Attempted to haul boats out but our Oxen would
not help us as wanted — and we did not succeed — Sent
96 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1856.
after other Oxen but they were not found — Hauled
balance of our Coal Yz a load. No word yet of our
men with Owens — Opposition House started a band
of 27 horses for below. —
Wed. 5 — At 9 last nig-ht our men arrived from Mr. Owens.
They have had a severe time of it as Mr. O writes —
Three of his Oxen having strayed ofT he sent one
of his Wagons here — Hauled our Boats out — Snowed
all day and very cold — We never felt or experienced
such times — Nothing but a Rice diet —
Thurs. 6 — Hauled two loads of wood — and had men to fix up to
start in the morning to the mountains
Fri. 7 — Very cold and Ice so thick in the River as to prevent
our getting the Oxen from other side. Late in the
evening Mr. Monroes youngest boy died. —
Sat. 8 — Hauled 2 loads wood and started men to Teton to
burn more coal. Too much Ice for our Mountain
trip yet however — A little milder towards evening. —
Sun. 9 — Pretty mild and no more Ice in the River — Crossed
two Wagons and our men for the Mountains who
camp on other side and will start in the morning —
Men. 10 — Hauled two Wagon load of firewood — Towards noon
5 horses we started for meat on the 4th inst got
back with about one decent load in all scattered
amongst them — So much for Ind hunters
Tues. 11 — Other two loads wood — Mild and pleasant day. Sent
again four horses after meat this time with Mr. Rose's
f-in law — A few Blood Indians also brought us a
little meat. —
Wed. 12 — Revais with four Gros Ventres arrived for other Fort
with a little meat. We hear by them that all the
Gros Ventres have plenty Bufo. but are prevented
coming with meat on a/c of the wetness of the ground.
Hauled one load wood.
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 97
November 1856.
Thurs. 13 — Revais (a free man!) and his friends started back to
Camp. Our choppers from Coal Pit returned. One
load wood — Cleaned out our Fort. —
Fri. 14 — Took down and reset some Pickets to enable us to
start building, which we now have some prospect of
doing on Monday. Mild pleasant weather and ground
drying fast. Hauled one load wood. —
Sat. 15 — Rose's F in Law returned with our four horses well
loaded with meat. Man got back from Coal Pit with
Wagon. Buried Mr. Monroes little boy — Very pleas-
ant weather. —
Sun. 16 — Another pleasant day, but very foggy until noon —
Opposition people crossed their Wagons intending
we suppose to send to the Mountains. —
Men. 17 — Again foggy but cleared away towards noon — Took
down our old Smoke house being the first dobie house
evrry (ever) errected in this Country and found most
of the Adobis quite sound. Dug foundation for a
wall — 137 feet long which we are in hopes of getting
through with before the winter sets fairly in — Hauled
one load wood. Reed, a little fresh meat — Opposi-
tion people started to the mountains
Tues. 18 — Our hunter from the Mountains arrived with meat
of 8 deer. Reports too much Snow there yet to admit
hauling out logs. Started our Wall and raised all
round 1 foot or 3 Rows. — One load wood.
Wed. 19 — Cold and threatning Snow. Another foot of Wall
and one load wood. —
Thurs. 20 — Much pleasanter Hunter returned and Choquette and
B. Champaigne accompanied him Indians in our
vicinity raised Camp thank god Calfs Robe, Blood
Ind died and was brought to us for burial — Another
foot of wall. —
98 FORT BENTON JOURNAL
November 1856.
Fri. 21 — Sent with Lame Bull and Rising Head 6 Horses to
Camp for a little meat. Opposition 3 Wagons arrived
with Logs from Mountains — Another foot of wall
and one load wood. —
Sat. 22 — Two Indians arrived from Peigan Camp with 4 Robes
3 Beaver and some meat. Slight Snow all day, which
interrupted our building Two loads wood, and raised
flooring of old store —
Sun. 23 — Continued snowing and very cold. Mr. C's Bro in
Law arrived for the lOOth time and much to our an-
noyance, as we find his visits expensive —
Men. 24 — Ther. 5° below zero, decidedly too cold for build-
ing— Fixed up about Fort a little and hauled two
loads wood. —
Tues. 25 — A party of Flatheads arrived from whom traded some
deer and Beaver Skins — Our men also returned from
Mountains and though they have chopped all they
were sent for they report too much snow to get them
out. They bring in only six logs.
Wed. 26 — Mr. C's B in Law started back with a loaned horse —
Two traders — Feigans — arrived with some meat —
pulled down our old store —
Thurs. 27 — Mr. Dawsons Comrade arrived with a lot of meat.
Milder than for sometime & again started at our
wall — Two loads wood.
Fri. 28 — Again very cold but persevered with our building —
Skunk arrived with a fine lot of meat — 2 loads wood. —
Sat. 29 — Another Cold day — Ther at 10 all day — kept on with
our Wall. Some 8 Peigan Traders arrived with meat.
Skunk started back — 2 loads wood —
Sun. 30 — Very cold — River closed and Peigans unable to cross
back — Traded a good lot of meat from them
See new book for 1st December, 1856
>^-
J
y
LAME BULL, BLACKFOOT CHIEF
Repi-oduced through the courtesy of Houg-hton, Mifflin Company.
^
FORT BENTON JOURNAL 99
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100 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
ORIGINAL JOURNAL OF JAMES H. CHAMBERS,
FORT SARPyi^^
Journal No. 5, January 1, 1855
January 1855
Mon. 1 — Here we have a New Year upon us God grant that
it may be a prosperous one. Not only to the Natives
of the prairies, but the White men that are in this
country, as also all others
Our little band of Brothers are celebrating the day
with a vengeance. They are cooped up in the fort
waiting for the Dove's heads party to start & be
killed & scalped by the Sioux. Six^^s fondly hopes
that something dreadfull will befall them As long
as they are in the Fort the Boy's cannot Feast
Moakes^-*'^ has come with his pans for a feast for
the Boys, he says the last of the Hounds has dis-
sapeared but he wont commence cooking untill such
time as he thinks they have put good six miles be-
tween themselves & Fort Sarpy Six asserts that a
Crow can smell cofife five miles, wind fair or foul A
band of Buflo came in the prairie but we could get
no chance for a shot the Crows run them ofif, who-
ever heard of Fly time this season of the year.
The Crow Nation are a singular set of people.
Col. Vaughn told them to stay at home «& not trouble
the Sioux without they had provocation for so doing
which they pledged themselves to do & now look at
their actions, the Sioux have kept away from them
so far and the probability is that thier intentions is
to let the Crows alone, but the dogs are not satisfied,
they must hunt them up, if they do meet with the
Sioux my wish is that the Crows may get a genteel
drubbing one they will remember. At this present
time they are one hundred Lodges of Crows camped
a short distance above the Fort, & should they happen
to see tracks of three Sioux in the vicinity of their
camp, nothing could prevent thier nmning to the
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 101
January 1855.
mountains, they fear the Sioux so much, last Winter
they run from us, & seen no tracks "Oh the "Cow-
ardly*' dogs
A cold day Still suffering with the rheumatism. I
have no chance to bathe or rub the place is to small
Scarcely room to breathe, for Indians
Tues. 2 — After the warriors took thier departure yesterday &
the Boys pretty well satisfied with themselves &
every one else with the good cheer they had partaken
commenced looking around for their personal effects,
"When" lo & behold it appeared that each & every
one of them had unknowingly a substitute on the
War path One's Blanket being martialy disposed
had trotted off in quest of the Sioux Another's Coat
concluded to cover the shoulders of a "Brave. Big
Six's^^^ Comb was under the impression that a richer
trapping ground could be found elsewhere, his to-
bacco had no idea of being Smoked in a white clay
pipe by a Virginian when the Natives carried large
red stone pipes with stems three feet long & dearly
loved the weed, a parr flesh^-^^ trotted off to look
after the mocasins tin cups & Knifes Eloped two
Wolf Skin of Valles Vamosed the Ranche & your
humble Servants Shirt cut stick & put off to the wars
the war party returned the cold weather put a damper
on the red "Sons of Mars," but cold had no efect on
the representatives of F. Sarpy they still kept on the
war path, if not they certainly would have returned.
On interrogating the Crows about each of thier rep-
resentatives, it appall'd the Boys to hear that the
Warriors knew nothing of the Absconding parties
from F. Sarpy, the Boys are in despair they are
alarmed for the safety of Brigadier Coat. Col Blanket,
Sergeant Comb. Corporal Mug & the rank, in No 3
Bug row surmises & suspicions are rife. Big Six is
inflated with wonder Some times he thinks they
have been cut off the Lout (?), rank & file Again
102 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1855.
he thinks the Crows have overpow them & taken
prisoners of the whole party At times a glorious
smile flits over his face & then how his noble coun-
tenance glows with delight the Bloom on his peach
like cheek, he jumps up & with a knowing wink says
we will get them all back it is only a trick played on
us by the young bucks The devil take all such trick
Say I The last few days has been very cold the
river full of floating ice. I think it will close tonight.
So far we have had no Snow & but a few cold days
(Query) What has come over Murrell^^^^ he is much
colder than the weather. I look back & for the life
of me I can see no cause on my part in what manner
I have offended him. I know not. Neither am I
going to puzzle myself to solve the mystery. I care
not So far I have pursued a strait forward course &
in what manner I have offended him if offence they
are — let it go at that I am confidant that the course
I am pursueing were it known to C. & D.^^^ would
meet thier approbation
Wed. 3 — As I predicted yesterday the river has closed up
offering a good bridge for crossing Our Noble Crow
Warriors have taken their departure. Peace be with
them if I never set eyes on their ugly carcases again
I shall not think the time long.
"What noise is that in Ethiopia, has some rascally
savage maltreated the Ethiop or his wife. I will step
over & find what ocasions those sobs of distress. I
did & a heart rending spectacle did I witness. A
Husband bereft of his wife. "Oh "Shades of" Africa
poor Widowed husband. A wife torn from his bosom,
not by "death, but worse far worse by "Bucks Young
Crow Bucks At that the worse possible kind of
bucks . . . (Several lines are deleted here, being too
obscene to print.) . . . Big Six disinterested good
soul that he is, is doing all that lays in his power to
console the Bereaved husband quoting Scripture to
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 103
January 1855.
Mosei-'^- to prove that his affhctions are for the best
"Oh Six you do not how I loved that woman I
have worked for her cook'd for her wash'd for her,
done every thing mortal could do, but no it wont do
Six sugested that perhaps his color did not suit Mose
Became indignant & replied that he was lighter than
an Indian, if I was not says he could I get as light
a child as that "Oh says Six doubts exist about
your being the Father of that child, where is the
kinks I can see none the child's hair is straight &
your hair is wool, dont say so Six dont trifle with
the feelings of a man in misfortune & that, a man
the same as yourself away from "Old Virginny tis
true say Six that I have a warmer feeling for Vir-
ginians than any others providing their Hair is
straight but let me sing you a song
They stole my wife away
I hear a voice upon the Hill
Me' thinks I hear it still
They stole they stole Mose Squaw away
get out of my house big Six & dont come here again
Mr. Meldrom^^^ (jo^t make fun of me & you shant
White folks have no feelings for a man of color or
big Six & Tetreaui54 would not all the time be singing
where you gwine I am gwine down thar "Oh "Mr.
Meldrom for God Almighty's Sake tell me how I
can get her. take ten dollars & jump on that horse
you can catch her. "Oh "My "Wife "My Wife,
bring her back & I will do any thing for you I will
wash all winter for you & charge you nothing just
bring her back to me that is all I want. Mose I
would not go for a hundred dollars well I'll go, you
had better not if you want to save your wool says I.
You certainly are not going to run after the Slut &
make her come in the Fort, & live with her on the
same terms as heretofore No indeed Sir I am done
with her God knows, Why I would be worse than
104 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1855.
a dog if I would do so. She shows plainly she likes
Indians better than whites or she would of remained
in the Fort No Sir I's done I washes my hands
clar of the Strumpet. "Oh I'se gwine down thar
some time during the night Major Mosier^^^ call'd
me I went out there was Mose reading or rather
shouting a passage in the new Testament In those
days came John the Baptist preaching in the Wilder-
ness, &c. presently our ears were assailed with a
very unmusical voice singing "Oh then we will be
joy full &c.
Thurs. 4 — Mose comes in to the Majors the Major being a kind
hearted man asked Mose how he passed the night
Oh Mr. Mosier I did not pass it at all but kept reading
the testament & singing hymns the whole during
night thinking that reading the Scripture would settle
my mind but it had no effect I want my wife & if
Mr. Meldrom dont get her for me I will go & live
with the Indians
Fri. 5 — A very cold day large bands of Bufiflo on the op-
posite side of the river. Valle Lamarche & all hands
out on a hunt Valle approached & kill'd one cow
Faillant^^^ at the report of the gun took after the
Band on foot fired in the band some five or six shots
without effecting a wound of all the fools I have
ever seen Faillant bangs all
Sat. 6 — A fine day Hunters out Valle kill'd three cows two
Indians arrive from camp report both camps running
Bufflo. Mose could stand it no longer fill'd both
pockets with sugar & cofifee & along with Mr.
Pumpkins' ^'^ started to the camp, he says that he
will have his wife or Blood
Sun. 7 — A pleasant day Men stayed at home as good chris-
tians should Mose arrived with his amiable lady as
also a delegation of Crows from both camps
FORT SAKFY JOURNAL 105
January 1855.
Mon. 8 — The Aniversary of the battle of N. Orleans Our men
celebrated the day by pulling bark for the horses
Pumpkins arrived as also those inveterate loafers
Ebey & Brothers. What under the sun can induce
Mr. M. to treat those Dogs so well, I cannot concieve
that hound Ebey, came with us from F. U. his wife
& two brats were hauled up in the boat a good place
in the boat was found for them to sleep in coflFe &
Bread furnished them three times a day whilst the
poor white slaves that dragged the heavy boat had
neither bread nor coffee nor a place to crawl for
shelter, in case of rain during the night the Indians
were snugly stowed away in the Barge & the poor
devils of Whites laying out beneath the shelter of
the canopy of Heaven taken what cheer providence
& Mr. Meldrom gave them without a murmur of
dissatisfaction, with the exception of a few Benedic-
tions on the devoted head of Mr. M. something similar
to "Sacre Foin Gass &c. When the boat arrived at
Fort Sarpy Col Vaughan wished to send for the
Indians I wanted some person along better ac-
quainted with the region of the country that I was
to search than myself Col V offered Ebey an enor-
mous price to accompany me but the cowardly dog
would not go under any consideration on my return
I found the gentleman in the fort eating Bread &
drinking coffee, he had grown to be such a con-
sequential person that his squaw could not go to the
river for water Mr. Mosier Superintendant of the
Culinary department of F. Sarpy had to furnish the
lady with water Four Dances & squad departed
Tues. 9 — A fine day the loafers feasting Bill of Fare Fort
Sarpy Indian table Fresh Meat Boiled to be eaten
with depouille^^^ it makes no odds how fat the meat
is the cold depouille if not given is called for. Coffee
Hotel Sarpy gives no dinner, in lieu of which a rich
dessert of sugar & Bull Berries is given about 12 M
106 KORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1855.
Supper Fat meat & coffee Sometime in the night
say nine O'clock they have either Rice & sugar Berries
& sugar or pancakes & molasses these have been the
edibles that have been daily & nightly spread before
the patrons of Hotel & their name is Legion they
are all comfortable bedded robes in abundance given
them to sleer) on, & ocasionly some are missing in
the morning
Wed. 10 — Bear's Heads^"*^ & Gordon's camps came in. Oh
what a prodigal waste of everything
Thurs. 11 — Fort full of boarders. Regulars every Mothers son of
them never miss a meal nor pay a cent the Land-
lord of Hotel Sarpy gives nine days for a week &
takes trust for pay & if he is not doing a Hog Killing
buisiness you can take my Hat
Fri. 12 — I should call this a dull day if the fort was not so
crowded with loafers no trade going on but lots
of grubbing
Sat. 13 — hardly room to breathe, Oh you "pests
Sun. 14 — A dull day as regards trade but lively in other re-
spects. Gordon's camp treated us to a Scalp &
Squaw dance, the roofs of the houses were covered
with the natives witnessing the performance, the
Trophies taken in the battle, a full description of
which I gave in No. 4 were exhibited as also the
eight scalps taken in Gordon's fight with the Black
Feet On the whole it was rather a fine display &
pleased Mr. Meldrom greatly. A cool Fifty came
out of the pockets of P. C. sr & Co.i^o foj- ^]^^^
dance — rather a costly affair.
Men. 15 — Bears Head seeing that the other camp got so well
jiaid for shaking the light fantastic toe came &
gave us a specimen of his Camp's Terphiscorean Art,
but had to call in requisition Princess May & her
Bosom Friend & Maid of Honor "E "See "Tah —
b!I
FORT SARPN' JOURNAl, 107
January 1855.
Those ladies from the Fort were the observed of
all observers the Princess led the van & made but
two or three circles in the yard of the Fort when
she placed her divine foot in something of a dark
brown substance that emitted an odor like anything
but the Otto of roses. May blushed or as good
tryed to blush her Lord & Husband was cast down,
the Squaws sighed the Bucks laughed & Big Six
Shame on him, bellowed out May tramped on a
green tird, however the miss step broke the Ball
thus depriving the Princess of bringing out her
powers of fascinaton before her loving subjects.
Tues. 16 — An unpleasant day Mr. M has an idea of sending
over the Mountains My being indisposed prevents
me from being one of the party
Wed. 17 — A fine day A few robes come in but thrice the value
goes out
Thurs. 18 — A fine day Faillant refuses to go to hunt the Crows
I wish you had me to deal with you good for nothing
whelp you would go or get kicked out of doors Valle
& Stoupe making preparations to start for the Moun-
tain Camps
Fri. 19 — A few Crows came from Tongue river where they
had been hunting Elk report that they were chaced
by a large party of Sioux. Gordon moved camp He
is now in the first point of timber above the Fort
Bears Head still opposite to us
Sat. 20 — last night a heavy snow storm the first of any im-
portance this winter A large part of Crows started
in pursuit of the Sioux returned with the intelligence
important to us that the Enemy were not Sioux
but Blackfeet
Sun. 21— Winter has come at last A bitter cold day Indians
out on discovery returned report no BufTaloa close
My pen refuses to write what is to come Oh the
108 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1855.
ways of this wicked world, thou Vile Seducer man
could you not of spared "Her. Oh Frailty thy name
is Women. What shall I utter those damning words
the Princess has fallen aye fallen the Seducers
tongue was too much for her
(Remainder of paragraph deleted. Too obscene to
print.)
Goods Fort Men & trade the Boss
was merely her substitute
..the Other Men in the Fort she call'd
her slaves. I gave the lady once a private
kicking for calling men her slaves, whether she told
her Buck or not I do not know if she did he took it
kindlv. for I heard no more of it
Men. 22 — I find this morning that Murell not being satisfied
with one whore house has converted the Store in to
another this wont do. I must tell my Employers
lock a Buck & Bitch in the Store all night the goods
all open, the Fort full of Indians the windows of the
Stores hasped on the inside they can easily pass
what goods they like out, this is the first ofifense of
the kind that I have known him guilty of but Mr.
Lamarche says that the like is done often to his
knowledge
Tues. 23—1 find this morning that Murrell took to himself
another wife last night A dirty little lousy slut that
was ofifer'd to me last fall. I enquired of her Mother
what she reed for her she told me One Horse one
Gun one chief's coat one N W Blkt. one Indg B.
Blkt two shirts one pr leggings, six & half yds Bed
ticking one hundred loads Ammunition twenty
Bunches W Beads ten large Plugs Tobaco & some
sugar coffe Flour &c. Oh says the Old Crone I am
rich now. I am a chief for all this not one single
copper is charged to his a/c. An honest man. The
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 109
January 1855.
new Madam gave her coronation Feast it was well
attended lots of Grubbers.
Wed. 24 — The new Madam out in her finery A Scarlet dress
with Six Hundred Elk teeth Murrell traded four
hundred Elk teeth for one Bunch containing two
hundred for which he paid an In. Blue Blkt for I
offered him twenty dollars cash he refused & said
he wanted them to give to his squaw. So P. C jr &
Co loses a cool twenty by that opperation. Murrell's
Mother in Law Wolf Skin as the Boys call her has
put up a lodge in the Fort. P. C & Co has another
family to clothe & feed at their Expense
Fort full of Indians filling their guts & receiving
presents, a warm day.
Thurs. 25 — robes come in tolerable brisk I see Mr. M dont want
me in the store whilst trading I suppose I know too
much of the Crow language to suit his way of trade.
Another pair slept in the store last night
Fri. 26 — A disagreeable day raining trade tolerable brisk.
W^iat a waste of goods
Sat. 27 — Gordon's camp moved on the opposite side of the
river we have now in the Store one hundred &
sixty packs of robes but they have took all of our
Original Stock of goods to get them, if it was not
for the Slack I do not know what would become of
Murrell, his whole equipment gone & the above
number of packs the returns his resources not
equivalent to his liabilities
Sun. 28 — Bears Head camp moved on Emmells creek^^i a
short distance ofT Bufflos plenty
Men. 29 — A great many Indians in the Fort today Gordon's
camp split those that had robes to dress cross'd &
ioin'd Bears Head the others moved up the river.
Rotten Hand Brot me a splendid Otter quiver, I
wanted it for Mr. Dening & was about getting it
110 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1855.
when Murrell came along & traded it at an enormous
price I told him who I wanted it for says he I want
it for Col Vaughan Mr. Dening^'^^ jg poor pay he
pays in paper & the Col pays in whiskey he has
now for Col Vaughan stuffed three Big Horns one
he paid Valle ten dollars the other two cost the
price of four robes each All without charge
Tues. 30 — no Indians in the fort commenced making packs.
Caught the new Madam stealing sugar caught her
by the arm & showed her the door she went off
crying
Wed. 31 — Cold day made a few packs too cold to work. Men
got Fire wood.
February 1855
Thurs. 1 — A beautiful day made a few^ packs
Fri. 2 — Nothing worthy of recording
Sat. 3 — Cleaned up store & ware house
Sun. A — A party of Crows arrived from Knot on the Hands
camp report that Traders from the Platte has been
with them all Winter the Sioux Friendly with the
Crows they know nothing of the other Bands Knot
on the Hand is moving down Tongue river & will
be in this spring early
Men. 5 — Nothing transpired of note
Tues. 6^Tetereau Valle Faillant & Squaw left for Ft Union.
As also the party from Knot on the Hand's camp
Wed. 7 — the Ice broke in the river opposite the Fort Above
the ice is still firm
Thurs. 8 — Some Crows came from Bears Heads camp Brot a
little meat & a few Tongues Most of the Meat after
trading it goes to Old Wolf Skins lodge her & her
Brats must have good Fat Meat to Eat & the men
EDWIN T. DENIG
Reproduced from the 4<ith annual report. T.
Buieau of American lOthnolosy.
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 111
February 1855.
poor dry meat without Fat poor as I am I would
freely give one hundred dollars to see Mr. Culbert-
son in Fort Sarpy Forty Eight hours just to strait
up matters & things at Fort Sarpy
Fri. 9 — Mr. Meldrom left for the camp he told me he was
going for meat yes it is meat but it is squaw meat
& Mag's meat at that since she has been gone he
has acted more like a crazy man than one posses'd
of sanity
Sat. 10 — Five young Bucks arrived from above being part of
Sets every way's party that turned back, how the
new Queen did try to show off her title. Her Majesty
told, or rather ordered the cook to provide cofTe &
Berries for them I devilish soon countermanded the
order & gave her to understand that for the time
being I reigned in Fort Sarpy
Sun. 11 — Mr. Meldrom arrived & as I predicted Brot Miss
Mag & some Crows with a few Tongues & a little
meat However the meat done us no good it all
went into Wolf Skin's lodge, the Old Bitch reported
me to the Boss for not obeying her daughter's orders
As a sensible man he said nothing to me Mr M
says that twelve Horses were stolen from the Crows
by Assinaboins. Showery day
Mon. 12 — the Indians that came with Mr M left loaded down
with goods. When is this profuse waste going to
end I have never seen any thing to equal it More
Indians arrived
Tues. 13— River broke leaving Four Dances High Pumpkins^*'-'^
& several more Crows here A Squaw & Buck Brot
two young calves & two ribs to trade for which two
pr leggings two shirts six yds calico Ninety strands
Beads & ten plugs Tobaco were given in exchange
pretty well paid for when you take in to considera-
tion the meat cofTe & sugar eaten bv them during
112 FORT SARPY JOTRNAL
February 1855.
a week's stay I am duty Bound to report matters
it is my duty
Wed. 14 — St Valentines day Fort full of Loafers
Thurs. 15 — Four Dances & Squad took their departure & came
near taking every thing in the store with them from
what I can see goods cost nothing no Indian is re-
fused give me what you like & take what you want
is the motto of Ft Sarpy
Fri. 16— Five or six Crows came Brot a few robes
Sat. 17 — Indians to & from the camp got a few robes
Sun. 18 — Our men headed by that renowned Hunter &
Voyager Bix Six started on a hunt returned Killing
a — Nothing
Men. 19 — rather a dull day nothing stirring
Tues. 20 — Birth day of the Imortal Bix Six & one of the coldest
days of the season
Wed. 21 — Sent Lamarche & two men on Tongue river for a
horse we had secreted in cache returned with the
Horse
Thurs. 22 — Birth day of the Father of our country Six says that
he came very near being born on Washington's
Birthday but his Mother was in too great a hurry
& I dont blame her for trying to get rid of him as
soon as possible, for if he was as much in her way
as he is a nuisance to others here the sooner she
was clear of him the better. Coflfe & meat for eight
Brats that have just arrived
Fri. 23 — A cold day Fort full of grubliers
Sat. 24 — Mrs. M the Second is in a sad situation
(Several lines of this paragraph deleted. Obscene.
Adds nothing to the context.)
Doct Long Elk^''"* has taken the case
KORT SARPV JOURNAL 113
February 1855.
in hand his first fee one Gun one Blkt shirt leggings
Brass Kettle Tobaco &c. what his second will be
time will tell
Sun. 25 — Fort full of loafers Feasting & lounging in the houses
Every pan plate & cup is Brot in requisition three
or four times a day to feast Brats & Whores Boys
& Squaws are the favorites but few men of note
get fed. the Horse Guard^^^ has but three cups of
cofifee this winter & them I gave him he is a Chief
& leads a camp of Fifty Lodges
Men. 26 — Fort full of loafers cold day
Tues. 27 — Bears Heads camp sixty lodges arrived & camped
on the opposite side of the river Mr Bad Shape &
family put up in the Fort his calculation is to re-
main & go down in the Boats & send his horses by
the white men they go down woth the Company's
horses the danger of a trip to F LTnion is too great
for an Indian to perform if an Indian would get
kill'd it would be dreadfull but a white man or two
that is nothing so Murrell thinks
Wed. 28 — Indians out hunting returned with plenty meat Fort
full of Loafers & whores Doct Long Elk has call'd
in the professional services of Doct Fool to assist
him Doct Fools first fee one three point W Blkt
one shirt one pr leggins Tobaco Knife & Ammuni-
tion
March 1855
Thurs. 1 — Nothing worth note with the exception of Drs.
Long Elk & Fool had each a squaw in the store
last night
Fri. 2 — trade tolerable lively Indians speak of leaving us
shortly the sooner the better for I have never seen
Indians completely spoil'd untill now Princess Mag
slipt the cable last night I was at the gate putting
114 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
March 1855.
the Indians out for the night when she started I
Halloed & asked her if she was coming back that
I was going to lock up No says she I have had
enough & got enough out of that old fool dog
"Sap-Kat "A Hook that was true, for what she
wanted for herself to gamble or give she had
Sat. 3 — Murrell looks cast down I cannot simpathise with
him of the two Mag is the better. Oh what a night
I would put the Indians ou.t of the gate, they would
climb the pickets come in put them out again the
Old Man stormed the Indians laughed and made
sport of him. I went ofif to bed & left them to settle
it among thier selves the indians have never troubled
me, in fact take the Crows in the right way & they
are good people but to coax & pay a Crow to go
out of the Fort will not answer.
Sun. 4 — A cold day I really feel sorry for the Old Man the
Indians treat him too bad
Men. 5 — the Crows this morning had found a horse kill'd
near the camp the whole camp started in pursuit
of the perpetrators, of the deed Some Crows from
Tongue river report seen sign of Sioux Fort full
of women & children badly scared.
Tues. 6 — Oh what a night squaws screaming Brats bawling
& dogs barking I never saw a place completely
crammed before In the night a report come that
Four Dances camp was surrounded by Black Feet
then such a shout or cry enough to rend the heavens
I defy the whole tribe of Assynaboin's dog's to equal
the Old Fort shook till the Bark fell from the pickets
the war party that left say 25 returned Brot nothing
stated while in Gordon's camp a party of Crows
from Rotten Tails'"*' camp arrived from F Benton
had stolen eight horses & seven mules from some
white men that were out hunting some of the In-
dians that started out this morning have returned
ROTTEN TAIL, CKOW CHIEI-
Kiiiz Jotinial, Bureau of American Kthiiology. RuUeti
FORT SARPY JOURNAI- 115
March 1855.
& are on the other side of the river cannot cross
the Ice has broke.
Wed. 7 — the Indians still on the other side rain
Thurs. 8 — Bears Head & party of one hundred & thirty or
forty men returned they overtook the Enemy
down on a little fork near Jabots^*"'" houses they
were but seven Blood indians As soon as they dis-
covered the Crows they charged on them but the
Crows were too many twenty to one is too great a
power however brave Bears heads party kill'd the
whole seven not one escaped to tell the news. Bears
Head told me that four of the Blood Indians fought
like Heroes, three made no fight whatever but got
kill'd like squaws One said he was a chief for the
Crows to come on it was good to die &c. Bears
Head got two men badly wounded one his son in
law the other a nephew of Pumpkins, Big insides
son, I think it is probable both will recover.
Fri. 9 — the Fort full the halt the lame & the Blind came in
the fort & Danced before Old Wolf Skins lodge,
sang & dancd the old Hussy out of Beads &
Domestic or rather it came out of the pockets of
P C jr & Co About the worth of an X away down
below, in the afternoon the Beauties of the camp
decked in thier Holiday rigging came & treated us
to a dance Bears Heads son in law on Horse Back
led by his Father in law Pumpkins nephew on horse
Back led by Pumpkins were on the ground the scalps
& trophies taken were exhibited. Bears head made
a speech Old Murrell made a speech he said that
the Blackfeet were dogs his heart was good when
he heard of their being kill'd &co &co After he was
through he presented a squaw with a dress & ninety
strands of Beads Old fellow thinks I goods are
scarce & you might have saved them t^- traded for
robes Bix Six the damned fooll steps in to the ring
116 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
March 1855.
with three dollars worth of beads & kisses Miss
Tramps on her foot a dirty lousy whoring slut oh
the Fool
Sat. 10 — The very day that I have been looking for the
camp moved I would like to see Mr. C & Mr.
Spyi68 j^ere to see how his Agent Acts it would
answer as well to through the goods in the prairie
as to give them as he does squaws & children get
the most Old Wolf Skin wont remain in the Fort
with me she is off with the camp Mr. M has traded
another horse for her & I have just put u]) ten lbs
coffe fifteen lbs sugar & a bale of depouy's for her
at this present time there is not as much fat in the
fort as she took with her All right
Sun. 11 — Mr M left leaving me in a critical position in the
first place the Stores are unsafe in case of rain Our
provisions scant & forces small, we have not over
seventy lbs sugar About twenty lbs Flour, poor
dry meat & no fat, & his orders not to use any
Flour at all perhaps I may obey him but I doubt
it if I feel like eating a little bread I will be apt to
break my orders in that case & he & I for it on
his return
Men. 12 — I arranged store & ware house we have but part
of one Box Tob 1>4 Keg Powder 10 guns (5 badly
used by Indians) 30 prs 3 pt Blkts 20 pr W 20 I B
Blkt 10 Blue Blkt 18 Scan & 25 Hudson Bay Blkts.
no cloth of any description not one kettle not a
knife not a foot of Beads wire but 200 lbs Beads
No colored Beads Not a single 1 ])t Blkt goods all
gone & but two hundred packs of robes I call this
trading with a vengeance It is just as the Mountain
folks told me when I was on last fall they said it
was no come they would get nothing the
the Banks would get all & it is too
If they do come how am I going to
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 117
March 1855.
out of the scrape I told them th
(Corner of page torn off) had goods here sent them
from thier great Father & now there is nothing
for them to trade let alone rec gratis Murrells
Friends & relations have got all Elackfeet hover-
ing around the Fort a couple of shots dispersed
them
Tues. 13 — disagreeable day Snow and rain
Wed. lA — Cold & Blustry put up a few packs
Thurs. 15 — Cold & Windy done nothing
Fri. 16 — Made a few packs & arranged press
Sat. 17 — A very cold day Chas Carter^^'' arrived from F. Un.
brot no letters Says Mess Culbertson & Clark are
at F. U. From Carters Story it appears that Carter
got into a difificulty with a man by the name of
Brown & that he kill'd Brown in self defence Men
here that were acquainted with Brown give him a
bad name, they say he was of a quarrellsome dis-
position & Bears the name of a petty Thief. Os-
born^'^ says that Brown was drumed out of the
U. S. Service at Fort Belknap^"^ Belonged to the
Fifth Infantry
Carter arrived in a pitifull condition third
day from F. U. broke the tube of gun &
from that time eat nothing
Blowed a perfect Hurricane
Cold Windy & Snow done nothing (Corner of page
off)
Tues. 20 — My Birth day this day 1 am Thirty five years of
age hauled wood for baggage in looking for my
Journal No four I find that it is missing. I am
sorry for the loss as it contained sketches & notes
of my trips to little Powder river in search of the
Crows Winter of 1852 & 3— My trip to & from the
118 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
March 1855.
Grosventres Spring of 1853. My trip to & from F
Benton the same Spring, two voyages up & down
the Yellowstone by water Trip fall of 1854 in Search
of the Crows & my last trip to & from F Union by
land it also contained sketches of doings at F Sarpy
I have an idea where it went — but let it go let the
Gall'd Jade wince our withers are unwrung
Wed. 21 — Big Six this day imortalised himself he kill'd a
Goose the only game of any description that ever
he kill'd — Except Lice
Thurs. 22 — A fine day press'd packs
Fri. 23 — put by packs & secured them from rain Ass Small
furs heard the report of two shots in the point above
one shot in the point below Shortly after seen four
Indians — Blackfeet
Sat. 24 — Commenced sawing side plank for Boat
Sun. 25 — A Beautifull day Very lonesome
Men. 26 — \'ery windy could do nothing out of doors
Tues. 27 — A Blustery cold day Snowed considerable
Wed. 28 — Another stormy day One cow came in the prairie
Carter kill'd her she was very poor
Thurs. 29 — Sawed curbs for Boat very windy
Fri. 30 — dried wolf & deer skins finished sawing curbs
Sat. 31 — March is determined to keep up its Blusty reputa-
tion as the saying is it went out like a Lion
April 1855
Sun. 1 — A dull quiet day nothing doing
Men. 2 — too much wind to saw puled Bark Chas Carter cut
himself very badly
Tues. 3 — Another windv dav Worked a little abo\it the fort
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 119
April 1855.
Wed. 4 — Nothiiii^ done Blowed a Hurricane
Thurs. 5 — Made & Pressed a few packs Beat Bii? Six out of
two & a half dollars shooting the Target was a
small pup tyed one hundred yards I bet Six Five
dollars to Fifty cents that he could not hit the pup
Six shot three times & miss'd he became excited &
bet me one dollar that I could not hit the pup. I
shot & struck puppy & beat Big Six out of two &
half which he must certainly pay the odds were too
great too much risk to plead the Baby Act
Fri. 6 — A windy day sent for a steering oar for keel boat
got an excellent one No sign of Mr. Meldrom
Sat. 7 — Sawing & doing little jobs about the fort
Siin. 8 — A windy ugly disagreeable day
Men. 9 — Stormy day Snowed considerable done nothing
Tues. 10 — Mr. Lamarche & all hands out to look for a horse
We had in Cache returned with the horse — kill'd
two cows Brot the calves & skins — Meat to poor
to bring
Wed. 11 — The time advances & no appearance of Mr M &
having nothing for the men to do I set them to
dressing plank for boat Altho contrary to Mr M's
orders but when he left he had no idea of us having
a Carpenter — A party of twelve Crows arrived the
Boy Chief Grey Chief^^^ & ^.^e White Bear are in
the party, they saw nothing of Mr M. the camp
will be here shortly to trade they had scarcely dis-
mounted before they asked me about their presents
the Grey Chief was one of the party that I brought
in last fall & seen what was left for them I told
them they had forfeited thier Annuities by failing
to come in but that if they would come in with thier
trade I thought Mr. M would satisfy them either at
the present or on his return on the arrival of the
Boat this Summer
120 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
April 1855.
Thurs. 12 — the Indians are in a great way they are very much
dissatisfied they want to trade with me in preference
to waiting for Mr M I told them that if they would
go home & wait untill Mr M arrives that I would
give them a good present they hesitated a good
deal & at last consented I promised that as soon
as Mr M reached here I would go & bring them in
I have put away goods for them traded a few robes
& meat
Fri. 13 — Indians still remain considerable grumbling I do
not blame them they have been badly treated
Sat. 14 — Indians left Except the White Bear he still remains,
his horse being too poor to travel they left under
the following circumstances If I do not go for them
within Ten nights after they reach camp they are
to come in & I will trade with them they would
not give me a longer period they say thier horses
are poor the grass bad & too close to thier different
Enemies I fondly hope Mr M will reach here before
that time the Burden is rather too heavy for me
to bear
Sun. 15 — I am uneasy on account of Mr M's not coming the
White Bear tells me that the camps that he is on
the route for will not come in that he probably re-
turned with but a few Crows & was overtaken by
Blackfeet & cut off of this I am not alarmed I am
under the apprehension that he is on the hunt of
Four Rivers^'^3 & ^t^ey are far off & he will not be
able to be in time for Two Face^'^-* & Boy Chiefs
trade if not I apprehend difficulty & it might termi-
nate seriously. I am duty bound to protect the
property & interests of my Employes — Should I
risk life for it my Employers are in no manner
culpable for the distruction of the Indians goods
nor in this particular case do T think them re-
sponsible
fA.%^' • ♦ •
I.J*.**
FOUR RIVERS, GROS VENTRE CHIEF
Kurz Journal, Bureau of American Ethnolog-y, Bulletin 115.
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 121
April 1855.
Mon. 16 — finished sawing:: laid bed for Boat
Tues. 17 — Laid bottom of boat Made & press'd a few packs
Wed. 18 — A very windy day five Bulls came in the prairie
Lamarche & Carter kill'd them
Thurs. 19 — Cold blustry day Cut the skins of the Bulls kill'd
yesterday into cords I have cords sufficient to tie
all the robes &c.
Fri. 20 — Made & press'd forty eight packs robes calf &c put
up curbs on Boat No sign of Mr. Meldrom
Sat. 21 — A windy day Cover'd with Fat Old Limpy three
Crows & four Nez Perces arrived Say camp will
be in on Tuesday next
Sun. 22 — Fine day Indians kill'd a cow.
Mon. 23 — Crows left this morning Nez Perces remain put
away goods for Mr. Meldrom, made pretty near an
equal divide
Tues. 24 — Boy Chief, Sets Every Way &- four other Crows
arrived. A trading party also arrived traded fifteen
packs Indians much dissatisfied on account of our
scarcity of Tobaco & Ammunition
Wed. 25 — Traded in the forenoon about forty packs Soldiers
stop'd the trade. Call'd me to council told me they
came a long distance to support us that in coming
they had lost a great many of thier horses & when
they did come we had no Tobaco or Ammunition
for them that they thought it a hard matter to be
deprived of thier Annuities & said if I would come
down in my prices of Blankets they would be satis-
fied. As I had but few left. I consented they gave
me twenty-one robes for so doing Commenced trad-
ing traded briskly
Thurs. 26 — Would not trade as it was raining hard clear'd of
11 A. M. traded forty four packs robes & one & half
Beaver goods dissapearing fast.
122 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
April 1855.
Fri. 27 — ^Finished the trade & gave a small present to Two
Faces Band gave two face his Medal as also the
suit Col Vaughan gave me
Sat. 28 — Indians speak of moving camp got some robes on
credit for which I gave orders, payable on return
Sun. 29— Camp moved on Tongue river Crows would not
let Two Face remain Dick paid his debts like a man
Mountain TaiP'^ & wife remains to go down in
the Boat.
Men. 30 — Made packs & find we have about one hundred &
eighty packs robes four packs Beaver Deer Elk &c
A sufficient quantity of rawhides & Lodge skins to
cover both boats good quantity of meat & parr flesh
got all the Nez Perces Beaver but had to strip myself
& squaw of our clothing to pay it. My trade will bring
Mr. Meldrom out of the brush had I Tobaco, Am-
munition, Brass Wire Knives Corn Sugar Beans
Flour Scarlet & Blue cloth, I would have made the
trade more profitable — As it was I had nothing but
Blkts & bed Ticking A delegation arrived to per-
suade Mountain Tail to go back to the Camp they
offered him three fine Horses which he refused —
he has but one Tongue
May 1855
May 1 — More Crows came this morning after Mountain Tail
he drove them all back & told them if any more
came he would club them
Wed. 2 — Big Six run off last night stole all the Amnumition
&c he could lay his hands on I could have sent &;
overtaken him but as he was only a nuisance in the
Fort T thought to let him go he was always sick
Thurs. 3 — A Blustry day folded & press'd fifty-two packs
robes river rising rapidly Our Boats are all ready
for caulking but T have not force enough to move
the keel Boat Col Vaughan'"''
I'-oirr s.\RP^' jorRXAi. 12:^
May 1855.
Fri. 4 — Made and press'd P,eaver Bear Wolf Deer Elk Big
Horn & Antelope Immediately after supper sun
about one hour high Michel Stoup & a Pagan Squaw
were going down to the river the Squaw about
twenty yards in advance when a party of Black
Feet charged & kill'd the Squaw three shots were
fired at Michel without effect. At the time I was
lying clown in my room had a severe head ache I
jumped & run but without my gun thinking it was
Mr. Meldrom coming. Some of the men halloed
Mr M's coming As I got to the corner of the Fort
three Balls pass'd close by me I run in the Fort
snatched up my gun & by the time I got out it was
too late the Woman was kill'd & scalped & the Hell
Hounds off. A wet night
Sat. 5 — A wet day buried decently the Woman killed yes-
terday. Gave the Indian in the Fort a small present.
Indians much alarmed
Sun. 6 — A long day All of us on the tops of the houses look-
ing for Mr M or the folks from F Union in the
evening hopes run high seen people on horseback
coming to the Fort Mr M's coming was the shout
they neared us & much to our dissapointment we
found it was Indians from Two Faces Camp they
had seen or heard nothing of Mr M. it appears
from thier tale that in the Camp Six the notorious
villian told them I had cached nine horse loads of
good at the month of Tongue river that I had plenty
of Tobaco & Ammunition & they came for some
Myself, Mountain Tail & Mr M's Brother in Law
satisfied them that Six was a liar let me ever get
my clutches on Mr. Nokes^" & if T do not drub
him soundly I will pass for the greatest calf in
Christendom
Men. 7^'*' — Mr Perault''" cS: six others arrived from Ft Union
poor fellows they were a pitifull sight Everyone of
124 FORT SARPY jOl'RXAL
May 1855.
them naked About the crossing they were over-
taken by a party of Sioux numbering over two
hundred the Sioux all mounted & well armed. Some
of the Leading men rode up in advance & told the
men they would spare thier lives but they must
give uj) every thing it was with great difficulty
that the friendly disposed Sioux kept the others back
two of our men got wounded. All of them more or
less shot at. One George Shike a German whom
they took for an American was wounded in two
places & three balls put in his clothing the men
were robbed of thier Guns Ammunition & clothing
poor fellows they had a hard time of it, but were
fortunate in not coming across Blackfeet had they
of met Blackfeet in the situation they were in with-
out a single gun to defend themselves, all would have
been put to the crudest death. Perrault fortunately
preserved the letters for F Sarpy. I opened Mr.
Denings to Mr Meldrom & told Mountain Tail &
the others the danger attending thier accompanying
us & advised them to go home directly whilst thier
people were close they took my advice & started in
the night I find I am one day ahead of the time
caused by Carters mistake. I was right before
Mon. 7 — Correct date, the Fort rnion men all stiff unable
to do any work. My calculation is to push the work
have the Boats in readiness to start at a days notice
& then in case Mr Meldrom does not come I shall
remain untill I find it would be dangerous to re-
main a longer period — so long as the river is in safe
Boating conditon I shall remain but when I see it
to commence to recede & that the cargoes run a risk
of reaching the Point of destination from low water
I shall push on
Tues. 8 — Set some to pick Oakum Others preparing the Col
Vaughan for caulking Got her uji without much
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 125
May 1855.
difficulty it will be a particular job to make a safe
boat of her some of her seams are an inch wide
Wed. 9 — Commenced caulking & find we have not Oakum
to caulk her bottom. Making use of Bale cloths
flour & sugar sacks & Lodge skins
Thurs. 10— got one half of the Vaughan caulked & turned over
commenced on the other side
Fri. 11— Last night the river rose four inches finished the
Col Vaughan & made a good job considering the
materials we had to work with we have put into
her seams one & half Bale Oakum fourteen Bales
cloth & nine good Lodge skins fourteen flour &
Sugar sacks She is well greased & I think By care
& good management she will carry her Cargo safely
down the Yellowstone prepared ways to launch the
Col Vaughan got her in the water without difficulty
Sat. 12 — Commenced caulking the new Boat I was in my
room writing About 12 M I heard some of the men
sing out Indians Mr M's Coming I rushed out of
the Gate unarmed & at a glance I seen they were
not Crows I called all hands inside the Fort locked
the gate had the Cannon loaded to the Muzzle all
ready for them to commence the attack We got on
top of the houses to have a better chance looked
around in every direction seen Indians Some ap-
proaching under the river bank others surrounding
the Fort here was a Fix regularly trapped a Sioux
Trap at that I was under the impression that we
would have a bloody fight I advised coolness &
discretion Ten on horseback some hundred yards
from the Fort I hailed & asked what they wanted
they said they meant us no harm that they were
looking for Blackfeet & came to shake hands with
the Crows' whites I called for the Partisian^so ^q
approach & I would talk & smoke with him One
would not come without the whole ten on horse-
126 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
May 1855.
back I told them that they might come but that if
those on foot came closer I would fire they hesitated
some time at last came on, we had hardly shook
hands with the chiefs before the whole party ar-
rived they all sung- out our hearts are good so I
took thier word we shook hands all around it was
the same party that robbed our men on thier way
up I conversed with them about one hour the chief
told me they had seen a woman in the Fort to bring
her out that they would shake hands & so I brought
out my Squaw they shook hands & left
Sun. 13 — put Osborne on the night watch Seen five during
the night Also in the morning seen Indians on the
opposite side I am in a critical situation I have
charge of an immense property in a dangerous coun-
try only fourteen men & Eight guns Scarcely two
hundred rounds of Ammunition & badly Forted I
shall certainly leave this week 12 M our Sentry
gave the alarm of Indians on Horseback I got on
the Observatory & seen that it was Crows & that
Mr M was in the party. Mr M in good health the
Crows remained but a short time & left for home
Men. 14 — Caulked & launched the new boat river rising
Tues. 15 — Rained all day put up benches in boats
Wed. 16 — Made up Elk & Fox packs rained all day
Thurs. 17 — Took Stock men working at the Boats
Fri, 18— Dunnaged the Boats arranged the crews &c.
Sat. 19 — Loaded up the Boats fired the old Fort & left 1 p. m.
run again a strong head wind passed the gap &
camped early at the mouth of Powder river BufTlo
plenty
Sun. 20 — Made a late start on account of high wind passed
all the Rapids & camped at the head of the Big
hill rained & blowed all night
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 127
May 1855.
Mon. 21 — rained untill 3 p. m. Set in to snowing Snowe<l the
whole night River raised 14 inches
Tues. 22 — A bitter cold morning Started 10 M in a snow
storm camped 12 M above Jabots houses high wind
Wed. 23 — did not move high wind & a heavy snow storm. Mr.
Meldrom very sick
Thurs. 24 — A clear morning Started early & made a good day
Camped in Law's Point
Fri. 25 — Started early & arrived at the mouth 10 a. m. I
went to Fort LTnion to get men to assist in bringing
up the Boats, found CarafelP^^ very sick got the
Boats up before dark, rained hard
Sat. 26 — done nothing rained all day
Sun. 27 — unloaded and reloaded the boats started about 1
p. m. blowing hard
Mon. 28 — A party of Pagans arrived led by the little dog they
say a large party of Pagans & those inveterate dogs
the Blood Indians will be in tomorrow Look for
your top knots Boys
Tues. 29 — About three hundred Pagans & Blood Indians ar-
rived we closed the gates however a great many
got in I suppose about sixty
Wed. 30 — things went along smoothly traded some horses &
robes in opening the gates to let the traders in
Others would rush in Mr. Dening concluded to
leave the small front gate open the Little Dog's
party treated us to a dance & Whilst our attention
was on the dance some few Blood Indians sliped in
to one of the house where an old Assinaboin was
sleeping & cut his throat then dragged him out
about forty yards from the front Bastion & com-
menced mutilating his body in the most horrible
manner. I was dispatched to take charge of the
128 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
May 1855.
Bastion 1 had four men with me right under my
very eyes & at the muzzle of a Six pounder charged
with grape & canister were crowded round the body
of the poor old man they were not aware of the
danger they were in, the fuse was in my hand one
slight move from me & all would be over
they left for home
Thurs. 31 — the Pagans left except the Little Dog's son &
another. Cleaned up stores &c.
June 1855
Frid May 1st — Note : This date should have been "Frid. June 1st."
Commenced taking Inventory & find it will be a
considerable job
Sat. 2 — Going on with Inventory
Sun. 3 — A beautifull day done nothing
Men. A — Going on with the Inventory they are an immense
amount of property in Fort Union
Tues. 5 — Started with a band of twentyseven horses to Fort
Berthold^^- Along with me was two Spaniards the
Little Dog & Son & another half Pagan & Blood
Indian Kill'd two cows & camp'd about ten miles
below the Bobires^^^
Wed. 6 — Made an early start run & kill'd two cows Stop'd
10 M & eat Gathered up our horses & started 12 M
About One p. m. seen Indians on horseback. Caught
& saddled up each of us a runner Started the Spani-
ards to find who they were I remained with the
horses & Indians they proved to be Grosvonts re-
turning from a hunt 3 p. m. arrived at the Dry
fork & found some Grosvonts camp'd making meat,
the took & hid the Indians in the Brush As a short
distance of a camp of two hundred lodges of Assyna-
boins are camp'd & if they should happen to come
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 129
June 1855.
across the Little Dog they would soon make Wolf
meat of him. Started at Sun down & travelled fast
till 12. Slep't below white riv
Thurs. 7 — Made an early start & stopped for the night on the
Water raises^^*. About 1 M I was call'd by a Gros-
vont who came with me from the Dry fork & told
that he seen three Indians pass through the horses
& heard them talking Sioux I did not believe him
but however in as dangerous a country as this is
it behooves every one to be on his guard. I saddled
my horse & counted them, found none missing &
started
Fri. 8 — Arrived safe at Fort Berthold 7 M found a large
delegation of Ricarees & Mandans at the Village
waiting to recieve the little dog about midday three
Indians that had been out looking for the Grosvonts
came in with the news of a war party of Sioux on
the water raises the deception was mutual we took
them for Sioux so did they us
Sat, 9 — A wet morning cleared up 12 M I started for Fort
LTnion 2 p. m. had with me three men Camped
ten miles above the Water raises
Sun. 10 — Made the longest days travel that has been made
in this country to my knowledge Camped on a little
creek above the dry Fork in the night heard the
dogs of some camp
Men. 11 — Saddled up started early proceeded but a short dis-
tance & discovered the Assynaboin camp got to
them & remained all day one of my horses being a
little lame detained me
Tues. 12 — Started late cross'd the Bobires 12 M at the red
spring I discovered sixteen Sioux on horseback but
luckily for us they were on the opposite side of the
river & the Missouri being very high it is not an
easy matter to cross horses. I went down to the
130 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
June 1855.
bank of the river & tantalised them with my presence
for an hour or such a matter I left them & arrived
at Fort Union at 4 p. m. making the trip in eight
days, travelling time five if that is not skimming
the prairies I dont know what is
Wed. 13 — A Beautiful day Lounging about the Fort
Thurs. 14 — Accompanied F. G. Riter^'^^ Esqr to his garden &
was surprised to see vegetation flourish so well in
this out of the way part of the world
Fri. 15 — This day dined sumptuously on lettuce & radishes
the first I have eat for six years
Sat. 16 — A wet day river rising fast
Sun. 17 — Rain in the fore part of the day Commenced re-
pairing one side of the Fort Self on night guard
Men. 18 — it will take the Balance of the week to repair the
damage done by the wind 17 ult Self still on night
guard A AVar party comprising one hundred Black-
feet were discovered yesterday
Tues. 19 — A beautiful day Every thing tranquil no sign of
the enemy
Wed. 20 — The old Spaniardi*^*^ was seen by Indians whilst out
looking for the Cattle
Thurs. 21 — Some Crees & Chippeways arrived brot a few robes
& skins — traded & left in the night
Fri. 22 — Nothing stirring All quiet
Sat. 23 — A rainy day no sign of the enemy
Sun. 24 — A large party of Assynaboins & North Crees arrived
traded what the}- had & left in the night
Men. 25 — the Enemy hovering in the vicinity of the Fort I
dont think they wish to kill us but are waiting an
o})p()rtunity to steal our horses
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 131
June 1855.
Tues. 26 — a fine day everytbinq- ([uict very warm
Wed, 27 — Nothinj^: stirring- tine pleasant storm
Thurs. 28 — A heavy rain attended by thunder & Hg-htning
Fri. 29 — A dull day, cool 8z windy
Sat. 30 — All the squaws out on a service berry Imnt returned
loaded with fruit
July 1855
Sun. 1 — Squaws & Bucks gathering berries
Men. 2 — Very Cool Hail storm Nothing of the Steamboat
Tues. 3 — four of our folks out in the point below the opposi-
tion hunting were attacked by a large party of
Sioux the boys threw the meat of thier horses &
made thier escape I came out one hickory gun
stick & gun cover loser & consider myself lucky
that I did not lose my gun — As the person that
borrowed my rifle has a habit of throwing away
guns when attacked by Indians I have known him
to lose six & this is the only time that he ever came
in with his gun Once he left his horse trusting to
his heels being the swifter "What we
have here
Wed. 4 — A dull fourth No sign of the Steam Boat river
very low and the prospect is that if She dont arrive
this week that in all probability She will not be able
to reach this point without another rise & that we
have but little hope for Indians discovered prowling
about the Fort No injury done as yet but no telling
how soon
Thurs. 5 — A beautiful day All quiet
Fri. 6 — four Assynaboins arrived from the Wood Moun-
tain— report the camp moving this way during the
night six more Assynaboins arrived We were visited
132 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
July 1855.
with a tremendous storm Wind from N. W. the
enclosure surrounding the mill house was entirely
blown down
Sat. 7 — Our Hunters started out this morning
Sun. 8 — Hunters returned with meat of the Bulls
Men. 9 — I & two others started out hunting ret. with the
meat of two cows & one Bull Found Mr. Denig's
son^^^ & two others from the Steamboat She was
at Fort Berthold when they left
Tues. 10 — Making preparations to recieve the Steamboat
Wed. 11 — we had the pleasure of greeting the arrival of the
Steamer St Mary^^^ quite a number of gentlemen
arrived among which were A. Culbertson Esqr Col
A. Gumming, Supt. of Indian Afifairs Col A. J.
Vaughan Ind. Agt & Major Hatch of the Blackfoot
Agency & several other gentlemen
Thurs. 12 — buisy unloading & recieving goods from Steamer
Fri. 13 — Ship'd robes & peltries the Steamer left 1 p. m.
Mr E. T. Denig left on a visit to the States Joy be
with him may he enjoy a pleasant trip is the wish
of Riter & myself
Sat. 14 — buisy working about the stores
Sun. 15 — Gala day Indians dancing & Self took a small blow-
out
Men. 16 — rec. Fort Benton goods
Tues. 17 — finished rec. F. B. goods & stored the same the
Boats left for F. B. Mess Kipp & Dawson in charge
Major Hatch Doct Haydon^^^ & several other pas-
sengers
Wed. 18 — Knocking about the Fort getting scythes in order
to commence cutting hay
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 133
July 1855.
Thurs, 19 — Putting stores &c in order
Fri. 20 — Commenced cutting hay between the two forts fine
day
Sat. 21 — Still cutting hay
Sun. 22 — took a genteel Blow out
Men. 23 — finished cutting hay at this point cut 19 loads of
splendid hay
Tues. 24 — Started a short distance above the Fort to cut hay
cut a little & find it wont pay the grass being
too thin
Wed. 25 — Cross'd over the river to make hay — Started six
scythes cut a good deal
Thurs. 26 — finished cutting all that was fit to cut & sent word
to that efifect
Fri. 27 — Mr F Girard^^^ came over & was convinced of the
worthless quality of the grass but desired me to
keep on as it was Mr Culbertson's positive orders
to cut everything so here goes obey orders if you
break owners has always been my motto
Sat. 28 — Cutting weeds & a little grass mixed but a small
portion of the latter article Cross'd over in the eve-
ning and found that Mr Culbertson Lady & party
had left for Fort Benton
Sun. 29 — Col Vaughan gave us a small blow out
Mon. 30 — Cross'd over a horse & cart to haul hay Made two
small stacks three mowers cutting above
Tues. 31 — Hauling & stacking hay I think I have about sixty
loads cut such as it is
134 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
August 1855
Wed. 1 — knocking about among the mowers & hay haulers
Thurs. 2 — I find it very slow work hauling hay as the grass
was cut in spots here there & everywhere — where
ever we could cut an armfull
Thurs, 3 — Myself & two others working at the hay
Fri. ■'1 — the same as yesterday
Sat. 5 — took a look at the folks cutting above they make
but poor headway
Sun. 6 — I heard from F G R that Mr M told Mr Culbertson
that the Crows scared me to give goods to them
the "Old "Liar
Men. 6 — rain done nothing over the river
Tues. 7 — Showery in the forenoon
Wed. 8 — Scatter'd hay immediately after we were done it
commenced raining
Thurs. 9 — A showery day done nothing
Fri. 10 — rain'd hard all day
Sat. 11 — Showery went up to the garden sowed some radish
seed & got a supply of vegetables for the table
Sun. 12 — fine day making preparations to start for timber
tomorrow
Men. 13 — Started to the Point of timber above the little Muddy
to get out saw logs made a good camp & prepared
to work in the morning Our Hunter did not come in
Tues. 14 — got breakfast early & started my men out Our
hunter returned with the meat of a fat cow cut
forty logs & got out twenty curbs men work excellent
our cattle hard to manage in each team we have
one yoke of unbroken cattle hauled but seven logs
with both teams
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 135
August 1855.
Wed. 15 — Perranlt getting out curbs three men chopping &
the rest assisting the teams
Thurs. 16 — finished cutting timber all hands except Perrault
cutting roads & assisting the teamsters, got scared
by a Bear
Fri. 17 — Started our hunter to the Fort as we have plenty
of meat rec'd express from Fort commenced raft-
ing, lost three of our oxen Suppose they have gone
home
Sat. 18 — finished building tvv^o rafts thirty-two logs in each
fifty curbs & an oar for the Crow boat sent the
teams to the Fort
Sun. 19 — the rafts made an early start Myself came down
on foot to look for a young bull that was lost did
not find him. One of the rafts arrived 12 M &
stated that the other was grounded in the night
One man arrived from the raft to procure assistance
Mon. 20 — Sick — Started five men to the raft the raft arrived
11 a. m. All right
Tues. 21 — Some better Assisted to caulk the Crow boat got
her in the water
Wed. 22 — Loaded the Crow boat & started about 1 p. m.
hauled one load of hay from above In the evening
the hunters from the Crow boat returned to the
opposite side of the river as also two Crows they
stated that they had kill'd a cow & were returning
to the boat when three Sioux charged on them they
threw thier meat away & sloped — "Oh the Bitches,
our horses stolen
Fri. 24 — Commenced Col Vaughan's boat in the evening
the Brave Hunters two Crows & one Grosvont ar-
rived on the opposite side & halloed for help sent
for them & said they had seen two Indians & Mr
Meldrom had concluded to turn back. A Brave Act
136 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
August 1855.
Sat. 25 — tinished the Col's boat all ready for caulking Mr
M's Boat arrived, seen some Indians over the river
appear to be crossing on to this side
Sun. 26 — ^^^Early this morning we had the extra pleasure of
grasping the hands of a few Sioux A party was
discovered back of the fort All hands out armed
& equipped as the law directs Girard Lophyr^^^ ^
myself went out & met them they told us they were
from the Crows & was on the look out for Assyna-
boins they said they seen our hunters & wanted to
shake hands with them but they run off they report
the Crows on Powder river them & the Sioux have
been there all summer but have parted the Sioux
camp are at the thin hills they stated they seen the
Crow boat & were going to buy some tobaco, they
are friendly with the Crows they also report that
a fight had taken place between the Crows & Black-
feet & that the Crows got the worst of the battle,
we brought five in the fort gave them a cup of
cofife & a small present Col Vaughan gave his red
children a talk & when through they sloped for
Dobey town, being as our forces here were strong
they behaved well but had we been the weaker
party there is no telling what might have happened
an express arrived from Dobey town^^^ stating that
CampbelP^'* & a half Breed was caught out from
the Fort their horses stolen & themselves stripped
to the Buff Unlucky Dobey town
Men. 27 — Caulked & launched Col Vaughan's boat unloaded
the Crow boat reloaded her for Fort Benton Self
making preparations to start with express for Fort
Benton I intend leaving before day
Tues. 28 — Started 2 M Day broke on me at the little Muddy.
Seen the opposition folks from the Blackfeet Ar-
rived at the Big Muddy 10 a. m. Met Le Gras^^^ &
the Fool Bear^^^ made them a cup of coffe they
y>r J^' ->' V . •' V-
FOOL BEAR OR CRAZY BEAR, ASSINIBOINE CHIEF
Kui'z Journal, Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin lir».
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 137
August 1855.
told me to be on my guard as six young Bucks run
off to war they advised me to take care of my
napper^^'^ & Horses I learn that three horses were
stolen from Mr Culbertson left & shortly after
leaving discovered three Bucks following me kept
on at a smart walk until about four O clock stopped
& let the horses eat a couple of hours started again
&: kept on a smart pace untill an hour after dark
camp'd eight miles below tremble river
Wed. 29 — Made an early start my horse fell with me but done
no injury Breakfast at Tremble^^^ River saddle up
and proceeded but a short distance when I dis-
covered an Assynaboin camp of about thirty lodges
I took out in order to give them the slip however
I was seen by a party of men & women on thier
way out to cut lodge poles, from this party I learned
that the reason the three young men stole Mr Cul-
bertson's horses was his Brother in law cut a hand
of an Assynaboin off & they took the horses for
pay moved about fifteen miles above Tremble river
kill'd a cow plenty of Buffaloa camped on the
creek with fine water grass & timber I do not
know the name it bears — (Quaken Asp)
Thurs. 30 — On getting up this morning I found myself com-
pletely surrounded by Buffaloes my horses were
feeding along with them saddled up & started morn-
ing cool «& very misty jogged along at a snail's pace
& came on Milk river about two o'clock p. m.
stopped a couple of hours to cook & let my horses
eat. I have come here in a remarkably short time
& hereafter I shall take it easier as I apprehend but
little danger from this out, Buffaloes very plenty
I should not be surprised if there is a camp on Milk
river the Buff are all travelling down catched up
my horses & travelled at a slow pace camp'd about
four miles above the porcupine in the night we
were visited by a shower of rain
138 FORT SARPY JOURNAl.
August 1855.
Fri. 31 — Cool & ver\- windy took Breakfast about seven
O clock l')nffal(), E1I< Deer cv Antelope very plenty
iioonM at camp Pecan [omul Mr Culbertson's ba,q;-
g'dge waggon here I find from a card left on a
tree that they passed here on the fifth ult. Seen a
party of Indians on horseback 1 am under the im-
pression that 1 was not seen by them Kill'd two
Bulls raised thier tongues & slept on a small creek
plenty of sign of Beaver Buflflo in abundance
September 1855
Sat. 1 — took Breakfast before I started on starting I dis-
covered that one of my horses was sick went but
a short distance kill'd two cows & one Bull took
meat enough for a couple of meals my horse got
some better eats tolerable well made another start
& crossed milk river took across & cut oiT the Big
Bend. Stopped to cook supper at Empty bottle camp
in every camp Mr Culbertson slept I find bottles
powder cannisters &c. had he left a bottle full of
brandy there would have been some sense in it. I
am confident that there are Indians in this vicinity
I have seen good signs Bufifalo raised in diflferent
directions I hope that all would be right in case I
should meet them. Camped after dark on the river
Sun. 2 — On getting up this morning I was a little surprised
to find my horses missing I looked well for a couple
of hours Examined the tracks & found some thirty
or forty horses had passed during the night I gave
them up for lost returned to camp & hung up my
saddles &c. on a tree packed myself & woman &
started on foot I had proceeded but a short distance
wdien I discovered something in the hills beckoning
to me I immediately went & found three Crow-
Indians they had passed along in the night & seeing
the horses took them thinking they belonged to
1<X)RT SARf^V JOURNAL 139
September 1855.
Blackfeet & were laying low to take thior nappers
from them as they would come out in the morning".
I told them to go home as Government was about
effecting a treaty with the Blackfeet they gave me
thier word they would I gave them the news — they
appear very sorry and blame Mr Meldrom very
much this has been a remarkably warm day one
of the hottest of the season travelled slow took
dinner about six miles from where I slept I can
almost call this a lost day — however I consider my-
self very fortunate that I have not been put on foot
caught up my horses & kept on up the river a little
before sundown saw a fine horse in the hills went
to it & with but little trouble caught it proved to
be a mare — she is a noble looking animal of a dark
brown color, camp'd at sundown grass excellent
Men. 3 — a fine clear morning started early cross'd over the
river killed a fine cow & stop'd to breakfast about
9 a. m. Started on a short time met Mr Wray with
six waggons on his way to Fort Union I sent my
mare by him to Fort Union Killed another cow &
took meat enough to do me to Fort Benton they
tell me there are no Bufflo above here. I also learned
that Mr Culbertson had left Fort Benton to meet
the Boats. Mr. B. Champagne & Motsena were of
the party wrote a few lines by Mr Wray to Mr
Girard camp'd on Milk river grass excellent
Tues. 4 — Made an early start travelled briskly untill about
eight O clock, let the horses walk from that untill
eleven O clock took dinner a short distance below
the two little rivers I have not seen any Buffalo
since yesterday Started at about two p. m. it com-
menced clouding up & thundering picked out a
good place & camp'd 3 p. m. however it all turned
out wind no rain — Camp'd on a small creek
140 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
September 1855.
Wed. 4* — Started early & travelled briskly cross'd below
Champagne houses^^^ let my horses drink & feed
a couple of hours Saddled up and proceeded but a
short distance when Brick's^^o horse gave evident
signs of giving out I have not packed him carrying
all our meat coffe & clothing on my own horse since
I left F Union Camp'd about three O clock on Eagle
creek water & grass most excellent I hope this
afternoon's & night's rest will enable him to per-
form the balance of the journey My own horse ap-
pears to be better on the trip he is a most excellent
horse but rather scary for the prairie
Thurs. 5 — made an early start took breakfast on beaver creek —
about ten O clock commenced raining rain'd hard
untill three camp'd in the prairie about ten miles
from the Marias
Fri. 6 — Started before day & came on the Marias made a
cup of coffe cook some meat & eat shaved & shirted
in order to meet the Fort Ben. folks Saddled up &
started Met a party of Indians on the Crow
ca-ja-na^oi on thier way out a hunting Also one
white man belonging to Gov Steven's party Arrived
at Fort Benton 11 a. m. Seen his Excellency Gov
Stevens — Col Cummings Mess Kennerly & Cham-
pagne learned that Mr Culbertson had gone down
to meet the Boats — no one in the Fort lonesome
time
Sat. 7 — A fine day cleaned my rifle & revolver looking for
Mr Munroe to come in from the Grosvont camp
Expect Mr. Culbertson tomorrow or next day dur-
ing the evening some pagans arrived being a part
of a war party on thier way to the Crows May they
come home the worse of the battle is the fond wish
of your humble servant
* The writer used date of "4th" twice.
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 141
September 1855.
Sun. 8 — A beautiful day paid a visit to Gov Stevens the
Gov is very anxious to glean information of the
Crows & thier country gave him what little I knew
of the Agricultural qualities of the Crow country
Men. 10 — A wet morning cleared up about 9 a. m. in the
evening Mr Culbertson arrived as also A. Vaughan
& Willson Esqr bring news of a fight between the
Grosvonts & Crows of which five of the latter were
killed. I presume it was the band I met on my
way up.
Tues. 11 — Making preparations to start to Fort Union intend
going by water in a small skiflF
Wed. 12 — Started from F. Benton at half past eleven a. m.
Camp'd three points above the Marias our party
consist of Mr Champagne Esqr Bricks a young
Pagan & myself fine days
Thurs. 13 — Made an early start stopp'd to kill some meat at
the three Islands202 kill'd a deer & took dinner be-
low the Islands a strong head wind the whole day —
Camp'd below fine horse Island
Fri. 14 — Started early had got but a short distance say
about two miles when we had to come to on account
of wind blew hard all day during the afternoon I
was out hunting Antelope. Mr Champagne & the
Pagan were asleep Bricks browning coflFe when Mr
Bear paid a visit to the camp Bricks threw a stick
at him & gave the alarm to the sleepers I came in
at that time the young Pagan and myself started
in pursuit & killed him he was a fine roystering
blade of youngster & made a good show for a fight.
Hawkins-''^ sickened him & three rounds from Colts
put him past fighting
Sat. 15 — rather windy however not enough to stop us At the
Citadel seen three Pagans they had been on a hunt
& had plenty of meat report the Grosvont camp had
142 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
September 1855.
run to the Muscle Shell for fear of the Crows had
killed yesterday two Grosvonts by the Crows four
Crows three men & one woman got killed below the
hole in the WalP*''* came too on account of wind
about sundown pushed off & slept in a Crow fort
Sun. 16— Started & had a fine current nearly the whole day
took dinner at the Old Judith Fort^^^^ camped be-
tween Adams & Rondin's rapids^^e killed a Bull
Men. 17 — Rained all day about half past ten came across two
Boats Mr Dawson in charge — Stopped a short time
took Mr. Dawson on Board, he is going down to
meet Mr. Kipps' Boat — left Bricks with Rivier
camp'd at Snake Point^^'^
Tues. 18— About two O clock this morning commenced snow-
ing & raining the hills covered with snow Started
about twelve O clock M. Come too at Cow Island^''^
laid a few hours for wind pushed ofT — Stop'd at the
head of Grand Island^®^ Started again & reached
Mr Kipp's Boat a little after dark
Wed. 19 — Snowed all night cleared off at nine a. m. after
dinner all hands took a Bear hunt
Thurs. 20 — Foggy morning cleared up at nine a. m. Started
again left Mr Dawson on the Barge took Mr. Kipp
on Board for Fort Union made eleven points &
camp'd early in a beautiful point the whistling of
the Elk kept us awake all night. Kill'd a Bull
Fri. 21 — A Beautiful day Started very early took dinner
after making six points camp'd two points above
Muscle Shell— Kill'd a fine Elk
Sat. 22 — Started early & had a good current nearly all day
Made eight Points & took dinner Kill'd two Elk
& two fat deer camp'd above Forchettes point^'" —
fine dav
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 143
September 1855.
Sun. 23 — A Beautifull morning got along slowly but little
current & head winds made four & a half points
before dinner Started & a little before sundown
came on Mr F. G. Riter's Boat just at the round
Bute2ii all well
Men. 24 — 'hauled out our skiff left Mr Champagne — Dophin^i^
& wife & child as also Mr Riter came on board for
Fort Union made two points & came too on account
of wind Started & run to sundown made five &
half points
Tues. 25 — Blowing a gale fixed up camp I went out on a
hunt — seen plenty of Deer but had no chance for
a shot— kill'd a fine Elk Friday kiU'd a fat Bull
Wed. 26 — Started early made four points & took dinner killed
a cow & Bear camp'd one point below the Dry
Fork2i3. Made seven points
Thurs. 27 — made an early start took dinner below Milk river
killed a very fat cow & camp'd a little above the
Porcupine river Bufflo & Elk very plenty from
Milk river to the round Bute the distance is thir-
teen points
Fri. 28 — high winds from the N E remained all day Killed
the fattest Deer I have ever seen it is impossible to
eat anything but the hams
Sat. 29 — Started early made four points & took dinner —
Made three more & camp'd killed two Beaver — I
forgot to mention that yesterday we killed a Badger
in camp
Sun. 30 — laid by all day for wind about one half hour before
sundown started & made one half Point
144 FORT SARPY lOl'RXAL
October 1855
Mon. 1 — Started before daylight made two & half points
came too to get dinner blowing a gale from N W
at half past three made another start made four &
half Points camp'd two points below tremble river
killed a fine Deer
Tues. 2 — Started before day got two points & discovered a
large band of horses drinking got on the other side
as soon as possible hailed them they proved to be a
Crow camp of one hundred lodges put out my man
Friday for fear of Squalls Mr Riter accompanied
him to another point & took them on Board I am
much alarmed for my man Friday I was opposed
to his coming with us & if I can get him home safe
I shall never travel with a Blackfoot on enemy's
ground Camp'd below Carafells^^* houses made
seven points
Wed. 3 — High winds from the N W with rain unable to
make a move wind bound close to the Fort is very
very unpleasant Especially in this case as we are
entirely out of coflfe & sugar but have plenty meat
the swell of the river foundered our boat fortunately
for us we had taken every thing out of her. four
O clock p. m. Still no prospect of the wind abat-
ing— had the wind fallen so that we could have
made a point or so today we could easily reach Fort
Union in another day by hard pulling. Feasting
on Fat Deer — Beaver & Cherry Tea. We have an
excellent encampment. Completely sheltered from
view on both sides of the River. Killed a large fat
Buck hauled out our Skifif & bailed her out the
bottom covered with sand to the depth of six inches.
Thurs. 4 — Still a high wind from the N West unable to start
plenty of meat but nothing else last night the water
in the boat frose ice one half inch thick A very cold
day. cleaned the sand out of our boat roasted &
eat some delicious ribs Buflflo plenty but it is fool-
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 145
October 1855.
ishness to kill as we have plenty of meat to supply
our wants & the report of a gun might be the means
to discover us. About ten O clock the opposition
carts ten in number arrived on thier way to Fort
Benton, got news from Forts Clark^is ^ Union
hear that Mr Clarke is coming on with fourteen
carts to oppose the Fort Benton trade
Fri. 5 — No prospects of leaving very cold & wind from
N W. opposition folks still remain — Killed two fat
deer Bufflo plenty wrote Mr Dawson by Gardape^is
I hope he will receive it Gardape & party left three
O clock p. m. Crossed the Bobieres^^'^ & camp'd
Still remain in camp strong hopes of the winds
falling tomorrow.
Sat. 6 — Started six O clock A. M. pulled hard the whole
day Made no stop & arrived at Fort Union at half
past five — this has been a tedious & long uncom-
fortable trip found at the Fort all well except some
children Since I left there has been two deaths both
children One a daughter of J P Perraults the other
a daughter of Mrs J B Cardinal^i-^ found Mr M
Clark here with eleven carts on his w^ay to Fort
Benton to oppose us in the trade
Sun. 7 — A beautifull day — Sauntered about the foit had Mess
Clark & McKenzie^i^ for dinner
Men. 8 — Making preparations to start on a perilous trip in
search of the Crows on the other side of the Moun-
tains it will at the least calculation take four months
to make the trip & if a severe winter it cannot be
made short of Eight Months
Tues. 9 — A party of Crows & Grosventres arrived from the
Crow camp, they bring discouraging news — they
say all of the Crows with the exception of one hun-
dred & thirty seven lodges that will be here in a
few days, Are on the Platte 8z Sliould T be able to
146 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
October 1855.
find them they are under the impression that I
could not get them on the Yellow Stone, they told
Mr Kipp & myself not to let Mr Meldrom go for
as sure as he went they would kill him As for
myself they would not harm me or any one else in
my company but Mr M & that my interest could
not save Mr M's life Mr Kipp has deferred the trip
for the present
Wed. 10 — All hands buisy digging & gathering our potatoes
the frost in the night of Aug 15 has destroyed the
crop
Thurs. 11 — finished gathering our potatoes Our hunters ret
with the meat of four cows A party of Sioux were
discovered in the vicinity of the Fort As we have
but few men I volunteered to stand guard for a
short trip
Fri. 12 — I seen nothing unusual last night kept lights in
each Bastion, this is most beautifull weather. Sent
my man Friday home Also wrote Mr Clark to
keep out of the way of the Crow Camp. I am much
afraid that the Crows are going to be a bad people
& I know what has drove them to it — As regards
myself I am in no ways alarmed, for I am confidant
my person or property will not be molested by them,
but others must look out
Sat. 13 — Mess Girard & Clemow^so q^ a duck hunt
Sun. 14 — Our Duck hunters returned with a fine lot of Duck
& geese
Men. 15 — Our hunters out after meat during the day some
Crows arrived from Camp to trade
Tues. 16— traded a few robes from the Crows Our hunters
returned with the meat of four cows
Wed. 17 — An Assynaboin arrived from the Sand hills^^i report
BufTalos plenty
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 147
October 1855.
Thurs. 18 — A very windy day A party of Crows arrived oppo-
site the fort but could not cross owing to the wind
they stated that they were from the Mountains on
thier way to join the Crows that are above
Fri. 19 — Mr Meldrom started to the Crow Camp crossed
over the Crows, from them we learned that the big
camp has run over the Mountains in order to get
rid of some sickness that has been committing great
havoc amongst them upwards of four hundred have
died from the disease
Sat, 20 — Girard & Co started on another duck hunt to the
lake but returned — Seeing six fires and some Indians
the supposition is that the enemies are about Sioux
I suppose
Sun. 21 — Commenced snowing about 8 O clock & snowed
hard all day. Mr. Meldrom returned from camp
bringing a few Indians along reports buflfaloa plenty
& close
Mon. 22 — fine day snow melting fast traded a few robes &
beaver from the Crows
Tues. 23 — Sent out hunting. Four Bears^^s & party of Gros-
ventres arrived from thier village they are on a
visit to the Crows they bring bad news from the
Sioux
Wed. 24 — the Grosventres left, the Two White Weasles-^^
Crow arrived with a few beaver
Thurs. 25 — Cadot & four men arrived from fort Benton with
fifty odd horses & mules Cadot left on the 8th Mr
Culbertson & Col Cummings left for the Judith on
the same day to hold a treaty with the upper tribes
he seems to think that all will go well — I hope so
Fri. 26 — Friday fine day nothing strange preparing to start
out in the barge with our horses
148 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
October 1855.
Sat. 27 — Started with band of horses & mules to Snake
Bute224 killed five cows found the grass but tol-
erable water miserable set two traps for Wolf
Sun. 28— Ramsey225, Bouchie226 & Constantine227 went back
to the Fort Cadot & Alvary'-^s remain with me
caught three Wolves
Men. 29 — had great trouble collecting the horses I found
them much scattered 3 wolves
Tues. 30 — Same as yesterday I am afraid I shall lose some
of my horses found 46 some six miles from camp
Wed. 31 — Beautiful weather Ramsey & Caddot came out for
Col Cummings mules received a few lines from
friend Riter no news
November 1855
Thurs. 1 — No person from F. U. a band of Assynaboins thirty
in number came to my camp and spent the night
with me
Fri. 2 — Catching wolves & killing Bulls
Sat. 3 — The two Caddottes arrived with news for me to
come in with my horses I also learned from them
that a difficulty occurred between Girard & a half
breed & that Girard killed the half breed Girard
was sent to St. Louis to stand his trial
Sun. 4 — Got to Fort Union with all my horses found Mr
Kipp very unwell I learn that Col Cummings gave
permission to establish big trading house for the
Assynaboins.
Mon. 5 — Levelling the bank in front of the Fort so the
Cannons from the Bastions will command the river
bank. Some Crows arrived
FORT SARPY lOlRXAL 149
November 1855.
Tues. 6 — Still working at the hill Started two waf2:gons to
the Bobourse to build trading houses John C
Rollete223 arrived from St. Louis with express
Harney^^*^ has gave the Brulus a drubbing Fort
full of Crows to recieve thier presents Considerably
hard talk I would not be surprised if it would end
in a difficulty, the Crows are getting very mean
Wed. 7 — Gave the Crows thier Annuities All went ofif well
Every one appears satisfied One of our men was
standing at the gate A Crow fired his gun at him
& wounded him severely, the other Crows to a man
were for killing the Crow on the spot but we inter-
fered & saved his life however they took his gun
& broke it over his head & drubbed him soundly
Thurs. 8 — The Crows all left they appear to be very sorry for
what was done yesterday & hope we will not censure
the whole nation for the faults of one bad man.
Certainly not.
Fri. 9^Some few Crows came & went they are very uneasy
traded a few robes
Sat. 10 — Quite a number of Crows came to see the wounded
man they made him a present of 12 robes & say
that as soon as they have them dressed they are
going to give him 130 robes and a horse traded a
few robes the Crows left
Sun. 11 — Snowed hard the whole day Ever}- appearance of
Winter setting in upon us No news of Denig
Mon. 12 — Cold day towards night commenced snowing Some
Crows arrived & state that the Indian that shot our
man made an attempt to commit suicide Our
hunters killed 5 deer
Tues. 13 — Cold day Nothing worth recording
Wed. 14 — Same as yesterday hunters brot in 3 deer
150 FORT SARPY JOl^RNAL
November 1855.
Thurs. 15 — Very Cold Some Crows arrived hunters brot in
2 deer & 1 cow
Fri. 16— Pleasant day hunters brot in 6 cows Report Buf-
falos plenty & close
Sat. 17 — Fine day the two Cadottes started after an Her-
maphrodite Cow that they had wounded yesterday
they found the cow the young Cadotte went to head
the cow the other took through the brush to cut her
off his rifle caught a brush & went ofif the ball
passed through his lung he lived but a few minutes
Sun. 18 — Buried Mr Cadotte. two Crows arrived, brot some
little meat & a few robes
Men. 19 — Snow. Excavating the bank & cleaning up the Calf
house, quite a party of Crows arrived, brought in a
few robes & a quantity of meat, it Appears that
we are going to be troubled with those pests the
whole Winter, they have been coaxing us to build
trading houses for them & now that they have them
they will not trade but intend to trade here. Expect-
ing waggons from F Benton
Tues. 20 — The Crows remained all day a party of Grosventres
arrived Enroute for the Crow Camp — Carpenters
getting out timbers for Sleighs
Wed. 21 — The Grosventres left for the Crows
Thurs. 22 — Some Crows came on a begging expedition but got
what the boy shot at hunters brot in the meat of
two fine cows
Fri. 23 — Crows coming & going the opposition folks arrived
from the Blackfeet, they Say our boats had not got
up when they left, they came down in twenty Six
days, report the Snow deep above
Sat 24 — Clear fine day Express from St Louis arrived but
nothing for me the Grosventres arrived on thier way
home, the Crows gave them a great many horses
i
FORT SARVY jOrRNAL 151
November 1855.
Sun. 25 — J. C Rolette Started above to take charge of the
Winter houses. Mr Meldrom is to come down
Men. 26 — Clear & warm Some meat traded our hunters killed
two fine cows
Tues. 27 — Clear & pleasant Snow dissapearing- fast making
a road on the ice. hunters killed one cow
Wed. 28 — finished road across the river in the Evening Mr
E T Denig & family, Mess Morgan--'^ Robt Denig
& Labombarde232 arrived from St I.ouis Via St
Pauls & Red river having been nearly three months
on thier trip
Thurs. 29 — Same weather nothing worth recording
Fri. 30— Dull Dull dull - -
December 1855
Sat. 1 — Clear & pleasant Cadotte & Bompard start for the
Winter houses to bring down the horses.
Sun. 2 — Fort Union pretty well filled up upwards of 130
souls living in the fort High wind Cleaned up fort
Some Assinaboins came in
Men. 3 — Regular spring weather traded considerable from
the Crows, the Crows had a war dance in the Fort
Tues. A — the Crows are quite a bore the bother the life out
of every one in the fort except myself
Wed. 5 — Crow Camp moved across the river
Thurs. 6 — Some little trading going on
Fri. 7 — Clear & warm the Crows very troublesome
Sat. 8 — Cloudy the Wagon from the Trading house came in
Sun. 9 — Snow in the morning Cleared up in the afternoon
Mon. 10 — Snow Some Crows came with a present of 50 robes
to pay for shooting the Dutchman
152 FORT SARPY lOURNAL
December 1855.
Tues. 11 — Snow working on the road across the river, but
little going on
Wed. 12 — Clear & pleasant Some little trade going on
Thurs. 13 — Fort filled with Crows A Cree arrived with a
stolen horse Chiene came from the Winter houses
Fri. 14 — Clear the Blackfoot Wagons in charge of Mr Rose
Arrived As also Bricks — Stones — Missy
Sat. 15 — high Winds all day but little trade
Sun. 16 — Clear & cold quite a quiet day but few Indians
Men. 17 — Same Chene & three others started to Ft Benton
Tues. 18 — Cold Bombard & Degnue^^s started to Rolette's
Wed. 19 — Snow & wind a Crow Buck shot a ( ?)
Berkshire Boar for sport "Oh the Brute.
Thurs. 20 — Snow decidedly the coldest day this far Our hunters
killed two cows — Crows hunting
Fri. 21 — Clear & cold Thermometer stood at 29 below zero
packed the Blackfeet Wagons
Sat. 22 — Snow during the night 30 below zero Buffaloa
plenty around the Fort our hunters killed 4 cows,
the Crows stole the meat of two Rose has some
horses missing
Sun. 23 — 22 below zero Mr Riter a little indisposed Crows
& our hunters slaying the Bufifalos
Men. 24 — Mr Rose started to Ft Benton with 6 waggons four
horses in each I propheysy that he will never reach
Milk River without a relay of horses no animals in
the world can stand such weather Rose thinks not —
we will see
Tues, 25 — Clear & cold a quiet Christmas
Wed. 26 — Dobies Expedition started for Ft Campbell
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 153
December 1855.
Thurs. 27 — Some little Meat trade going on
Fri. 28 — hunters killed 2 cows Bompard & Degnue started
to the Winter houses
Sat. 29 — Cold our hunters killing Bufifaloa
Sun. 30 — Snow trading Meat
Mon. 31 — Snow & high wind — dull dreary times
January 1856
Tues. 1 — Hail Happy New Year we had a nice little Rail
last night No salutes fired on acount of Bufiflo being
so plenty — No grog being on hand the consequence
was that all hands kept sober
Wed. 2— Clear & cold Bufiflo plenty
Thurs. 3 — Thermometer stood at 34 below zero Bufifaloa thick
close to the fort
Fri. 4 — Clear &: cold got in the meat of 4 cows
Sat, 5 — Stormy day nothing going on
Sun. 6 — Cold & Stormy Two Assinaboins arrived
Mon. 7 — this has been the worst day I ever saw the wind
blew a hurricane you cannot see six inches the
snow has filled the air T am alarmed for our people
from Rolettes
Tues. 8 — Clear & cold Our people came in at dusk they were
caught in yesterday's storm seven horses & two
oxen frose to death & the party came near sharing
the fate of the animals. A little child, the Daughter
of the late Col A. B. Chambers^^* was brought in
by them, its Mother had thrown it away poor little
thing it was near gone completely chilled through.
I took charge of it & intend to keep it
Wed. 9 — I started out to bring in the Sleighs left by our
folks — got to the place cut away the dead horses
& camp'd at little muddy
154 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
January 1856.
Thurs. 10 — 1 find I frose my face yesterday Started & g-ot safe
to F Union
Fri. 11 — Cloudy & pleasant Thermonu'ter only 6 below zero
Sat. 12 — Clear & pleasant Some trading- .^-oing^ on Crows a
i^reat bore
Sun. 13 — preparing to start to Rolettes
Men. 14 — Started with three men & three Sleighs for Roletts
post camp'd at Cote Trambeleau^^-''
Tues. 15 — Made a late start folowed on the ice & camp'd early
in the point above little Muddy
Wed. 16 — Started early Camp'd at McKenzies old houses^-'^*^
Ice hard travelling-
Thurs. 17 — Made a g-ood day & camp'd at the foot of Henry's
cut
Fri. 18 — Made an early start left the river & took the prararie
snow over a foot deep our horses stood thier work
bravely Arrived at Rolettes late in the afternoon
I learn here that Rose is a short distance above
with his wagons tliirteen of his horses are dead &
all the others so poor they have to be lifted up
Sat. 19 — Still at Rolettes Indians hunting well
Sun. 20 — Keeping Rolette in hot water what a niny
Men. 21 — Started for the fort with three trains loaded with
Tongues Camp'd at the foot of Henry's cut
Tues. 22 — U)ok the ice as far as McKenzies housi-s left it
thier took the prairie & cam])'d at the little Mudd}-
Tues. 23 — Met a war party of Crows on the hunt of Black-
feet that had stolen some horses I told them it
was not Blackfeet but Crees. they kept on 1 ar-
rived at the fort all right
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 155
January 1856.
Thurs. 24 — Cold morning fort full of Crow loafers no robes —
dull times the settee in the office affords a fine
lounge for those Indans who poor fellows have to
wait often some Minutes for thier coffee As that
piece of furniture is not of unlimited length some
are obliged to sleep standing whilst others find a
more comfortable snoozing place on the floor among
the dogs. Sugar & credit much in demand the
former to drink the health of the fort the latter
merely to have something to be remembered by
Fri. 25 — Cold & dull nothing doing
Sat. 26 — Started for Rolettes with three Sleigh loads of Mer-
chandise Camp'd above the little muddy Some fifty
Crows camp'd with me they acted well
Sun. 27 — Started early a Storm came up early in the day
Camp'd at Herveys Point-^"
Men. 28 — laid by all day Still Stormy
Tues. 29 — Started early made good time Camp'd at the old
Burnt Houses, in the night some Assinaboins came
in with napper poor fellow got caught out in the
storm of Monday & got froze — poor napper is a
goner.
Wed. 30 — Started & got to Rolettes about 10 M Napper ar-
rived but died as he got home
Thurs. 31 — Feby — Snow & wind — Poudirie--'^
February 1856
Fri. 1— Still Stormy
Sat. 2 — Stormy & cold — Still playing Rolette
Sun. 3 — fine cold day Started & camp'd at Henry's cut —
Mr Fool Bear & wife Old Peke Dogs lodge &
Squaw followed me
156 FORT SAKPV jOl'RXAL
February 1856.
Mon. 4 — Started killed a cow for Peke's dogs & Squaw —
camp'd at little muddy
Tues. 5 — got to the Fort all right killing hut three dogs on
the trip
Wed. 6 — clear & cold — fort full of loafing Crow Indians
Thurs. 7^-clear & pleasant the Crows lost upwards of 100
head of horses last night Supposed to be stolen by
the Blackfeet a party of Crows started in pursuit
of the Blackfeet
Fri. 8 — Snow — A Crow returned with three of the horses
stolen — they had given out & was left
Sat. 9 — Clear no news of the Crows as yet
Sun. 10 — Snowing & dull times
Mon, 11 — Same weather considerable trade going on
Tues. 12 — High wind the Crows returned with all the horses
& one Scalp Very little trade a brisk Scalp dance
going on
Wed. 13 — clear & pleasant Crows dancing in the fort all day
preparing to start to Rolette
Thurs. 14 — Started found but little snow on the Prairie & con-
siderable water on the ice Camp'd at little Muddy
Fri. 15 — Started found hard work no snow Camp'd at
Harvey's Point
Sat. 16 — Started «&: travelled through about a foot of water
horses falling every step came to two feet water &
turned back left the drivers to bring the teams to
little Muddy & myself started to F L'nion to re-
port— found Mr Wray had arrived with express for
St Louis
Sun. 17 — Started with two horses to bring the goods back to
Ft Union got to little Muddy & slept the night
I found my drivers there goods all safe
FORT SARP\' JOURNAL 157
February 1856.
Mon, 18 — Started & arrived at Ft Union
Tues. 19 — Writings letters for "home "Sweet "home" Dauphin
came up to take the St Louis express as far as Fort
Clark News came of a fight between the Blackfeet
& Assinaboins one of each was killed
Wed. 20 — Clear & pleasant a party of Assinaboins arrived
with the Body of napper & the Bears son kill'd in
the fight with the Blackfeet
Thurs. 21 — Clear 8z fine Some Assinaboins left Dauphin left
with the express for St Louis I started for Rolettes
with pack horses Mr Wray started express for Ft
Benton campd at little Muddy
Fri. 22 — hard travelling Mr Wray's feet very sore camp'd
at Henry's cut
Sat. 23 — got as far as big Muddy seen that it would be dan-
gerous to cross my mules Sent to Rolette for his
cart carried the goods over & returned Slept at
the old Burnt Wintering houses some Assinaboins
past & told me that the Crows & Blackfeet had a
brush the Crows got three scalps a Crow boy got
kill'd
Sun. 24 — Started early picked up a cart that was left by
Bompard camp'd little Muddy
Mon. 25 — Arrived at Ft Union foun the fort full of Crow
Indians dancing the three scalps taken in the late
battle
Tues. 26— Cloudy considerable water on the Ice the Crows
are afraid to cross Dobey's in the Crow camp trad-
ing contrary to law
Wed. 27 — Slight snow &; cold the crossing in tolerable good
order a trading party of Assinaboins arrived
Thurs. 28 — Fort full of Crow loafers in search of Mush &
cofifee but little trade
158 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
February 1856.
Fri. 29 — Cloudy & snow a large party of Assinaboins ar-
rived with a quantity of robes — fort full of Crows
& Assinaboins
March 1856
Sat. 1 — The Assinaboins left after trading all thier robes
Old Greyhead came over with his robes & as usual
he was hard to get through with — got the rheuma-
tism
Sun. 2 — a few robes traded I am still unwell sent a few
goods to Rolettes
Mon. 3 — High wind but still trade going on
Tues. A — Clear & cold six lodges of Assinaboins came here
to stay untill they dress thier robes
Wed. 5 — Traded all day the Crows pretty well cleaned out
of thier robes self in good health
Thurs. 6 — Clear Crow trade winding up
Fri. 7 — Eight Crow Chiefs got dress'd by Ft Union Bears
Head, Grey Head — Dogs Head — Long Horse^^s —
White Thigh24o, Four Dances & the Iron Boy As
also High Pumpkins Crow trade finished
Sat. 8 — "Glorious "News! Great Victory!! Grand illumi-
nation to take place this Evening Crows Evacuated
Fort Union. After a series of unheard efforts, the
Band of Crow Indians raised camp & left carrying
with them the best wishes of the Fort never to see
thier snouts again. Mr Kipp gave them a certificate
for good behavior to show the U S Agt had I
drawn it up it would read something like this
This is to certify that the same Crow Indians
are a lousy, thieving. Beggarly set of Rascals They
shot a dutchman Kill'd a Boar cut up two car-
riages stole everything they could lay thier hands
on. Begged & Bothered Mr. Kipp to death got
i
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 159
March 1856.
credits & never paid run everywhere through the
Fort insulted & annoyd every one Amongst those
that particularly distinguished themselves by mean-
ness the first is Rotten Tail vi^ho w^ith his infernal
Old Sow of a wife has been a torment to the traders
besides cheating them out of thirty robes, the next
is Four Dances who is a grumbling disagreeable
troublesome beggarly rascal & ready to cheat &
steal whenever an opportunity offers — The rest are
a thought better in some respects but the whole may
be put down as the Horrid Tribe
It is but just to say that in this flock of black
sheep there are a few white ones The Dogs Head
is the best Indian on the Upper Missouri Old Grey
Head sticks to the Fort gives all his robes & takes
care to get well paid Long Horse Pumpkins White
Thighs & Iron Boy may be classed among the re-
spectable men but they have no command over thier
children
The Bears Head is a good easy man & lets his
people do as they please and the consequence is
that the Bucks are raping the Squaws in broad day
light in every corner without regard to lookers on
indeed they seem to prefer witnesses to the opera-
tion
The women are all Whores, the Young Bucks
impudent Scoundrels, the children noisy rabble the
Old rips Thieves And the elderly portion having
run thier course in these things, have now settled
down to begging at which they excel all other tribes
Sun. 9 — Fort looks deserted P Chane & two others arrived
from Fort Benton, prospects good as regards the
Robe trade
Mon. 10 — A slight snow storm
Tues. 11 — Commenced making packs what Robes we got from
the Crows are without exception the worst lot of
robes I have even seen — heretofore the Crows were
160 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
March 1856.
famed for making fine robes — but opposition has not
only ruined the trade but spoild them — thier robes
are but half dress'd
Wed. 12 — Very cold too much so to make ])acks
Thurs. 13 — Some little snow nothing doing
Fri. 14 — Cloudy & cold river rising
Sat. 15— Cloudy & cold dull
Sun. 16 — Somewhat milder
Men. 17 — Making packs two Assinaboins arrived from the
Band de CanotsS^i
Tues. 18 — Cloudy & warm got in the meat of a Bull & cow
Wed. 19 — The Far famed old Assinaboin Astrologer Dry Bones
predicts that in nine nights from this three White
men will arrive with dispatches from below
Thurs. 20 — My Birth day & a beautiful day it is
Fri. 21 — Very pleasant finished the packs
Sat. 22 — Cloudy & Windy Ducks coming in quite Respect-
able numbers. Dug graves for the dead & buried
them
Sun. 23 — Clear & windy first ducks kill'd
Men. 24 — Stormy & snow first geese seen
Tues. 25 — Clear & pleasant river rising
Wed. 26 — river still rising Hunters out
Thurs. 27 — cloudy & windy Hunters returned with the meat
of 2 cows press'd 141 packs
Fri. 28 — clear & windy pressing packs
Sat. 29 — cloudy & windy pressing packs
Sun. 30 — quite a snow storm river fell 4 feet Ice strong on
the Missouri
Men. 31 — A beautiful day March died like a lamb
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 161
April 1856
Tues. 1 — Cloudy & Windy Ice beginnino- to start
Wed. 2 — from appearances the river must be gorged above —
Bars full of ice water receding rapidly — but little
current
Thurs. 3 — Windy in the morning but warm & calm in the
afternoon Caulking Mackinaw
Fri. 4 — Pleasant day launched boat & rigged her to start
to Rolettes in the morning
Sat. 5 — clear & windy Boat started the men going up to
the Blackfeet with me will go on the Boat as far
as Rolettes Myself will start on Monday & over-
take them
Sun. 6 — Clear & warm Louis Rivias arrived with Express
for the States, he says that Maj Hatch & Mr Clark
will be here in a day or so & that two men coming
down are to go back with me so I shall not be able
to start tomorrow
Men. 7 — A beautiful day doing nothing
Tues. 8 — Last evening turned out bad & stormy A dreadfull
snow storm this day
Wed. 9 — Cleared ofif & turned out warm e^ pleasant in the
evening Mr Kipp rec'd letters from Messrs Hatch
& Clark— it appears that they are at the little Muddy
Eleven of thier horses perished in the storm of
Tuesday As an Assinaboin camp is close to them
Mr Kipp wrote them to come in at once
Thurs. 10 — Major Hatch & Mr Wilson & party arrived a little
before day Making preparations to start in the
morning
Fri. 11 — every appearance of a storm Started at 10 o clock —
about 12 M commenced raining — rained about one
hour & turned to snow Snowed steady & tremen-
dous hard untill day light — Camp'd on the Cote-
Tramp-Leau. Made about six miles.
162 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
April 1856.
Sat. 12 — Started late Snow over a foot deep. Cross'd little
Muddy came on & camp'd at Ash Island
Sun. 13 — Started early Arrived at the Big Muddy found it
high made a lodge Skin Baggage & cross'd our
luggage safely — Swam over & came on to Rolettes
found that the Boat had left about two hours I find
the ten men here that is to go up with me — Chane
Snow Blind from the time we left the Fort untill
we got here we had nothing to eat
Mon. lA — Still at Rolettes houses Chane some little better I
hardly know what to do with the man that Mr
Kipp sent to assist in bringing down the Boat he
is unwilling to go down by himself & I cannot spare
a man to go with him — the consequence is that he
will have to go up to Ft Benton
Tues. 15 — had some difficulty to find our Horses — found them
at last & Travelled against a strong west wind —
camp'd early at the head of Frenchman's Point —
every prospect of Another Storm — kill'd 2 geese &
1 Bull
Wed. 16 — Made an early start come to River Au Trembe took
dinner made a raft & cross'd Kill'd an Antelope
2 geese & 1 Bull 1 Elk camp'd on the first Fork
above River Au Trembe
Thurs. 17 — Made an early start Kill'd a fat Bull Noon'd at the
Lake, raised camp & came on to the Big Gully —
kill'd 2 Brant
Fri. 18 — Made an early start came to the first creek above
Wolf Point & noon'd — caught up & came on to the
Porcupine of the Miss, kill'd a cow & Bull each
man took his load on his back — Our old Cut Ear
is about giving out
Sat. 19 — Fine day — Started early Came on Milk River &
noon'd — packed up & started Chene kill'd a cow
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 163
April 1856.
Sent ten men to pack in some meat camp'd on the
Porcupine of Milk River Grass excellent Some of
my Dutchman distinguished themselves in the way
of slaughtering Hare & Sage Cocks
Sun. 20 — Fine day made an early start noon'd opposite Tiger
Butes--'- — Camp'd on the first creek below Willow
Creek — One of my horses pretty well knocked up —
Kill'd an Antelope & Bull
Men. 21 — Started in good season Kill'd two cows on Willow
Creek & noon'd — both the cows had young calves
the boys brought them with along untill we camp'd
for the night Camp'd about twelve miles below the
foot of the Big Bend the Boys kill'd thier calves &
had a jolly feast
Tues. 22 — Started at the usual time Kill'd an Antelope below
Sand Creek Cross'd Sand Creek & took dinner
mired one of my horses — Came to the upper crossing
made rafts & cross'd Milk River — camp'd early at
the crossing
Wed. 23 — Started late owing to my horses having strayed
from camp took out from Milk River — Stop'd to
dinner Started again kill'd three cows & a Bull
camp'd on Beaver creek243
Thurs. 24 — Made an early start came on to Beaver creek in a
severe snow storm camp'd about 11 o clock Snow-
ing hard & continued snowing untill 12 o clock in
the night I am alarmed for my horses
Fri. 25 — Cleared up fine morning Our Horses lost all hands
out in search of them — prospects look gloomy I am
afraid we will have to pack our things on our backs
if such is the case our trip will be any thing but
pleasant about three O clock the last party came
in with out finding them I immediately started ex-
amining well with my glass & found the mule and
old Crop Ear feeding with Buffaloa got to camp
164 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
April 1856.
after dark & found my little Black had come in —
r think Black had a fit in the night & fell in the
creek Scaring the others off — he has had three
severe fits since I left F U — Kill'd 3 cows & 1 Bull
Sat. 26 — Made a good start cross'd the creek took the cut
& got to the head of the Big bend & noon'd there —
made about ten miles after dinner & camp'd on a
small creek & directly opposite little Rocky Moun-
tain— The Bears Paw presented itself but at a great
distance kill'd 4 Bulls
Sun. 27 — Made a fine start & got along well made fifteen
miles good & took dinner — Started again and made
about ten miles & camp'd on Milk River kill'd one
cow & one Bull made about 28 miles
Men. 28 — Made a good start came above the upper of the
two Forks & noon'd kill'd a cow Started again &
made about twelve miles & camp'd in an excellent
place no BufTaloa in sight but we have plenty of
meat
Tues. 29 — Started about the usual time & had got but a short
distance when we discovered some Indians on horse
back coming to us — ^they proved. to be Bloods & the
camp is a short distance ahead — came on to the
camp & was treated well by those hitherto Scoun-
drels I staid but one hour they trid to persuade
me to stay all night — I learned that the Blackfoot
camp was a short distance ahead I kept along the
river untill I discovered the Blackfoot & Searces-"**
camps then I struck out & came on the River about
five miles above the camps & slept I found two
young Bloods hid in the bushes they told me they
were chaced by a party of North Assinaboins they
wanted to leave in the night but I prevailed on them
to remain all night with me
FORT SARPY jOl^RNAL 165
April 1856.
Wed. 30 — g^ot up before daylight & started the hills covered
with Blackfeet & Bloods in search of the Assina-
boins none of them came to me — I presume they
thought I was unprofitable Stock & would cost them
more than it would bring — came on to the upper
crossing & noon'd. Started Struck the old trail &
camp'd on Little Beaver Creek. ^^s Water grass &
camp excellent Kill'd a fine Reaver & several Hares
& Prairie chickens
May 1856
Thurs. 1 — Sent John Bill out for the Horses he lost himself
without finding the horses waited an hour or
so & sent out more men they soon returned with
the horses. Sent out five men to hunt for Bill
waited an hour or so & the men came in with Bill
went on to the Cotton Wood's & took breakfast
Started & kill'd two cows & one Bull — came on to
the Box Elder & camp'd rain
Fri. 2 — Rained pretty much all night dried our bedding a
little & started late — Came to the Spring about two
O clock — cooked & eat Saddled up & came on the
Marias at sun set — found it fordable made this day
forty nine miles — I have been reserving this for one
days work for my Dutchman in order to try thier
bottom — a good deal of grumbling & some sore
legs — rain'd at intervals through the day
Sat. 3 — Started late forded the Marias came on in the rain
to the Crokamgena Stop'd wash'd Shirted & eat
met a Grosventre & Squaw — arrived at the fort
about 11 a. m. found Mess Dawson Rose & Wray
all well
Sun. A — Paid visit to Fort Campbell Seen Bricks Mother
Father Brothers & Sisters — they are living in the
Fort & are a fine familv
166 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
May 1856.
Mon. 5 — Hricks Father & Mother paid me a visit & pre-
sented me with a fine Mare heavy with foal & a
splendid three year old colt — Bought a fine Chest-
nut Sorrell from Mr Dawson
Tues. 6 — Making preparations to start to Fort Union in
charge of a large Band of Horses Mr Rose gave
me a fine Dark Bay Horse
Wed. 72*^ — Started from Fort Benton for Fort Union Having
39 Horse A F Co— 26 Mr Bird— 14 Rivias— 4 Cham-
bers— 3 Champagne & a number of colts
Wed. 7 — Came to the Marias cross'd & rested our horses &
cooked dinner — Started & camp'd on the Miss. — I
intend passing through the Bears Paw B Cham-
pagne had a severe fit in the night made 25 miles
Thurs. 8 — Started late owing to the indisposition of B Cham-
pagne he is very weak came on & noon'd on Sand
creek — Started & was soon overtaken by Bricks
Father he wants to go down with me I persuaded
him to return pass'd the Grosventre camp none
came to see us but I am afraid of visitors in the
night camp'd on Eagle creek^^T made about 30
miles
Fri. 9 — a great deal of trouble to find our horses found
them all at last Started late & had considerable
trouble with my horses pottered along & camp'd
on Dog river^^s Some appearance of rain — A good
many Grosventre pass'd us on thier return from hunt-
ing and with but little meat report no buflflo close
My mare had a fine foal made about 10 miles
Sat. 10 — Some Grosventre came to us last night & more this
morning gathered up my horses or at least I think
I gathered them all a great many Grosventres horses
being with mine it was with difficulty that I got
them collected tried several times to count them
but they keep moving so that it is impossible to get
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 167
May 1856.
tlie correct count 1 should not be surprised to find
that I have lost two or three rain'd pretty much
all day came within about eight miles of the foot
of the Gap of the Bears Paw Made about 20 miles
My young colt travels well kill'd an antelope
Sun. 11 — Gathered up my horses & found I had two missing
Started out & found them in a gap of the mountain
Started & proceeded very slow Shocking hilly &
steep gullies camp'd early on a creek that runs at
the foot of the Bears Paw Eleven Grosventres over-
took us among them was a Brother of Bricks — he
gave me a splendid Black runner I gave him my
chestnut made about 10 miles — one Grosventre
kill'd a bufflo Slept with us
Men. 12 — Started as soon as possible came on to the little
Rocky Mountain & noon'd had our horses caught
saddled & was about to start when B. Champagne
had another severe fit campd at our nooning camp
— Made 12 miles — horses all right
Tues. 13 — P\)und all my horses without difficulty Saddled &
packed up & found B Champagne unable to start
remaind untill 10 O clock & started went about
eight miles and campd for the day as Champagne
was unable to sit his horse campd under little Rocky
Mt — killd 4 Bulls one of the Co horses got badly
torn by wolves 8 miles
Wed. 14 — Champagne very low I do not think we will be able
to get him to Fort Union alive — Made a travios for
B Champagne & had got but a short distance when
it broke Sent back for more poles & repaired it
went about 5 miles when we came across some
excellent poles made an excellent travios & started
campd at the foot of the gap of the little Rocky Mt
Made 15 miles Champagne very low all night 15
miles
168 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
May 1856.
Thurs. 15 — Started early considering all drawbacks came out
of the little Mountain came about eight miles when
every appearance of an approaching storm made us
pick a good encampment Campd for the day on
Snake creek fine grass tolerable water & any quan-
tity of Snakes kill'd two cows & feasted on Marrow
Bones — Boudin &c Made 8 miles
Fri. 16 — Started very late say Eight Oclock Champagne very
low & in great pain you can hear his screams a
long distance about ten O clock he had another
spasm fortunately we were near water Stopd about
three hours in the interim C had another severe
atack Started from our nooning & travelled well
for three hours Campd on Cottonwood I intend
pushing in the morning for the nearest point of
Miss River in order to have water on hand for the
poor Invalid. My calculation is to make Milk River
below the Grand Tour-^^ early tomorrow I am
afraid Champagne will not last over forty eight
hours Made 18 miles Grass poor kill'd 2 Bulls &
2 cows Champagne very low in the night horses
stampeded
Sat. 17 — Started late Champagne some better came on the
dry fork & campd for the day, As it was very hot
& fatiguing for the sick man Made 12 miles Kill'd
1 Bull 1 Antelope
Sun. 18 — Started at our usual time when 1 came to examine
my horses I found a favorite one missing rode out
& found him killed from what cause I cannot
imagine he was lying with his head in the water —
Came on & struck the Miss River in the bad lands
campd early grass & watering place good I hope
to see Mr Dawsons Boats pass to put Mr Cham-
pagne on board he appears to be some little better
Men. 19 — I find as the country has become familiar to me
that I am about twenty five miles above Bute Round
I-ORT SARPY JOURNAL 169
May 1856.
the day was very hot travelled about twelve miles
& camped on the jfirst fork above round Bute kill'd
a good Bull 12 miles.
Tues. 20 — An unpleasant day intensely hot two horses gave
out in the Travois before 11 A M Noon'd on the
Miss — after coming about Eight miles — on coming
directly opposite Bute Round I seen the fires of Mr
D's boats the must have camp'd there on Sunday
last My Black that I took up with me had another
fit I neglected to note in yesterday's news that he
had a fit & came near killing old man Bird Cham-
pagne a good deal better he intends trying it on
horseback tomorrow T think he is too weak to try
it but he thinks to the contrary Made 16 miles
Wed. 21 — Found my horses far from camp and as a matter
of course made a late start about 11 a. m. com-
menced raining we kept on in the rain untill 12
when we stopped & put up our lodge cleared up
about 2 p. m. Started at three & kept on untill Sun-
down camp'd in the prairie — grass the best we have
had since I left Fort Benton Champagne worse
made 15 miles
Wed. 21— Kill'd two deer & one fat Bull
Thurs. 22 — Started very late say 9^2 Oclock Champagne very
low noon'd after making about ten miles — Saddled
& gathered up my horses & made ten miles more —
killing two good cows & one Elk Champagne some
better we are now two & half points above Milk
River good grass & watering place made 20 miles
Fri. 23 — Started late & made several stoppages came on to
the mouth of Milk River & noon'd could not cross
too miry went up to the little Porcupine^^o &
camp'd in some old forts grass very good — kill'd
two Doe Elk & caught thier calves — 15 miles
170 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
May 1856.
Sat. 24 — last night B Champagne had another fit this morn-
ing he is very weak the consequence is a very late
start say 10^/2 came on to the Porcupine of the
Miss & camp'd kill'd a very fat Bull this has been
a very cold day — Made 15 miles
Sun. 25— a good deal of rain in the night — this morning found
twenty of my horses about ten miles from camp
last night they took a regular Stampede Starte about
noon got but a short distance when another Shower
came on we kept on at a good pace & got to Wolf
point-^i in the rain & campd fine grass & water —
20 miles
Men. 26 — had considerable trouble in collecting my horses
that is what is left last night during the rain some
Indians stole 14 horses belonging to the Am F Co
One of Mr Birds two of B Champagne & my two
best horses I think they were stolen by Blkfeet
or Blood indians I followed thier tracks for fifteen
miles found where they had made a short stop to
change horses — they were going at full speed
nothing less than two of thier nappers will satisfy
me — Started 11 a m & got but a short distance
when I found a Beautifull cream mare but old Bird
chiselled me out of her — let him have her & little
good may she do him — Camp'd at the Govt Camp
— Made 15 miles — killd a bull
Tues. 27 — Started early & had gone one mile when Mr
Dawsons boats hove in sight — I waited untill they
came up — put B. Champagne & wife on board took
out a lad, son of old Birds to help drive the horses
cross'd River Au Trembe & noon'd where they kill'd
the Frenchman Kill'd an Antelope deer & two
Fawns & three cows — Started & seen Mr Dawsons
boats — campd on the Big Muddy — Made 40 miles
Wed. 28 — Swam over the big muddy — Stopped on the other
side a couple of hours to dry off — Saddled up met
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 171
May 1856.
Ramsey & some men at the little Muddy, got to
Fort Union at two in the afternoon — found Mr Daw-
son there all well — this has been the hardest trip I
have ever made never did I work so hard both men-
tally & bodily as I have done this Voyage— made
36^ miles.
Thurs. 29— the Folks in the fort all busy except myself— I am
acting the gentleman
Fri. 30 — Making preparations to start to hunt my horses I
lost in my recent trip from F Benton — I hope I shall
be able to get them — Dress'd Bricks genteely
Sat. 31 — left Fort Union at 10 a. m. to hunt my horses I am
acompanied by Chas Couquette Mr Dawson's boats
left for St. Louis at daylight— Mr L F. Wray left for
F Benton in charge of a load of goods for that place
campd at the little Muddy with Mr Wray I intend
to go with him untill he crosses the Big Muddy then
leave him & travel fast — Fine day Made 8 miles
June 1856
Sat. 1 — Started early & came on the big Muddy 1 p. m.
crossed Mr Wray's goods safely & camp'd on the
opposite side caught some forty or fifty fine fish
killed several ducks commenced raining about nine
P. m. & continued to rain or rather pour to day-
light— made 28 miles
Men. 2 — dried off Started about 10 a. m. commenced rain-
ing about 2 p. m. & rained constantly during the
night kill'd one deer — Camp'd where they kill'd the
Frenchman — 15 miles
Tues. 3 — Some difficulty in finding our horses found them in
the hills — laid by all day Still raining hard kill'd
1 Elk & 2 deer
172 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
June 1856.
Wed. 4 — Made an early start left Mr Wray & his waggon
travelled hard came on to Wolf Point examined the
tracks of our lost horses followed them on to the
Porcupine Seen tracks of men with the horses but
the last rain has washed the sign that it is impossible
to follow the trail — gave up the pursuit & returned
to Govt Camp got in there late in the night Kill'd
an Elk & eat Chouquette & myself had our horses
hobbled brot them in about ten or eleven O clock
& picketed them then laid down & in a few minutes
our horses got frightened & stampeded we followed
them in the dark but could not find them — I am
afraid they are stolen
Thurs. 5 — got up before day Chouquette & myself took dif-
ferent directions hunted all day without success
came back to camp hid our saddles &c. packed our
blankets, provisions &c. & took it on foot. Camp'd
on River Au Trembe — made 20 miles
Fri. 6 — Very sore this morning my right hand severely
poisoned noon'd at Frenchmans came on to Big
Muddy found it very high kill'd a deer took the
skin & tied up our clothes guns & blankets Started
across the Muddy^had got but a few feet when the
cramp took me in my left arm — being an expert
swimmer I paid but little attention to it — I told
Chouquette to keep on with the pack & I would make
the shore Some way when he got in the middle of
the stream the cramp took me in the legs I went
down twice on coming up I laid my left arm on the
pack & it turned over & fill'd I told C- to keep on
with the pack & I would manage to get over — he
became frightened & let go of the pack which sunk
to the bottom — I came near drowning but thank
Providence I got out safe but perfectly naked &
barefooted forty seven miles of hard travelling be-
fore me the country full of Prickly Pears & Enemies
nothing to protect my feet nor even a knife to defend
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 173
June 1856.
myself — Chouquette dive & brot up a shirt & pr of
pants — he got satisfied & left Mosquitoes & horse
flies very bad — I started at a trot & kept on untill
ten O clock — the night very cool Chouquette gave
out — we laid down in the prairie — not to sleep but
to shiver with the cold — made sixty five miles
Sat. 7 — got up at day break very cold & stiflF Started C's
teeth chattering like castanets he begged of me to
stop untill the sun would get up I consented know-
ing well what I would suffer from the sun as I was
entirely naked & he had shoes — pants & shirt started
when the sun got up & came slow — got to little
muddy about lO^^ a. m. laid down in the willows
for a couple of hours could not stand the mosquitoes
Started C ahead to the Fort to send clothing to me
kept on & met Mr R Denig with a my horse & a
suit of clothes one mile from the fort arrived at
1 p. m. horribly sun burnt — made 17 miles
Sun. 8 — hobbling around feet sore & body awfully Blistered
Mon. 9 — the Pain excruciating
Tues. 10— Still suffering
Wed. 11 — Some little better
Thurs. 12 — opened the Blisters about 1>2 galls of water came
from them
Fri. 13 — Commenced to feel something like myself
Sat. 14 — the skin commencing to pull of me
Sun. 15 — took a short ride
Mon. 16 — peeled like an onion
Tues. ly^loing nothing of consequence Bouchie & Chouquette
returned from the Big Muddy bring my rifle &c
that I lost on the sixth ult — all right that accounts
for the stains in this book being as it was one of
drowned articles
174 FORI' SARP\ J(JL'RXAL
June 1856.
I have not wrote up my journal on acount of my
being buisy in the meantime ten Assynaboins have
been kill'd by the Sioux — Sir Geo Gore^^^ arrived
from a two years hunt both company's boats ar-
rived— A Missionary Doct Macky & Lady came to
convert the Indians
July 1856
Thurs. 24 — Started with Col Vaughan to hunt up the Crows
Our party consists of Col Vaughan U S I agt Thos
Campbell — Louis Bompard — David Carrifell Pete
Martin^o-'' a Spaniard & myself — Cross'd the Miss
in Sir George Gore's Boats — drank several glasses
of Mountain dew with Sir George & camp'd at the
lake with Lieut Warren^^* ^ party kill'd an ante-
lope Mosquitoes very bad — 8 miles
Fri. 25 — Started 4^^ M — noon'd at Cotton Wood creek — ap-
pearance of rain concluded to camp for the night
Lieut Warrens party came up & campd close to
us — kill'd 5 elk — 15 miles
Sat. 26 — Started 3 a. m. Made 15 miles & noon'd Lieut
Warrens party came up to us. Started again 3 p. m.
got up to Bufflo's plenty — kill'd 2 cows campd
above Brazos-^^ made 30 miles
Sun. 27 — Started ^3 M — kill'd a cow & noon'd campd for
night below the Big hills made 30 miles Buff scarce
Deer & Elk plenty
Men. 28 — Started 4>4 M travelled fast & noon'd at the head
of the big hills kill'd a cow Started & camp'd at
the foot of the first Bad lands 35 miles
Tues. 29 — Started A]^ killd a big horn in the bad lands — noon'd
on the point below the second bad lands — Started
Yzl got through the bad lands & campd below
Powder River horses very tired made about 15
miles
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 175
July 1856.
Wed. 30 — Started 4^4 noon'd at the foot of the cut hill —
kill'd 2 Antelope — one being the fattest 1 have ever
seen — Camp'd for the night at the head of Emills
Prarie^^® good grass no BuflFaloa made 30 miles
Thurs. 31 — Started 4j4 came on to the 12 mile prarie & noon'd.
kill'd a deer & camped at the foot of the Bluffs at
the head of 12 mile Prarie — made 25 miles
August 1856.
Fri. 1 — Very cold morning all hands walked to give warmth
to our bodies kill'd a large black Tail Buck, noon'd
a short distance below the Rose Bud. the Col's
getting very tired of his trip Buff & Elk plenty kill'd
a cow & concluded to remain for the night as our
horses are very tired Made 18 miles
Sat. 2 — Started 4^2 O clock noon'd below the Big Porcu-
pine— campd early opposite nine Blackfoot creek^'*'^
& built a raft all ready to cross the first thing in the
morning. Made 20 miles
Sun. 3 — loaded our raft & found ourselves & baggage too
much for her to stand under built another — cross'd
our horses over on to a sand bar ourselves cross'd
over the river took up our raft & swam our horses
over noon'd at OFallons^^s kill'd a cow & found
an arrow point in her it has been done lately say
five days campd opposite the Gap — no sign of
Crows — made 15 miles
Mon. A — Started 4>4 O clock took the Gap took breakfast
7^ Started again 9 M pass'd through the pine
hills & came on the Big Horn 2 p. m. Seen signs
of Indians took dinner at the mouth of the Big
Horn & camped about 8 miles above the mouth kill'd
a large Bear & 2 fine cubs made 30 miles
Tues. 5 — Started 4^/^ proceeded but a short distance when 5
Crows on horseback came to us they were on thier
176 FORT SARPV lOTRXAL
August 1856.
way to the black feet but turned & are going back
with us they say the camp is on the Little Horn
camp'd for the night at the mouth of the little Horn
25 miles
Wed. 6 — got up early made a raft & cross'd the Big horn 6^/2
Saddled up & took up the little horn noon'd on the
little horn about eight miles below the Grass lodge
creek. 2-"'!* Made our breakfast ofif cherries & coflfee —
Shaved & shirted in order to meet the Crows — we
expect to get to the camp this evening Got to the
Crow camp at dusk found Yellow Belly — Bears
Head — Dogs Head — Iron Head — Gordon, Horse
guard & several other men of note amongst them
they appear to be highly pleased & say they will go
down with Col Vaughan — made 25 miles
Thurs. 7 — One of the hottest days of the season our tent
crowded with Indians Col Vaughan sent four men
to notify Two Face's camp & the other cam])s —
Covered With Fat arri\'ed from Two Face's camp
& says the camp will be in tomorrow I seen a little
Blackfoot boy^®*' that was taken prisoner by the
Crows he was much rejoiced to see White men Col
Vaughan is going to ransom him
Fri. 8 — Two Face's camp arrived paid a visit to Two Face
with Col Vaughan he speaks well & is highly
pleased — as regards his annuities & his having
Traders on the Yellow Stone. Col Vaughan visited
all the Principal Chiefs & all speak well The Col
intends to council them tomorrow the four Crows
arrived from the other camps & sa\- Thin behind
will meet us on the Rose Bud — they say they are
glad to turn back
Sat. 9 — the camp raised & came down the little horn about
6 miles We had five horses given us to ride our
own we drove loose — 6 miles
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 177
August 1856.
Sun. 10 — raised camp 8>1 O clock Struck out in the Largie-'''
& camp'd on a litttle Fork — the camp run Buflfaloa
— I am in hopes from this out we will have fresh
meat 12 miles
Men. 11 — Fine sport yesterday a great many Bufiflos were
kill'd Several were killed amongst the lodges we
all had a share of the sport — the camp moved on to
the Rose Bud run Buffaloa on the way plenty of
meat and any quantity of fresh tongues — made 15
miles
Tues. 12 — Remained in camp all day Squaws buisy drying
meat skins & cherries — Thin Behind has not come
yet the Col sent for him
Wed. 13 — Camp raised early this morning & travelled briskly
camp'd on the Rose Bud day very warm — grass
good & water excellent. Some of Thin Behind's peo-
ple arrived they say each Lodge will be represented
the Col is very anxious to get down to Fort Union
& intends to make an early start in the morning —
Made 15 miles
Thurs. 142*5- — Camp raised 6>^2 O clock — travelled fast untill 11
a. m. — Camp stopped & run Buffaloa Started again
4 p. m. — left the camp We are accom])anied by a
great number of Crows at the present I cannot form
an estimate — camped on the Rose Bud — Grass most
excellent. 18 miles
Fri. 15 — Started 5>4 o clock kept on at a good pace made
20 miles & noon'd — took the cut for the Yellow-
stone & camp'd on a small fork about three miles
from the Yellowstone Kill'd a few cows Made 40
miles
Sat. 16 — Started 5^ O clock came on the Yellowstone &
took down it Crows run Buffaloa & kill'd quite a
number Cross'd the river & noon'd at the head of
178 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
August 1856.
the 12 mile Prarie Crows run Buflfaloa Camp'd at
the foot of 12 mile Prarie Crows run Buffaloa
again making- three runs this day — killing in all
about 80 cows some very fat — Made 36 miles
Sun. 17 — Started 6 a. m. noon'd below Emmells fork Buf-
faloa plenty we intend taking out in the Largie
in order not to raise the Game on the River. Started
3y2 O clock took out in the bad lands. Camp'd
on a dry Fork — found some pools of water & camp'd
Grass & water poor — Made 35 miles
Mon. 18 — Started at 4i/^ O clock travelled hard pass'd through
the bad lands the day was very warm & dusty
making it disagreeable travelling noon'd on a small
fork — Grass poor our horses look overworked —
Started 3 p m & came on a small Fork & camp'd
Grass excellent. I am in hopes that our horses will
be in better condition in the morning Made 30 miles
Tues. 19 — Started 20 m of 5 fine cool morning our horses ap-
pear much refreshed thanks be to the good grass
last night — Came on & noon'd at a mud hole water
miserable grass good — Crows run Bufifaloa & kill'd
about twenty cows Some very fat — camp'd on a
cotton wood fork Water excellent the first good
water we have had since we left the Yellow Stone.
I neglected to mention in yesterday's note that a
young Crow was bitten by a Rattle Snake Col
Vaughan applied some Buffaloa grease to the wound
& the pain ceased immediately — this morning the
man's hand is perfectly cured the Col passes for a
great Medicine man Made 36 miles
Wed. 20 — Started late on account of the horses being far from
camp, last night we had a fine shower attended by
Thunder & Lightning the first rain we had since
we left Fort Union this shower cool'd the air & laid
the dust making it pleasant travelling plenty of Buf-
faloa Crows kill'd some very fat Noon'd on a small
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 179
August 1856.
fork water & grass good — A young Crow came into
camp having been gored by a Bull — camp'd for the
night on a small fork it commenced raining in the
night & continued to morning
Thurs. 21 — Started in the rain — came on to the three cotton
woods all of us very wet
Fri. 22 — Arrived at Lieut Warrens Camp he crossed us in
his Boat reached Fort Union in time for Supper
learned that the small Pox was raging at Fort
William
September 185....(?)
Appendix.
Additional Entries in Chamber's Diary. (No date)
Sept. 16 — Friday left F. Benton camped below Spanish Is-
land263 rain
Sat. 17 — Windy made two point killd an antelope
Sun. 18 — Killed a big Horn camped above the Judith
Mon. 19 — Came to the Judith Made a cabin on our boat
Tues. 20 — Still at the Judith killed one wolf & two bear
Wed. 21 — Left Ft Judith caught one small Beaver killed two
Bulls Set for wolf & Beavers & came one point
above Dauphins rapids^^^. rain
Thurs. 22 — Rain Traps killed five beaver One big Horn — one
wolf rain
Fri. 23 — Came on & camped at Cow Island, repaired cabin
put up the ten bulls.
Sat. 24 — Drizzly day came above the Island killed one large
buck Wray arrived others killed two black tail deer
camped
180 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
September 185....?
Sun. 25 — Raised traps found one wolf camp'd in point below
Rig Island kill'd two elk & one Bull stretched skins
Mon. 26 — Came on and camp'd on point above Emmells Is-
land265 dressed skins camp'd for the nig-ht killed
6 deer.
Tues. 27 — Hunted the points killed 2 elk & six deer rained
Wed. 28 — Made three points kill'd five deer & three elk
Thurs. 29 — Came down one point & i)ut out 28 skins to dry
kill'd one deer & one Bull.
Fri. 31(?)Dressd skins & rendered grease started about >4
3 M.
October 185... (?)
Sat. 1 — day cloudy at Frenchmans
Point killd elk
Sun. 2 — Made five points put out skins killd
and then left
Mon. 3 — Came on in the rain Shall put out to dry
killd seven deer & one red deer
Tues. 4 — Came one point below the Muscle Shell killd ten
elk & 2 deer set for wolf & beaver
Wed. 5 — Raised traps dressed skins a strange dog came
to our camp fellow must have been lost
a long time he could scarcely walk
Thurs. 6 — Made three packs of elk raised trai)s kill'd three
bear & 2 deer
Fri. 7 — Made two points kill'd one elk one deer &
one wolf
Sat. 8 — Started late made two points Kill'd two elk one
deer one wolf beaver — put out skins to dry
Sun. 9 — Heavy wind laid by all day kill'd one wolf & one
Beaver
FORT SARPY lOURNAL 181
October 185 — ?
Mon. 10 — Made an early start came one point & took Break-
fast skiff with men in came
down killed one buck elk
Tues. 11 — Parted company with the skiff — made a good run
killed two wolves & two beaver & one Bull & cow
Wed. 12 — Strong wind came on to the Round Bute & camped
kill'd one deer
Thurs. 13 — Made two points killed seven deer & two wolves
Fri. 14 — Came on to Featherlands house-'''' killed one deer
& one wolf
Sat. 15 — Started from Featherlands house in running close
to a prarie brought to by a war party of Assina-
boins — Some of them behaved with Our
women were in a dangerous situation
Sun. 16 — We remained in camp discovered fresh
sign of Buck five on their way
Mon. 17 — Crossed the river
Tues. 18 — Raised camp made three points when we had to
lay by for wind kill'd one deer one antelope two
wolfs & one red fox
Wed. 19 — Came on two points Dry Wolf sacrificed
my interest to Morgan. M. made a cache of the
Traps Ammunition, Tools &c came on & camp'd
below Dry Fork killed on Beaver & two Elk
Thurs. 20 — Made a fair run & camped a short distance above
the
Fri. 21 — This morning as we were about starting we heard
crying a party of Indians we met we crossd over
to them they proved to be Piegans they had
of their party been killd by the Assinaboins they
behaved remarkably well never asked for a single
thing none of them attempted started made
points killed an elk & two Porcupine
182 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
October 185 — ?
Sat. 22 — Run all day camp'd two Points above River Au
Trembe
Sun. 23 — Run again a strong head wind met a few Assina-
boins on their way hunting camp'd on point below
Quacking Ash heard drums beating & singing we
pass'd the Assinaboins without seeing them kill'd
one deer
Men. 24 — Took Breakfast at Dolphins came on in the point
above Frenchman's point Seen an Indian in the
willows he hid himself camp'd opposite French-
man's Point
Tues. 25 — Came on to Rolettes houses^*'' had news of the
Assinaboins to go to F. Union— camp'd
above the
Thurs. 26 — A'erv heavv wind the head of Henrys cut
Wed. 27 — Strong heavy Wind Camp'd above McKenzies old
house
Fri. 28 — Made one point and laid by for wind kill'd two Bulls
Expended for Outfit
Boat $50oo Amm 50oo $100.00
Tobac 25oo Coffee 20oo 45.00
Sugar 20 Bread 8oo 28.00
Lodge Skin 6oo Elk Boo 14.00
Caps 250 Candle moulds 2oo 4.50
Wick 2oo Ladle loo 3.00
Matches loo Spade loo 2.00
Salt 5oo Soap 5oo 10.00
Pepper 2oo 2oo 4.00
Tongs 150 Whetstone 2oo 3.50
Flour 1150 11.50
$225.50
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 183
October 185 — ?
Proceeding: of Council held between Col Vaughan
for the U. S. Govt & the Principal chiefs & head
man of the Crow Tribe of Indians held on the Little
Horn Aug:. 10th, 1856.
In the winter at one time Thirty Horses at
another Thirty Horses— another five— again five
in the Spring nine Crows were kill'd— & 19 horses
stolen— again fifteen horses were stolen— at another
time two horses — those were stolen from Bears Head
camp— from Two Face's camp he had at one time
twenty Horses stolen at another five horses were
stolen & one Crow killed all those were taken after
the treaty was made at the Judith in the fall of 1855
in all 142 head The Big camp led by Knot-on-the-
Hand & Thin-Behind have stolen 16 head of horses
at one time at another 23 head— took a boy prisoner
& his horse— again 15 head The Crows say that
the Black foot have four prisoners — two girls & two
boys
184 FORT SARPY JOURNAL
EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL OF TRIP IN SEARCH
OF THE CROWS, JULY, 1856
July 1856
Thurs. 24 — left Fort Union for the Crow Camp — call'd at Fort
William26s — Old Carafel engaged with Col Vaughan
was cross'd by Sir George Gore's men — proceeded
as far as Fox River^^^ & camp'd Liet Warren &
party were camp'd on Fox River on thier way to
explore the Yellowstone
Fri. 25 — Started 4>4 m day intensely hot came on to the
three Cotton Woods and noon'd Appearance of rain
concluded to remain for the night — Liet Warren
overtook us — Mosquitoes very bad
Sat. 26 — Started 3 m — made 15 miles & noon'd Liet Warren
overtook us — Started again at 3 p m — Liet Warren
hail'd in sight — got in to Buffaloa killed 2 cows and
campd at Pirazos
Sun. 27 — Started 3^2 killd a cow — Noond 11 ni Started from
our nooning place 2 p m — camp'd for the night at
the foot of the Big Hills^^o BuflFaloa Deer & Elk
plenty
Men. 28 — Started 4^/2 m travelled fast & noond at the head
of the Big Hills — killd a cow & campd at the foot
of the Bad lands below Henry's Cache
Tues. 29 — Started 43^ Entered the Bad lands killd a Big Horn,
found it difficult travelling & attended with some
danger Noon d in the Point below the second bad
lands Started l^/^ p m got through all the Bad
Lands & camp'd below Powder River Our Horses
much fatigued
Wed. 30 — Started 4^4 Noon'd at the foot of the Cut Hills
kill'd 2 Antelope one the fattest 1 ever seen camp'd
for the night at the foot of Enimells Prarie
Thurs. 31 — Started 4^4 came on to the 12 mile Prarie Sz noon'd
kill'd a deer and campd at the Bluffs
FORT SARPY JOl'RNAL 185
August 1856
Fri. 1 — Very cold mornins;^ took the Lone Tree Cut-'^ ^ot
off our Horses & walked in order to keep warm came
opposite the Rose Bud & camp'd early as our horses
are very tired kill'd a fine black tail Ruck & a fat
cow — Elk very plenty
Sat. 2 — Started 4^2 m Noon VI at the PA^ Porcupine campd
early opposite the nine Blackfoot creek built two
rafts all ready to cross the Yellow Stone early in
the morning"
Sun. 3 — cool morning Started our Horses over put our
Baggage on the rafts & cross'd the river took Break-
fast & started 8 m & noon'd at the O Fallon creek
killd a cow & found an Arrow Point in her it ap-
pears to be a late wound — the Arrow Point is made
after the fashion of the Blackfeet's points — camp'd
for the night at the mouth of the Big Horn Gap
Mon. A — Started 4^/2 m entered the Gap Breakfasted 7>j m
Started 9 m & soon entered the hills — This is really
the most Sterile country on the American continent
not a spire of grass to be seen Occasionly a few
stunted cherries Bushes find soil enough in the
ravine to take root — in a cluster of those Cherry
bushes we came across a She Bear & her two cubs —
we dispatched the Trio but found them poor after
six hours difificult travelling we came on the Big
Horn river found that a small crow camp had been
here some time since — Camp'd for the night on the
Big Horn
Tues. 5 — Started 4>^ proceeded a short distance when five
men on horse Back came rushing out of the Timber
they proved to be crows on thier way to the Black-
foot country Col Vaughan told them to return they
did so without a murmur they say thier camp is
on the Little Horn River — camp'd for the night at
the mouth of the little Horn River
186 FORT SARPY jOl'RXAL
August 1856.
Wed. 6 — Rose early went to work & made a raft crossd the
Big Horn & took up the little Horn — noond on the
little Horn about 12 miles below the Grass Lodge
creek — got to the Crow Camp about Sun down
found a Camp of 130 Lodges & saw some of the
principal men Among which were the Bear's
Head — Rotten Tail — Dogs Head — Yellow Belly
Yellow Dog High Pumpkins Mountain Tail —
Gordon & the Horse guard gave them a present of
cofiFe Sugar & Tobaco which was very aceptable
gave them a small talk told them we came to bring
them to Fort Union to receive their presents —
they replied that they were willing to go that a
Trader from the Platte had been to them & left two
days ago this man's name is John Scott^^'- it ap-
pears he told them that those that wished to die he
would advise to go to Fort I^nion & receive the
Govt i)resents as the Annuities contained the Small
Pox but those that wished to live & do well would
come & trade at the Platte — he would insure them
plenty of Buffaloa & no Sickness Two Face & Thin
Behind's Camps took his advice & left for the Platte
Country Col Vaughan engaged four Crows to follow
& turn them back
Thurs. 7 — One of the Cols runners returned having overtook
Two Face's camp he Two Face turned back & is
highly pleased to do as his Father wishes him —
Seen a little Blackfoot Boy that was taken prisoner
in the Spring — Col Vaughan demanded him — they
promise to deliver him to Col Vaughan at Fort Union
Fri. 8 — Two Face's camp arrived Col Vaughan visited him
he says he will follow his father even should he go
over a precipice Col V visited all the Principal Chiefs
in thier Lodges they all appear to be highly pleased
the three men that Started yesterday came in & Say
that Thin Behind will meet us on the Rose Bud
FORT SARPY JOURNAL 187.
August 1856.
Sat. 9 — Col Vaui^han held a council with the Chiefs & Head
men the talk was highly Satisfactory to both Parties
the camp raised & came down the L Horn
Sun. 10 — Travelled with the camp the Crows run Huffaloa
&: kill'd about 60 cows
Mon. 11 — Camp moved on to the Rose Bud
Tues. 12 — W'aitin^: for Thin Behind to come up
Wed. 13 — Camp raised early this morning Thin Behind Sz a
good representation from his camp arrived each
Lodge is represented
Thurs. 14 — travelled with the Camp untill 11 m & noon'd
Started again at 4 p m left the camp & travelled
about 10 miles & camp'd for the night we are ac-
companied by a large number of Crows
Fri. 15 — Started early Struck out for the Yellow Stone the
Crows kill'd a great many BuiT camp'd on Box Elder
a short distance from the Yellow Stone River
Sat. 16 — Made an early start came on the Yellow Stone
forded the river & campd at the foot of 12 mile
Prarie the Crows killd over Sixty very Fat Cows
to day
Sun. 17 — Came on to Enimells Fork & took out in the Large —
Camp'd on Dry Fork
Mon. 18 — campd on Willow creek Tues. 19 campd on Cotton
wood — crows killd 40 cows Wed 20 campd on the
Mamalls-"''' Thurs 21 rain'd all day campd on the
Yellow Stone
Fri. 22 — Arrived at Fort Union
APPENDICES
i
i
APPENDICES 191
Fort Clarke
j^j. 5jj. Septr 29th 1855
I had the honor a short time since of apprising you of my
return to this place, and of the condition of some of the Indians
under my charge, yesterday a party of Yanctonias"^""* of Big
Head" 'Band arrived here, they are a party of a large war
party that have just returned from an excursion to the Red
River Half Breeds^^^ They came to me they say for the pur-
pose of knowing when I will be ready to deliver their Chief and
principle men their Gov. presents, at the same telling me they
have just returned from the excursion above, and that they have
brought in 300 head of Horses stolen from the above people,
also rising forty Head of Cattle — in telling their story they of
course make the Half Breeds the aggressors, but from their
former conduct towards these people and from what I can learn
from their contradictory statements, there is no doubt that they
started and with full intent to commit this depredation ; These
Half Breeds have always been represented as a frugal industrious
and virtuous people, and they are doubtless brave, and would
have long since resented the many acts of Hostilities com-
mitted on them by the Yanctonias, but the Priests of their
village have always prevented them from doing so — Gov.
Stephens as you will see in his report speaks of his having met
with this people on their Hunts and appears to have been highly
l)leased with them, and seem to advise the right for them to
hunt on our Territory, as certainly a great number have been
born and reside Avithin the American line.
This outrage no doubt has thrown upwards of 100 families
of these people destitute of the meanes of prosecuting the hunt,
by which their principal subsistence is derived, and in my
opinion a sufificient number of U' Troops ought at once to pro-
ceed to their village now at a place called Long Lake, and
demand the restoration of the propert}^ stolen, which ought at
once to be sent back to the rightful owners. I trust and hope
that your opinion will coincide with mine, and that I shall hear
that the suggestion has been carried out
I have the honor to be
Sir your obt St
Alfred J. Vaughan
Ind. Agt.
192 APPENDICES
Fort Union
July 1856
Sir
I had the honor of apprising you by the return of the St
Marys of all matter pertaining to my official duties since she
left, the entire nation of Assinaboines having assembled at this
place showing by every act and action the most unbounded
gratitude to their Great Father for the presents which they
annually receive, they are a kind nobl and generous people
showing every wish and inclination to abide their Treaty stipu-
lations and heed their Great Fathers advice. I do assure you
sir, it affords me much pleasure to have the means at my com-
mand to bestow upon a people struggling from their barbourous
and bemuddled condition to the habits maners and customs of
the Anglo American, they remained amongst us five days, all
was peace and harmony. I shall leave on the 24th for the
crows, I learn they are at the foot of the Mountain some 400
miles distant, I hope I may succeed in prevailing on them to
accompany me in, to receive their Two years Annuity present
as well as succeed in returning safe, for it is as you are apprised
a dangerous country to pass through. The English Gentle-
man^'^^ ^vhom you granted a pasport, to pass in and through
the Ind country will return to your city in a month or so,
having been in the Ind country from the time you granted him
a pasport up to the present time the pasport you find was
granted him the 24th of May 1854 from my construction of the
intercourse laws he has most palpably violated it. he buil from
his own confession and that of many of Employees which was
forty three in number a fort in the crow country some 100 feet
square and inhabited the same nine months carrying on trade
and intercourse with the Crow tribe of Ind trading them all
kinds of Ind Goods Powder & Ball he states, also his men that
he killed 105 Bears and some 2000 Buffalo Elk & Deer 1600
he states was more than they had any use for having killed it
purely for sport. The Inds have been loud in their complaints
at men passing through their country killing and driving oflf
their game, what can I do against so large a number of men
coming into a country like this so very remote from civiliza-
tion, doing & acting as they please, nothing I assure you
beyond apprising you of the facts on paper. Should I return
from the crow country safe I will avail myself of the earliest
opportunity of apprising you of all the particulars of my trip
Very respectfully your
obt St
A. J. Vaughan
Ind agt
APPENDICES 193
U. M. O.-^' 1856
Ledger St. Louis Pierre Choteau Jr. and Company.
Balance due men remaining- in the country from 1855. Trans-
ferred July 31. 1856
FORT UNION.
Alexander Rose
$300.13
George Weipert
349.13
Vincent Mercure
13.88
Joseph Boismenn278
40.37
William Keiser
54.45
Leandre Belleveau
372.52
F. G. Riter
197.75
James Chambers
307.90
Charles Troudelle
172.75
Joniche Barra
197.25
Thomas Dull
150.50
Vincent Mercure
213.10
J. Gourdereau
312.25
J. Lorian
100.00
Joseph Howard
10.90
T. Susnard
88.27
Baptiste Racine
190.38
Pierre Chaine
72.00
Charles Rondain (Mercier)^'
''•' 110.85
L. Bomparte
72.67
Joseph Ramsay
36.85
P. Alvarez
16.86
Hugh Monroe
507.76
Jacob Smith
13.88
Henry Mills
200.00
FORT UNION. DR.
Angus Picotte
4.18
Pierre Cadotte
24.75
L. Dauphin
12.00
J. F. Wray
39.50
J. Dagneau
10.45
Major Owens
32.52
194 APPENDICES
PIERRE CHOTEAU JR. & CO.
ST. LOUIS LEDGER BOOK. Auj?. IL 1856
U. M. O.
P.alance to Michel Champagne 1855. $1564.50
U. M. O. 1856 Ralance due to men remaining in tlie country.
BENTON.
Alexander Rose $195.25
Vincent Mercure 517.10
J. Muller 62.57
B. F. Racine 179.53
Hugh Munroe 634.51
George AA'ippert CWeippert) 407.38
UNION.
F. G. Riter 626.75
C. Rondeau 340.00
C. Trudell 150.75
Pierre Chaine 358.00
Thomas Campbell 141.75
L. Bompart 134.17
J. Dagneau 13.55
J. Barro 268.00
CHARLES MERCIER (Rondin)
APPENDICES
195
Inventory of Stock the property of P. Chouteau Jr. & Co. U. M. O. on hand at
Fort Alexander 20th May 1851
30 pr. 3 pt Sky blue Blankets S. 310 93 "
8 pr. 3 pt Indo blue Blankets ' 229 18 32
13 pr. 23/2 pt Indo blue Blankets ' 258 33 54
29 pr. 3 pt White Blankets N. Y. 500 145 "
MVz pr. 3 pt Hud Bay Blankets S. 293 51 27
13H pr. 2V2 pt Scarlet Blankets ' 251 33 89
Wt. pr. 3 pt Scarlet Blankets ' 378 5 67
184 Yds Scarlet Cloth '60 110 40
2 ps Green Cloth 44 yds ' 68 29 92
22 Fancy Vests F. 50 11 "
6 Fancy Shawls '100 6 "
1 pr. Cassinette Pants '275 2 75
3 Used Rifles ' 800 24 "
7 New Rifles N. Y. 850 61 50
2 Belgian Guns F. 400 8 "
60 lbs Blue pound Beads N. Y. 50 30 "
21—2 gl. Tin Kettles F. 65 13 65
4—1 gl. Tin Kettles " 28 1 12
1—5 gl. Tin Kettle " 150 1 50
5/12 doz. Fancy Bridles " 800 3 25
7 doz. Com. Bridles - " 500 35 "
5/12 doz. Cock Feathers N. Y. 275 1 14
4J^ lbs. Chrome Yellow F. 25 1 12
14 lbs. Thread "60 8 40
^ lb. Silk " 750 1 88
8 C Gun Flints N. Y. 30 2 40
1 7/12 Gro. O. C. Buttons " 150 2 11
Vi Gro. Vests F. 75 38
^ doz. Socks " 275 1 VJ
3 Indian Axes "80 2 40
Vi, doz. pr. Brogans " 1900 14 25
IJ^ Gro. Clay Pipes N. Y. 33^^ " 50
^ C Fish Hooks F. 60 " 15
y2 doz. Ward Scalping Knives N. Y. 150 " 75
Yi. doz. Cotton Hdkfs F. 100 " 50
6 qrs. Cap Paper '20 1 20
4 Sticks Sealing Wax '3 "12
4 Stock Locks '78 3 12
1 Pad Lock ' 75 " 75
15 lbs. Tobacco ' 6j^ " 98
Yi doz. Collin's Chopping Axes ' 1250 8 Zl
1 doz. Small Scissors ' 200 2 00
1 pr. Tailors' Shears '400 4 00
Carried Forward 376 01 243 66 157 20
196
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Alexander Brot forward
1 pr. Steelyards F. 162j/^
1 Pat. Balance N. Y. 350
1 Telescope F. 1500
V2 doz. Tin Cups ' 60
1 lb. Sturgeon Twine ' 75
10/12 doz. 12 in Flat Files ' 400
7/12 doz. Bustard Files ' 150
1% doz. Pitsaw Files ' 225
H doz. 6 in Flat Bastard Files ' 150
H doz. Scythe Stones ' 75
4 Lances ' 30
12 lbs. Hoop Iron ' dy^
50 lbs. 6 oz. Cut Nails ' 5
298 lbs. 12 oz. Cut Nails ' 5
40 lbs. Bar Iron ' ^y^
16 lbs. Gun Powder ' 17
122 lbs. Balls ' 6
5 lbs. Blister Steel ' 20
3 lbs. Black Pepper ' 12^
20 lbs. Chocolate ' 15
1 doz. Hickory Axe Handles ' 175
V2 doz. Fur Hats ' 1800
1 Sword ' 200
2 Iron Cannon 1 @ 60$ 1 @ 15$
3 Bot. Chapman's Mixture $1.00 1 oz.
Castor Oil 10c
1 lb. Salve 50c J^ lb. Blue Moss @ 100
1 Suimint 12c
H lb. Borax 25c & 4 Boxes Capsules
@ 15c
Ya, lb. Indigo @ 75c ^ lb. Sulphur @
20c y2 lb. Sugar Lead @ 25c
2 ozs. Oil Vitriol @ 10c 1 oz. Laudan-
um @ 25c
1 oz. Jalap \2y2 1 oz. Tart. Emetic 1
oz. Calomel @ 25c
1 lb. Blue Vitriol 50c 2 oz. Alum for 6c
1 lb. Epsom Salts
1 lb. Pitch Plaster
275 lbs. Coffee F. 10J4
376 01
290 lbs. Sugar.
^ Bbl. Flour
1 bu. Dried Apples.
16 lbs. Rice
1 gl. Molasses
1 bu. Corn _
6H
575
225
38
200
13 66
157 20
1 63
3 50
15 "
30
75
3 Z2,
88
3 75
" 50
37
1 20
75
2 50
14 90
1 80
2 72
7 32
" 38
3 "
1 75
9 "
2 00
75 "
1 10
1 12
" 11
" 36
" 33
" 50
" 56
" 08
" 25
28 87
18 85
APPENDICES
197
1 Bbl. Pork
2J4 doz. Salted Buffalo Tongues.
925
400
376 01
Advance on Sterling 90% 338 41
Advance on Sterling N. York 17j^%
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Alexander Brot Forward
Commissions 5%
Freight on 5774 lbs. @ 3c pr. lb...
The following Articles in Use &c at their Estimated Value
20 Chopping Axes @ 100
2 Broad Axes @ 250
2 Jack planes @ 1.30 2 Fore planes
@ 1.50
2 Smoothing planes @ 1.30 & 2 Hand-
saws @ 1.00
2 Foot Adzes @ 1.50 & 1 Writing
Desk @ 2.50
2 Iron Hay Forks @ .50
1 Brace & 36 bitts @ $5.-1 Old do.
2.50
2 Claw Hammers @ 75c 41 qtrs Augrs
@ 10c 1 Square .33
6 Drawing Knives @ 75c
1 Rule 50c 2 prs. Compasses @ 50c....
1 Spoke Shave 50c 6 Caulking Irons
@ 25
6 Files @ 3c 9 Chisels @ 16c
8 Chisels @ 16c 1 Bench Screw 1.50
1 Wrench .50
2 Whip Saws $9. 2 X Cut do. $4. & -
1 Howell .25c
2 Hoes @ 30c 1 Spade .50c 3 Fire
Shovels @ 50c _
1 Blacksmith's Bellows
1 Anvil $12.50 1 Vice $5. 1 Sledge $2.50
1 Hand Hammer @ 75c 2 pr. Tongs
@ 50c
1 Splitting Chisel .25c 2 Cold Chisels
@ 20
2 Punches @ 12Hc 1 Screw plate &
Taps $2
1 Heading Tool 25c 1 Sma. :-Hammer
.50c
9 25
10 "
247 16
43 25
388 71
714 42
290 41
$1393 54
1393 54
69 68
1463 22
173 52
$1636 44
20 "
5 "
5 60
4 60
5 50
1 "
7 50
5 93
4 50
1 50
2 "
1 62
3 28
13 25
2 60
10 "
20 "
1 75
" 65
2 25
" 75
81 28
198 APPENDICES
1 Brace & Bitts 2.50 1 Saw 1.00 3 50
2 Screw Drivers @ 25c 2 Drills @
12H
1 Tire Sett 50c & 2 Old files @ 3c
100 lbs. Old Iron $3. 1 pr. Ball
Moulds $10
6 Old Beaver Traps @ $2.00 1 Cast
Pot 1.00
2 Cast Ovens @ 1.25c 1 Sheet Iron
Stove $6.-
2 Tea Kettles @ 50c 1 Coffee Pot 62..
2 Sheet Iron Kettles @ 70c 1-2 gal.
Tin Kettle .50c
2 Fry Pans @ 75c 1 Corn Mill @ $6.-
1 Coffee Mil @ 1.00 4 Large Pans @
56c
3 Small Pans @ 20c 6 plates @ 12^c
6 Saucers @ 10c
2 Sugar Bowls @ 20c Yi doz. Knives
& Forks
3 Tin Spoons @3c 2 Iron do. @ 2c 2
Dippers @ 12j4c
12 Candlemoulds 75c & 1 Grid Iron
1.00
1 Stone Jug 25c ^ doz. Candlesticks
@ $4.-'
3 Tables $3.- 1 Chair 1.25c 2 prs.
And Irons @ 1.00
3 Riding Saddles @ $5.- 3 Pack do.
@ 2.50
1 Sett Double Harnes $7.50 2 prs.
Hames @ $2.00
4 Scythes & Sneathes @ 1.50 2
Double Blocks @ $2.00
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Alexander Brot forward
1 Cart $20. 1 Cart Body $5. 1 Single
Harness $5 30 " 100 32
Live Stock
8 Indian Horses @ $25.- 200 "
2096 97
Reduction 27% on Articles in Use &
Stock on $460.53 124 34
1972 63
Add Error in price of 8 pr. 3 pt
Indigo Blue Blankets @ 339 in-
stead of 229 page 1. with advance
& commission) difference 14 98
$1987 61
" 75
" 56
13 "
13 ••
8 50
1 62
78 93
1 90
7 50
3 24
1 95
1 02
" 46
1 75
2 25
6 25
22 50
11 50
10 ••
70 32
1796 65
70 3J
1796 65
APPENDICES
I'/J
Inventory of Stock the property oi
at Fort Benton 4th May 1851
8 ps. Green Baize 71^ Yds
80 Yds White Linsey
6 ps. Furniture Check 268J4 yds
8 ps. Red Flannel 318 yds
8 ps. White Flannel 2502 yds
1 ps. White Flannel super 44 yds
2 ps. N. W. Striped Cotton 69 yds....
6 ps. Apron Check 305 yds
8 ps. Unbd Sheeting 3062 yds
6 ps. Hard Times 104 yds
6 ps. Amn Linsey 303 yds
3 ps. English Linsey 104 yds
1 ps Red Lindsey 41^* yds
14 ps. Bed Ticking 620 yds
4 ps. Cloaking 156 yds
44 ps. Fancy Calico 1703 yds
11 ps. Fancy Calico 222 yds
2 ps. Salempore 40 yds N.
3 ps. Jeans 99 yds
1 ps. Amn Cloth 29 yds
I ps. N. W. Stripe 223 yds
9 yds Grey Amn Cloth
9% Yds Woolen Jeans
91/^ Yds Tweed
II Yds Red Jeans
12 Yds Blue S. List Cloth
16 Yds Grey List Cloth
11 Yds Scarlet List Cloth
2H Green List Cloth
3 Yds Cassinett
30 Yds Tweed
\]/2 Yds Comn Carpeting
8 doz. Muskrat Caps
1 7/12 Russia Hats
222^ prs. 3 pt White French Blankets N
60 prs. 3 pt White English Blankets
20 prs. 3 pt H. Bay Blankets
20 prs. 3 pt Indigo Blue Blankets
6H prs. 3 pt Fine Sky Blankets 1/49
2^ prs. 3 pt Fine Sky Blue Blankets
SVz prs. 3 pt Scarlet Blankets
72^ prs. 2^ White French Blankets
Sy2 prs. 21^ H. Bay Blankets
Carried Forward
Pierre Chouteau Jr. & Co. U. M. O. On hand
F.
Y.
28
20
11
24
22/.
25
10^2
10
8
15
10
13
18
11/2
55
9/2
8/2
11
F.
35
45
10/
50
30
25
35
S.
62
7 44
"
63
10 08
"
68
7 48
»
68
1 70
F.
60
25
55
900
1725
Y.
425
S.
261
156 60
293
58 60
331
66 20
F.
450
325
450
s
230
166 75
220
18 70
4 40
945 63
20 02
16 "
29 54
76 32
56 36
11 "
7 24
30 50
24 52
15 60
30 30
21 32
7 52
71 30
85 80
161 79
18 87
34 65
13 05
2 39
4 50
2 77
2 38
3 85
1 80
7 50
•• 82
72 "
27 31
493 55
950 03
29 35
8 12
15 75
910 14
200 APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Brot Forward
OH prs 2H pt. Green Blankets S. 250
27 prs. Rose Blankets F. 175
20 Blue Woolen Shawls '' 75
2 1/12 doz. Blue Cotton H'dkfs " IQO
1^ doz. Turkey Red H'dkfs " iQO
7/12 doz. Portrait H'dkfs " 60
1 10/12 doz. Blk Silk H'dkfs N. Y. 450
Vi doz. Red Woolen Caps F. 379
2 Small Table Covers " 400
V2 doz. Packs Playing Cards " 150
3 Large Cotton Shawls " 30
3 Large Woolen Shawls " 250
29 Small Woolen Shawls " 75
8 Tweed Coats Saint Louis " 450
8 Skyblue Coats Saint Louis " 30O
1 B. Pilot Over Coat » 450
1 1/12 doz. Boys Wool Hats " 500
24 Spanish Gourds » 12^
4 Scarlet Chiefs Coats " 559
1 Blue Chiefs Coat " 45O
3 Hard Times Coats " 2OO
2 Sheep Grey Coats " 250
1 Skyblue Blanket Coat » 425
2 Boys Scarlet & Blue Coats " 170
3 Bocking Coats " 120
1 Boys Green Coat " iQO
1 Boys Bocking Coat » 50
1 Black Cassinette Coat " 275
3 Boys Comn Blkt " 50
1 pr. Blue Pants " 250
12 pr. Tweed Pants " JOQ
1 pr. Boys Grey Pants " 50
1 pr. Blk Summer Pants " 62^
5 pr. Leggins " 79
6 pr. Leggins for Children " 25
4 Womens Blanket Dresses " 350
2 Small Wht Blanket Coats " 200
1 In. Blue Blanket Coat " 275
17 Boys Blue Blanket Coats " 80
1 Amn Linsey Coat " 120
1 Comn White Coat " 400
1 Boys White Coat " 75
2 Boys Red Linsey Coats " 60
1 pr Red Linsey Pants " 52
63 lbs Red pound Beads N. Y. 65
Carried Forward
493 55
1 25
950 03
8 25
910 14
47 25
15 "
2 08
1 67
" 35
1 26
494 80
40 95
999 2Z 1206 82
" 75
" 90
7 50
21 75
36 "
24 "
4 SO
5 42
3 "
22 "
4 50
6 "
5 "
4 25
3 40
3 60
1 "
" 50
2 75
1 50
2 50
12 "
" 50
" 63
3 SO
1 SO
14 "
4 "
2 75
13 60
1 20
4 "
" 75
1 20
" 62
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Brot forward
146 lbs Blue pound Beads N. Y.
126 lbs Blue pound Beads small
160 lbs White pound Beads
8 Bu: Small Barleycorn Beads F.
33 Bu: Snake Beads N. Y.
79 lbs Loose Beads F.
1 1/12 Card Necklace Beads
4 Bu: Cut Glass Beads N. Y.
15 lbs Red Pigeon Egg Beads
37 lbs Black Pound Beads
6 lbs Assorted Beads
10^ lbs Blue Garnishing Beads
12^ lbs White Garnishing Beads
J^ Bu: Blue Agate Beads
8 Rifles F
57 N. W. Chase Guns S.
29 Belgian Guns N. Y
5 Double Barrel Guns F.
30 lbs Chinese Vermillion N. Y
31/2 M Horse Pistol Flints
1 M Rifle Flint
15^ doz. Common Scalping Knives-..
90J4 doz. Butcher Knives
155 White Powder Horns F.
21 lbs Rosin Soap
25 lbs Chocolate
1 5/12 doz. Mustard
3 5/12 doz. Cups & Saucers
1 5/12 doz. Dinner Plates
1 1/12 doz. Soup Plates
3— 5 gl Tin Kettles
10^ 4 gl Tin Kettles
45_ 1 gl Tin Kettle
69— 3 gl Tin Kettles
2 Nests Tin Kettles
18 lbs Sheet Iron Kettles
24 lbs Brass Kettles N.
3H doz Tin Plates F.
6 doz small Tin Plates
10/12" Large Tin Pans
2 Skimmers
1 Coffee Pot
101 Spotted Sea Shells
25 California Shells
20 d California Broken
Carried Forward
>ICES
201
494 80
999 23
1206 82
50
73 "
50
63 "
30
48 ••
\62y2
13 "
25
8 25
30
23 70
• 150
1 63
16
" 64
' 75
11 25
■ 20
7 40
' 25
1 50
'56^
5 91
'5614
7 03
' 150
" 75
'. 800
64 '•
. 356 202 92
■. 350
101 50
.1100
55 "
■. 150
45 "
' 300
10 50
' 300
3 "
• 125
19 59
' 125
112 81
. 50
77 50
4
" 84
' 15
3 75
• 375
5 31
" 75
2 56
" 125
1 77
' 125
1 36
' 160
4 80
' 150
15 "
• 30
13 50
' 125
86 25
' 379
7 58
" 18
3 24
Y. 37/2
9 "
'. 200
7 "
' 100
6 "
" 300
2 50
"12H
" 25
" 50
" 50
"12^
12 62
" 175
43 75
■■ 75
15 "
697 72 1528 36 1675 23
202
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Brot forward
10/12 doz. 14 in Flat Bastard Piles.... F
3 5/12 doz. Pitsaw Files
4 ys doz. Hardsaw Files
2J4 doz. Assorted Armorers Files
1 11/12 doz. Rat Tail Files
5/12 doz. Mill Saw Files
8/12 doz. Wood Rasps
ys doz. Elkhorn hdle Knives
4 doz. Turlington Balsam
3 Bot. Castor Oil
5 lbs Borax
1 Bot. Magnesia
6 doz. Capsules
7 lbs Epsom Salts
34 doz. Chapmans
3 Bot. Liquid Blue
^ lbs Lamp Black pr.
1 Medicine Chest
% lb Nutmegs @ 140 % lb Allspice @
7 lbs Fine Iron Wire
10 lbs Kettle Wire
48 Battle Axes
6 Trap Springs
3 Mowing Scythes
5y2 doz. Brass Cap Plates
12 doz. Silver Cap Plates
3 doz. Belt Plates
^ doz. Sword Belt Plates
7 doz. Brass Hair Ornaments
49 prs Tin Wrist Bands
Ys doz. Large Tin Oscoles
2 prs Brass Wrist Bands
3 Gro. Lge Kettle Ears No. 4
12 doz. Tin Kettle Ears
30 M Kettle Rivets
34 Box Sheet Tin
ly doz Razors in Boxes
1/6 doz Shaving Boxes
5/12 doz P. C. Looking Glasses
^ doz Brass Oscoles
Vi doz Rifle Locks
3 doz German Silver Fine Combs N. Y.
31/3 Fine Ivory Combs
]9y3 Crambo Combs
33^ Nest Wampum Moons
Carried Forward
697 72
1528 36 1675 23
600
5 "
225
7 69
100
4 33
175
3 94
150
2 87
300
1 25
350
2 33
600
2 "
50
2 "
33^
1 "
25
1 25
50
" 50
160
9 60
6
" 42
1000
2 50
100
3 "
12
" 12
200
2 "
25
" 41
10
'• 70
14
1 40
50
24 •'
37y2
2 25
75
2 25
175
9 63
150
18 "
150
4 50
150
1 12
100
7 "
40
19 60
450
1 50
40
" 80
300
9 "
25
3 "
SO
15 "
1175
2 94
540
8 10
125
" 21
48
" 20
350
2 63
2400
12 "
100
3 "
105
3 50
33
6 38
112/.
3 94
697 72
1545 18 1873 27
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Bret forward
1 M Needles N. Y.
3 C Fish Hooks F.
1/6 Gro. Indian Awls S.
1/6 Gro. Gun Worms
J/^ doz. Tailor Thimbles F.
I pr. Green Goggles
S ps. Assd Ribbon N. Y.
^ lb Sewing Silk F.
7/12 doz. prs. Spurs "
II Snaffle Bridle bitts
4 Curb Bridle bitts
lYs doz. prs. Scissors
14 doz. prs. small Scissors
12 prs. Iron Stirrups
1 Small lup Lock
3 M Percussion Caps
4]/i M Percussion Caps damaged
5 Sheets Sand Paper
5/12 doz. Scythe Stones
20 Brace Bitts
14 doz. Collins Chopp-g Axes
1 pr. Fine Boots
1 pr. Comn Boots
2 pr. Brogans "
1 pr. Women's Shoes
2 Boxes Blacking "
181^ lbs All Col- Thread
1 lb Black Thread
9% lbs Cotton Balls
1^ Ream Letter Paper "
^ Ream Cap Paper "
SYs doz. Cock Feathers N. Y.
6 Small Blank Books F.
10 Gro. Suspender Buttons "
1/6 Gro. O. C. Buttons
5 Gro. Shirt Buttons "
2 Blank Books 4 qr
8 lbs Arsenic "
13 lbs Bar Lead
11 lbs Candlewick "
2 Horse Halters
1 Bridle
1 Spanish Saddle Bocking Cover
7 lbs Amn Vermillion "
162 lbs Canot Tobacco
Carried Forward
CES
203
697 72
1545 18
1873 27
ISO
1 50
60
1 80
64
" 11
39
" 06
25
•' 13
46
" 46
37y2
1 87
750
1 88
804
4 69
30
3 30
87
3 58
500
6 67
275
" 92
50
6 "
30
•• 30
60
1 80
10
" 45
m
" 06
75
" 31
10
1250
2 "
3 12
425
4 25
150
1 50
100
2 "
75
" 75
12J^
" 25
60
11 10
60
" 60
60
5 55
250
3 75
250
1 88
275
9 17
6J4
" i7
21
2 10
100
•' 17
10^
" 52
80
1 60
120
9 60
12
1 56
20
2 20
100
2 "
75
" 75
550
5 50
35
2 45
7
11 34
697 89
1557 72 1982 53
204
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Bro't forward
177 lbs N. W. Twist Tobacco F
4596 lbs Tobacco
76 Sacks Balls 1900 lbs
70 lbs Pig Lead
19 lbs Balls
40 lbs Powder
5 lbs Shaving Soap "
3 Powder Canisters "
9 Powder Measures "
4 Scoops "
2 Cotton Shirts "
1 Blue Cloth Saddle Cover
1 Scarlet Cloth Saddle Cover
7/12 doz. Belts
6 Indian Axes 4M lbs "
1 Indian Axe 3^ "
6 doz. Grottes "
617 Arrow Points "
7]4 lbs Beeswax "
614 lbs Verdigris "
2 lbs Saltpetre "
13 Barrels Sugar 2429 lbs
114 Barrels Flour "
14021^ lbs Coffee
7 Bushels Salt
3 Bushels Ree Corn "
8 Gl Molasses "
20 lb Sugar
1 Bushel Dried Apples "
2 lbs Black Pepper ''
1^ Barrel Beans "
% doz. Ink "
2 doz. Steel Pens "
1 Lancet 75c 1 Tooth puller
1 Sand Box "
2 C Wafers
1 lb Blue Moss "
15 Muskets "
1 pr. Ball Moulds 10 Balls
1 pr. Steelyards No Pea
1 Satters Cir: Spring Balance N. Y.
1 Satters Cir: Spring Balance 50 lb.... "
1 Satters Cir: Spring Balance 25 "
3 Small Flags F.
14 doz. Snaffle Bridle bitts
Carried Forward
697
89 1557 72
1982 53
. 12/.
22 13
6^2
298 74
6^
114 "
3K2
2 45
6
1 14
17
6 80
25
1 25
50
1 50
6J4
" 56
25
1 "
50
1 "
162J^
1 63
187K
1 87
300
1 75
100
6 "
87J/.
" 88
37y,
2 25
l'/2
9 25
23
1 67
371/2
2 44
17
" 34
6^
157 88
575
8 62
my2
147 26
43
3 01
190
5 70
38
3 04
6^
1 30
225
2 25
■ 12K
" 25
520
8 75
75
" 19
75
1 50
150
2 25
25
" 25
10
" 20
100
1 "
350
52 50
400
4 "
50
" 50
350
3 50
350
3 50
250
2 50
600
18 •'
400
2 "
697 89 1567 22 2881 63
APPENDICES
205
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Bro't forward
14 Beaver Traps & Chains F. 300
2 — 3 pdr Cannons " 6600
1 Fort Bell " 2000
Advance on Sterling 90%
Advance N. York 17^%
5 pr Ct Commission
Freight on 19730 lb @ 3c pr pound-.
10 Broken Beaver Traps @ 150
7 Scythes @ 50c 4 Sneathes @ 50c....
2 X Cut Saws @ 2.50 2 Pit Saws @ 500
4 Pit Saws " 200
1 Cast Iron Kettle 125c 1 Old Coffee
Pot " SO
16 Pack Saddles @ 250 9 Indian do " 150
2 Small Grind Stones @ 75c 1 Rock-
ing Chair $-^
5 Old Chairs @ 50c 1 Corn Mill &
Fly Wheel 690
2 Amen Boxes & Canisters @ $2
1 Screw Ram Rod 25 16 Chopping
Axes @ 100
6 Water tight Casks @ 50c 1 Water-
tight Box 100
4 Shovels @ 50c 1 Spade 50c 1 Brok-
en do 25
4 Ox Yokes Ironed @ 2$ 4 Do No
Irons @ 100
1 Sett Harness for 4 Horses @ 2000
1 Sett Harness for 2 Horses " 1000
4 Extra Collars " 300
2 Setts Parfleche Harness for 4 Horses "1500
2 Setts Parfleche Harness for 2 Horses " 750
1 Bull Harness " 500
2 Waggons " $80
1 Buggy $10. 1 Ox Waggon $25.
1 Cart $20
1 pr. Cart Wheels No tires 6$ I Wheel
Barrow $3 —
3 Log Chains @ $5. 7 Caulking Irons
@ 25c 4 Press Irons @ 25
697 89
1567 22
2881 63
42 "
132 "
20 "
697 89
1567 22
3075 63
628 10
1325 99
274 26
1841 48
6243 10
312 16
6555 26
591 90
7147 16
15 "
5 50
15 "
8 "
1 75
53 50
4 50
9 40
4 "
16 25
2 75
12 "
20 "
10 "
12 "
30 "
15 "
5 "
55 "
9 "
17 75
206 APPENDICES
2 Wheel Barrows @ $3.00 6 Stoves @
32$ 1 Large do. 10$
1 Scow 20$ 2 Wash Stands @ 2.50....
2 prs. And Irons @ $1.00 1 Ea Shovel
& Tongs @ $1.00
2 Old Spades @ 50c 1 Large Chest $3.
1 Toboboard & Knife 100
1 pr. Pincers 50c 7 Iron Cd Water
Buckets @ 100
1 Iron Crane $1.00 2 6 gl. S. I.
Kettles @ 120
2 Lge Ovens & Lid $1.50 2 Com. size
do & Lids 125
1 Frying Pan $1.00 1 Skillet $1.00 1
Lge Grid Iron 100
2 Flesh Forks @ 12^c 3 Pot Hooks
25c 1 Lge Knife 50c
3— 2 gl Tin Kettles @ 60c 1— 3 gl
do @ 80c 3— 4 gl do @ 100
1 Strainer 20c 4 Ironbound Buckets
@ 100
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Brot forward
4 Coffee Pots „.. 75
1 Lge Tin Tea Pot 125. 11 Tin Plates
@ 1254
8 Assd Tin Pans @ 30c 3 Lge Oval
dishes @ 120 5 Com Tin do. 25....
1 Skimmer 20c 39 Candlemoulds @
614 2 Coffee Mills @ 75
5 Soup Plates @ 10c 1 doz dinner do.
120. 7 Knives & forks @ 10c
8 Tin Table Spoons @ 3c 2 Iron do
@ 6c 5 Tin Dippers @ 15c
3 Tin Saucers @ 12^ 1 Sugar Bowl
25c 1 Cream Jug 25
2 Iron Tea Spoons @ 3c 4 Tin do. @
3c 8 Cups & Saucers @ 10
1 Flour Sieve 7Sc 1 Mustard 25 1 Pep-
perbox 25
1 Bread Bowl 15c 1 Stove & pipe 10$
1 Dinner table & benches 4$
10 Tin Cups @ 6c 4 Candlesticks @
25c _ 1 60 556 50
48 "
25 "
3 "
5 "
7 50
3 40
5 50
3 "
1 50
5 60
4 20
517 10
7147 16
517 10
7147 16
3 "
2 63
7 25
4 14
2 40
1 11
1
00
1
25
14
IS
1
60
APPENDICES 207
Tinners Tools
1 Vice & bench 6$ 3 Soldering Irons
@ 1.25 9 75
5 Hammers @ 75c 1 pr. Old Scissors
25 1 pr. Bench Shears 100
1 Bar for Tongue 50c 1 Fron 100
1 Square Anvil 1.50 1 Creasing Iron
50c 2 setts Hammers @ 50c
1 Grooving Iron 50c 1 punch 25c 4
Cold Chisels @ I2i^
3 prs. Pincers 50c 1 Soldering Stove
100 3 Bigons (?) $3
Tailors Tools
1 pr. Shears 50c 2 prs. Scissors 30c 1
Candlestick 25c
2 Pressboards @ 25c 1 Thimble 6c 56 1 91
Blacksmith's Tools
2 Anvils @ 1250 1 Sledge Hammer
2.50
1 Hand Hammer @ 75c 1 Nail do. 75c
1 pr. Bellows 15$
1 Rivitting Hammer @ 75c 1 Bench
vice 4$ 6 pr. Tongs @ 50c
2 prs. Pincers @ 50c 1 Splitting
Chisel @ 25c 2 Cold do. 16c
2 Hand vices @ 50c 1 Drill Stock &
bitts 2$ 1 2 foot rule 30c
5 Lge used Files @ 6c 2 Screw
Wrenches @ 50
4 Screw plates & 5 setts dies @ 2.50
6 do. @ 100
1 2/4 Auger 20c 1 Drawing Knife @
75c 1 Spike Gimblet 125^
1 Hand Saw File 6c 1 sett Hammers
75c 2 square punches @ 25c
3 Round Punches @ 12^c 2 prs.
Clamp @ 100 1 Old Hand Saw 50c
2 Eye Wedges @ 25 3 square files 6c
1 Shoeing Hammer 50c
1 Old Gun No Lock 2$ 4 Heading
Tools @ 25c
1 Stamp Al $1.00 1 Small do. AlC
SOc 3 pokers @ 25c
3 prs. Waggon Cast Boxes @ 50c 1
Tire $1.50
3 Hand Saws @ $1.00 1 Tenor Saw
$1.75 1 Wood do. $1.00
5 "
1 50
3 "
1 25
11 50
1 35
56
27 50
16 50
7 75
1 57
3 30
1 30
16 "
1 08
1 31
2 88
1 18
3 "
2 25
3 "
5 75
208
APPENDICES
2 Iron Squares @ 50c 1 foot Adze
$1.50 1 Morticing Chisel 1.00
1 Hammer 75c 1 Nail Hatchet 1.00 2
Braces & bitts @ 5$
4 Gages @ 25c 4 Sporting Chisels @
16c 1 Oil Stone 25c
2 Jack planes @ $1.30 2 Smoothing
do. @ $1.30 1 Wood Square 25c
1 Rabit plane @ 1.30 2 pr. Pincers @
50c 1 Nail Wrench 25c
2 Drawing Knives @ 75c 2 Wood
Rasps @ 10c 6 files @ 6c
1 Scribe UVzc 1 Saw Set 25c 9
Augers 36 Qtr 360
2 Broad Axes 2$ 2 Beading planes
@ $1.50
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Benton Brot forward
1 Sash & Grooving plane $1.50c 1
Tongue & Grooving plane 1.50
3 Morticing Chisels @ 16c 3 Gouges
@ 16c
3 Gimblets @ 654c 1 Grind Stone
$1.50 1 Carpenters tool Chest
$3.50
3 50
11 75
5 45
2 55
206
3 97
7 "
132 54
7737 57
132 54
7737 57
96
5 19
141 69
Live Stock
8 Horses ..
5 Mules -
3 Bulls
2 Oxen
3 Cows
4 Calves ...
12 Hogs ...
7 Pigs
1 Cat
Sundries
24 Merchandise Boxes.
36 Bale Cloths
40 Cow Skins
1 Writing Desk
Reduction 27% on Articles in use &c
on 1513.60
@ 2500
4000
2500
2500
2500
500
500
200
500
@ 100
" 100
" 50
" 250
200 '
200 •
75 •
50 '
75 '
20 •
60 '
14 '
5 '
699 "
24 '
36 '
20 '
2 5
3 82 50
8660 76
408 67
$8252 09
APPENDICES
209
221
13
24
31
7
26
22
27
102 06
25
19
111 78
53 04
7 35
Inventory of Stock, the property of Pierre Chouteau Jr. & Co. U. M.
hand at Fort Union 15th May 1851
58^ prs. 3 pt Scarlet Blankets S. 378
6y2 prs. 3 pt Green Blankets ' 374
2 prs. 3 pt Skyblue Blankets ' 363
8^ prs. 2H pt Skyblue Blankets ' 262
1 pr. 4 pt Skyblue Blankets F. 450
iV/i prs. 2J^ pt Indigo blue Blankets.. S. 324
11 prs. 2y2 Scarlet Blankets ' 229
5 prs. Wrapper Blankets F. ZYlYi
2 Cotton Rugs ' 'SIVj
}i Yd. Venetian Carpeting ' 65
207 Yd. Blue S. L. Cloth S 54
78 Yd. Green S. L. Cloth ' 68
1214 Yd. Scarlet S. L. Cloth ' 60
28^ Yd. Mixed Satinette F. 50
10^ Yd. Blue Satinette ' 58
56 Yd. Jeans ' 33
71^ Yd. Fancy Jeans ' 40
405 Yd. Plaid Woolens ' 25
457^ Yd. Plaid Linsey ' 18
92 Yd. White Flannel ' 25
93y2 Yd. Red Flannel ' 23
40^ Yd. Green Flannel ' 21
275 Yd. Salempore N. Y. 11
204 Yd. Cotn Check F. 10
II6714 Yd. Fancy Calico Average ' 12
86614 Yd. Blue & White N. Y. 12i^
300 Yd. Blue & White ' UVs
4841^ Yd. Blue & White F. 8^
776 Yd. Blue & Orange ' 24
101 Yd. Victoria Plaid ' 20
1 Large Fort Flag N. Y. 8800
1 Fort Streamer F. 1000
7 Sup. Cloth Surtouts $5/8 & 2 ' 925
1 Blue Chiefs Coat ' 575
1 Ermantine Coat ' 390
8 Blue Chiefs Coats not made ' 400
7 Scarlet Chiefs Coats not made ' 500
1 Ea Kersey 200c & Cassinette Coats ' 200
1 Used Summer Coat ' 200
6 Summer Vests ' 50
13 Fine Casse Vests ' 275
1 pr. Fine Cloth Pants ' 300
1 pr. Satinette Pants ' 225
Carried Forward
O. on
4 50
16 63
•• 75
• 49
14 12
6 19
18 48
28 70
101 25
82 30
23 "
21 51
8 56
30 25
20 40
140 07
108 28
^7 50
42 40
186 24
20 20
88 "
10 "
58 50
5 75
3 90
32 "
35 "
4 "
2 "
3 "
35 75
3 "
2 25
574 39
264 03
930 94
210
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward
1 pr. Jeans Pants F.
1 pr. Gar Leather Pants '
3 doz Calico Shirts '
1/6 doz Hickory Shirts '
lyi doz Flannel Shirts '
7/12 doz Plush Caps
7/12 doz Fine Cloth Shirts
}i doz Glazed Cloth Caps '
% doz Woolen Cloth Caps '
10/12 doz P. L. Hats
1/12 doz White Wool Hats
10/12 doz Cotton Socks '
ys doz Woolen Socks '
1/6 doz Woolen Mitts
1 doz Woolen Gloves Comn '
^ doz Satin Stocks '
Vi doz Silk Stocks F P
1 Old Shawl
1 Damaged Table Cover '
4 pr. Red Epaulettes '
12 yds. Red Cord
V/s doz. Mens Brogans '
7 prs. Mens Boots 1849
8 prs. Mens Boots 1850
11 prs. Garnd Mockasins '
80 lbs Blue pound Beads N. Y.
58 lbs Comn purple Beads '
361^ lbs Blue Pigeon Egg Beads F.
137 lbs White Pigeon Egg Beads N. Y.
27 lbs Red Pigeon Egg Beads '
17^ lbs Seed Beads F.
10^ lbs Red pound Beads N. Y.
4 lbs Loose pound Beads F.
6 lbs Seed pound Beads Loose '
21J4 Burd Blue Agate No. 10 N. Y.
29 Burd Blue Agate No. 9 F.
41 Burd White Agate No. 4
9 Burd Sma Blue Barleycorn N. Y.
120 Burd Sma Red Barleycorn '
20 doz. Sma White Barleycorn F.
31 doz. Large White Harleycorn '
2 doz. Blue Necklace '
71/2 M Grain Wht Wampum '
7 lbs Purple MK Wampum '
236 in Wampum Hair Pipes '
Carried I'orward
574
39 264 03
930 94
. 125
1 25
600
6 "
600
18 "
650
1 08
1000
13 33
300
1 75
1050
6 13
300
2 25
300
" 75
450
3 75
1400
1 17
200
1 67
250
" 83
275
" 46
250
2 50
950
7 13
800
4 "
100
1 "
200
2 "
100
4 "
3
" 36
1950
26 "
2331^
16 33
400
32 "
50
5 50
50
40 "
25
14 50
60
21 90
75
102 75
75
20 25
111
19 15
65
6 83
, 25
1 "
50
3 "
156
33 IS
125
36 25
75
30 75
50
4 50
50
60 "
35
7 "
20
6 20
25
" 50
438
32 85
90
6 30
5
11 80
574 39
546 01
1266 88
APPENDICES 211
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward 574 39 546 01 1266 88
3 Sea Shells F. 12^ " i7
18 C St Lawrence Shells '50 9 "
28 30 2>y
95 California Shells $1 $2 $3 F. 106 75
Its Too "75"
\H lbs Sewing Silk F. 750
4H lbs Holland Twine ' 70
5 lbs All Cold Thread ' 60
10^ doz Spool Cotton ' 16
^ lb Ball Cotton ' 40
6 lbs Sturgeon Twine ' 65
5 lbs Candlewick ' 20
34 lb Twist ' 550
50 Turkey Wings ' 4
2 Rolls Scarlet Gartering ' 40
J4 Roll Saddle Web ' 170
1/5 doz. Clothes Brushes ' 600
14 doz. Painters Brushes ' 600
18^ Gro Gun Worms S. 39
1 Scythe Stone F. 6^
1 Gro. Bone Coat Buttons ' 75
35 Gro. Suspender Buttons ' 21
414 Gro. Orange Coat Buttons N. Y. 150
3^ Gro. Over Coat Buttons F. 200
AYz Gro. Pearl Shirt Buttons ' 5
4 Gro. Coat Moulds N. Y. 15^
Sundry loose Buttons Equal to 1 Gro. F.
1/6 Gro. Bullet Buttons ' 237^4
H Gro. Vest Buttons ' 200
Yi doz. Brass Hooks & Eyes ' 250
5^ Gro. Ind. Awls S. 64
714 doz. Crambo Combs N. Y. ii
\% doz. Ivory Combs ' 105
1/6 doz. Boxwood Combs S. 67
% doz. Tuck Combs F. 208
]/2 doz. Perfumery ' 400
Ys doz. Paste Blacking ' 125
21 Gro. Brass Finger Rings S. 46
SY2 Papers Hawk Bells N. Y. 37Y2
5 doz. Brass Cap Plates F. 238
% Thumb Wrenches ' 75
10 8/10 M Percussion Caps ' 60
IH M Brass Tacks ' 60
5/12 doz. Hickory Brooms ' 175
8 M Assd Sewing Needles ' 150
3 doz. Baling Needles ' S7Y2
11/12 Tap Borers ' 58
Carried Forward 594 83 559 59 1471 14
12 19
3 15
3 "
1 80
" 10
3 90
1 "
1 37
2 "
" 80
" 43
2 "
1 50
7 31
6 75
" 62
" 06
•• 75
7 35
7 "
" 22
1 "
" 40
" 50
" 83
3 36
2 39
1 75
" 11
" 52
2 "
" 41
9 60
2 07
11 90
" 19
6 48
" 90
" 73
12 "
1 12
" 54
212
APPENDICES
Bro't forward
F.
t'. M. O. 1850 Fort Union
9 Assiniboine Lances
1 Medicine Pipe Stem
2 lbs Pins ' ___
2 C Gun Flints g
2 Red Stone Pipes p
1 1/6 doz. Shaving Brushes '
Vi doz. Shaving Boxes '
1 7/12 doz. Snuff Boxes
1/6 doz. Tobacco Boxes
4 Cases Razors 2 ea
7 Cases Razors 1 ea '
\y2 doz Comn Razors '
}i doz Cloak Clasps »
IH C Large Fish Hooks '
H C Good Fish Hooks .......".'
H doz. Grattes
1/6 doz. Pocket Compasses
Vi doz. Nail Gimblets '
10/12 doz. Bead Reticules N. Y.
^ doz. Silver Tray Bells '
2 doz. Zinc >
1/6 doz. Pocket Ink Stands p. 350
6 pr. Single Ball Moulds ' 50
20 pr. Silver Ear Bobs N. Y. 8
1 doz. Buckles p
IH doz. Scissors
1 pr. Shears
Vi Gro. Wood Screws
2 C Fly Hooks >vf
Wa doz. Thimbles
3 1/12 doz. Compn Medals
5/12 doz. Copper Powd. Flasks
Ys doz. Cow Bells
Vi doz. Axe Handles
20 Gourds
6 Hickory Bows
4 Maple Gun Stocks
4 ps. Maple for Ox Yokes
1 Sett Tuning Chisels
1 Sett Tuning Gouges
V2 doz. Socket Chisels
21 Boatpole Spikes & Rings
3 pr Hooks & Hinges
3- 9 in Wards Stock Locks
2- S in Wards Stock Locks
30
100
131
12J^
100
175
125
150
58
45
40
540
100
100
60
i7y2
150
75
300
250
75
594 83
25
559 59
2 50
1 25
1 50
1 60
1471 14
2 70
1 "
2 62
2 "
2 04
" 83
2 2,7
" 09
1 80
2 80
8 10
" 75
1 50
" 30
" 19
" 25
•• 50
58
Carried Forward
F. 12
" 12
' 283
3 07
' 41^
" 41
' 50
" 17
Y. 50
1 "
' 10
" 17
F. 787
24 27
' 1050
4 37
' 787
2 63
' 175
" 58
' 15
3 "
' 12^
" 75
' 40
1 60
' 200
8 "
' 450
4 50
' 450
4 50
' 900
4 50
' 50
10 50
' 17
" 51
' 300
9 "
' 250
5 "
595
567 6!
1592 04
APPENDICES
213
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward
2- 6 in Stock Locks
1 doz. Cupboard Locks
1 5/12 doz. Trunk Locks
5/12 doz. Pad Locks
Yz doz. N. W. Gun Locks
66 Qtrs c Augur 12 Augrs
1 Ea Shovel and Tongs
1 pr And Irons
1 Foot Adze
^ doz. Chopping Axes
1 5/12 doz. Plane Irons
1 Dble Ironed Smoothing Plane
1 Coopers Joiners Plane
3 Saws 1/100. 1/125. 1/75
1/6 doz Spades
3J4 pr. Butt Hinges
1 10/12 doz. Brass Hinges
1 Ea 20 Chisel 6J4 Gimblet & 12^
Tapborer
5 doz. Green Hdl Spear pi Knives N.
ZYz doz. 9 in Cooks Knives
106 doz. 5 in Butcher Knives N.
1514 doz. Warrs Scalping Knives
2 7/12 doz. Knives & Forks
5/12 doz. Single Pen Knives
lYi doz. Single Pocket Knives N.
1^ doz. Cartouche Knives
2 Dragon Swords
3 Pockamogans
lYz doz. 14 in Flat Files
2M doz. 10 in Hf Round Files
1 doz. 12 in Hf Round Files
V/i doz. 9 in Hf Round Files
1/6 doz. 8 in Hf Round Files
AYz doz. Pitsaw Files
1 doz. Rat Tail Files
5/12 doz. House Rasps
1 1/6 doz. Wood Rasps
2 doz. Armourers Files
7 Earthern Dishes No. 2 1/80 No. 3
4/40 No. 4 2/60 Dishes
10/12 doz. Coffees
Yz doz. Sugars
2 doz. Soups
1/6 doz. Dinner Plates
12^ doz. Kettle Ears Average
23VS doz. Tin Cups
Carried Forward
595 08
567 61
F
200
150
100
900
2400
10
100
125
275
1250
600
162^
350
900
17
175
Y
. 250
F
. 437/2
Y
. 106
'
150
F
. 225
'
300
Y
. 700
F
\ 90
225
200
600
325
325
275
250
225
150
400
237/2
175
75
600
125
125
30
60
12 50
112 36
22 88
11 67
1592 04
4 "
1 50
1 42
3 75
16 "
6 60
" 39
16 06
3 82
1 25
1 57
4 50
6 "
10 "
8 94
3 25
4 13
" 42
10 50
1 50
1 67
2 76
3 50
3 60
" 62
2 "
2 50
" 21
3 80
14 "
595 08
727 02 1765 35
214
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward
Ys doz. Wash Basins
4 doz. Large Pans
27^ doz. Medium Pans
5/12 doz. Scoops
H doz. Candlemoulds
1/12 doz. Strainers
1 5/12 doz. Dippers
1/6 doz. Powder Canisters
2 5/12 doz. Small Pans
7/12 doz. Powder Measures
1/6 doz. Small Coffee Pots
7/12 doz. Lanterns
1/12 doz. Gratters
2^ doz. Spoons _
lys doz. Iron Tea Spoons
2 Tin Kettles 3 Galls Ea
191 Tin Kettles 2 Galls & Cover
436 Tin Kettles 2 Galls No Handle
120 Tin Kettles 1 Galls & Cover
349 Tin Kettles 1 Galls No cover
162 Tin Kettles J^ Galls
y^ doz. Mirrors with Drawers N.
7 1/12 doz. Pocket Mirrors f 1
10 doz. Pocket Mirrors f 2
1^4 doz. Small Gilt Mirrors
17 7/12 doz. Pap. Covered Mirrors
Average
14 1/12 doz. Brittania Mirrors No. 3.. N.
14 doz. Brittania Mirrors No. 4
8 doz. Large Gilt Mirrors No. 1
10^ doz. Large Gilt Mirrors No. 2...
396/ lbs 12d Cut Nails
601 lbs Wro't Spikes
54 lbs Old Nails
22/ lbs Rough House Bells
1 doz. Sheep Shears
24 Beaver Trap Springs
1 Beaver Trap Chains
12 Squaw Axes 2/ lbs
74 lbs Iron Wire
77 lbs Iron Wire Very large N.
25 lbs Brass Wire Very large
6/ lbs Small Wire
90 lbs Cast Wheel Boxes
2 Gro. Clay Pipes N.
78 Powder Horns
Carried Forward
595 08
F. 450
' 300
' 240
• 300
' 75
' 350
' 300
' 600
' 120
' 75
' 450
' 450
' 150
' 37 y2
' 37y2
' 125
• 65
' 62/
' 30
• 28
' 20
Y. 162/
F. 45
' 45
' 62/
' 48
Y. 362/
• 425
F. 500
' 300
5
• 12/
3
' 40
' 500
' 62/
' 50
' 80
' 12
Y. 16
S. 24
F. 36
' 4/
Y. SSVs
F. 50
27 02
1765 35
1 50
12 "
65 60
1 25
" 38
•' 29
4 25
2 90
■■ 44
" 75
2 62
" 13
" 94
" 50
2 50
124 15
272 50
36 "
97 72
32 40
5 31
4 50
1 09
8 44
51 06
59 50
40 "
32 25
19 82
75 19
1 62
8 90
5 "
15 "
" 50
9 60
6 12
601 20
12 32
67
39
851 38 2703 65
APPENDICES
215
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward
1 Iron Beam & Wooden Scales F. 1000
1 pr. Copper Scales & 2 setts Weights ' 2000
2 Patent Balances N. Y. 350
1 pr. Steelyards 520 lbs F. 625
1 pr. Steelyards 200 lbs ' 162>4
4 pr. Steelyards ' 162i/^
90 lbs Steel ' 20
21 lbs Square Iron ' 4^
76 lbs Hoop Iron ' 6J4
530 lbs Nail Rod Iron ' 7
902 lbs Bar Iron ' 4^
3 doz. Windo Glass ' 30
1 Painters Stone & Muller ' 550
27 Belgian Guns N. Y. 450
13 Belgian Guns used F. 300
2 N. W. Guns used ' 450
1 Dble B'r'l Percussion Gun ' 1500
1 Old fine Gun ' 500
6 Good Rifles ' 900
2 Used Rifles ' 800
8 Old Rifles ' 400
29 U. S. Muskets N. Y. 300
1 Brass Swivel Mt'd F. 9000
1 Repeating Rifle ' 2000
\y2 pr. Brass Brl Pistols N. Y. 438
1 pr. Iron Brl Pistols ' 550
4 pr. Old Pistols F. 150
1- 3 pounder Iron Cannon ' 6600
1- 4 pounder Iron Cannon ' 6600
2 Setts Rammers & Wipers N. Y. 500
8 Powder Horns F. 50
5021 lbs Bullets ' 6
280 lbs Pig Lead ' S'A
A29y2 lbs Small Bar Lead ' 12
40 lbs Grape Shot N. Y. 6
6 Canister Balls 4 lbs Ea— 24 lbs ' 10
24 Canister Balls 3 lbs Ea— 72 lbs ' 10
i?, Cannon Ralls 3 lbs Ea— 99 lbs ' 5^^
M Bag Shot F. 135
12 Canister Rifle Powder ' 17
Sundry Fire Works valued at
2273 lbs Gun Powder ' 17
i7 lbs Chrome Yellow ' 30
83 lbs Amn Vermillion ' 35
63 lbs Chinese Vermillion N. Y. 180
Carried Forward
601 20
851 38
2703 65
10 "
20 "
7 "
6 25
1 62
6 50
18 "
" 94
4 75
:^7 10
40 59
•• 90
5 50
121 50
39 "
9 "
15 ••
5 "
54 "
16 "
32 "
87 "
90 "
20 "
6 57
5 50
6 "
66 "
60 "
10 "
4 "
301 26
9 80
51 54
2 40
2 40
7 20
5 44
1 01
2 04
5 "
386 41
11 10
29 05
113 40
601 20
1219 79 4069 02
216
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward
20 lbs. Verdigris F. ZTV^
iVi kegs SpaBro. in Oil ' 250
26 lbs Yellow Paint Oil ' 6
\y2 Box Water Colours for
1 doz. Camel Hair Pencils
3 1/6 doz. Playing Cards 3-150 &
1/6-100 F.
1 Copying Press ' 1200
1 Cap Copying Book ' 300
1 Letter Copying Book ' 225
1 Copying Brush ' 63
2 Bot. Copying Ink ' 75
1 Hydrometer N. Y. 500
41^ Sheets Oil Paper F. 25
Wi Rhm Cap Paper ' 250
H Rhm Wrapping Paper ' 300
2 Qrs Envelope Paper ' 30
1 Qr Blank Engagements ' 100
4 Qrs Bills of Lading ' 100
1 Qt Black Ink ' lIVz
Yi doz. Ink Powders ' 100
3— 1 Qr Blank Books ' 40
3 doz. Steel Pens ' 75
3 Ink Stands 1-75 1-50 1-100
2 Wafer Boxes ' 25
1 Patent Ruler ' 87^
1 Brass Mtd Telescope 1000
1 Military Drum N. Y. 750
1 Electrical Machine ' 500
1 Magic Lantern & Paintings ' 5000
1 Gro. Vials ' 150
1 Clyster Syringe F. 250
2 Cut Glass Decanters ' 175
1 Spy Glass wanting Repairs * 800
1 Case Scalpels ' 600
1 Case Pocket Instruments ' 1500
1 Tourniquet ' 150
2 prs. Pullicans ' 150
1 Spring Lancet ' 125
2 Thumb Lancets ' 25
1 pr. Shears ' 42
1 Mortar & Pestle ' 175
1 Apothecaries Scales & Weights ' 250
4 oz. Sulph. Quinine ' 425
^ doz Bain's Pile Lotion ' 2000
7/12 doz Roger's Liverwort & Tar ' 800
Carried Forward
601 20
601 20
1219 79
4069 02
7 50
6 25
1 56
4 50
" 25
4 67
12 "
3 "
2 25
" 63
1 SO
5 "
1 12
3 75
1 50
" 60
1 "
4 "
" 38
" 67
1 20
2 25
2 25
" 50
" 87
10 "
7 50
5 "
50 "
1 50
2 50
3 50
8 "
6 "
15 "
1 50
3 "
1 25
" 50
'• 42
1 75
2 50
17 "
5 "
4 66
1288 79 4215 80
APPENDICES 217
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward 601 20 1288 79 4215 80
VA lbs Assafetida @ 25c 7/12 doz
Capsules @ 160 1 31
7% lbs Tumeric @ 12c H Gro. Vial
Corks @ 12c " 98
1% lbs Beeswax @ 25c 1% lbs Indigo
@ 50c " 94
114 lbs Glue @ 18c 1 lb Logwood
@ 6c " 28
1 10/12 lbs Arrowroot @75c 10^ lbs
Ep. Salts @ 6c 2 "
2A lbs Cinnamon @ 3Sc J4 lb Jalap
@ 50c 1 "
1 Vial 01. Cinnamon 25c 3^ doz C
Pills @ 125 4 63
1 lb Lampblack 12c V/2 lbs Blue
Moss @ 100 1 62
10 lbs Borax @ 25c 1^ doz. Ess. Lem-
on @ 35c 3 08
K lb Wafers @ 50c H lb B. Pitch @
25c " 32
2 lbs Pearl Sago @ 25c 2 oz. Gentian
@ 25c 1 "
eVs lbs Sulphur @ 36c 5/12 doz Ol
Spruce @ 300
2 oz. Opium @ 50c 1 lb Cloves @ 60c
^ lb Carb: Soda @ 75c ^ lb Manna
@ 110c
4^ lbs Columba @ 33^ 2 oz. Senna
@ 10c
10/12 doz. Lee's Pills @ 100c 3 1/16
doz. Turlington @ 50c
1/6 doz. Ess. Peppermint @ 30c 7/12
oz Opodeldoc @ 75c
^ lb Vitriol @ 20c V2 lb Lozenges
@ 70c
1 lb Beaznig @ 50c A Gum Arabic
@ 40c
2 lbs Red Chalk @ 12c ^ doz Lamp-
wick @ 12^
^ lb Ipecac @ 50c ^ lb Aloes @
37y2
2 P Syringes @ 9c 2 lbs Chalk @ 5c
y2 lb Sealing Wax @ 80c 1 doz.
Cayenne @ 100
Vs doz. Dally @ $2. 54 lb Elm Bark
@ 37!^c
J^ lb Ginger Root @ 14c 5 lbs Gum
Lac @ 40c
3 65
1 60
" 84
1 78
2 41
" 49
" 40
" 70
" 32
" 57
" 28
1 40
1 62
2 07
218
APPENDICES
1 lb Bal: Copaiba @ 50c 1 lb Cam-
omile @ 60c
3% lbs P. Bark @ 50c 20 lbs Com
Emery @ 12j/^c
lyi lbs Copperas @ 12i/$c 2 lbs fastic
@ 25c
H lb Quill Bark @ 50c 2^ lbs Gr'd
Emery @ 12^c
2 lbs Pruss. Blue @ 100 1 lb Spd In-
digo @ 75c
1 1/6 Ol Spruce @ $3.- ^ doz. Lg Ol
Spruce @ $4.00
1 lb Mercl Oint. @ 119c 1 lb Basilican
@ 50c
1/6 doz. Chapman @ 400c 11/12 doz.
Seidlitz @ 250c
2 lbs Spts. Camphor @ 40c 1 Bot.
Nitric Acid @ 100
1 Bot Ol Stone @ 81^c 1 Bot. Oil
Spike @ 7Sc
1 Bot British Oil @ 75c ^ doz. Castor
Oil @ 400c
25 lbs Saltpetre @ 17c 14 lbs Brim-
stone @ 17c
7 lbs Logwood @ 6c 9 lbs Camwood
@ 25c
1/2 lb Spunk @ 75c 1 Demijohn @
200c
73 Junk Bottles & Jars @ 20c
3 lbs Rappee Snuff @ 20c
Sy2 lbs Spa. Tobacco F. 35
7640 lbs Plug Tobacco F. 6^
301 dz Cut Tobacco F. 10
•^ Box Shaving Soap F. 175
1 10
4 12
" 69
" 56
2 75
4 83
1 69
2 89
1 80
1 56
1 75
6 63
2 67
2 37
14 60
" 60
2 98
496 60
30 10
1 08
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward
442 lbs Rosin Soap
1 Box Raisins
V/2 Bbl Beans
1J4 Bu. Dried Apples
1^ Bu. Dried Peaches
1 Bbl Flour
7/8 Bbl Rosin
7/s Bbl Tar
XYs doz. Mustard
14 lb Nutmegs
601 20
601 2U
1288 78
1288 79
4
338
500
225
225
575
225
225
325
140
4350 46
4350 4o
17 68
3 38
7 50
3 38
3 94
575
1 97
1 97
4 33
•• 35
APPENDICES
219
1% lbs Cloves
9 lbs Pepper
31 lbs Cheese
24 lbs Saleratus
23 Gls. Molasses
82 lbs Rice
265^ lbs Tea
203 lbs Coffee
1473 lbs N. O. Sugar
4^ Gls. Vinegar
6?^ Sacks G. A. Salt
69 lbs Rock Salt
80 B Ree Corn no freight
Sundry Medicines omitted in place for
Advance on Sterling 90%
Do on New York \1V2%
Commission 5 pr Ct
Freight on 35,747^ lbs @ 3c pr
Pound
28
" 35
' 12^2
1 12
' 10
3 10
' 61/.
1 56
' 38
8 74
' 4J/2
3 69
' 50
13 25
' lOH
21 31
6^
95 74
• 30
1 42
' 130
8 67
2
1 38
' 200
160 "
12 37
601
20
1288 79
5215 41
541
08
1142 28
225
54
1514 33
7872 02
393 60
1072 43
$9338 05
The following Sundries & Articles in use at Estimated value
Skins &c 51 Painted Parflesches @ 25c
40^ Dressed Cow Skins * 50
280 48 Apishimos 280 26-lOOc & 22-50c
2 Porcupine Skins @ 100
3 Dressed Cabrie ' 50
Sundries 793 lbs Rendered Grease ' 5
4 pr. Snow Shoes ' 100
4 Setts Amn Leather Harness
(waggon) for
4 Double Cart Harnesses Complete ' 600
1 Sett Buggy Harness ' 500
2 Bull Harness setts ' 500
Sundry pieces of Harness equal to
2 setts ' 400
3 Sett Dog Harness ' 100
Carried Forward
20
25
Z1
"
2
"
1
50
39 65
73 50
108 65 9411 55
220
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Von Union Bro't forward
1 Halter 75c & 1 Old Amn Saddle
250c
23 Pack Saddles Complete
4 Spa Riding Saddles Complete
43 Old Pack Saddles
8 Spa. Saddle Trees
2 Bear Skin Saddle Covers
1 Small Cast Stove & pipe
1 Cooking Stove & pipe
1 Lg Sheet Iron Stove & pipe
1 Sma. Sheet Iron Stove & pipe
4 Cast Ovens @ 125c & 500 lbs Old
Iron @ 3c
3 Sma. Grindstones @ 75c & 1 Old
Joiner @ 150c
2 Padlocks @ 75c 2 Iron Rakes @
100 4 Log Chains @ $2
3 Caulking Irons @ 25c & 1 Broken
Handsaw 25c
1 Old Watering Pot @ 25c 2 Oil
Cans @ 50c 1 Lantern @ 37j4
2 Used Kettles @ 60c 3 Trowels
@ 100 3 Tackle Hooks @ 100
12 lbs Wheel Boxes @ 8c & 2 Foot
Adzes @ 100
7 Old Broad Axes for $5.— 2 Spades
@ 50c 3 Picks @ 100
1 Branding Iron $2.50 3 Hoes @ 30c
& 4 frones @ 100
1 Good Broad Axe $2.— & 1 chisel
16c
1 Stone Drill & primer @ 100 1 doz.
Candlemoulds 75c
2 pr Iron Hobbles @ 100 & 1 pr.
Handcuffs @ 100
1 Cramping Chain 150c & 1 Lg Boat
Ring @ 50c
1 pr. Good Bra.ss Ball Moulds 24 B.
@ 1050
4 pr. Tolerably good Ball Moulds
24 B. @ 950
2 pr. Broken Ball Moulds 24 B. @
500
1 pr. Iron Ball Moulds 6 B. @ 930
@ 250
500
150
50
200
800
1000
600
400
108 65 9411 55
3 25
57 50
20 "
64 50
4 "
4 "
8 "
10 "
6 "
4 " 294 90
20 "
3 75
11 50
1 "
1 63
7 20
2 96
9 "
7 40
2 16
1 75
3 '•
2 "
10 50
38 "
10 "
9 30
64 44
6 "
1 75
3 "
4 75
92 21
1 Z7
5 50
4 50
" 55
1 50
5 "
1 "
20 "
APPENDICES 221
1 pr. Brass Buckshot Ball Moulds
@ 600
5 Padlocks no keys @ 25c 1 T. N.
Hook 25 1 Slate 25
1 Potash Kettle $2 1 Iron Hay
Fork @ 1.00
2 Shaving Benches @ 2.— 1 Speak-
ing Trumpet @ 75c
1 Lg funnel 37^c 1 Tobacco Cut-
ter 100c
1 Leather Port Manteau $2.50 & 1
Old Trunk $3.—
4 Setts Hoop Moulds @ 100 & 1 Old
Axe 50c
1 Funnel 12^ Dipper 10c Pan 20c &
Knife 12J/^ for Molasses
1 Indian Bow & 2 Arrows for
2 Large Double Tackle Blocks @
250
1 Large Single Tackle Blocks @ 100
200 lbs Cordage various sizes @ 10..
Sundry Paint Kettles, Brushes, Oil
Cans, Caps & Paints Estimated at 80
1 Coopers Hammer @ 100c & 2 S.
J. Kettles @ 50c 2 " 51 42
1 Jack Plane 125c 1 pr Match planes
@ 100
1 Ea Ladle 10c Scoop 10c & 25c
Inkstand
1 Gimlet 6^c 1 Cast Pot 125c 1 Nail
Wrench 50c
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Brot forward
1 Old Smiths Bellows $2.— & 1
Small do. $2
1 Trap Spring and Chain @ 100c 1
Round Adze 75c
14 Moulding & Beading Planes
nearly new @ 75c
1 Lg Gouge @ 75c & 3 Crooked
Drawing Knives @ 50c
2 Single Mattresses @ $2. & 2 Try-
ing Squares @ 25c
225
" 45
1 81
4 51
9914 52
4 51
9914 52
4 "
1 75
10 50
2 25
4 50
222 APPENDICES
4 Augurs 24 Qtrs @ 10c & 1 Hoop ^ 53
Driver @ 125^
4 Drawing Knives @ 75c & 3 Tap ^ ^g
Borers @ 12i/^c
5 Chisels @ 16c 1 Saw Sett I2/2C & ^ „
2 Old Files @ 4c
1 Water fountain & Fossit 1.00 &
1 Tool Chest $5.—
2 Old Pitsaws @ $2 1 - 6 qr Stone ^ „ ^^ ^^
Saw $2.
6 "
7 50
5 Used Scythes & 5 Sneathes for....
3 Rakes @ 25c 2 Lanterns @ 37i/^c
3 Funnels @ I2^c
1 Canteen 50c 3 Tin Cups @ 654c
2 Candlesticks @ 25
8 Very Old Axes @ 30c 3 Used
Spades @ 50c
14 Used Axes @ 75c 1 Round Adze
@ 100 "-
2 Old Liquor Cases @ $2.— 1 Cast
Pot @ 125 ■■"-■-
1 Tin Pan 25c 2 Candlemoulds @
614c ~
1 - Qt Measure 25c 36 lbs Cast
Wheels Boxes @ 8c
1 Small Iron Vice Broken 150c 1
Milk Pot 50c
4 Sheet Iron Camp Kettles @ 120c..
3 Ploughs @ $6.- 1 Harrow $3.-
58 lbs Red Earth @ 8c 4 Used ^ ^ ^ ^y
Kettles @ 70c
32 pr Horse Shoes @ 50c & 19 pr ^3 12
Ox Shoes @ 375/2
1 Old Shovel @ 50c & 1 Old Axe ^ „
@ 50c IQQ »»
5 Single Carts Iron Tire @ 2000 ^^ „
1 Truck Cart Iron Tires @ 3000 ^5 »»
1 Hay Cart Iron Tire @ 2500 ^^ „
3 Ox Carts Iron Tire @ 2500 ^2 »
4 pr Cart Wheels @ 800 20 "
4 Hay Cart Bodies @ 500 ^ „
2 Single Cart Bodies @ 30O ^^ „
1 Old Dearbourne Repaired @ 1000
1 Buggy Complete with 2 Bodies ^^ „ ^^^ 12
val. at
1 19
3 90
10 50
5 25
" 38
3 13
2 "
480
21 "
APPENDICES 223
1- 4 Horse Waggon F. P. @ 6500....
1- 4 Horse Waggon F. W. @ 7000..
4 Ox Yokes @ 200
1 Wheel Barrow @ 500
2 Ox Sleds @ $3. & 4 Horse Sleds
@ $2
4 Dog Trains @ 400
1 Scow $20.- & 1 Skiff $10.-
1 Covd Mackinaw Boat
Furniture
1 Book Case $2.- 1 Writing Table
$4-
1 Cloth Covd Desk SSOc & 2 Dining
Tables @ 750c
1 Round Table $3.- 2 Half Round
do. @ $2.-
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward
1 Mess Table $5.- & 2 Kitchen Do
@ $2
1 Comn Table $1.- & 1 Sofa $5.-
1 Cloth Covd & padded Sofa New
1 Maple Bureau
1 Pine & Maple Sideboard New
1 Pine Cupboard
1 Walnut Cupboard $10 1 Pier
Glass $3.-
1 Sma Desk $2
2 Turned Bedsteads & Hangings @
$15.-
1 U. S. Chart $10.- 1 Towel 25c
1 Looking Glas 150 1 Tin Post Of-
fice $2.-
4 Large Landscape Oil Paintings @
$10
1 Arm Chair 1.50 17 Chairs @ 75c
4 Do. @ 100
3 prs. And Irons @ 100 1 Brittania
Pitcher 50c
1 Tobo Receiver 100c J/2 doz Sconces
@ 150
2 Tin Shovels @ 50c 2 pr. Brass
Candlesticks @ 100
1 Turned Washstand $2.- 1 Comn
Do. 100
65 "
70 "
8 "
5 "
14 "
16 "
30 "
20 "
6 "
20 50
7 "
26150
10663 53
10663 53
9 "
6 "
20 "
21 "
20 "
6 "
13 "
2 "
30 "
10 25
3 50
40 "
18 25
3 50
1 75
3 "
3 "
224 APPENDICES
1 Sma Cupboard $2.- 1 Comn Bed-
stead @ 150c 3 5Q
Tinners Tools
Sundry Tinners Tools val. at
Tailors
1 pr Tailors Shears 150c 1 Goose
150c Lapboard 50c
Blacksmiths
1 Large Screw plate 250c & 5 pr.
Tongs @ 50c
1 Bench Drill $2. & 1 Drill Bow &
Plate 150
1 Scraper 25c 1 Iron Saw 50c 1
Brace 75c
1 - 2 in Augur 80c 3 punches @ 25c
26 files @ 3c
1 Wrench 62^c 1 Buttress 50c 1
Slick 100
1 Large Ice Trench 100c 1 pr Iron
Shears 100
2 Tire Wrenches @ 50c & 4 Gun
Lock Tools @ 50c
1 Compass Wheel 75c 12 Heading
Tools @ 25c
26 Mandrils & punches @ 25c 1
Anvil 12 50
1 Bellows $15.- 1 Bench Vice $5.-
2 Draw Bores @ 50c
1 Sledge $2.50 1 Flout 100c 1 Ram-
rod Bitt 50
Carpenters
1 Bench Vice $5.- 2 Joiners Planes
@ $2.-
3 Fore Planes @ 130c 3 Jack Planes
@ 130c
5 Smoothing Planes @ 75c 1 Pat.
Plough & Bitts $5.- 8
1 Pat. Plough & Grooves 100c 1 pr
Match planes 100c 2
12 Moulding Beading & Sash planes
@ 50c
6 Caulking Irons @ 25c 1 Iron
Square 62J/2
1 - 2 ft Rule 33c 2 trying squares @
25c
2 Drawing Knives @ 75c 1 Small
Broad Axe 100
20 "
3 50
5 "
3 50
1 50
2 33
2 13
2 »
3 "
3 75
19 "
21 "
4 "
9 "
7 80
8 75
6 "
2 12
" 83
2 50
213 75
20 "
3 50
67 21
3 75
" 43
43 18
10967 99
43 18
10967 99
APPENDICES 225
9 Gages @ 25c 10 punches @ 12J/^
& 1 Screw Driver 25
1 Gimlet 6c 1 Scribe 12 1 Oil
Stone 25c
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward
1 Comp: Saw broken 25c 46 Chisels
& Gouges @ 16c 7 61
3 Spike Gimblets @ 12^c & 1 pr
Nippers 50c " 88
1 pr. Compasses 50 & 1 Trying
Compass 50c
3 Mallets @ 25c & 2 Nail Wrenches
@ 75c
1 Bench Tool 100c & 2 Handsaws
@ 100c 3 " 57 92
1 Tenor Saw 100c 1 Brace & Bitts
$6.- _
2 Round Adzes @ 75c 1 Morticing
Adze 75c
2 Bevel Squares @ 25c 1 Wheel
Gouge 100c
1 Foot Adze 150c 1 Wheel sett 75c
2 Large & good Broad Axes @ $2.-
1 Wheel Hub $2
2 Chopping Axes @ 100c 2 Claw
Hammers @ 75c
3 good Pitsaws 1-400 1-350 1-200 &
2 X Cutsaws @ $3
54 Qtrs Augurs @ 10c 1 Boat Hook
& Chain 100c
1 Old Screw plate 100c 2 Small Do.
& Dies @ 250c
2 Wrenches @ 62^^ 9 files @ 3c 1
Grindstone 150c
1 Old Grindstone 100c 1 Crow Bar
100c -
1 Level 125c 2 Work Benches @
$2-
1 Turning Machine Complete Im-
proved 10 " 70 67
Kitchen
1 Corn Mill & Fly Wheel
2 Funnels @ 20c 1 Ice Cream Churn
100c
2 25
3 "
7 "
2 25
1 50
2 25
6 "
3 50
IS 50
6 40
6 "
3 02
2 "
5 25
10 "
6 90
1 40
2 25
226 APPENDICES
1 Large Earthern Dish 150c 1 Me-
dium Do. 75c
28 Candlemoulds @ 6^c 2 Flour
Sieves @ SOc 2 75
1 Dipper 20c 23 Plates @ 20c 2
Sugars @ 50c 5 gQ
2 Creamers @ 37Hc 2 Salts @ 25c
1 Pepper Box 25 j 50
1 Bowl 15c 1 Sett Castors 350c 8
Tea Spoons @ 3c 3 39
22 Table Spoons @ 6c 34 Knives
& Forks @ 10c 4 72
2 Graters @ 12^^ 1 Soup Tureen
$5.- 2 Table Cloths $4 9 25
2 doz. Saucers @ 120c 3^ doz. Cups
@ 75c
4 - 4 GI. Tin Kettles @ 120c 1 - 8
Gl. Tin Do 150c 6 3O
3 - 3 gl. Tin Kettles @ 87j^c 2 - 2
gl Tin Do 50c 3 ^3
1 - 1 gl Tin Kettles @ 37Hc 1 - ^
gl Tin Do 25c
2 Cast Ovens @ 125c 18 Medium
pans @ 20c 5 jq
7 Large pans @ 30c 1 Flour pan 50c 2 60
7 Large Tin Plates @ 30c 1 Tin
Waiter @ 100c 3 jq
1 Cullinder 100c & 1 Sauce pan 50c 1 SQ
2 Long Hdl Fry Pans @ 75c 1
Flesh Fork @ 121^ 1 53
2 pr Pot Hooks @ 50c 1 Grid Iron
@ 100c 2 "
2 Skimmers @ 20c 1 Lg Coffee Pot
150c
2 Small Coffee Pots @ 62i^c 2 pr
And Irons @ 100 4 25
1 Lantern 37Hc & 2 Potash Kettles
@ $2.-
2 Camp Kettles @ 120c & 1 Butcher
Knife 25c
9 Tin Cups @ 6%c 2 Butter Plates
@ 20c .. 96
2 Hand Bells @ 37Hc 2 Tumblers
@ 12Hc 1 ..
2 Sausage Stuffers @ 75c 1 Glass
Mustard 12^ 1 63
4 84
62
1 90
4 37
2 65
Carried Forward
87 54 11096 58
APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union Bro't forward
1 Spade 75c 1 Wood Saw 100c 1
Chop Axe 100c
1 Iron Bound Bucket 100c 1 Cof-
fee Mill 7Sc
1 Cleaver 25c 1 Tin Roaster 250c
1 Basin 50c
Dairy
28 Milk Pans 50c 5 Very
large
Pans @ 60c
2 Cream Kettles @ 60c 1 Churn $2.-
2 - 4 gl Kettles @ 80c 3 Cheese
Moulds @ 100c
2 Strainers @ 25c 1 Skimmer
25
Live Stock
4 Mules
@ 40.00
4 Indian Horses
2500
3 Train Dogs
500
7 Working Oxen
2500
1 Black Bull
2500
1 Red Stag Bull
2500
2 Large Young Cut Bulls
2500
11 Milch Cows
2500
4 Heifers
1500
3 - 2 yr Old Bull Calves
1500
6 - 1 yr Old Calves
1000
7 Small Calves
500
4 Hogs
500
2 Pigs
150
Forts
3 Forts viz: Union Benton & Alex-
ander for
Add Error in extension of 1 - 4
pounder Cannon on pages 6 and
5 pr Ct Commission
227
87 54
11096 58
2 75
1 75
3 25
95 29
17 "
3 20
4 60
" 75
25 55
160 "
100 "
15 "
175 "
25 "
25 "
50 "
275 "
60 "
45 "
60 "
35 "
20 "
3 "
1048 "
3000 "
15265 42
6 30
Reduction 23% on Articles in Use
Live Stock &c Less 148.50 on
Skins & New Furniture say on
this Amount $3785.17
E & O E.
15271 72
1561
13710 72
228 APPENDICES
28 21
8 94
16 "
8 SO
6 50
60 30
6 "
63
Fort Union 15th May, 1851
Outfit 1850
Supplement to Fort Union Inventory taken 10th June 1851
2 prs 2 pt White Blankets @ 403
1 doz. Fancy Bridles dbl rein ' 894
2 Used Rifles > qqq
1 Used Rifles Supr ' 550
1 Good Percussion Gun ' 650
1 Medicine Cupboard & Complete Asst
Medicine omitted in F. U. Inv. $60
& Comn
1 C. S. Pitsaw new 6 ft
1 90 ft Mackinaw Boat Covd & partly
rigged
1 Mounted Brass Swivel
1 Sett Tinners Machines 87.55 & Pipe
Roller & Compn q-
176 lbs Blackfoot Vermillion O 8 1 ^ S
5 Used Guns [ZZ '400 20 »
1 U. S. Musket $3. & Powder Horn 50c , ca
-1 ii 17
34 California Shells. #1 ^2 p~ 3j 25
Its Too "75"
2 Indian Shirts > ^qq , „
1 Raw Hide Boat Covering sewed 14
Skins '100
1 New - 100 Bu: Corn Bin
1 New Pine Cupboard & Dresser
1 Tin Canister for Powder
The following Articles which bear reduction viz:
7 Indian Horses @ 2500
1 Indian Horse in safe hands with
Blackft Indian - 2500 25
1 Mule , 4QQQ
1 Spa. Saddle no stirrups ' 300 7
1 ps. Skin 50c 2 Canteens 100c 1 Tin
plate UYi
2 Tin Cups 12Hc 1 Kettle 38c 1 Cast
pot 37c
1 Packsaddle 250 5 Sacks 125c
1 Axe 50c 1 lb Tobacco 12c
1 Pine Yawl '' '
1 Shingling Hatchet 50c & 2 Tarpau-
lins for $20
1 Keel Camboose & Kettles. .. „ .?
14
10
.,
10
"
"
50
175
1 63
" 87
3 75
" 62
10 "
478 71
APPENDICES 229
2 Keel Boat Sails $20 & 10
4 Chopping Axes $4.- 3 Camp Kettles
$3.60
1 Spike Gimblet I2i^c 1 Augur 40c
1 Handsaw 100
1 Drawing Knife 75c 1 Jack Plane
130c
1 Tool Chest $3.- 2 Caulking Irons 50c
1 Iron Anchor $15. & Chain Cables
$20
2 Double Blocks $4.- & 3 Single Do.
$3.-
1 Marking Pot & line 25c 1 Chisel 16c
17 Pole Sockets $17.- 1 pr. Lodge
Skins 50c
VA pr. Cart Tire 65 lbs @ 3c
1 Chop. Axe 100c 1 Handsaw 100c 1
New S. Chisel 25c
1 Drawing Knife 75c 1 - ^ Augur 30c
Carried Forward
U. M. O. 1850 Fort Union (Suppmt) Bro't forward
1 Caulking Iron 25c Sundry Boat
Ironing $6.-
Reduction 27% on $404.46.
Less Kettles Tool &c Shipped per
Mackinaws viz:
2 Drawing Knives 150c 6 Camp Ket-
tles 720c 3 Tin do. 220c 1 Hatchet
50c Oak & Nails 100c 12 40
2 C. Irons 50c 3 Spoons 18c. 3 Cups
22c. 3 pans 60c. 1 file 40c 9 lbs Sugar
99 7 lbs Coffee 112 4 01
6 lbs flour 48. 1 Bbl Pork $15.30. 1
Mallet 25c. 9 Bu: Corn 188. 1 Qt
Salt 8c
3 lbs Powder 82c. 6 lbs Balls 60. 1
Sack 25c
30 "
7 60
1 53
2 05
3 50
35 "
7 "
" 41
17 50
1 95
2 25
1 05
398 21
478 71
398 21
478 71
6 25
404 46
404 46
109 20
295 26
773 97
Reduction 27% on 1440c.
34 11
1 67
52 19
3 89
48 30
725 67
230 APPENDICES
Add 2 Mules $80. 2 Saddles F. P. $10.
1 Indn Horse $25. Packsaddle E.
B. 2S0c. 27% off 85 78
811 45
Deduct 8 Horses stolen at Fort Alex-
ander by Indians @ $25. Less 27% 146 "
665 45
The Chopping Axes. Guns & Grindstone sent down by Mackinaws are to be re-
turned to F. U. per Steamer, therefore are not deducted here.
APPENDICES
231
SAINT LOUIS JULY 8th 1852
Shipt N Yk in Co with R. Campbell 1852
To R & W Campbell
The following returns of Harvey 2.si Primeau & Co
13828 Buffalo Robes
262 Buffalo Robes damaged
19 Buffalo Robes pieces
2002 Buffalo Calf Robes
33 Buffalo Calf Robes damaged
265 Buffalo Calf Robes Red
242 Elk Skins Gray 2780
26 Shaved Skins Robes 207
2 Red Skins Robes 22
4 Red Skins Robes Fawn 7 3016#
97 Shaved Antelope Skins 142
168 Gray Antelope Skins 404
23 Gray Big Horn Skins 78
2 Shaved Big Horn Skins 5 629 "
115 Grey deer Skins No. 1 537
226 Grey deer Skins No. 2 732
78 Grey deer Skins No. 3 188
2 Grey deer water damg 7 1464
7 Red deer No. 1 15
8 Red deer No. 2 17
3 Red deer Fawn 3 35
146 Shaved deer No. 1 304
114 Shaved deer No. 2 151
31 Shaved deer No. 3 29 484
1 Blk Bear No. 3
2 Grizzly Bear No. 4
2 Grizzly Bear Cub 5 SKINS
57 Pole Cat
56 White Rabbit
5 Common Rabbit
2 Swan
180 Red Fox 117. 44.19
953 Prairie Fox 646. 289.18
2 Wolverines No. 2
12 Raccoons O. 8. 4.
4 Mink
128 Muskrat O. 63. 65 Kitts
6 Lynx
1 Martin
Dr
292 J^ 40446 90
200 524 "
100 19 "
292^ 5855 85
200 66 "
25 66 25
20 603 20
121^ 78 62
14 204 96
20 7 "
25 12 10
50
2 50
10
5 70
10
5 60
2
" 10
25
" 50
100
180 "
25
238 25
150
3 "
20
2 40
40
1 60
4
5 12
75
4 50
" 75
48333 90
232 APPENDICES
Shipt N Yk in Co with R. Campbell 1852 Dr
To R & W Campbell Amount brought forward 48333 90
9 Wild Cat 30 2 70
164 Badger 59. 60. 44 25 41 "
1 Otter 1 50
179 Beaver Skins No. 1 264
187 Beaver Skins No. 2 234
86 Beaver Skins No. 3 _ 127
3 damaged Skins
1 piece Skin 6 631# 250 1577 50
49956 60
Our half 24978 30
34 dys Int. on No. 376 our dft. on N
Yk 5000 payable 1 Aug 28 33
123 dys Int on $8006.63 164.15 192 48
25170 78
SAINT LOUIS JULY 8th 1852
R & W. Campbell Dr To Office New York
No. 376 our dft. @ 22 days date their favor 5000 "
No 377 our dft @ 4 mos. date favor from 30 June 8170 78
13170 78
SAINT LOUIS AUGUST 13th 1856
P Chouteau Jr. & C No 4 Dr To Upper Miss O 1855
purchased by them returns of the Outfit Cash 1 Aug 1856
34243 Buffalo Robes 4.00 136972
546 Red Calf 30 163 80
2284 Prairie Fox 25 571
Carried Forward 137706 80
APPENDICES 233
SAINT LOUIS AUGUST 22" 1856
P Chouteau Jr & Co No. 4 Dr To Upper Miss O 1855
Amounts brought forward 137706 80
152 Red Fox $1 152
1240 large Wolf " 1240
321 small Wolf 50 16U 50
16 Badger 50 20 10 25c 4 00
28 Badger 10 6 12 7 40
4 Wild Cat ^^V^ 1 50
11 Wild Cat >^0 ^ 30
2 Cross Fox $2 4
4 Large Dog 50 2
49 Pole Cat ^Va 3 07
2 Raccoon 50 1
52 Muskrats 60 30 15 5c 2 60
11 Mink 6 3 2 4 80
61 White Rabbits 5c 3 05
16 Common Rabbits 80
18 Grizzly Bear $3 54
4 Cub 50 2
5 deer Skins 12 lbs 25 3
11 Elk Skins 127 lbs 25 31 75
2 Shaved Elk 18
19 Red Elk 177
4 Fawn Elk 12
5 Gray Elk 72 279 25 69 75
238 Gray Deer 870 16^/^ 145 "
45 Red Deer 104 35 36 40
5 Shaved Deer 11 35 3 85
40 Gray Elk 4«1 20 96 20
21 Red Elk 181
1 Shaved Elk 9
16 Fawn 31 220 20 44 20
117 Gray Antelope 318
10 Summer 17
23 Shaved 28
5 Big Horn 12 375 MV^ 46 88
26 Shaved Buffalo 172
18 halves & pieces 82 254 12^ 31 75
1787 Skins Beaver 2415 $2 4830
22 Raw Buffalo Hides 1 25 27 50
6 dressed Cow Skins 1 50 9
29 half Skins 75 21 75
80 11/16 lbs Cartoum 2 75 221 88
129 Buf Hides 3693 lbs. 12^ 470 86
2 Sheep Skins 15 30
326 5/12 perfect Buffalo Tongues $4 00'^ 1468 87
17 6/12 damaged & Calf $3 52 50
146964 26
234 APPENDICES
U. M. O. 1854 EARNINGS 1854
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger)
PROFIT
Culbertson 1 share $2591.29
Kipp 1 share 2591.29
M. Clark Vi of 1 share 1295.64
Galpin 282 y^ of 1 share 1295.64
Hodgkiss 283 i^ of 1 share 1295.64
Denig H of 1 share 1295.64
(These may be the figures for 1853)
U. M. O. Statement Dec. 1, 1857
(Evidently 1855 statement but not entered until Dec. 1, 1857)
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. Dr. on U. M. O. 1855.
A Culbertson 1 share or 1/12 $627.73
James Kipp 1 share or 1/12 627.73
C. E. Galpin H of 1 share or 1/24 313.86
E. T. Denig Vz of 1 share or 1/24 313.86
A. Dawson Yz of 1 share or 1/24 313.86
W. D. Hodgkiss Vz of 1 share or 1/24.. 313.86
Interest to 31st December 1857 on the following accounts.
Culbertson 13.17
Kipp 60.23
Galpin 40.69
Denig 40.69
Dawson 346.24
Hodgkiss 260.83
Accounts transferred to credit of following parties. Dec. 1, 1857.
Culbertson 2280.20
Hodgkiss 5017.44
Galpin 2606.14
Kipp 160.87
Dawson 6200.1 1
U. M. O. 1856 EARNINGS 1856
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger) Nov. 25, 1856.
Dividend Dec. 31, 1856. $60,000.00
Culbertson 1 share $5000.00
Kipp 1 share 5000.00
Galpin ^ of 1 share 2500.00
Denig V2 of 1 share 2500.00
Hodgkiss V2 of 1 share 2500.00
Dawson Vi of 1 share 2500.00
To profit & loss, our share 40000.00
$60000.00
APPENDICES 235
Culbertson, balance of interest 245.05
Galpin, balance of interest 431.39
Hodgkiss, balance of interest 248.93
Dec. 31, 1856. Opening of new books.
Balance cash each transferred to their books.
Culbertson 11521.63
Galpin 10933.70
Hodgkiss 7728.47
Kipp 1942.05
Dawson 5652.11
U. M. O. 1857 EARNINGS 1857
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger book)
Dividend Nov. 1, 1857 $7532.65
Chouteau 8 shares 5021.75
Culbertson 1 share $627.73
Kipp 1 share 627.73
Galpin Yi of 1 share 313.86
Denig Yz of 1 share 313.86
Dawson Yz of 1 share 313.86
Hodgkiss V2 of 1 share 313.86
U. M. O. 1858 EARNINGS 1857-8
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger) May 8. 1858.
Partial dividend due following persons Pierre Chouteau Jr. & Co., No. 5. $20000.00
Culbertson 1 share $1666.67
Kipp 1 share 1666.67
Dawson ^ of 1 share 833.33
Galpin ^ of 1 share 833.33
Hodgkiss ^ of 1 share %7>Z.IZ
236 APPENDICES
U. M. O. Inventories '^^* 1852
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger) July 1, 1852.
Following inventories due.
FORT PIERRE $34744.47
FORT PIERRE supplement 916.02
FORT UNION 14717.11
FORT BERTHOLD 4759.21
FORT BENTON 7369.89
FORT CLARK 7365.58
FORT COTEAU DAURION POST 3231.11
FORT ALEXANDER en Cache 532.28 $73635.67
U. M. O. Inventories 1853
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger) Aug. 14, 1854.
$112,323.25 total.
U. M. O. Inventories 1856
PIERRE CHOUTEAU JR. & CO. SAINT LOUIS (ledger) Aug. 23, 1856.
Inventory U. M. O. 1855 of goods remaining on hand from outfit, 1855. viz.
Fort Benton $ 4686.82
Fort Union 19154.93
Fort Berthold 1552.81
Fort Clark 9885.84
Fort Pierre 1405.00
$36685.40
1
NOTES AND REFERENCES
NOTES AND REFERENCES
The biographical sketches of Charles Mercier, Louis Rivet and George
Weippert were written by Col. W. F. Wheeler of Helena, Montana, from
notes taken in interviews with these "old timers" in 1884. He was com-
missioned by the Historical Society of Montana to visit the employes
of the American Fur Company still living in Fort Benton and vicinity
and obtain their stories. The trip from Helena to Fort Benton was made
by boat down the Missouri river to the falls, by portage around the falls
and by boat the remainder of the trip to Fort Benton. He wrote of his
experiences, "I saw each person and took down in writing the story of
his life, from the day of his earliest recollection and during his residence
in Montana, to the present time. All were men of limited education, one
was blind, and Mr. Rivet could not read or write, yet their recollection of
dates and events would seem almost miraculous for accuracy. In the old
times before steamboats began to arrive at Fort Benton they received letters
and newspapers but once a year, in the spring or summer, when their new
supplies of goods for trading arrived from St. Louis. Their memories were
therefore only_ burdened with events and occurrences that came under their
own observation and in their narratives very little discrepancy will be
found."
Col. Wheeler did not have the knowledge we have today of the correct
dates as to the building of the posts on the Upper Missouri and therefore
could not check the years given him by the "old timers" for accuracy and
certain of the dates were from one to two years earlier than the actual event.
The remainder of the "Notes and References" were compiled by Mrs.
Anne McDonnell, assistant librarian of the Historical Society of Montana,
who wishes here to acknowledge her great debt to Mrs. Annie E. Abel,
editor of the Fort Clark Journal, 1834-1839, whose notes and references on
the people and events of the LTpper Missouri Outfit were of immense value
in the editing of these journals. Space and time did not allow for the correct
acknowledgement of the authority for every statement made. The Journal
of Rudolph F. Kurz was also very useful since the time of his journal,
1851-1852, was nearer the period of the Fort Benton and Fort Sariiy journals.
FORT BENTON. 1847-1864
1 Fort Benton was the successor to Fort McKenzie which was
abandoned in the spring of 1844 and the property moved down
to the mouth of the Judith river where Chardon built Fort F. A. C.
which was named for him. This was not a desirable location for
the Blackfoot trade and Culbertson who had been in charge at Fort
John on the Platte river for some time was sent in the fall of
1845 to take charge of Fort Chardon. He burned Fort F. A. C. and
moved up to a point across the river and above the site of old Fort
McKenzie and occupied a trading post which had been built by the opposi-
tion firm of Fox, Livingstone & Company which was known as Fort Cotton.
This opposition company had sold out about this time to the P. Chouteau,
Jr., and Company and their buildings became the property of that company.
Fort Cotton had not been in existence very long and was named for a Mr.
Cotton, one of the traders of Fox, Livingstone & Company. The location
is known as Cotton Bottom today but few of the old timers know why.
Culbertson named his new fort Honore in honor of Honore Picotte, agent
for the U. M. C, but Picotte wrote him on March 12, 1846, as follows:
"I am flattered and thank you for your good opinion of me in giving my
name to your Fort, but, I request you to substitute Lewis in the place of
Honore, which is much more suitable and appropriate." (Chardon Journal
at Ft. Clark.) And in this year, 1846, the name was changed to Fort Lewis.
240 NOTES AND REFERENCES
From Father Point's journal we learn that Fort Lewis was moved May
19, 1847, across the river and several miles below to a location more suitable
for trade and habitation. Culbertson told Bradley that the fort was chris-
tened Benton in honor of Senator Thomas H. Benton of Missouri on
Dec. 25, 1850, at a Christmas Day celebration at the fort but it was known
as Fort Benton in the ledgers of P. Chouteau, Jr. and Company as early as
1848. Probably a formal christening was made on the day Culbertson
named. The new fort was built of logs but later the log buildings were
replaced with adobe structures which were a number of years, 1850-1860,
in building. The P. Chouteau, Jr. & Company about 1864 sold out to the
Northwest Company which occupied the buildings for a few years. The
U. S. soldiers stationed at Fort Benton were housed in the old fort from
1869 to 1874, when quarters in the town were rented for the accommodation
of the army people.
ALEXANDER CULBERTSON. 1809-1879
2 Alexander Culbertson was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, May
16, 1809, the son of Joseph Culbertson and his first wife, Mary Finley. The
Finleys and the Culbertsons were families of Scottish-Irish extraction who
settled in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary War.
The memory of the four Culbertson brothers who emigrated from Ireland
is perpetuated in such place names as Culbertson Postoffice, Culbertson's
Row and Culbertson's Mill.
Alexander was with his uncle, John Craighead Culbertson, in the Florida
Indian campaigns and from there went to New Orleans, thence up the
Mississippi river to St. Louis and made his entrance into the fur trade on
the St. Peter's river in Minnesota territory. An abstract of returns made
by traders in that territory, Sept. 1, 1830-Sept. 1, 1831, included the name
of A. Culbertson. It must have been a profitable experience for he made
a trip home in 1832 to visit his people. His career on the Upper Missouri
began the next year when he and a fellow townsman, Edwin T. Denig,
made a trip up the river on the steamboat Assiniboine in 1833, which was
the year that Prince Maximilian visited Fort Union and Fort McKenzie.
Denig remained at Fort LTnion while Culbertson went up to Fort McKenzie
with David D. Mitchell, where he stayed until he went down with the returns
in the spring of 1836. During that time he had been in charge during the
absence of James Kipp, and three years later he received the recognition
given the chief traders, an interest or share in the Upper Missouri Outfit.
This may have been one or one-half of one share of the twelve shares of
that company. In January, 1840, he succeeded Kenneth McKenzie at
Fort Union when the latter retired from active duty with the U. M. O.
Culbertson was sent in the late summer of 1843 to take charge of Fort
Laramie on the Platte, where the business had fallen oflf. as he was con-
sidered the best man in the service to regain the trade for the company.
He was back at Fort Union in January, 1844, when he sent Denig and
Larpenteur on a trading expedition to the Woody Alountains and appears
to have managed the affairs of both forts for a period. In the early summer
of 1845 he went east to New York to confer with Chouteau, who urged
him to re-establish a post in the Blackfoot country as the Chardon fort at
the mouth of the Judith river was not a success. While in New York
Culbertson visited with Audubon, whom he had entertained at Fort Union
in 1843. Upon his return to the LTpper Missouri he proceeded by boat to
Fort Chardon which he took over from Harvey, burned the buildings and
moved the property up the river to old Fort Cotton on the south side of
the Missouri river and above old Fort McKenzie. He named the new post
Fort Lewis, but since the location was not suitable for trade purposes the
fort material was moved across the river and a few miles down in the
spring of 1847 and Fort Benton established.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 241
The next year, 1848, Culbertson succeeded Honore Picotte as agent of
the Upper Missouri Outfit and his responsibilities increased with his pro-
motion, for the agent was in charge of all the forts on the Upper Missouri
and Yellowstone rivers. At times he was on his way to I-'ort Laramie
overland from Fort Pierre, then in keelboat on his way to the Crow post
on the Yellowstone, or down the river in the spring, by mackinaw or
steamboat, to St. Louis with the returns. He traveled thousands of rniles
in all manner of conveyances to visit the various forts, to meet the Indians
in their camps; entertained distinguished visitors of all professions, and
attended to the business of his employers at all times. His knowledge of
the Indians and the western country was considered superior to anyone
of that time and his ability as a horseman and buffalo hunter was never
equalled for years.
In all his years in the west Culbertson never lost contact with his family
in Pennsylvania, cousins and nephews visited him at his home in the
mountains, presents of robes, buffalo tongues, and strange souvenirs of
the west were sent to his father and uncles in the old home. His half-
brother, Thaddeus, a young divinity student from Princeton University
who was ill with tuberculosis, made a trip to the mountains with him in
the summer of 1850. In his journal, Thaddeus wrote many times in the
most aflfectionate and appreciative terms of the kindness of his older brother
who spared no effort to make the trip a pleasant and profitable one for
Thaddeus, who busied himself taking scientific notes for a paper which
was pubhshed in the Smithsonian Institution reports.
As the years passed the fur trade operations moved farther up the river
and the forts on the upper river became the more important in the trade.
Fort Union was first with Fort Benton second in importance. Then
gradually the business disappeared from Fort Union and Benton took first
place. The government made treaties with the Indians of the West and
established agencies for the Upper Missouri Indians. Governor I. I.
Stevens of the Survey for a Pacific Railroad planned a treaty with the
Blackfoot and Gros Ventre Indians through whose territory the survey
was to be made. Since Culbertson was considered an authority on these
Indians and had their friendship and regard he went at the request of
Governor Stevens to Washington, in the fall of 1853, to urge upon congress
an appropriation for treaty making funds. He spent the winter of 1853-54
in Washington lobbying for this appropriation and his knowledge of the
Indians proved of immense value in securing the $80,000.00 finally allotted
for that purpose. His "company" had an interest in securing contracts
for the transportation of Indian goods in their boats wliich a year or two
later was an important item in tlieir business. The "company" ledgers,
1856, in St. Louis show that he was allowed $1600.00 for his expenses in
Washington.
The years 1850-57 were those of his greatest earnings, and with living
expenses at the forts very low his money accumulated rapidly during this
time and he began his investments in property in Peoria, Illinois. His
uncle, Dr. Samuel D. Culbertson of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, had
bought farm property near Peoria and this may have been responsible for
Alexander's purchase of a farm on the outskirts of Peoria in 1854, for
which he paid $3500.00. At that time this sum would buy a very sub-
stantial piece of property. He established a home here for Natawista and
the children. His niece. Anna Culbertson, who lived with the family, had
charge of the home and the children, who were not away at boarding
school, during the absence of Alexander and his wife.
Later, in 1858, he bought another 160 acres a few miles out of Peoria and
built the beautiful home known as "Locust Grove," where he maintained
a grand style of living. This home was elegantly furnished; on the walls
were large paintings by Stanley painted to order. The grounds were
landscaped by an English gardener, and stables built for the fine horses
242 NOTES AND REFERENCES
that Culbertson and his wife both loved. One team of driving horses
exhibited at all the county fairs always carried off the blue ribbon. This
style of living was expensive and called for servants, gardeners and stable-
men. His daughters were educated either at a convent in St. Louis or at
the Moravian Seminary for Women in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with no
expense spared for all the extras of the finishing school, drawing, music,
languages and dancing. There are people still living in Peoria who have
a dim recollection of the stories of the fabulous wealth of Major Culbert-
son, of casks of gold coins in the basement, etc., but in a few years it was
difficult for the cook to collect her wages, and tradesmen's bills went
unpaid.
Culbertson had made investments in projects promoted by his good
friend, Senator Thomas H. Benton and others, in which he lost huge sums,
his generosity to relatives and friends cost him heavily and the money
spent on the Peoria property brought no returns. By 1866, he had made
a trust deed to a Thomas G. McCulloch of his Peoria real estate for a
consideration of $1.00. The deed provided that McCulloch, a remote con-
nection by marriage, was to operate the property and pay the net proceeds
to Culbertson as long as he lived. In the event of his death the proceeds
were to be paid to Natawista during her lifetime and after her death to
Fannie and Joseph. Perhaps the other children were not mentioned be-
cause they were considered of age. Janie died in 1860 and Julia was married
in 1865.
The purpose of the trust deed was to escape Culbertson's creditors who
were numerous. In the fall of 1869, 33 creditors filed claims against the
property, and Culbertson, according to the record, could not be found in
the county. He was in Montana, for he was a witness to the Blackfoot,
Gros Ventre and Crow treaties of 1868 and the census of 1870 for Fort
Benton included him, Natawista, Fannie and Joseph.
He was said to have retired from the fur trade in 1859 to make his home
in Peoria, but each year he made a trip up the river accompanied by Nata-
wista. He was considered by the people who met him to be in charge of
the "company" business on the Upper Missouri and probably was until
1862. In that year Dawson was congratulated by his friend, Robert Morgan,
on having supplanted Culbertson and being at last "king of the Missouri."
By this time the company interests had changed, Fort Union was sold and
the only post owned by the Choteau firm was Fort Benton and the business
had changed from trade with the Indians to a transportation and mer-
chandise business with the white people coming into the country and
government contracts for military and Indian freights, goods, etc.
After his return to the mountains he traded in a small way and acted as
interpreter at various Indian agencies. Natawista went to live with her
people on the Blood reserve in Canada, Jack and Joe were with their father
at Fort Belknap or Fort Peck, and his daughters were in the east. In the
late seventies he went to the home of his daughter, Julia (Mrs. George H.
Roberts), in Orleans, Nebraska, where he died Aug. 27, 1879.
Perhaps the accounts of his large fortune were exaggerated, but it was
wealth for that time. His losses may be blamed on his ignorance of
the business methods in his new environment, his generosity and prodigal
style of living. Perhaps, too, overindulgence in liquor lessened his ability
to care for his business during those years in Peoria.
He is best described in the words of Father De Smet, written in 1851:
"Mr. Alexander Culbertson, superintendent of the forts on the Missouri
and Yellowstone rivers, is a distinguished man, endowed with a mild,
benevolent and charitable temper, though if need be intrepid and cour-
ageous." Again, in 1856: "I shall never forget the unbounded kindness
and charity I have received from our good and great friend the major."
NOTES AND REFERENCES 243
MRS. ALEXANDER CULBERTSON
3 Natawista Iksana or Medicine Snake Woman was the daughter of the
Blood Indian chief, Men-Es-To-Kos or Father of All Children. Her
brothers, Eagle Ribs, Red Crow and Grey Eyes, were also head men of
that tribe and Little Dog was a first cousin. She was married when a young
girl to Alexander Culbertson according to Indian custom. This marriage,
about 1840, was of immense value to Culbertson in his business dealings
with this tribe which lived north of the border in Canada and traded with
the British fur companies who did their best to keep these Indians hostile
toward the Americans. Besides these advantages in this marriage it was
a happy one in its other relations. She was a beautiful woman with an
active interest in all her husband's movements and accorded the respect
and honor given to the wife of an important man by the people who met her.
The first accounts of her are those of Audubon in his journal kept at
Fort Union in the summer of 1843, when she was about 18 or 20 years old.
He called her an "Indian princess," which was really her rank. Perhaps
Indian girls were trained as is European royalty today in all manner of
work and sport. Natawista made the parfleshes which she decorated with
dyed porcupine quills and the feathers of the golden eagle which she killed
herself. She brought Audubon six mallard ducks which she had caught
by swimming after them in the Missouri river. She was, so Audubon
wrote, "a most graceful and expert swimmer, besides being capable of
remaining under water a long time."
Natawista loved to ride and dressed up for Audubon in her Indian cos-
tume, mounted her horse and rode astride with her long hair flying loose
in the breeze. She and her Indian maid raced with the men for over a
mile with a display of magnificent riding that could not be equalled. Kurz
saw her at Fort Union in 1851 and regretted that he could not paint her
picture, but she had cut off her long, lustrous black hair in token of grief
for her young brother's death. Kurz, who had the artist's eye for beauty,
described her as "one of the most beautiful Indian women. . . . She would
be an excellent model for a Venus, ideal woman of the primitive race; a
perfect 'little wife'."
A passenger on the steamboat Iowa in a journey up the Missouri river
in the summer of 1849 described her as "the daughter of a Blackfoot chief
and married to a director of the Fur company, is well known in the Upper
Missouri region, because of the happy influence she exercises there." He
referred to the fact that because of her understanding of and relationship
to the Blackfoot Indians she was influential in maintaining peace between
these Indians and the white traders. No one appreciated the value of this
influence more than Governor I. I. Stevens who gave her credit for inspir-
ing the Indians with confidence in Stevens and his party.
In his report of Sept. 16, 1854 (Ex. Docs. Senate, 33rd Cong. 2nd Sess.
Rept. of the Sec. of the Interior, Doc. No. 86) he wrote:
"I deemed it highly advisable to secure the services of Mr. Culbertson,
one of the principal partners of the American Fur Company, as special
agent. ... I placed the more reliance upon the favorable influence which
Mr. Culbertson might place upon the Indians, as he had married a full-
blooded Blackfoot woman. Mrs. Culbertson, who had fully adopted the
manners, costume and deportment of the whites, and who, by her refine-
ment, presents the most striking illustration of the high civilization which
these tribes of the interior are capable of attaining, rendered the highest
service to the expedition, a service which demands this public acknowledge-
ment. Upon joining Mr. Culbertson at Fort Union, I found him and his
wife full of anxiety as to the reception which we would meet from the
Blackfeet. They both feared that some rude or careless act from any
member of the party might be a signal for a declaration of war. Full of
244 NOTES AND REFERENCES
these apprehensions, Mrs. Culbertson, whom it was intended to leave at
Fort Union, declared to her husband her resolution to accompany him
with the expedition to Fort Benton. She said to him 'My people are a
good people, but they are jealous and vindictive. I am afraid that they
and the whites will not understand each other; but if I go, I may be able
to explain things to them, and soothe them if they should be irritated. I
know there is great danger; but, my husband, where you go, will I go, and
where j^ou die will I die. ..." I had arranged that the tent of Mr. Culbert-
son should be pitched outside the line of sentinels so as to be readily ac-
cessible to the Indians. I soon perceived the advantages to be derived
from Mrs. Culbertson's presence. She was in constant intercourse with
the Indians, and inspired them with perfect confidence. On this portion
of the route, and afterwards when we were with the Gros Ventres, she
heard all that the Indians said, and reported it through her husband to me.
It is a great mistake to suppose the Indian to be the silent, unsociable
people they are commonly represented to be. I found them on ordinary
occasions the most talkative, gossiping people I had ever seen. The men
and women were fond of gathering around Mrs. Culbertson to hear stories
of the whites. One evening I heard shouts of merry laughter from one
of these groups. Upon inquiring the source of merriment, I learned that
Mrs. Culbertson was telling stories to her simple Indian friends of what
she saw in St. Louis. As she described a fat woman whom she had seen
exhibited, and sketched with great humor the ladies of St. Louis, it was
pleasant to see the delight which beamed from the swarthy faces around
her."
Governor Stevens and others agreed that she did not speak English but
otherwise had acquired the dress and manners of the white people. She
was the mother of five children. Jack. Nancy, Julia, Fannie and Joe.
Nancy, who was born in 1848 at Fort Union, was drowned in the Missouri
river near there some time after 1851 as she was baptized July 20, 1851, at
Fort Union by Father De Smet. Fannie said that it was Nancy's death
that caused her father to establish a home for his family at Peoria. Culbert-
son had at least one Indian wife before he married Natawista, for Maria
Culbertson who was baptized at Fort Lookout by Father De Smet on
Nov. 5, 1846, was 11 years old at that time. Janie, who was married in
1858 or 1859 and who died in 1860, was probably not the daughter of Nata-
wista. Janie was in school at the Moravian Seminarj^ for Women in
Bethlehem. Pennsylvania, in 1850, but children were sometimes sent away
to school at a very early age.
Fannie was born at Fort Union about 1850 and Joe, the youngest child,
was born in Peoria, Jan. 31, 1859. After he had settled in Peoria, Culbert-
son began to think of arranging matters so that his children would be
legalized according to the laws of the country, and to marry their mother,
Natawista, in order to protect her rights to his property. The Peoria Daily
Transcript, Sept. 12, 1859, had the following account of their wedding
according to the laws of the church and state: "An interesting marriage
ceremony. — A marriage ceremony of a peculiar and interesting character
was performed in this county on Friday last (Sept. 9, 1859). The parties
were Major Alex. Culbertson and Natawista, daughter of the chief of the
Blackfoot Indians. Major Culbertson is the well-known Indian trader
and was married to his present wife according to the Indian ceremony
some sixteen or seventeen years ago, but having latelj'^ severed his con-
nection with the American Fur Company, and settled down to an agri-
cultural life near the city, he was anxious that the ceremony might be
performed according to civilized rites. The parties have three very inter-
esting children, the eldest of whom is about fifteen years of age.
"The marriage was performed after the ceremony of the Catholic church
by Father Scanlon of St. Joseph, Missouri. A very large number of invited
guests were present on the occasion — the marriage having taken place at
NOTES AND REFERENCES 245
the Major's residence. Among them was Capt. James Kipp, a veteran of
eighty years, one of the first members of the American Fur Company, and
an associate of Major Culbertson since the latter's connection with the
fur trade. Like the Major. Kipp has lately severed his connection with
the company and has settled down to spend the remainder of his days at
Parksville, Mo. Father Scanlon is an old intimate friend of the Major's
and one who had interested himself in the Catholic Mission established by
his church among the Blackfoot nation.
"Mrs. Culbertson is a lady of fine native talent. She is said to have
rendered great service to Governor Stevens and Major Cummings (now
governor of Utah) at the time they visited the Blackfoot country and made
the treaty of the Judith between the Government and the nation to which
she belonged."
From some of the stories told to her relatives by Anna Culbertson, niece
of Alexander, we learned something of Natawista's life in Peoria. She
loved jewelry, but only the stones of color such as rubies and emeralds.
When autumn came she would have a teepee set up on the lawn, take
off her white woman's clothes, don the blanket garb of the squaw and
spend the Indian summer in her teepee. Some reports indicate an in-
dulgence in fire-water which to Natawista in accordance with Indian
custom would be a very natural thing. She loved fast horses and one
story was an account of "her having a team of half-broken horses harnessed
to a carriage and when the horses ran away and smashed the carriage she
clapped her hands in glee.
From the accounts of contemporary travelers who met the Culbertsons
on the steamboats going up the Missouri river Natawista appeared to be
with her husband whenever he made a trip to the mountains. Dr. E. J.
Marsh traveled with her on the Spread Eagle in 1859 and said, "she dressed
like a white ladv, and is said to be a very fine woman. I was introduced
to her but as she cannot speak English. I can say nothing to her." In
1R6.3 she and her husband with little Toe were passengers on the Robert
Campbell for Fort Union. It was on this trip that occurred the incident
known as the Tobacco Gardens AfTair when several employes of the
Robert Campbell were killed bv a party of Sioux Indians near Tobacco
Gardens creek. Natawista's sharp eyes detected the Indians in the
bushes along the river bank and she knew them to be hostile Sioux and
enemies. She understood the Sioux language and could tell from the talk
of the Indians who hailed the boat that they intended mischief, but <igainst
her protests the captain sent a yawl ashore to the Indians who proceeded
to kill the men who landed in full view of the men on the steamboat.
The 1870 census of Fort Benton gave her age as 45 years and it must
have been soon afterwards that she went north to live with her people.
Henry Robson of Fort Benton saw her on the Blood reserve in 1881, where
she was known as Madam Culbertson. She died there many years later
and is buried in the mission cemetery.
Jack was probably the oldest of her children. Julia. Nancy, Fannie and
Joseph came in the order named. Tack died sometime in the 80's in Willis-
ton. N. D. Tulia married George H. Roberts. May 9, 1865. at her father's
home in Peoria and later lived in Nebraska. They moved to Idaho in \^S^.
where Roberts was elected the first attorney-general of the state of Idaho
in 1890. He died in 1922 and his wife lived until 1929, when she died at
the home of her daughters in Boise, Idaho.
Joseph lived in Montana from the time he came with his father in the
60's and until his death in 1923 was employed at various Indian agencies
on the Missouri river. He was survived by several children. Fannie, who
attended the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, rnarried
Louis S. Irvin. a lawyer, about 1880 and lived in Montana and California
until her death in Great Falls, Feb. 5. 1939. Both Julia and Fannie were
intelligent and well educated women who lived all of their lives with white
246 NOTES AND REFERENCES
people as their equals in every way. Natawista's children were a credit
to her and evidence of a splendid inheritance from both parents.
4 Fort Union, 1829-1866. Fort Union was the most important and had
the longest existence of all the trading posts of the Upper Missouri Out-
fit. Its erection was begun late in 1829 under the supervision of Kenneth
McKenzie, located on the north bank of the Missouri river about three
miles above the mouth of the Yellowstone river. McKenzie was in
charge of the post and agent of the Upper Missouri Outfit until he re-
tired in 1839.
Many famous visitors were entertained at this post, Maximilian. Catlin,
Audubon and De Smet. Several of the visitors as well as the employes
such as Kurz, Larpenteur and others have written their impressions and
recollections of the fort and its people. One of the best accounts is that of
Rudolph Friederich Kurz who was there from 1851 to 1852. He kept a de-
tailed journal illustrated by excellent sketches which picture the Indians, the
white employes, the buildings, animals and many of the details of the daily
Hfe of the fort.
At the time these journals were kept, 1854-56, E. T. Denig was in charge
of Fort Union and after his departure in 1856, to make his home in the
Red River settlement in Canada, he was succeeded by F. G. Riter. In the
60's, Hodgkiss, Meldrum and Larpenteur were in charge of the fort, but
the business declined and by 1866 the buildings and material were being
moved to Fort Buford for use in the construction of the army post.
There have been a number of brief sketches of Fort Union published,
but its vivid and interesting story should some day be told in full.
5 Hunter. Each post kept a hunter whose duty was to kill game for the
fort provision. The hunter at Fort Benton was Cadotte.
6 Dobbie (adobe bricks). The adobe bricks used in building, vvhich were
made of the local mud and wild grass, about 6x4x15 inches in size.
■7 Bercrier (Bercier). This is probably the man mentioned by Chittenden
in "Early Steamboat Navigation on the Missouri River," vol. 1. p. 46, who
was killed by the Blackfoot Indians on the Teton river near Fort Benton
in 1865. An Antoine Bercier had been with the fur trade for many years
and according to one account is said to have been the man killed in 1865.
Granville Stuart mentions, June 25, 1862, "Barcier and others arrived
from Benton." This is the person, no doubt, for whom the Bercier's Springs
were named where Harkness camped for dinner, Aug. 13, 1862, between the
Dearborn river and the Bird Tail Rock on his journey from Deer Lodge
to Fort Benton.
WHITE MAN WITH GOLD
8 This was probably the incident described by Lieut. Bradley in a letter,
Sept. 21, 1875, to the Helena Herald in which he told the story as he heard
it from Culbertson who gave the year as 1856. "In the month of October
a stranger appeared at the fort, coming by the trail from the southwest,
now the Benton and Helena stage road; he was evidently an old moun-
taineer, and his object was to purchase supplies. Producing a sack, he
displayed a quantity of yellow dust which he claimed was gold, and for
which he demanded' ?^1 000.00, offering to take it all in goods. Nothing was
known at the fort of the existence of gold in the adjoining country and
Major Culbertson was loth to accept the proffered dust, having doubts of
its genuineness. Besides, even if it was gold, he was uncertain of its value
in this crude state, when an employe of the fort, a young man named Ray
(Wray?) came to the aid of the mountaineer, and by his assurances as to
the genuinf^ness of the rrold and the value of tlic quantity offered, induced
Major Culliertson to accept it. Still doubtful, however, ho made it a
NOTES AND REFERENCES 247
private transaction, charging goods to his own account. The mountaineer
was very reticent as to the locality where he obtained the gold, but in
answer to numerous questions, he stated that he had been engaged in
prospecting for a considerable period in the mountains to the southwest,
that his wanderings had been made alone, and that he had found plenty of
gold. Receiving in exchange for his gold dust a supply of horses, arms,
ammunition, blankets, tobacco, provisions and other supplies, he quietly
left the fort on his return to the mountains. Major Culbertson never saw
or heard of him again, and was ignorant even of his name. The following
year he sent the gold through the hands of Mr. Chouteau to the mint and
in due time received as the yield thereof $1,525.00, the dust having proved
remarkably pure gold." (Leeson's History of Montana, 1885, page 210.)
L. V. Mercure, who was present when the man brought the gold dust to
Fort Benton, told Bradley that he recognized the man several years later
at one of the gold camps as John Silverthorne. F. H. Woody said that
Silverthorne came to Montana in 1856 from Salt Lake City, but thi.s date
may have been incorrect. There was a discovery of gold near Colville in
1854 on the Kootenai river and it is possible that some of this gold might
have found its way to Fort Benton.
» Coal Makers. This is a reference to the charcoal made for use in the
blacksmith shop.
PERSONAL HISTORY OF MR. GEORGE WEIPPERT,
CHOTEAU COUNTY, MONTANA
By Wm. F. Wheeler
10 George Weippert was born in Quebec, 1820. His father was a Hol-
lander and his mother was of French descent. He received a common school
education, and at an early age went to St. Louis, Mo., where he clerked
in his brother's store for some years. He left that place in 1839, at the
age of nineteen, and came up the Missouri river to Old Fort Union in the
employment of the American Fur Company as a clerk. He remained in
their employment 27 years, until they sold out to the Northwest Fur Com-
pany in 1866. He has never been out of Montana during the whole period
since his arrival here.
He has always been a constant companion of Charles Mercier. He re-
mained at Fort Union for about one year, and then came up to Old Fort
McKenzie (Ft. Brule) and there retained his position as a trading clerk
until it was burned and abandoned. He accompanied Bourgeois Chardon
to the mouth of the Judith river and came with him up to the Cotton Fort,
above the present town of Fort Benton, and remained there during the two
years the American Fur Company occupied it as a trading post. During
this time it was christened by the company Fort Henry (Honore), and they
occupied it until the spring of 1847. a period of two years, when all the
material of the whole post was floated down to the present site of Fort
Benton. The timbers with some additional ones hauled from the Highwood
Mountains were used in the construction of New Fort Benton, which was
gradually replaced by adobe buildings, some of which are still standing in
1884.
Mr. Weippert gives the following account of the tragedy that occurred
in the fall of 1843 and in the spring of 1844 at Old Fort McKenzie, and
which caused the burning and abandonment of that post. He said: In
the fall of that year (1843) a war party of the Rlackfoot Indians came to
the fort, and wanted to trade for ammunition, knives, etc.. as they were
going on an expedition against the Crows, hereditary enemies. It was the
custom of the company to give war parties of Indians who traded with
them, and who stopped at their trading post to visit them, a feast or good
dinner, and also to supply them with five rounds of ammunition for each
248 NOTES AND REFERENCES
gun in the party. All this was done, but the Indians demanded double the
usual quantity, which was refused. At this they took umbrage, and in
the morning when they left drove off the cattle that belonged to the fort
and, as was claimed, killed two of them.
The cattle had been driven up from Fort Union, and the head trader and
chief clerk were charged for each one $100. No excuse for their loss would
be accepted by the company at St. Louis, and the trader and clerk were
held responsible for their loss, and consequently they felt very indignant
at the Indians for killing them, as they believed wantonly.
A negro employee, named Tom Reese, started after the Indians to try
and bring back the cattle that they were driving away, and in the pursuit
made a show of bravado and made many threats. The consequence was
he was shot dead when he endeavored to carry his threats into execution.
This angered Mr. Chardon, the head trader, and Mr. Harvey, the chief
clerk, very much and they swore that they would have revenge and pay-
ment in full for their loss.
In the next spring, at the last trade, before the time for the annual ship-
ment of furs, etc.. to St. Louis, two chiefs appeared at the fort and an-
nounced that on the next morning a large party of their people would be
there to make a big trade, as they had 500 buffalo robes and other furs,
and they wished to make arrangements for the trade. They were invited
into the fort and feasted and locked securely in a room until their com-
panions should appear in the morning to begin the trade. They had no
suspicion of foul play. They were not of the party that had killed the
cattle or the negro Reese the fall before, and had no reason to expect any
harm to themselves or friends, but they were to be woefully undeceived,
as the sequel will show.
Bourgeois Chardon was habitually too drunk to take much control of
affairs at the post, and Harvey, the chief clerk, who was ambitious to stand
well with his employers and wanted to become head trader, treacherously
obtained leave from Chardon to fire the cannon when the Indians should
appear at the gates of the fort in the morning to trade. This could only
be done on great occasions by the permission of the head trader. This
permission thus obtained, gave Harvey the opportunity to carry out his
plan of revenge against the Indians for shooting the cattle and killing the
negro, the past fall, although they were not the same Indians who committed
these deeds but unfortunately belonged to the same tribe.
Harvey had the cannon loaded to the muzzle with all kinds of missiles,
and in the morning when the Indians in quite a large body had come up
in a line along the fort in front of the gate and asked for their two chiefs
who had been detained over night, they were told they were all right and
would come out as soon as they had breakfasted. While standing in this
position, Harvey trained the loaded cannon in the bastion so as to rake
through the line when fired, and ordered a young Irishman to fire the piece.
He, to his everlasting honor, refused, saying it would be murder. Harvey
knocked him down and touched off the cannon himself.
Mr. Weippert saj's that according to his recollection four Indians fell
dead or mortally wounded, and seventeen others were more or less wounded.
The survivors ran away as fast as possible, and mounting their horses fled
for their lives, leaving the 500 robes and the other furs and skins where
they had unloaded them.
Harvey rushed out of the fort and with an axe crushed the heads of the
Indians who had fallen and scalped them. Mr. Weippert said that he was
told by some of the employees that Harvey then licked the blood from his
axe, saying, "I will serve all the dogs so." He did not witness this scene,
but has often heard those who claim to have witnessed it tell the story.
.^fter tin's Harvey went back into the fort and souglit tlic two chiefs he
had detained over night. He intended to kill them, Init they had mystcri-
NOTES AND REFERENCES 249
ously escaped. He was furious over the fact, but could not find out how
the escape was effected.
Harvey then ordered his men to bring in the robes the Indians had left
in their camp. But they were so horrified none obeyed. He could not force
or persuade them to do this. He finally said he would give them $2.50 for
each robe they would bring in. This offer was accepted and the robes were
brought into the fort, and he counted them into the store room of the
company. In this cruel manner he was revenged.
Mr. Weippert said Harvey was afterwards called to account for this
bloody deed by the company, and on examination of the affair by the head
of the company at their office in St. Louis, he was dismissed from their
service.
(Note: This was honorable to the company, at least, and was about all
they could do, for there were no courts between St. Louis and Fort Benton.
W. F. W.)
A few days after this occurrence, owing to fear that the Indians would
take revenge for the murder of their friends and the loss of their robes, and
from the determination of the employees to leave the fort and go down
the river, Chardon and Harvey determined to burn and abandon it. Thence-
forth it was called the "burnt fort" or Fort Brule.
Chardon and Harvey moved everything down to the mouth of the Judith
river, and there built a fort which was named Fort Chardon. This they
occupied during the year and then removed up to Fort Cotton, above the
present city of Benton, which the company had bought from the inde-
pendent traders, Fox, Livingston, Cotton and others.
Mr. Weippert remained in the employment of the American Fur Com-
pany until they sold out to the Northwest Fur Company. He worked for
the new company for a year or so as a trading clerk, and afterwards for
I. G. Baker & Co. until 1876. He then went into the restaurant and saloon
business for himself at Fort Benton.
In 1880 his eyesight was destroyed by an accident, and since that time
he has been totally blind. He feels this affliction severely on account of
his former active life. He cannot read the papers and not one of his old
companions is left to converse with. He lives with his son-in-law (Daniel
Blivens) and daughter, a halfbreed woman on Highwood creek, 20 miles
from Benton, who do all in their power to make his last years pleasant.
Five grandchildren console him with their prattle, but he pines for the
companionship of his old associates, most of whom are dead or live far
away from him. His health is generally good, but he complains frequently
of utter loneliness. He expects to die here, and says this sketch will be
the only memorial that he ever lived.
(Note: Weippert's name was spelled in various forms, Weipert, Whip-
pert and Wippert. He died at the home of his son-in-law, Dan O. Blevins,
on Highwood creek near Fort Benton, Jan. 12, 1888.)
ALEXANDER ROSE
1^ Chambers and Rose are the mystery men of these journals for we have
no record of either prior to the period covered by these diaries. The first
record we have of Alexander Rose is in the report of the Stevens' Survey
when Governor I. I. Stevens wrote that "Mr. Rose, Mr. Culbertson's store-
keeper, was to accompany Lieut. John Mullan as an interpreter to the
camp of the Flathead Indians on the Musselshell river." He was evidently
familiar with the language of that tribe. From the same source we learn
that he was in charge at Fort Benton when Lieut. Doty of the Stevens'
expedition visited there in June, 1854, and he was still in charge September
of that year. This was probably during the absence of Culbertson and
Dawson. When Major John Owen visited Fort Benton. July 1, 1856,
Rose was in charge.
250 NOTES AND REFERENCES
Rose was also familiar with the Blackfoot language since he was sent
by E. A. C. Hatch, agent for that tribe, to bring the Blackfoot and Blood
Indians to Fort Benton for a council meeting.
The Hosmer Journal of distances on the Missouri river lists a Rose's
Point, same as Spread Eagle Point, between Wolf Point and Fort Union.
This must have been the location which Chittenden said was marked on
all the steamboat maps of the Upper Missouri as "Rose's Grave" but
which he said was opposite the mouth of the Milk river. Chittenden as-
sumed it was the grave of Edward Rose, but since he was killed in the
Yellowstone country it may have been the grave of Alexander Rose.
His son, Charley Rose, better known by his Indian name of Yellow Fish,
said his father died many years ago at Fort Benton. Joseph Brown of
Browning said Charley Rose was of Cree blood and adopted by the Black-
foot. was interpreter for the government, but in his old age had forgotten
the English language. He died at Heart Butte, November, 1935, aged 83
years, and is survived by a son, William Rose, who lives at Heart Butte.
It is possible that Alexander Rose came from Canada to the Upper
Missouri between 1851-1853. The Canadian archives list an Alexander
Rose, tavern-keeper in the Province of Ontario, 1801, who may have been
the father of this man.
Rose kept the Fort Benton Journal from May 12 to October 17, 1856,
and his entries show him to have had an average education for that time.
Since there is no mention of him in the poll lists of 1864 he had either died
or left the country prior to that date.
12 Three Butes (near Fort Benton). The Three Buttes of page two
were near Fort Benton but the Buttes mentioned Aug. 9, 1855, were the
Sweet Grass Hills of today. East, West and Gold Buttes. The Blackfoot
Indians told Governor Stevens "Providence created the hills for the tribe
to ascend and look for buffalo."
13 Mountain (Highwoods). The mountains were the Highwood Moun-
tains southeast of Benton, where the timber used at the fort was obtained.
14 Gros Ventres. The name Gros Ventres ("big bellies") was given by
the French to two distinct tribes of Indians. One tribe, the Hidatsa, were
known as the Gros Ventres of the Missouri, and the other as the Gros
Ventres of the Prairie. The latter were a detached band of the Arapaho,
who, according to F. V. Hayden, because of a feud became separated from
their friends, crossed the Rocky Mountains and associated themselves with
the Blackfeet. Their former hunting grounds were on the tributaries of
the Saskatchewan.
LOUIS RIVET. 1803-1902
Personal History of Louis Rivet or "Revy" by Wm. F. Wheeler.
■'•'> Louis Rivet, or "Revy", as he is always called, was born at St. Louis,
Mo., in 1803. He never had the advantage of a single day's school in his
life and never learned to read or write. He was of French Canadian
descent.
St. Louis, according to his earliest recollection of it, was almost an Indian
village, and was an Indian trading post. The white inhabitants were mostly
Spanish and French, with but a few Americans. He was raised by an
uncle on his mother's side, named Roubidcau. He worked as a laborer in
clearing up the woods, hauling logs, building cabins and any kind of work
that ofifered. When he was about fifteen years old, a Mr. Wiggins started
a ferry at St. Louis, at first using skifTs, which young Rivet rowed for him
for several years. Afterwards Mr. W. replaced the skiflfs by a keel boat
which was propelled by a sort of tread-mill wheel, upon which two men
at a time tramped for an hour when they were relieved by two others.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 251
After using these keel boats for two or three years Mr. Wiggins procured
a horse boat, employing from four to eight horses to get sufficient po\yer
to propel it. The city was growing rapidly, and frequent communication
between the two sides of the river became necessary to accommodate the
tide of immigrants coming into the new purchase from the east, farmers
and market people passing to and fro. Missouri had become a state.
American energy prevailed in the new order of things. As eastern people
moved into the city and country the old Spanish settlers mostly left for
New Orleans or New Mexico. Trade was increasing and steamboats were
plying between St. Louis, Cincinnati and New Orleans regularly. It was
several years after steamboating commenced before Mr. Wiggins dis-
carded his old horse ferry and put on a steam ferryboat. These changes
threw Mr. Rivet out of employment. Indeed, he left ferrying when the
first horse ferryboat was bought.
At about 18 years of age Mr. R. went to Jacksonville, 111., with W. L.
Neay, a Kentuckian, and worked for him three years on a farm. Mr. N.
and other farmers owned slaves and worked them.
When about 21 years old Mr. Rivet engaged as a hand on a keel boat
plying between St. Louis and the lead mines at and near Galena, 111. They
carried bacon, corn, flour and groceries, etc., to the mines and returned
with the lead produced to St. Louis for a market. He continued in this
business for several summers, and labored in the winter at other employ-
ments.
In the spring of 1829, Mr. Rivet was employed by the American Fur
Company to help take keel boats up the Missouri river to the Rocky
Mountains, which were loaded with goods for their various trading posts
along the upper river. The boats left St. Louis in March under the com-
mand of Mr. James Kip (Kipp) and arrived at Old Fort McKenzie,_ eight
miles above the mouth of the Marias, in September and there delivered
their cargoes.
Mr. R. remained at the fort during the winter of 1829-30 (1831-32), and
in the spring accompanied the keel boat, which was loaded with the furs,
robes and peltries that had been traded for during the winter, down to
Fort Union. Here the cargo was transferred to the company's stearner,
if one had arrived from St. Louis, or if not, continued on down the river
until one was met, when the transfer was usually made; but if out of the
hostile Indian country, would continue on to St. Louis.
From Fort Union Mr. Rivet was sent with a party of trappers to the
mouth of the Shayenne (Cheyenne) river, and trapped for beaver, otter
and mink up that stream and across the country to the forks of the Platte
river near to where the North Fork joins with the Laramie river, where
the company had a fort (Fort William), the name of which he cannot
remember. 'This was his first experience as a trapper. The party was
very successful, for beaver were very plentiful. Each man of the party
was provided with a riding and pack horse, and the journey was both
pleasant and profitable. There were between thirty and forty men in this
party and. being well armed, they were strong enough to protect them-
selves against the Indians who were very hostile.
The wages of a trapper were $300.00 per year, and he must buy his own
clothing and kill his own meat while trapping, and was only fed by the
company when necessarily detained at the forts by it. The company fur-
nished the arms, ammunition, traps and horses. On the expedition re-
ferred to above one Provo, a Canadian Frenchman, was their guide and
leader. The trappers had to remain at this fort until the supplies for the
Indian trade and the outfit for the trappers should arrive from St. Louis.
This detained them six weeks or two months, but they lost no time as it
was summer when no trapping was done.
About the last of August Mr. Fontenelle. who had charge of the com-
pany's post, formed a party of trappers to go west across the mountains.
252 NOTES AND REFERENCES
The party numbered about 150 men and were commanded by Fontenelle
himself, Provo still being the guide. The party traveled up the Laramie,
crossed over to and traveled up Green river and met at the rendezvous on
Snake river at the Old Park late in the fall. During this long journey the
party was constantly annoyed by hostiles who infested the route through
which they passed, and several trappers were killed in the numerous attacks.
On arriving at the rendezvous on Snake river, the trappers who had been
staying in the mountains hunting, met them with great quantities of furs
which they had taken. When all were thus assembled they numbered over
five hundred. As provisions were scarce the men were divided into small
parties of from thirty to fifty each, outfitted and assigned to different streams
to engage in hunting to provide themselves with provisions until spring
should open, and for trapping together in supporting distance of each other.
After the winter and spring campaign of trapping was over, all met again
at the rendezvous on Snake river and brought in the furs they had taken.
They remained at or near the rendezvous during the summer and hunted
deer, elk and buffalo, and caught fish (for they had to find their own pro-
visions) until about the 15th of September, when they again went out in
parties for the fall hunt for furs. When these were brought in, they out-
fitted for the winter and spring hunt.
The reason for remaining in camp from May until September was that
the furs taken in the summer were not of good quality.
Mr. Rivet remained in the mountains hunting and trapping in the summer
for the companj' for three years. During this time, besides trapping on
Snake river, he trapped and hunted on the principal tributaries of the
Missouri down as far as the present town of Gallatin city, also on the
Deer Lodge river, as far down as the mouth of the Little Blackfoot.
In the summer of 1832, while the party of trappers to which Mr. Rivet
belonged were hunting on a tributarj^ of Snake river, they discovered a
large party of Indians who they found out were Blackfeet coming into the
valley where they had their principal camp. They immediately sent mes-
sengers to all their friends to come into their rendezvous at once, as they
apprehended an attack from the Indians. The messengers were also in-
structed to give warning to all parties of trappers known to be in the vicinity.
In a short time all their own friends and other parties had arrived. He
remembered that to their great joy, Sublette and Campbell, leaders of the
rival Rocky Mountain Fur Company, were met unexpectedly. The Indians
were astonished to find so many white men gathered together so suddenly
when they had seen but comparatively few. They therefore immediately
fortified themselves in the edge of a swampy wood and awaited the attack
of the whites, which was not delayed. The Indians fought bravely from
behind their log and brush breastworks, but would not leave it. Their fire
was returned with interest by the trappers, and they were so surrounded
that it seemed impossible for them to escape, and they would not surrender.
Several white men had been killed or wounded. Captain Sublette had been
shot through the shoulder. A number of Indians were seen to fall. Some
were killed and some wounded. The fight lasted until night, when the
whites withdrew into the edge of the woods, determined to renew the
attack on the fort in the morning. When they crept through the woods
and brush to renew the fight they found the fort deserted and the Indians
gone. The fight had been bloody, for blood could be seen in spots all
around. A number of dead Indians and horses were found in the enclosure.
The wounded had been carried away. Several white men were killed and
wounded, as were a number of friendly Indians who joined in the fight.
The Blackfeet did not attack the trappers in force again. They would only
attack from ambush, or in superior numbers.
(Note: I had read an account of a battle in Bonneville's travels which
occurred about the time mentioned by Mr. Rivet, and told him I believed it
was the same. On my return home I consulted Bonneville, Chapter VI,
NOTES AND REFERENCES 253
where he very graphically describes the battle of Pierre's Hole, and 1 am
perfectly satified it was the same as that described by Rivet.— W. F. W.)
(Rivet's next statement checks with the Wyeth Correspondence and
Journals, 1831-36, p. 196. "May 29, 1833. 4 hunters left us today to hunt
beaver in the Blackfoot country, Pellew, Charloi, Narbesse, Rivey.")
In the fall of his third year as trapper and hunter (1833) Mr. Rivet
trapped up Snake river and on the headwaters of the Missouri, and down
that stream until he reached the company's post at Old Fort McKenzie,
from which he had been absent three years and a half. For ten years
thereafter he remained in the employment of the company as hunter, scout
and messenger for the fort.
In 1843 Mr. Rivet left the service of the company and went to Fort
Garry on the Red River of the North in British America. His object in
going there was to place his three daughters in the Catholic convent to be
educated.
Mr. Rivet had previously married Mary Arnell, a halfbreed Indian woman
whose father's name is given to an island in the Missouri river and to
Arnell's creek in Chouteau county. By her he had the three daughters
mentioned. He maintained them at the convent for fourteen years, and
they were well educated. One of them accompanied the Sisters to Elk
Lake in the British N. W. Territory, and was there married. He has never
seen her or her children since they parted at Fort Garry. The youngest
accompanied him to Cypress Mountain on a trading expedition and there
died. The third is married to Mr. Amiel Paul, a farmer, and they are now
living on the Shonkin in Chouteau county.
Mr. Rivet himself lived in British America for seven years. He pro-
cured a license or permit from the Hudson Bay Company to trade on his
own account in any part of their territory on condition of selling his furs
to them at a fixed price. He purchased his supplies mostly at "St. Pauls'
(Minn.) as the old trading post there was then called. He traded in
various parts of the H. B. country, and had a post one year on the shore
of Hudson's Bay.
Mr. R. returned to Montana in 1850, and has almost constantly smce
been employed as trader at various posts, and as interpreter for traders
and for the government, for which he is peculiarly well qualified, as he
is familiar with everv Indian dialect of the plains and the mountains, from
St. Louis to the Rockies, and from the Platte river to Hudson's Bay.
When out of employment he hunts and traps on his own account.
In 1866. he built Fort Hawley on the Missouri for Hubbell and Hawley
and had charge of it for one year. In 1867 he built a trading post for
himself at the Big Bend of Milk river and traded one season there. In
1868 he was employed by I. G. Baker & Co. to trade and interpret for
them at Fort Browning. In 1869 he built a trading post at Cypress Moun-
tain for Alichael Laugevine and Lorieau of Fort Benton, and there traded
for them during the following winter. In 1871-2 he interpreted for I. G.
Baker & Co. at their post eight miles above Fort Belknap on Milk river.
Since that time Mr. R. has worked for himself at various places in the
Spring and Summer, but when September comes he outfits for a Fall and
Winter campaign of hunting and trapping, which has been his habit for
more than fifty years and which he cannot resist, and is now, at the age
of 81 years, preparing for another trapping expedition with all the ardor
of a young man, as soon as he finishes raking up the hay for Tom
O'Hanlon, the trader at Belknap, which will be about the first of Septem-
ber. Last spring Mr. R. lost his cabin, camping outfit, arms, clothing and
provisions and many valuable furs by fire during his temporary absence
from home. He says he must therefore try his fortune again at trapping
and hunting, for he will be dependent upon no one as long as he can do
for himself. If all the travels and adventures of this sturdy and inde-
pendent old trapper could be recorded — his many battles with his life-
254 NOTES AND REFERENCES
long enemies, the Indians, his strategy to avoid or circumvent them, his
skill and cunning as hunter and trapper, his contests with the savage
grizzly bears, whose marks he carries, his sufferings and hardships in his
many years of travel — they would make a volume of true adventure and
heroic bravery that no imaginary story could surpass; yet, he, like most
men of his kind, count all he has done and endured as but the common-
place everyday work of life. Now at his advanced age he is hale and
hearty, and looks forward to a winter of enjoyment in the mountains
alone as his favorite pursuit. May he fully realize all his anticipations of
pleasure and profit, for such men as he have made it possible for Montana
to be settled in safety from savage attacks, and her people to build up for
themselves pleasant and happy homes.
Note: Since the above was written I have learned that Mr. Rivet went
on his trapping expedition in the fall of 1884, and in about three months
caught beaver enough to bring him $800 in cash. — W. F. W.
(Louis Rivet died Dec. 31, 1902, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Paul,
who was living on Milk river at the time. He lacked six months of
reaching the century mark.
Rivet's wife, Mary Arnell, was living in 1925, at the home of her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Paul, in Browning. Mary Arnell was married to Rivet at 12
years of age, so she claimed, but her daughter, Mrs. Paul, says that it
could not have been before 1834, (?) which was the year Rivet came to Fort
McKenzie. In 1876 or 1877 Mary Arnell married another Frenchman,
Philip Deschamps, who ran a saloon in Fort Benton. He died four years
later. (Died in Fort Benton, July 9, 1891.) Mrs. Deschamps made her
home with Mrs.' Paul from 1910 until her death. Her father was Augustus
Hammell, who was an interpreter at Fort Benton. His name is some-
times given as Hamell, Armell and Arnell. Mrs. Louise Paul, now living
at Browning, Montana, is the daughter of Rivet and Mary Arnell and was
born over seventy years ago.)
16 Horse Guard. An employe whose work was to guard the horses
belonging to the fort from theft by Indians.
17 Tevis, Mr. (John C). John C. Tevis of St. Louis made a trip up
the river to Fort Benton in the fall of 1852 and returned in September,
1853, in a mackinaw boat with Lieutenant Saxton and others of the Stevens
expedition. A merchant of this name was listed in the St. Louis directory
from 1842 to 1855 and since it was said that he was traveling for his
health he may have died on his return from his last trip in 1854.
He made a second trip to Fort Benton in the summer of 1854, for
Lieutenant Doty of the Stevens expedition said that Mr. Tevis of St. Louis
who was coming in the company boat to spend the winter at Fort Benton
would look after the weather observations for the government party as
Doty had to leave. Tevis evidently changed his mind about staying, for
Stevens reported that he returned to St. Louis early in the winter of
1854-55, which would agree with the journal.
18 Cadotte (Pierre). The name of Cadotte was an old one in the annals
of the fur trade, for Jean Baptiste Cadotte who married an Indian woman
in 1756 founded a family whose descendants followed the frontier to the
Pacific ocean. There were at least two Cadottes at Fort Benton at this
time, a father and son, and the father may have been the Pierre Cadotte
for whom Stevens named the pass. On Sept. 18, 1853, he wrote: "We
called it Cadotte's pass from Cadotte, one of our guides who passed over
it two years since." This pass, in the Rocky Mountains between the head-
waters of the Dearborn and Blackfoot rivers, is still known as Cadotte's
Pass.
Pierre was, no doubt, the man whom Kurz described as the "best stag
hunter in this region. He is a genuine 'mountaineer,' possessing to a
NOTES AND REFERENCES 255
marked degree both their good and their less favorable qualities. He is
unrivaled in the skill of starting, pursuing, approaching, shooting and
carving a deer. In other respects he is heedless, wasteful and fool-hardy
— half^Canadian and half Cree." , . ^ , ,• i >t
From the Chambers journal we learn that the older Cadotte died Nov.
17 1855 from the accidental discharge of his gun while hunting with his
son near Fort Union. The Indians say that the great "Pierre Cadotte
who discovered the pass of that name died of tuberculosis at the Badger
Creek agency on the Blackfoot reservation in 1873.
A Peter Cadotte was a witness to the Blackfoot treaty, Benton, Sept.
1, 1868, as an interpreter. The 1870 census for Fort Benton included:
' Louis Cadotte, 45 years old, halfbreed, born in Montana.
Peter Cadotte, 30 years old, halfbreed, born in Montana.
if> Paul. There were several men of this name on the Upper Missouri
in the 50's and earlier. Paul Pellot, a mulatto, was a pilot on the mackinaw
boats for many years. E. A. C. Hatch mentioned one Paul who was
employed on the trip from Fort Union to Fort Benton, July, 1856.
Paul Polache (Pellot?) was one of the pilots for the two mackinaw
boats that brought the government goods from Fort Union to the council
grounds at the Judith.
20 Little Dog— 1866. Little Dog, a Piegan chief, was described by W. T.
Hamilton as a "fine looking specimen of an Indian chief, over six feet in
height, straight as an arrow." Vaughan said he was considered to be one
of the' bravest and proudest Indians on the plains. Governor Stevens
reported him to be a man of character and probity.
He and his son were murdered near Benton, May 28, 1866, by Indians
led by Three Sons. He was buried at Fort Benton. According to one
report, he was a first cousin of Mrs. Culbertson.
21 Blood Indians. See Note 32. Blackfeet Indians.
HUGH MONROE. 1784-1892
A Brief Sketch of the Life of the Oldest Man in Montana-
Still Vigorous at 106 Years of Age.
(From The River Press, Feb. 19, 1890)
22 The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears above, now lives on
Two Medicine Lodge creek, near the Piegan Indian agency, in the north-
western part of Choteau county, and is the oldest old-timer in Montana.
He was born near Montreal, Canada, May 4, 1784, and is therefore in his
106th year. His father, also named Hugh, was a captain in the French
army in Canada, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sophie Larue,
was born in Canada when that country was under French dominion. In
his youth Hugh received a good education, having attended the English
school at Montreal for three years and the Priests' college over four years.
When he was eighteen years of age, at the solicitation of a half brother,
Joseph Larock, who was then in the employ of the Hudson Bay Company
in the "Indian territories." Hugh went "west" and was given the position
of apprentice-clerk at the Edmonton House, one of the company s forts
on the Saskatchewan river. He remained in the company's employ three
years and at the age of twenty-one married a Blackfoot woman. At this
time Hugh had a disagreement with the company's governor of that dis-
trict, who seems to have been rather a harsh individual, and he determined
to join the Indians, among whom he has lived ever since, and until recently
his home has been with the Kootenais. ,, , r ,
He speaks various Indian languages and as a sign talker has tew equals.
In 1832, Hugh, having heard from some Indians of the arrival of the
256 NOTES AND REFERENCES
American Fur Company's traders at the mouth of the Marias, made a
long journey from his northern home, accompanied by his wife, to visit
them and to lay in a stock of tobacco and other necessaries. In 1836, being
then with his friends, the Kootenais, he discovered and christened St.
Mary's lake. He erected a larj?e cross there at that time.
Between this and 1853 he continued his roving life, making occasional
trips to Fort Benton and other outposts, and became known far and wide
as a man of great influence among the restless northwestern tribes. In
1853 he acted as interpreter and guide for Governor Stevens' survey party
from Fort Benton to Walla Walla, from where he again went back to the
Kootenais.
The old man is quite vigorous and manages to get around fully as lively
as his two sons with whom he now lives, the older of whom is now 75
years of age. He mounts a horse with the agility of a boy and goes with
them to the mountains for wood, and never fails to catch a mess of trout.
Often he visits the agency and to see him stepping along as briskly as a
man of forty is surprising, considering the life of exposure and danger he
has led. Not long since while crossing the square enclosure of the agency
he met a very feeble, decrepit old man by the name of Burd, who was
barely able to get along with his stick and the assistance of his wife, and
who is about 90 years of age. Having passed him, Mr. Monroe turned
quickly around, saying: "Poor man! He's getting pretty old and I feel
sorry for him."
Hugh is the father of ten children, only three of whom are living. His
wife died on Upper Sun river at an extreme old age fourteen years ago.
When asked if he ever thought of marrying again he replied, "Well, I'm
getting rather well along in years, but if I could find a woman to my taste
I would try to get her, and you bet I would make her a good husband, too."
Mr. Monroe has used tobacco from boyhood and once in a while takes a
little spirits, but he has never been intemperate. Meat has been his prin-
cipal diet. He yet has his old flint lock gun, a smooth bore of great length,
with which he has killed almost every variety of game known to the North
American continent. He has participated in many conflicts with hostile
tribes, and has had many hair breadth escapes and thrilling adventures,
many of which will be given in book form in a history of his life which
will soon be published. He carries on his person the scars of several old
arrow wounds and is blind in his left eye. The latter injury is the result
of a personal encounter forty j^ears ago with a Sioux Indian. Mr. Monroe
never belonged to a Montana legislature, which, with his other temperate
traits, may account for his longevity.
Hugh Monroe died at Milk river, Dec. 7, 1892, aged 109 years; buried at
Holy Family Mission graveyard, Dec. 9. 1892. (Records of the Holy
Family Mission.)
23 Little Grey Head. The Little Grey Head was one of the principal
chiefs of the Piegan Indians, according to the report of E. A. C. Hatch,
agent for the Blackfoot Indians, in 1856. He signed the Blackfoot treaty
of Oct. 17, 1855, at the mouth of the Judith river.
JAMES BIRD, JUNIOR.— 1892
24 James Bird, Sr., was born in Acton, Middlesex county, England, about
1773 and entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company at York
Factory in 1788. From that date until his retirement in 1824 he was em-
ployed by the Hudson's Bay Company in the Saskatchewan river section
and in the latter years of his service was governor of this district. Alex-
ander Henry met Bird and his Indian family in 1809 near Cumberland
House. The mother of these children may have been the Indian woman
he married March 30, 1821. who died in October, 1834. He had three half-
breed sons, James, Joseph and Nicholas. After his retirement from the
NOTES AND REFERENCES 257
fur trade he lived in the Red River Settlement, married a white woman,
Mrs. Mary Lowman, in 1835 and had two sons by this marriage. One of
these sons, Dr. James Curtis Bird, was speaker of the Manitoba Legis-
lature 1873-74. James Bird, Sr., held several important government
positions in Manitoba and died in Winnipeg, Oct. 18, 1856, and was buried
in the churchyard of the old cathedral.
Joseph Bird, born in 1800, joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1815,
employed in the Edmonton district, 1818-19, an active and industrious
young man. In 1819 returned to the Red River colony and was baptized,
Jan. 12, 1826. (Colin Robertson's Letters, 1817-1822, pub. 1940.) Nicholas
G. Bird went to Oregon with the Red River immigration in 1841.
James Bird may have been the oldest son of the first marriage, for he
was with Pierre C. Pambrun in 1816, who was in charge of a brigade of
five boats for the Hudson's Bay Company, when both were taken prisoners
by the Northwest people at the time of the attack on the Selkirk Settle-
ment by men of the Northwest Company. In the hearing that was held
later Bird gave his testimony as to the capture of the men and boats and
also his version of the talk made by one of their Indian captors. This
would indicate that in 1816 he was old enough to occupy a position of
some responsibility and understood the Indian language. His age at the
time of his death in 1892 was given as 107 years, which would make the
year of his birth 1785 and his father eight years old at that time. He may
have been born between 1790 and 1800 and about 18 or 20 years old in
1816 when he was taken prisoner by the Northwest Company employes.
The next mention of James Bird, Jr., is in the Fort Tecumseh (later
Fort Pierre), S. D., Journal, when he was interpreter for the American
Fur Company:
"April 27, 1832: Messrs. McKenzie, Kipp and Bird with nine Blackfeet
arrived in a bateau from Fort Union.
"May 1, 1832: Mr. Bird and the Blackfeet Indians left here in the
morning on a visit to the Sioux camp.
"May 4, 1832: Mr. Bird and the Indians returned from the Sawon
(Siouan) camp."
Maximilian met him at Fort McKenzie in August, 1833, and described
him as: "Bird, a halfbreed, a treacherous, very dangerous man who had
great influence over the Blackfeet . . . had been with the American Fur
Company, then with the Hudson's Bay Company, and cheated both ... a
tall, strong man. brownish complexion, thick black hair, spoke Blackfoot
language fluently. In 1833 he was not in the service of either company
but trapping beaver and hunting on his own account." Bird set up his
tent among the poplars near Black Chief's, of the Blackfoot Indians, lodge
and visited the fort frequently. He annoyed the people there by telling
them that he was about to make a trip to the north, presumably to the
forts of the Hudson's Bay Company who were the rivals of the American
company, for the trade of the Blackfoot Indians. There was a suspicion
that he aroused the hostility of the Indians toward one another and the
"company." At this time bands of the Blood and Blackfoot Indians visited
the fort and the traders endeavored to keep peace between the Indians
and maintain friendly relations on the part of the company and the various
tribes. This called for continual demonstrations of good will and gen-
erosity on the part of the "company."
David Mitchell, the chief trader, angered Bird by refusing to sell him
one of his best horses. An Indian told the traders later that Bird had
endeavored to get the Indians to go north with their furs. Since Bird
had assured Mitchell he would use his influence for the American com-
pany it was evident that he was insincere and dangerous. As the company
felt none too secure in the friendship of the Blackfoot Indians and the
fear of losing their trade to the Hudson's Bay Company was always with
them, such an individual could be a real menace. Maximilian thought "it
258 NOTES AND REFERENCES
would be highly important to the company to deprive this dangerous,
influential halfbreed of the power of injuring them." Was he suggesting
that the company have Bird murdered?
The Battle of Pierre's Hole, July 18, 1832, between the Blackfoot Indians
on the one side and the white traders and hunters, the Flathead and Nez
Perce Indians on the other, was precipitated by the treacherous murder
of a Blackfoot by Antoine Godin and a Flathead. As the Indian advanced
under a truce, Godin, as he clasped the hand of the Blackfoot, motioned
to the Flathead to shoot him. This was Godin's revenge for the murder
of his father by the Blackfoot Indians some years previous.
In the summer of 1836 a band of Blackfoot Indians led by a white man
named Bird appeared across the river from Fort Hall and their leader
signalled Godin to cross over to them with a canoe as thej^ had beaver to
trade. Godin, alone in the canoe, landed near the Indians and smoked
the pipe of peace with them. While he smoked the pipe in his turn Bird
signalled to an Indian behind Godin who shot him in the back. Bird
scalped him while he was still alive and cut Wyeth's initials N J W in
large letters upon his forehead. He then called to the fort people to bury
the carcass and went off with his party. N. J. Wyeth was in charge of
Fort Hall at the time. This was the account that John McLeod of the
Hudson's Bay Company gave to John K. Townsend at Fort Walla Walla,
Sept. 1, 1836. McLeod said Bird had been with Hudson's Bay Company,
taken prisoner by the Blackfoot and had lived with them ever since, was
a great chief and leader of their war parties. He had a feud with Godin
and had sworn to kill him at the first opportunity.
It was several years later that John Dunn (The Oregon Territory,
pub. 1844) heard Mr M'Kay of the Hudson's Bay Company tell the story
of Bird in the "bachelors' hall" of Fort Vancouver. "This young Bird
was a son of a Mr. Bird, a gentleman some years ago in the service of the
company. He had received a fair education and could converse in French
and English and had been employed for a time by the company but found
the work too hard and joined the Blackfoot Indians, was made a chief
and became a prominent man in the tribe. He was called by the trappers
"Jemmy Jock" and was much disliked by the American trappers and it
was said a reward of $500 had been offered for his head as he was sup-
posed to have been a leader of a band of Blackfoot that cut off an Ameri-
can party and killed a number of the men. At that time (1840) he had
been living with the Blackfoot 20 years. M'Kay said one time when his
party was in camp he thought there were Blackfeet in the country because
of certain signs and accordingly gave strict orders to the Canadians on
watch to be alert. . . . But Jemmy Jock, dressed as a Canadian voyageur,
came into the camp unobserved, walked up to the chief guard and, speak-
ing to him in Canadian French, said he had 'received orders that the
horses which were in camp should be turned out to graze.' The watch-
man thought the order came from M'Kay and ordered the horses turned
out. Soon the camp was aroused by the Blackfoot warwhoop; some of
the horses were mounted by the Indians and others driven off before them.
The trappers were left to make their way afoot as best they could.
"One of his jokes was to leave a letter tied to a stick for the benefit of
a trapper who might pass that way. He would state that he had camped
there a short time before and give information which at one time would
be true and valuable and again false and misleading, and the unfortunate
trapper who believed the letter might find himself misled."
Mr. Rundle, an English Wesleyan missionary to the Indians near Fort
Edmonton, had as an interpreter in 1841-46 "a Mr. Bird, the halfbreed
son of a chief factor," who may have been James or one of his brothers,
but Rundle's entry in his diary for April 21, 1841, would indicate that it
was James: "Among the Blackfeet. Saw my interpreter and asked him
if he intended speaking for me and he refused." This surly answer was
NOTES AND REFERENCES 259
typical of Bird. In his entry for May 31, 1846, Rundle wrote: "Service
was held in Mr. Bird's tent when about 65 were present." Again, June 28,
1846," "In this neighborhood (Banff) lies buried a half-caste girl, a daughter
of Mr. Bird, who I trust to meet in My Father's House above. I baptized
her at Rocky Mountain House and she made a hopeful end. She took
great delight in religion and once when prayers were held in her father's
tent and she was unable to sit up without assistance, she was held in her
father's arms so that she could take part."
Father De Smet on a journey in search of the Blackfoot Indians met
Bird at Fort Edmonton in 1845 and the missionary wrote in his letter of
Oct. 30, 1845: "My greatest perplexity is to find a good and faithful inter-
preter; the only one now at the fort (Bird) is a suspicious and dangerous
man; all his employers speak ill of him — he makes fine promises. In the
alternative ... I accept his services.
"Dec. 31, 1845. On the 31st of October I took leave of Mr. Harriotte
. . . my interpreter did not long leave me in doubt of his true char-
acter ... he became sullen and peevish, always choosing to halt in those
places where the poor beasts of burden could find nothing to eat. . . The
farther we penetrated into the desert, the more and more sulky he became.
It was impossible to draw from him a single pleasant word, and his in-
coherent mutterings and allusions became subjects of serious apprehension.
Thus passed ten sorrowful days; my last two nights had been nights of
anxiety and watching; when fortunately I encountered a Canadian with
his family, on whom I prevailed to remain with me some time. The
following day my interpreter disappeared . . . beware of placing your
dependence upon a morose halfbreed, especially if he has been for some
time a resident among the savages; for such men usually possess all the
faults of the white man joined to the cunning of the Indian. . . ."
John Rowand, chief factor at Fort Edmonton, wrote to De Smet, Dec.
3, 1845: "Beware, my good sir, of your interpreter Bird. He hates every-
thing connected with the French or Canadians. Munroe (Hugh Munro)
is not a bad sort of man, but I cannot recommend him as fit to interpret
what you have to say to the natives. Munroe does well enough at a
trading post and the shop."
J. E. Harriott, factor at Rocky Mountain House on the North Fork of
the Saskatchewan river, wrote in a letter to De Smet, March 30, 1846:
"We have seen a great number of Blackfeet and Surcess, since I last
wrote, but nothing of Bird or Munroe. I am very doubtful whether we
shall see them from what the Assiniboin who saw them last say about
them."
Paul Kane, the Canadian artist, found Jemmy Jock, a Cree half-breed,
in temporary charge of Rocky Mountain House when he visited there in
April, 1848. Though neither (latholic nor Protestant missionaries had any
respect for Jemmy Jock and gave him a bad reputation throughout the
country, Kane found him hospitable and trustworthy. He was told that
the trader had been sent out by the "Company" many years before to
learn the Blackfoot language to help with the trade, but he had married
a chief's daughter and liking the life of the Indian so well left the service
of the "Company" to live with the Indians. Kane learned much of the
customs of the tribe from Jemmy Jock, who had lived with them thirty
or forty years.
Thomas Pambrun, son of Pierre C. Pambrun of the H. B. Company,
published. a series of reminiscences in the Teton Times (Choteau, Montana)
and in one of these articles he would, if it were not for one or two state-
ments, appear to be describing James Bird. In the issue of Alarch 4, 1893,
he wrote: "On these plains (east of the Rocky Mountains) roamed the
most treacherous, cruel, and therefore dreaded man. His name was James
Bard (Bird) alias Jim My Joke (Jemmy Jock?). Educated in England, a
finely proportioned man, very fair for a halfbreed and his beautiful tresses
260 NOTES AND REFERENCES
hung down to his shoulders. He was undoubtedly the finest specimen
of a man I ever saw. Disagreeing with the Hudson Bay Company, he
joined the Indians, first one tribe and then another as his whim or
imaginary injuries or concocted schemes dictated. He had women and
children in every tribe and wherever he headed was victorious. The asso-
ciation with his name was enough. He was therefore courted by all, even
by the company who paid him stipulated sums in goods annually to keep
peace. His movements were closely watched by all inimical tribes and
trappers as well. He has been known to go as far south as Snake river
in the vicinity of Fort Boise."
Pambrun heard of these exploits at Fort Edmonton on his journey east
to Fort Garry and did not give the date, but it was between 1840 and
1850. James Doty of the Stevens expedition wrote to Governor I. I.
Stevens, Dec. 28, 1853: "Good interpreters for the government are very
difficult to procure, because such can get higher wages from the traders
than the government pays. The only man I can at present recommend
is a Mr. Bird. He is a halfbreed, English and Blackfoot; is an elderly
man, respectable and intelligent, and the best interpreter in the country.
He may not wish the situation of interpreter at the agency, but can, no
doubt, be engaged for a council."
In the squabbling between Governor Stevens and Commissioner Gum-
ming at the Judith council Culbertson was accused by Stevens of being
too friendly with Gumming. Culbertson felt that he was wronged by
Stevens and refused to act as interpreter for the Blackfoot Indians at the
council, his place being taken by Bird.
James Bord (Bird) was at the Fort Belknap Indian agency in 1873-74,
but returned to the Blackfoot reservation in his extreme old age. It would
seem that Bird acquired respectability with age and the malicious pranks
of "Jemmj' Jock" were ended. From the comments of Chambers who
called him "old Bird" and Doty who said he was an "elderly man" he
was an old man in 1855 but he was still alive and with the Blackfoot
Indians in 1890. (See Note 22 — Hugh Munro.)
In the Choteau Montanian, Dec. 16, 1892, appeared the following item:
"The oldest person on the reservation is a white man named Burd, whose
age is said to be 94. Mr. Burd, however, lacks the vigor of strength always
displayed by Munroe, and it is hardly probable that Burd will ever attain
the extreme age of the pioneer who just passed away."
The records of the Holy Family Mission on Two Medicine creek contain
the following: "James Bird, halfbreed, died Dec. 11, 1892, and was buried
in the Holy Family Mission graveyard, Dec. 13. 1892, age 107 years. Died
before priest could reach him. Place of birth is given as Winnipeg."
When Mr. John B. Ritch inquired concerning Bird on a visit to Brown-
ing, Montana, March, 1940, he was told by Eli Guardipee that James Bird
was a white man, who spoke the Blackfoot language fluently and acted
as chief interpreter at the treaty of 1855. He was married to Hawk
Woman, a Blackfoot squaw. He ranged over great areas of the Northwest
and was known in the British territory as "Jim Jack."
BAPTISTE CHAMPAIGNE— 1886
25 The Champaignes were French Canadians and probably Baptiste and
Michel were brothers. Both had been with the Upper Missouri posts for
many years, but Michel held more responsible positions than Baptiste and
was better paid.
Baptiste or Jean Baptiste, which was his full name, was at the Blackfoot
post in the summer of 1844, as he was a witness against Moncrevie that
year for giving liquor to the men on the boat going up the river. He was
often pilot of the boats used by the company. There was also a younger
Jean Baptiste, son of Michel, who was born about 1834, baptized by Father
NOTES AND REFERENCES 261
Hoecken at Fort Union, June 28, 1840, at the age of six years. He acted
as interpreter for Father Point in the fall of 1846 when he visited the
Piegan camp near Fort Benton. He may have been the Baptiste Cham-
paigne who acted as guide for the Stevens party in 1853 from Fort Benton
to the Bitter Root valley.
The Blackfoot treaties of Nov. 16, 1865, and Sept. 1, 1868, at Benton,
were witnessed by a Baptiste Champaigne as an interpreter, who could
have been either of these men. The census of Chouteau county, Montana
territory, 1870, has a Baptiste Champaigne, aged 30 years, white, born in
Canada, and the poll list for Chouteau county, Oct. 24, 1864, included a
Baptiste Champaigne.
Pete Champaigne, who died near Dupuyer, Montana, in March, 1899,
was born at Fort Benton in 1867, the son of Baptiste Champaigne who
had been in the employ of the St. Louis Fur Company for many years
and who died at Chouteau in 1886.
MICHEL CHAMPAIGNE
26 This man, according to the baptismal records of Father Point when
Champaigne acted as godfather for some of the people baptized at Fort
Benton, was the son of Simon and Lizette Champagne of the Mackinaw
district of Michigan, but the Michael Champagne who was married to
the Indian woman, Marie Nitchetoaki, Dec. 27, 1846, at Benton by Father
Point, was described as the son of Louis. Father Point in his journal of
his trip down the river from Fort Benton in the spring of 1847 when
Michel was pilot of the boat, wrote: "Michel Champagne, who was then
(1833) and still is captain of the barge. . . . Always the first at duty, he
gave to the others an example of patience and courage. ... He was
equipped with stature, strength quite beyond the ordinary, everything
contributed to give the rowers an esteem for his person."
The name of Michel Champaigne appears on the American Fur Com-
pany ledger June 7, 1829, in the equipment list. During his service with
the company he held positions of some responsibility, such as store-
keeper, and was also a trader on his own account. In the St. Louis ledgers
of the P. Chouteau, Jr., and Company his balance in the Dec. 31, 1852,
entry was $4120.79, and that year, July 31, he was charged with the sum
of $112.70 for payment of his daughter's expenses at the Sacred Heart
convent near St. Louis. This was probably the daughter that C. W. Frush
met at Fort Benton in the fall of 1858 when he was there with Major
Owen. Her father, in the absence of Mr. Dawson, was in charge of the
post and Miss Champaigne, who had just returned from school in St. Louis,
was dressed in the latest style and an intelligent, interesting young lady.
She may have been the little girl, Josette, of whom Father Point wrote,
who was born about 1839 at a trading post on the Missouri river below
Milk river. She and her little sister, Mary, were among the most devout
of Father Point's charges and he felt that their piety would justify his
stay with the Indians.
Michel Champaigne was included in the list of men living at Benton
in the winter of 1862-63 and, no doubt, died near there or on the reserva-
tion since he was an old man at that time.
ST Hamils Houses. A winter trading camp of Augustin Hamell on the
Marias river between Dry Fork and Birch creek.
AUGUSTIN HAMELL. 1800-1859, 1860
-"A Augustin Hamell, the son of Augustin and Maria Louisa La Motte
Hamell of Canada, was married to Helena (Pehama et Scienike) Dec. 27,
1846, by Father Point at Fort Benton. They had been married a number
of years previously by Indian custom and had several children who were
baptized by Father Point in the winter of 1846-47. Hamell had one
262 NOTES AND REFERENCES
daughter, Margaret, by a previous marriage, who married first Louis Rivet
and second, a Mr. Deschamps. There were ten children of Hamell's
second marriage, and one daughter, Mrs. Susan Arnoux, is Hving today
(1940) at Browning, Montana.
Hamell's name is spelled in various fashions, Hamelin, Hamell, Ham-
mell, Ammell and Armell, but the spelling used by Father Point in his
register kept at Fort Benton is used here. Alexander Henry of the North-
west Fur Company of Canada in his journals mentions several Hamells,
and since Henry traded with the Blackfoot Indians it is probable that
Augustin Hamell was either the Hamell who was with Henry or his son
for he knew the Blackfoot language and acted as interpreter for Governor
I. I. Stevens at the council he held with these Indians at Fort Benton,
Sept. 21, 1853. Stevens said he was "an intelligent voyageur who had
been in the country many years." Hamell may have come to the United
States territory after the consolidation of the Northwest Company and
the Hudson Bay Company in 1821.
Culbertson said that Hamell was at Fort McKenzie in May, 1835. His
daughter, Mrs. Deschamps, said they, Hamell and his family, lived first
at the post at the mouth of Knife river (Fort Clark), then at Fort Union,
Fort McKenzie and Fort Benton. Hamell built several trade houses which
were known as Hamell's houses. The Stevens report mentioned Hamell's
houses on the Milk river and Hamell's houses on the Marias river, about
15 or 20 miles below Birch creek. He also had a trading post on Buffalo
Island, which Mrs. Deschamps said was a few miles above Fort Benton.
Sometime after 1850 Hamell moved his family down the river in a
mackinaw boat which carried the furs to Sioux City. He settled on a
farm near Yankton, S. D., where his daughter, Ellen, who later married
Thomas Stuart, brother of James and Granville Stuart, was born Dec.
31, 1852. Hamell returned to Fort Benton, as he was there when the
Stevens expedition was at the fort in 1853.
Major A. J. Vaughan, agent for the Blackfoot Indians, said in his
report for 1859: "I was induced to employ A. Hamel for the present
year (as interpreter), his character and capacity as a Blackfoot interpreter
being unexceptionable and acknowledged throughout the nation. Having
retired from the country last year after a long residence and settled him-
self and family on a farm in the neighborhood of Sioux City, I found him
loth to return here, and to secure his consent was forced to offer him
$600.00 a year, being $200.00 more than usual."
Hamell died at the age of 59 years at his farm near Yankton, which
would have been about 1859-60.
Armells creek, a branch of the Missouri river in Fergus county, was
named for him.
28 White Calf. 1835-1903. J. W. Schultz said the correct translation of
White Calf's Indian name Onistai Pokuh meant "wonderful child," but
the traders interpreted it as White Calf. He was born about 1835 and
while still very young became noted for his bravery, intelligence and
charity to the old, poor and friendless.
He signed the Blackfoot treaty. No. 7, on the Bow river in Canada,
Sept. 22, 1877. After the death of Big Lake in 1873 he was unanimously
elected chief of the Blackfoot nation. He died in Washington, D. C.,
Jan. 29, 1903, while on a visit to the capital on business connected with
tribal affairs.
29 Perry. This may be an incorrect spelling. It might have been in-
tended for Perrault. There was a Charles Perry, interpreter at Fort
Belknap agency in 1892, who might have been the same person as the
Charles Perrault of Chouteau county poll list of 1864.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 263
MALCOLM CLARK. 1817-1869
30 The biographical sketches of Malcohn Clark written by his sister, Mrs.
C. W. Van Cleve, and his daughter, Helen P. Clark, respectively, and
published in volumes one and two of the Contributions of the Historical
Society of Montana, while the very sympathetic and partial accounts that
one would expect, give all the details of his life. Clark's entrance in the
service of the company is given in one source as 1839 and in another as
1841, and it was somewhere about that time.
He was next to Culbertson in command at Fort Benton in 1850-53, and
had an interest or share in the U. M. O. for the ledger of 1854 shows that
he owned one-half of one share, but in the report for 1856 his name is
replaced by Dawson's as a shareholder. From 1855 to 1861 Clark either
traded independently or worked for the opposition. In June, 1862, he
formed a partnership with Chouteau and Dawson at Fort Benton to trade
with the Indians on equal shares. This firm did not last very long as
Dawson sold his interests at Fort Benton in 1864 and returned to Scot-
land.
Clark located on his ranch at the mouth of Little Prickley Pear Canyon
in 1864-65, and it was there that he was killed by a Piegan Indian on
Aug. 17, 1869. He had at least two Indian wives and was married in
June, 1862, by Father De Smet to "his young wife" at Fort Benton. The
1870 census of Lewis and Clark county listed Mary Clark, aged 45 years,
who was probably his first wife, and five children, ranging in age from
23 to 12 years. His grandchildren live near Glacier Park today.
If Clark had lived longer he would probably have occupied a prominent
place in the affairs of the territory. He was appointed one of the com-
missioners of Edgerton (Lewis and Clark) county in 1865 and was one
of the twelve members of the Historical Society of Montana which was
incorporated in 1865.
31 Fort Campbell. Fort Campbell was the opposition post at Benton,
built in 1846 by the Harvey, Primeau Company which was organized in
St. Louis that year. The first post, according to a manuscript note of
Lieutenant Bradley, was built of wood and located on the south bank of
the Missouri river on bottom land opposite and a little above the Cra-
con-du-Nez, about 100 yards from the river. When Culbertson moved
Fort Lewis down and across the river from its original location and estab-
lished Fort Benton in the spring of 1847, Harvey moved his fort and
located it a short distance above Fort Benton on a point between Butte
and Rondin streets of the present town. One reason for moving was
that the supply of timber at the first location was about exhausted and
also the new position was better for trade. The new post was built of
adobe about 1847-48 and preceded the adobe buildings of Fort Benton.
The fort was sold to the Chouteau company in the spring of 1860 and in
the fall of 1861 Dawson offered the use of the fort buildings to the Jesuit
missionaries until permanent quarters would be found. It was occupied
by the missionaries until the spring of 1863, when the mission was built
at the mouth of Deep creek.
32 Blackfeet. The Blackfoot Indians was a name applied to three dif-
ferent bands, the North Blackfeet. the Bloods and the Piegans. The Gros
Ventres of the Upper Missouri, who were sometimes known as the Falls
Indians, also belonged to the Blackfeet. The North Blackfeet and the
Bloods occupied a territory north of that of the Piegans who lived south
of the Canadian boundary.
33 WraJ^ Mr. J. F. In the article on Fort Benton by Lieutenant Bradley,
Contributions of the Historical Society of Montana, vol. 3, mention was
made of a "young man named Ray, a relative of Major Culbertson's" who
264 NOTES AND REFERENCES
was probably the Wray of the journal. He was a clerk at Fort Union in
August, 1860, when Maynadier stopped there on his way down the river.
34 Box Elder Creek. A stream that empties into the Milk river from the
east above Havre.
•■^5 Little Robe. The Little Robe band of Indians was mentioned by
Catlin in 1832 and according- to Father De Smet the band was almost entirely
destroyed in 1845 in a battle with the Crows but the name was still used in
1848, as Larpenteur mentioned "a band of Blackfeet, called the Little Robes
after the name of their chief" who came to trade at Fort Benton in 1848.
36 Knees (part for boat). David Hilger said that "knees" were a certain
shaped root or limb which was used in the construction of the mackinaw
boats. It was used to support the sides and had to fit the angle of the
bottom and sides.
3" Keel Boat. The keel boat was usually made from 50 to 75 feet long
with 15 to 20 feet beam. It was a staunch vessel, well modeled, sharp bow
and stern and built by skilled workmen after the most approved methods
of shipcraft of that day. Such a boat had a carrying capacity of ten to
twenty tons, a draft of thirty inches light, and cost usually from $2,000 to
$3,000. Amidship was the cabin, extending four or five feet above the hull,
in which was stored the cargo of Indian merchandise. On each side of this
cabin was a narrow walk on which the boatman walked in pushing the boat
along with poles. The appliances used for ascending the river were the
cordelle, the pole, the oar and the sail. (Chappell. A history of the Mo.
River. Kan. City, Mo. n. d.)
•■'S Mackinaw Boat. The mackinaw boat was made entirely of Cottonwood
plank about two inches thick. They were built about 50 to 60 feet long
with 12-foot beam and had a flat bottom. The gunwales arose about three
feet above the water-line amidship and increased in height toward the bow
and stern. In the bottom of the boat were the stringers, running fore and
aft, and to these were spiked the bottom plank, in the first years with wooden
pins, but later with iron nails. The sides, which were also of plank, were
supported by knees, at proper distances. The keel showed a rake of 30
inches, fore and aft, and the hold had a depth of four feet amidship and
about five feet on the stern and bow.
In the middle of the boat was a space partitioned off with bulkheads,
similar to the cargo-box of the keel boat. In this was stored the cargo of
furs (put up in bales). . . . The voyage was always made on the June
rise, and as the current was then swift, and men was all that was necessary,
as the boat simply floated down the stream with the current. The only
danger anticipated was from the snags in the bends, and the Indians, and
these had to be carefully guarded against.
As the mackinaw boat was only intended for a single voyage down the
river, they were cheaply built. There was near every large trading post
on the river a boatyard, called by the French a chantier, where the lumber
was gotten out and the boat constructed. . . . The lumber was sawed out
with a whipsaw.
For mutual protection the mackinaw boats usually went down in fleets
of from six to twelve, but it was not unusual for a single boat to make the
voyage. (Chappell. A history of the Mo. River. Kan. City, Mo. n. d.)
38A Crows. The name "Crows" was a translation of their own name,
Absarokee, which meant bird and was translated by the French as "gens des
corbeaux" or people of tlie Crow. They were a Siouan tribe, forming part
of the Hidatsa group from whom they separated about 1776. The Crows
withdrew from the Missouri river and migrated toward the Rocky Moun-
tains. At this period, 1854-56, they occupied the country of the Big Horn,
xN'OTES AND REFERENCES 265
Powder Horn and Wind rivers as far south as the North Fork of the Platte,
the Yellowstone river area to the mouth, and north to the headwaters of the
Musselshell river. Hayden said it was the finest game country in the world.
3!) BufTalo Tongues. The buffalo tongues were salted and dried, some-
times painted over with molasses and water to give them a dark, smoky
color. Kurz said Denig refused a dollar apiece for these choice morsels,
which brought a higher price in the eastern markets where they were con-
sidered a great delicacy.
■»« Big Feather. Big Plume. Big Feather or Big Plume signed the Black-
foot treaty of Oct. 17, 1855, as The Feather, and Big Plume signed the
Blackfoot treaty at Benton, Sept. 1, 1868. In the Bradley manuscript article
on Sir St. George Gore he states that Big Plume was a brother-in-law of
Alexander Culbertson.
OPPOSITION COMPANY. 1846-1860
•*i The "opposition company" was the St. Louis Fur Company, organized
in the summer of 1846 and composed of four partners, Alexander Harvey,
Charles Primeau, Joseph Picotte and A. R. Bonis, all former employes of
the Chouteau company. The new organization was financed by Robert
Campbell of St. Louis and trading posts were established at various points
along the Upper Missouri river where the "old company" was also in
business. Fort Campbell was built just above Fort Benton, the old adobe
buildings of Fort Wiilliam were occupied, Fort Primeau was located op-
posite Fort Clarke and so on. One year, 1848-49, a fort was built on the
Yellowstone near Fort Alexander for the Crow trade. According to the
story of Augustus Barlow who went up with the party to build this post, it
was 200 feet square with several log buildings inside the stockade. Harvey
was in charge at Fort Campbell, Primeau at Fort William and Picotte at
the post on the Little Missouri in 1849.
The entry in the St. Louis ledger for July, 1852, of the Chouteau Company
would indicate that the returns of the Harvey, Primeau Company were sent
to Robert Campbell and he in turn disposed of the furs through the Chouteau
Company, the latter taking S07c of the proceeds for handling the furs.
Honore Picotte wrote to Andrew Drips, Jan. 3, 1852, that the "opposition
company is about to fold up. Owe Campbell more than they can pay,
etc. . . ." Very likely the profits of the four partners were not so large
after the final sale of the furs. Kurz in his journal for 1851 remarked,
"these 'dobies' (the occupants of Fort William were known to the Fort
Union people as 'dobies' because their fort was built of adobe bricks) have
held their own for an unusually long time, but still make inconsiderable
profit, only Campbell, in charge of their drinking house in St. Louis, is
making a success." By "drinking house" Kurz probably meant Campbell's
commission business in the liquor trade in which the Harvey, Primeau
Company did not share.
Harvey died in July, 1854, while on a trip down to Fort Union in a
mackinaw boat and was buried at that fort. After his death the company
gradually changed hands and a new concern. Frost, Todd and Company,
took over the "opposition" at various stations. Malcolm Clark was em-
ployed by Frost in 1857 and the company in charge of Fort Campbell and
Fort William was known as Clark, Primeau and Company with Clark in
charge at Fort Campbell. In 1860 the "opposition" was bought out by the
Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and Company and all the property of the various trad-
ing posts turned over to that company.
As Kurz remarked, this company had lasted longer than any other "op-
position"— from 1846 to i860.
266 NOTES AND REFERENCES
ANDREW DAWSON. 1818-1871
42 The biographical sketch of Andrew Dawson by his son, James, pub-
lished in volume seven of the Contributions of the Historical Society of
Montana, tells the story of a man engaged in the fur trade for over twenty
years and the last representative of the P. Chouteau, Jr., and Company at
Fort Benton. He was born in Scotland in 1818 and died at his old home in
1871.
The Fort Benton journal was kept most of the time by Dawson, who
was in command of the fort during the absence of Culbertson. He took
the furs down in the spring and had charge of the boats bringing up the
goods from Fort Union. He was chief trader at Fort Clark from 1850 until
the fall of 1854, when he came up to Fort Benton where he remained until
his retirement in 1864. The St. Louis ledgers show that Dawson's earnings
increased very substantially from 1854 to 1864, and he was one individual
who ended his career in the fur trade with a sizable fortune for those days.
Letters to Dawson and the accounts of people who visited Fort Benton
show him to have been a most genial and hospitable host and at the same
time he never neglected the interests of the company. His friend Morgan
of the Red River Settlement, Canada, wrote to him in February, 1862, that
he was glad to hear that he (Dawson) had supplanted Culbertson and was
at last "King of the Missouri."
Through an accidental fall in 1858 Dawson was badly crippled and event-
ually lost the use of his lower limbs. He spent his remaining years in Scot-
land as an invalid, but scenes of his old home and the association with his
relatives and old friends helped make his life more bearable than it would
have been in the rude and lonely existence of Fort Benton. The two sons,
James and Thomas, who accompanied him home, returned after his death
to Montana and Thomas is still living, in 1940, at Glacier Park. Several
grandchildren live in North Dakota.
43 Pit. Pit for burning charcoal.
44 Dawson's wife (died Mar. 11. 1855). James Dawson said that his
father had three Indian wives. He married first Josette Garreau, daughter
of Pierre Garreau, at Fort Clark, who was the mother of James. His
second wife was a Brule Sioux, and the third a Gros Ventre. She was
the mother of Thomas Dawson.
45 Pablo's Island. There were two islands of this name in the Upper
Missouri river. This island was about 16 miles above Benton and named
for a Mexican who was killed by the Blackfoot Indians near there in 1848.
The other Pablo Island was about six miles above Arrow creek, and
Pablo's Rapids were 124 miles below Benton in the same river.
4e Hermaphrodite Keel Boat. A boat that was one-half keel and one-
half mackinaw.
47 Clark's Houses. See Clark, Malcolm. Note 30.
48 Big Lakes Band. This Indian was described by Father De Smet in
1846-47 as "head chief of the Piegan band of the Blackfeet." He signed
the Blackfoot treaty of Nov. 16, 1865, as a Piegan and in the report of
H. D. Upham, agent for the Blackfoot in 1866, he is named as one of the
two head chiefs of that tribe, Little Dog was the other.
40 White Cow Against the Bank. A Gros Ventre Indian, White Cow
in the Middle, signed the treaty of Nov. 16, 1865, and a Blood Indian, The
Bank, signed the same treaty. The Bank may have been the same person
as White Cow Against the Bank.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 267
5>o Picotte (Jos.) — 1868. Joseph Picotte, a nephew of Honore Picottc,
agent of the U. M. O. for many j'ears, born in Canada and employed by
the American Fur Company or the Chouteau Company before he became
a partner of Harvey, Primeau Company in 1846. His children, Emilia,
Paul, Suzanna and Marie, were baptized by Father De Smet, Nov. 5, 1846,
at Medicine Creek near Fort Bonis on the Missouri river. In 1862 Picotte
was employed by the La Barge, Harkness Company, the "opposition" of
that period. He died at Yankton Agency, S. D., in 1868.
•'Ji Rising Head. Rising Head was a North Piegan and signed the
Blackfoot treaties of Nov. 16, 1865, and Sept. 1, 1868, at Fort Benton.
52 Henry's boy (born April 13, 1855). This may be a reference to Henry
Mills, whose son, Dave Mills, later an interpreter at the Blood Reserve
in Canada, was born about this time.
53 Jackson (Thomas) — 1894. Thomas Jackson was born in Virginia and
entered the service of the American Fur Company about 1835 and was
employed as a tailor at Fort Benton. He married Amelia Munro, daughter
of Hugh Munro, and the famous scout, William Jackson, was his son.
According to information received from his descendants now living at
Browning, Montana, Thomas Jackson died at Cut Bank, Montana, in 1894.
5-1 Packs (buffalo and furs). The bufifalo robes were packed ten at a
time in a press 2J/4 by 4 feet and tied with a rawhide. Two men were
needed to handle each bale.
55 Press. See Packs (buffalo and furs). Note 54.
50 Government Goods, Wagons and Two Government Men. The refer-
ences to the government camp, goods and men is to the Governor I. I.
Stevens equipment and people.
57 Surround. The journalist here refers to what was known as the
"horse surround" method of hunting the buffalo. When the herd was seen
the horsemen mounted on "buffalo horses" surrounded the herd and began
to kill when the animals were bunched in a close herd.
5S Cabree. The antelope was known as "Cabri", from the French word
for kid.
59 Government Men (two). See government camp, goods, etc. Note 56.
60 Bird's Son. This may have been Thomas Bird, son of James Bird,
described by George B. Grinnell as "Thomas Bird, an intelligent half-
breed, translated part of the Bible into Blackfoot for an Episcopalian
minister."
61 Cypress Mts. Cypress Mountains north of the boundary in southern
Alberta.
62 Yellow Hair. Yellow Hair was hired by the Stevens expedition in the
fall of 1853 as a guide for the party which made a survey of the country
between Fort Benton and St. Mary's by way of Cadotte pass. Yellow Hair
and Yellow Head was probably the same person. See also Kelchiponesta's
son. Note 124.
63 St. Mary's (village). St. Mary's refers to the village or settlement
near Fort Owen on the St. Mary's or Bitter Root river, which was the
name of the Catholic mission founded there in 1841 and abandoned in 1850.
64 Stevens, Gov. I. I. 1818-1862. Isaac Ingalls Stevens was born in
Andover, Massachusetts, March 18, 1818, and graduated first in his class
268 XOTES AND REFERENCES
from the U. S. Military Academy in 1839. He was appointed governor
of Washington territory in 1853 and that same year was placed in charge
of an expedition to explore a northern route for a Pacific railroad. He
represented the United States government in various councils with the
Indians of the northwest in 1854-55.
In 1857 he resigned as governor of Washington territory and was elected
to congress from that territory for two terms. At the outbreak of the
Civil war he entered the Union army and was killed at the Battle of
Chantilly, Sept. 1, 1862.
*»■'• Barnes. In Vaughn's "Then and Now" a Phil Barnes is mentioned
as an employe of the fur company at Fort Benton in 1859. The list of
people living at Fort Benton, 1862-63, includes a Phil Barnes, negro cook.
«*■' Snakes. These were the Snake Indians who had come to attend the
council at the Judith river.
•J" Dot3\ Mr. (James). -1857. James Doty was a son of James Duane
Doty who was a member of congress and a governor of Wisconsin and
Utah. James, Jr., was appointed a member of the Stevens expedition in
1853 to make "astronomical and magnetic observations." He was left at
Fort Benton for the winter to prepare the way for a proposed treaty with
the Blackfoot Indians. Governor Stevens gave him high praise for his
intelligence, fidelity and energy. Just before the Blackfoot council he
made a long and strenuous ride into Canada to recover horses stolen from
Indians who had come to attend the council. Doty acted as secretary for
the commission at the treaty making in October, 1855, and after the com-
pletion of the council returned to the west with Governor Stevens. He
died in Washington Territory in 1857.
68 Three Buttes (Sweet Grass Hills— East, West and Gold Buttes). See
Note 10.
69 Crosby, Col. Henry R. Crosby, a member of the Stevens expedition,
1853-55.
^0 Big Snake. -1858.
Paul Kane met Big Snake, a chief of a Piegan Indian band who was
also known as Loud Voice and Black Snake Man, on the Saskatchewan
river in June, 1848. His brother told Kane that Big Snake was the leader
of the band of Indians that visited Fort McKenzie in the fall of 1843 and
killed the cattle belonging to the fort. This act was responsible for the
cannon being fired without warning on another band of Indians who visited
the fort the following spring.
Big Snake was said to be the father-in-law of White Calf. A band of
Crees who came to Norway House soon after Kane's visit with Big Snake
told Kane that one of their war chiefs had killed Big Snake in single
combat. The report was not true for certain "winter counts" show that
he lived another ten years and died in 1858.
71 Fort McKenzie. 1832-44. Fort McKenzie was built in 1832 by David
D. Mitchell of the American Fur Company on the north side of the Mis-
souri river, six miles above the Marias. On Feb. 19, 1844, occurred tlic
incident which was responsible for the abandonment of Fort McKenzie.
E. A. C. Hatch, agent for the Blackfoot tribe, in his report for 1856 made
the following reference to this event:
"During the summer of 1843 and winter of 1843 and 1844 they (the
North Blackfeet) had considerable trouble with the fur company, brought
on by evil disposed Indians from the north. An extract from the private
journal of a man, now dead, who was at that time in the employ of the
company, reads thus: 'February 19, 1844. Fight with the north Blackfeet,
NOTES AND REFERENCES 269
in which fight we killed six and wounded others; took two children pris-
oners. The fruits of our victory were four scalps, twenty-two horses, three
hundred forty robes, and guns, bows and arrows, etc. etc' Since this
unfortunate aflFair few of them visited the trading posts within the territory
of the United States, until the present winter."
Chardon was in charge of Fort McKenzie at this time and it is difificult
to understand the wanton killing of the Blackfoot Indians by two men
who had so much experience in the fur trade as Chardon and Harvey. The
policy of the company was always to maintain friendly relations with the
Indians upon whose good will depended the success of their trade. Neither
of the men appeared to have been censured by the company for this act.
Both were retained in the employ of the company on the same basis as
before.
Later Harvey quarreled with Chardon, Clark and others of the company
and went down to St. Louis where he filed charges before the Superin-
tendent of Indian Affairs that Chardon had sold liquor to the Indians at
Fort AIcKenzie from May 1, 1843, to March 31, 1844. This latter date
indicates the day that Fort McKenzie was deserted, for it was in the
spring of 1844 that Fort F. A. C. was built at the mouth of the Judith by
Chardon.
With the exception of the brief existence of Fort Piegan, 1831-32, and
Fort Lewis, 1845-47. the forts of the Blackfoot station were Fort McKenzie
and Fort Benton, and Alexander Culbertson was in charge of both forts
for most of the vears. 1832 to 1864. His history of this period as told to
Lieutenant Bradley and published in vol. 3 of the Contributions of the
Historical Society of Montana gives a comprehensive account of the story
of Fort McKenzie.
"2 Pearson, W. H. W. H. Pearson, a native of Philadelphia, about 35
years of age, was the expressman with the Stevens expedition, 1853-55.
He had been a Texas ranger and Indian scout. He made two marvelous
rides while with the expedition. Governor Stevens in his report described
the first trip as follows: "Pearson rode 1750 miles by the route he took
from the Bitter Root valley to Olympia and back to Benton, in 28 days,
during some of which he did not travel. He was less than three days
going from Fort Owen to Fort Benton, a distance by the route he pur-
sued of some 260 miles, which he traveled without a change of animals,
having no food but the berries of the country, except a little fish."
He made the second ride to bring the news of the Indian outbreak in
Washington territory to Governor Stevens and arrived from Walla Walla
at the governor's camp, near Benton, Oct. 29, 1855.
"•^ Doty & Jackson. Governor Stevens had promised the various tribes
that all the Indians would behave in a friendly fashion and their lives and
property would be safe. On Aug. 29, 1855, four Pend d'Oreilles Indians
came to his camp with a message from tlieir chief, Alexander, that four
horses thev had placed in the government herd, much against their better
judgment, had been stolen by two Blackfoot boys of the northern tribe.
The Pend'Oreilles horses had been taken out of a herd of over 100
others.
To keep his word to these Indians Stevens had to recover the horses
and sent Little Dog to hunt the animals, but he was not successful. So
Doty with one man, Jackson, went north to the Blackfoot camp on the
Saskatchewan as it was thought the thieves would think they would be
hunted on the Missouri instead of farther north. The two men made 50
miles a day, reached the Row river, over 200 miles from Benton, and
entered the Indian camp two hours after the stolen horses arrived.
Doty called the chiefs and demanded the stolen horses and received
three of them, which he placed in charge of Little Dog who had followed
him into camp. The fourth horse had been made off with by an Indian,
270 NOTES AND REFERENCES
but Doty pursued him to the Elk fork of the Saskatchewan, 70 miles
farther, and recovered the last animal. On the sixteenth day after the
horses had been stolen they were returned to the Pend d'Oreilles.
74 Boats. Boats bringing government annuity goods and presents for
Indian council meeting on the Missouri river near the mouth of the Judith.
75 Kipp (James), 1788-1880. James Kipp was born in Canada about
1788 and came to the Missouri river with the Columbia Fur Company
about 1822. He built the first post for the Blackfoot Indians in 1831 and
was in the employ of the fur company on the Upper Missouri until his
retirement about 1859-60. He had several Indian families as well as a
white wife and children who lived on his farm home near Independence,
Missouri. Joe Kipp, born Nov. 29, 1849, at Heart River, was the son of
James Kipp and Earth Woman, daughter of Four Bears, Mandan chief.
After his retirement to his farm in Missouri, Kipp made occasional trips
in the summer to Fort Benton to visit his old friends.
He died at Parksville, Missouri, June 2, 1880, at the age of 93 years.
76 Hatch (Maj. E. A. C). 1825-1882. Edwin A. C. Hatch was born in
New York, March 23, 1825, and came to Minnesota in 1843 and located
in St. Paul. He was appointed agent for the Blackfoot Indians in 1855,
which office he held until 1857, when he was succeeded by Major Vaughan.
Hatch returned to Minnesota and died in St. Paul, Sept. 13, 1882.
His diary for the period June 7 to Oct. 13, 1856, is in the library of the
Minnesota Historical Society and the following brief summary of this
trip to Fort Benton from Fort Union is from this diary:
"The St. Mary, steamboat, went up the Missouri river to 15 miles above
the Big Muddy, where the goods were unloaded and three boats built to
proceed up the river to Fort Benton. With a crew of 58 men for the
cordelle, two on the bows, three cooks, one watchman, three pilots, An-
drew Dawson and Hatch, the slow journey up the river began July 27,
1856. Culbertson and his party made the trip overland. Hatch left the
boats at Wolf Point and with Chouquette went with horses to Benton,
reached there Aug. 14, 1856. He left there in a skifT Sept. 15, 1856, to
meet the Indians and boats below the Judith. A council was held there
and the annuities distributed, Sept. 20-23, 1856. From that point Hatch
proceeded down the river on his return to Minnesota."
JAMES H. CHAMBERS. 1820-1866?
77 James H. Chambers would appear to be the mystery man of the fur
trade in Montana, for there is no mention of him in any of the accounts
of this period with the exception of the Harkness diary which mentions
him as being at the Dauphin post in 1862. From his entry of March 20,
1855, we know he was born in 1820, and on June 15, 1855. he ate "radishes
and lettuce" for the first time in six years which would indicate that he
had been in the Indian country since 1849.
The St. Louis directory of 1847 lists a James Chambers, riverman, and
the directory of 1848 has a James Chambers, bookbinder, and since the
original journal has a hand-made leather binding he may have been this
man. We could find no information that would connect him with the
family of Col. A. B. Chambers of St. Louis who was secretary for the
treaty of Fort Laramie in 1851, but it is possible there was a relationship
for he knew of Colonel Chambers' Indian child.
The St. Louis ledgers of the Chouteau company show that Chambers'
earnings were very modest for tlic list of men of 1855, U. M. O., July
31, 1856, includes his name with a balance of $307.90, which, in ac-
cordance with the scale of wages paid, would be that of a skilled laliorer
at the fort or a minor trader. In no place in the journal does he write
NOTES AND REFERENCES 271
anything that might be a clue to his past life and we do not know whether
this was deliberate or not but it seems so. There is no mention of a
letter written to or received from relatives or friends at home and there
are no entries in the company ledgers to show that he sent money to
anyone, as was customary with many employes.
Larpenteur was not in the Upper Missouri country from 1849 to 1859,
which was probably the reason for no mention of Chambers in his journal.
His name does not appear in the Kurz journal of 1851-52, which might
have been because he was in the Crow country or traded from the forts
on the Platte river for those years. He said that he made a trip in search
of the Crows to Little Powder river in the winter of 1852-53, and this
might have been from the Platte river.
From his comments on Fort Union when he arrived there in May, 1855,
he was not very familiar with that place, which might signify that he had
been at Fort Sarpy most of the time since his connection with the Chou-
teau company. He knew the Crow language by 1855, which would mean
a residence of several years in their country, although his squaw, "Bricks,"
was a Gros Ventre.
He remained in the Upper Missouri country for there are casual references
to him by several people. P. W. McAdow said Chambers was the guide for
his party in 1861 from Owen McKenzie's fort to Benton, and Harkness
employed him in 1862 at their trading establishment near Milk river. His
name is on the poll list of Oct. 24, 1864, of Chouteau county, but we can
find no later mention of him. In Vaughn's Then and Now in an account
of the various people killed in the 60's by the Indians was one James
Chambers killed by Blackfoot Indians at Dearborn. In 1897 there was
some discussion of his journal in the Historical Society library and
Matthew Carroll who was asked concerning him said he had been a clerk
for the American Fur Company and had moved to Three Forks, where he
died in 1864. Since he was at Fort Benton, Oct. 24, 1864, this date must be
wrong. It is very likely that he died in the late 60's, probably killed by
Indians during those years 1865-69 when a number of white men were
murdered by the Blackfoot.
"8 Cumming, Col. Alfred. 1802-1873. Col. Alfred Cumming, born in
Georgia, 1802, was a sutler with the U. S. army in the Mexican war and
served as superintendent of Indian affairs, central division, 1853-56. He
was one of the three commissioners appointed to treat with the Blackfoot
Indians at the council held at the mouth of the Judith river, October, 1855.
Governor Stevens and Cumming were the only members of the commission
present at the council. Stevens came from the West and Cumming came
up the Missouri river by steamboat to Fort Union and from there to Benton
overland. The two commissioners had many disagreements during the
council meeting, but the treaty was completed and Cumming returned down
the river, Oct. 23, 1855.
In 1857 he was appointed governor of Utah territory by President Bu-
chanan and held that office until 1861. He died in Augusta, Georgia, Oct. 9,
1873.
"S> Lansdale, Dr. R. H. 1811.— Dr. Richard Hyatt Lansdale, born in
Montgomery county, Maryland, Dec. 23, 1811. Studied medicine in Ohio.
He served with the Missouri volunteers in the Mexican war of 1848 and in the
spring of 1849 emigrated to California, and from there to Oregon. He was
appointed Indian agent for the Flatlicad tribe in 1855-56 and in 1857 was
given charge of the tribes north of tlic Columbia and east of the Cascades.
He was living with his family in Olympia, Wash., in 1893.
80 Lame Bull. Another name for Lame Bull was Nee Ti Nee or "Only
Chief," sometimes translated as Lone Chief. Culbertson said Lame Bull
was the leader of the Piegans that were attacked by the Assiniboines at
272 NOTES AND REFERENCES
Fort McKenzie in 1833 when Maximilian was there. Governor I. I. Stevens
described him as a Piegan chief of about 100 lodges, "sincere in his desire
to live at peace with other tribes." He attended the Judith council in
October, 1855, and signed the treaty as chief of his tribe. His memory is
still revered by the Blackfoot people and he is said to have been killed in
a buffalo stampede sometime in the 60's.
81 Eagle Chief. Eagle Chief was a Gros Ventre chief whom Governor
Stevens met near the Milk river, Aug. 23, 1853. He was the father of White
Eagle who was later head chief of the Gros Ventres. Eagle Chief signed
the Blackfoot treaty of Oct. 17, 1855, and the Blackfoot treaty of Sept. 1.
1868.
ALFRED J. VAUGHAN. 1801-1871
82 Alfred J. Vaughan, born in Virginia (?) in 1801, was in the Indian
service from his own account in a letter to Father De Smet, May 20, 1857,
IS years at that date, which would mean that he entered in 1842. He was
agent at the Osage agency in 1845, and sub-agent for lowas. Sacs and
Foxes, 1848-49.
The agency for the Upper Missouri Indians was created in 1852 and
James H. Norwood, the iirst agent, was murdered sometime between
Sept. 16, 1852, when he sent in his report, and November 30 of the same
year, for the Commissioner of Indian Affairs wrote in his report of that
date that they had lately received word of his death by violence. Nor-
wood was succeeded by Alfred J. Vaughan, who held the position until
1857, when he was replaced by A. H. Redfield and Vaughan became agent
for the Blackfoot Indians. He established the agency at Sun river and held
office until 1861.
William T. Hamilton met Vaughan at the Blackfoot agency on Sun river
Oct. 18, 1857. and described him as "a fine looking old man from the state
of Mississippi." He had a son who came up the river with Commissioner
Cumming's party in 1855, for Culbertson told of "young Vaughan's Virginia
blood" being aroused by some hostile action of an Indian. Gumming wrote
in his report, "Mr. Vaughan, Jr., and Mr. Kennedy accompanied me to the
Judith." This seemed to be his first and only visit to the Upper Missouri
river.
Major Vaughan had an Indian wife who was with him on the Shreveport
in 1862. W. C. Gillette, a passenger on the same boat, told an interest-
ing incident concerning the couple: "Major Vaughn was one of the
passengers. He was formerly an Indian agent under President Buchanan
and had with him his Indian wife and child. Her relatives lived in the
vicinity of Fort Pierre. It appears that the Major had purchased at St.
Joseph for his wife an elegant silk gown, brocaded with satin figures. She
went on shore for a visit with her relatives, and with them went on a berry-
ing expedition attired in this gown. When she returned this garment was
a sight to behold, and the Major, using language more forcible than polite,
declared that hereafter she should be clad only in the regulation Indian
blanket."
Father De Smet baptized Fanny, four months old, daughter of Agent
Vaughan, July 11, 1864, on board the Yellowstone.
Larpenteur described Vaughan as "a jovial old fellow with a fme paunch
for brandy. . . . He was one who remained most of his time with his In-
dians, but what accounts for that is the fact that he had a pretty young
squaw for a wife; and as he received many favors from the company his
reports must have been in their favor." This was the usual sour comment
of Larpenteur, but no doubt there is a great deal of truth in it. The fault
is that he gave only the weak or evil characteristics of the person described.
Major Vaughan's reports to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1853-61.
show that he spent a great deal of his time with the Indians in his charge,
and made long and arduous journeys to contact the various tribes in his
NOTES AND REFERENCES 211
districts. He had an earnest desire to perform his duty toward the Indians
and also had a practical knowledge of what was best for them. He worked
hard to carry out the obligations of his office, but the Civil war caused the
retirement of many officials who might be considered Southerners.
Major Vaughan was in Montana the summer of 1868 when the treaties
were made with the Blackfoot, Gros Ventres and Crows, and did special
work for U. S. Commissioner Cullen among these various tribes and signed
the three treaties as a witness. He died in Marshall county, Mississippi, in
June, 1871, aged 70 years.
83 Two Elks. Major Hatch, Indian agent, mentioned Two Elks as a
Gros Ventre chief.
84 Kennerly, H. A. 1835-1913. Henry Atkinson Kennerly, born at Jef-
ferson Barracks, St. Louis, Dec. 2, 1835, the son of George Hancock and
Alziere Menard Kennerly, was a grandson of Pierre Menard who built the
Three Forks fort in 1809. Henry A. Kennerly accompanied Colonel Curn-
ming when the latter came up the Missouri river to meet the Indians in
council near the Judith river in 1855.
Kennerly returned to Montana in 1863 and was a resident of Montana
until his death at Cut Bank, July 9, 1913. He was a member of the Fourth
Territorial Session, 1867, of the Montana Legislature and served as county
treasurer of Chouteau county.
85 Willson. This is probably the E. S. Willson who signed the treaty of
Oct 17, 1855, and he may have come from St. Paul with Major Hatch.
There is an entry in the St. Louis ledgers of the fur company, Aug. 9, 1856.
for drayage charges on the trunk of E. S. Willson to St. Paul.
86 De Roche, Benj. 1827-1878. Benjamin De Roche was the son of
August Durocher and Marie Louise Hortiz, born in 1827. The change in
the spelling of the name is probably due to pronunciation of Durocher, which
in French would be Du Roch and easily mistaken for De Roche. At the
time of the death of his mother in St. Louis, Dec. 30, 1863, Benjamin was
living in Fort Benton and was included in the poll list for Chouteau county.
Oct. 24, 1864. He signed the Blackfoot treaty of Nov. 16, 1865, at Benton
as an interpreter and was included in the 1870 census of Chouteau county.
He was described as a trader, born in Missouri, with a half-breed family of
three children. His son Benjamin, Jr., died in Fort Benton, December.
1869. of smallpox and Benjamin, Sr., died at Fort McLeod, Canada, Dec.
28. 1878.
8" Henry. See Mills, Henry. Note 135.
«8 Pend d'Oreilles. A tribe of the Selish group which occupied territory
in the Flathead lake region of western Montana. These Indians came to
attend the council which Governor Stevens was to hold at the Judith river.
89 Deep river (Smith river). Present day Smith river in Meagher county,
Montana.
90 Oct. 4. 1855. It was the intention of Governor Stevens and Commis-
sioner Gumming to hold the Indian council near Fort Benton, but the boats
were so Ions? delayed in coming up tlic river that it was decided on Oct. 5.
1855, to hold the council at the mouth of the Judith river since the Indians
were all arriving and the boats would be 25 days longer in reaching Fort
Benton. So messengers were sent to the various Indian camps to notify
them that the council v.ould be held at the Judith. Governor Stevens ar-
rived at the council grounds October 11, where the boats were unloading
and by October 15 all the Indians had assembled. 3,500 in all. The council
opened Tuesday, October 16, and on October 17 the treaty was signed.
274 NOTES AND REFERENCES
During the next three days, October 18-20, presents, coats and medals were
distributed and speeches made. Since there are no entries in the Journal
from October 4 to 18, the journalist evidently attended the council. The
Indian tribes represented were the Blackfoot nation, the Flatheads,
Upper Pend d'Oreilles, Kootenay and Nez Perce. The treaty was known
as a "peace treaty" since it was intended to establish peaceful relations
among these tribes as well as to define the boundaries of the hunting
grounds, etc.
91 Citadel (Mo. R.) A prominent landmark on the Upper Missouri river
about 63 miles below Fort Benton.
92 Indian Outbreak, W. T. Tribes of the Upper Columbia broke out in
open war. Pearson made a fast and dangerous ride to bring news of the
outbreak to Stevens at Benton.
93 Boat Arrival, Nov. 5, 1855. Hazard Stevens in his biography of his
father, I. I. Stevens, accused the fur company of purposely delaying the
boats which brought the government goods to the council at the Judith.
The reason for the company's action was that the distribution of the govern-
ment goods spoiled the trade of company goods with the Indians.
9-1 Star Robe. Star Robe was a Gros Ventre Indian who signed the
treaty of Oct. 17, 1855, and those of Nov. 16, 1865, at Benton, and July 13,
1868, at Fort Hawley. He was described as being in 1862 the wealthiest
Indian among the Gros Ventres. (N. D. Hist. Coll., v2, pt. 2, p. 63.)
95 Belt Mountain creek. Present day Belt creek, a branch of the Mis-
souri river from the south above Fort Benton.
96 Missouri Falls. The Great Falls of the Missouri river.
97 Skunk. A Gros Ventre Indian who signed the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855,
at the Judith council.
98 Low Horn. Low Horn, according to Governor Stevens, was the prin-
cipal Piegan chief at the Judith council where he signed the treaty of Oct.
17, 1855. He was described as "Low Horn, the quiet and even meek spokes-
man at the council (Benton, September, 1853) and the trumpet-toned chief
in the presence of his men; crossed the Missouri river in 1855 with his
whole band, moved up the Judith, and camped on the Muscleshell — the first
man who extended the hand of welcome and friendship to the western
Indians as they crossed the mountains on their way to the council, showing
most conclusively that faith can be put in Indians."
Low Horn signed the Blackfoot treaty, No. 7, Sept. 22, 1877, on the Bow
river in Canada and is said to have died of extreme old age on the Marias
river, but the date is not certain. His original name, according to the In-
dians, was Four Persons.
99 Spotted Eagle. Walter McClintock wrote of an old Blackfoot medi-
cine man on the reservation in 1896 named Spotted Eagle.
100 Red Horn. There was a Blackfoot Indian of this name at Fort Mc-
Kenzie in 1833, when Maximilian was there.
191 Rotten Belly. This name was borne by several Indians. A famous
Crow chief. Rotten Belly, was killed by the Blackfoot near Fort McKenzie
in 1834.
192 Sitting Woman. Sitting Woman, Sitting Squaw or F"emmisee was a
Gros Ventre chief. His father, who bore the same name, was killed in
battle between the Gros Ventres and Assiniboines at the Cypress moun-
NOTES AND REFERENCES 275
tains before 1853. Sitting Women signed the treaties of Oct. 17, 1855; Nov.
16, 1865, at Fort Benton, and July 13, 1868, at Fort Hawley.
103 "Chantier." The "chantier," so-called from the French word for
boatyard as the mackinaw and keel boats were built here, being close to
timber. It is the Shonkin creek of today.
10-1 Bad Head. Signed the Blackfoot treaty of Oct. 17. 1855, at Judith
river.
105 Chine, P. This name, pronounced "Shane," was spelled in various
manners, Chene, Chane, Shienne, etc. The founder of the family, Pierre
Chene, was born in France, 1654, emigrated to Canada, married and his
descendants moved from Montreal to Detroit, to St. Louis and finally the
Upper Missouri river. A Pierre Chaine was employed by the Missouri Fur
Company in 1812-13, probably the father of Pierre Chine of Fort Benton.
Father De Smet baptized at Fort Union. July 20, 1851, La Croix, aged 4
years, and Caroline Chene, 10 months, children of Pierre Chine by his first
wife, a Blackfoot woman. He later moved to the Crow Indian country on
the Yellowstone, where he was employed as an interpreter at the agency.
He was a witness to the Crow treaty of 1873 and is included in the 1870
census. Big Horn county, as Pierre Shane, aged 41 years, born in Canada.
He married a Crow woman and his children live today on the Crow reserva-
tion. George C. Berry, who saw him in June, 1876, described him as an
oldish man, slender and short, a French-Canadian.
IOC Bellies River. The Belly river, a branch of the Bow river in southern
Alberta, Canada.
lOT The Rider. The Rider signed the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855, as aGros
Ventre, but his picture is included in a group of Blackfoot chiefs in H.
Stevens' biography of his father.
los Calf's Robe (Blood). Calf's Robe and Calf's Shirt were different
translations of this Blood chief's name. Hatch, Indian agent, spoke of him
as Calf's Shirt and it was that name he signed to the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855.
There was another Blood chief of this name whom W. T. Hamilton met
in October, 1858, "one of the head chiefs of the Blood Indians." The treaty
of Sept. 1, 1868, at Benton was signed by Calf's Shirt and Treaty No. 7, in
Canada, was signed by "Onistah, Calf Robe," on Sept. 21. 1877. S. C. Ashby
was in charge of a trading post on the Marias for I. G. Baker in 1868-69,
and that winter Calf Shirt and his band came from Canada to the post. It
was their first visit to the United States since the murder of 12 men in 1865
on the Marias river near Benton by Calf Shirt's band. They spent the
winter near the Ashby post and at one time Calf Shirt while drunk attempted
to murder Father Imoda.
J. W. Schultz in "Sign Posts of Adventure" gave the name of this chief
as Onistai' yi. which correctly translated meant Sacred or Miraculous Robe.
A note in the Bradley manuscript states that Calf Shirt was killed by Joe
Kipp at Whoop-up the winter of 1873-74. Culbertson met him on the Bow
river in 1870.
109 Big Bend. Big Bend and Grand Tour are the same and refer to
either the Big Bend of the Milk or the Missouri rivers.
110 Two Forks. The North and West forks of the Milk river.
111 Mr. Dawson's Comrade. A term used in the fur trade which meant
a certain Indian singled out for special favors because of his loyalty and
friendship.
276 NOTES AND REFERENCES
112 Father of All People. Men-es-to'-kos, a Blood chief, whose name
was translated in various forms, as Father of All People, Father of All
Children, Children Everywhere, the latter being the name that is used by
J. W. Schultz. Grinnell also said this was the correct meaning and may
have had Schultz for his authority. This chief was the father of Mrs.
Culbertson. He was present when the Blackfoot treaty, No 7, was made
on the Bow river, when he was said to be "the oldest Indian present."
Grinnell said he was living in 1892. He signed the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855,
and the treaty of Nov. 16, 1865, at Benton.
113 Sleepers. Skids for pulling boats out.
114 Old Sunn (Blackfoot). E. A. C. Hatch, agent for the Blackfoot, in
his report of 1856 spoke of Old Sun or Natose-Apiw as a Blackfoot chief.
He signed the treaty of Sept. 1, 1868, at Benton and Treaty No. 7 on the
Bow river, Canada, Sept. 21, 1877, as chief of the North Blackfoot tribe.
Schultz said the correct translation of the name Natos' Api is Sun Old and
its last bearer was a Sun priest of the Blackfoot.
115 Big Sun, Bull Sitting Down, The Tail that Goes up the Hill. The
reference is to the cannon that was fired on these Indians, Feb. 19, 1844.
See Note 79, Fort McKenzie.
116 Tail That Goes Up the Hill. The Blackfoot Indians, interviewed by
Mr. J. B. Ritch at Browning in March, 1940, told him that this was the
name of the Indian known as Heavy Runner who was killed in the Baker
massacre on the Marias river, January, 1870.
iiy Soldier Bands. E. T. Denig's account of the Assiniboine Indians
published in the forty-sixth annual report of the Bureau of American
Ethnology, described the soldiers as follows:
"The soldiers, Ah-kitche-tah. These are the bravest and most orderly
men of from 25 to 35 years of age. They have been and are still warriors
and leaders of parties to war; are chosen expressly to carry out the decrees
of the council even at the risk of their lives, to punish people for raising
the buffalo, setting the prairie on fire, govern the camp, entertain and feast
the same, arrange preliminaries of peace, trade, and generally to aid their
chief in carrying out his views and decisions of council."
ns White Eagle.— 1881. White Eagle, the son of Eagle Chief, was
second in command of the Gros Ventre Indians, according to George B.
Wright, Indian agent in 1866. Sitting Woman was head chief of the tribe.
White Eagle signed the treaties of Oct. 17, 1855; Nov. 16, 1865, and July 13,
1868, as a Gros Ventre chief. He died at Clagett, Montana, Feb. 9, 1881,
about 60 years of age, and had been a chief for over 20 years.
119 Mountain Chief. — 1872. Mountain Chief was the name of several
chiefs of the Piegan tribe, one of whom still lives at Browning. Montana
(1940), 92 years old. Hayden spelled the name Ni-na-sta'-ko-i, but it was
also given as Mena-es-to-ka in another reference. W. T. Hamilton met
Mountain Chief in October, 1858, and said at that time he was second in
rank of the Piegan chiefs. He signed the three treaties of 1855. 1865 and
1868 as a Piegan. In the River Press (Fort Benton), Dec. 14, 1892, an In-
dian named Mountain Chief was described as the son of the Mountain Cliief
who killed Vandenberg, the trapper, on the Yellowstone river in 1832. The
Mountain Chief of the journal was a large man, had five wives, all sisters.
and twenty children. He was killed by anotlier Blackfoot Indian, who fired
into his tent under the impression that he was shooting at an enemy. This
is said to have happened in March, 1872.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 277
120 Three Bulls. Three Bulls was a Blackfoot chief whose name Hayden
wrote as "Noh'-ska-stum'-ik." He was one of the head chiefs and signed
the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855, and the treaty of Sept. 1, 1868. at Benton.
121 Bull's Head. Hayden gives his name as "Stum'-i-ko-tu'-kan." Bull's
Head's people lived on the Saskatchewan and. according to the report of
H D Upham, deputy Indian agent for the Blackfoot in 1866, it was his
band of North Piegans or Blackfoot that attacked the government farm on
Sun river, April, 1866, and killed two white men. Bull's Head signed the
Blackfoot treaty at Benton, Nov. 16, 1865, and Sept. 1, 1868. An Indian of
the same name signed the Gros Ventre treaty at Fort Hawley, July 13, 1868.
as a Gros Ventre. He was probably the same Bull's Head who signed
Treaty No. 7, Sept. 21, 1877, in Alberta as head chief of the Sarcees, which
was a band that belonged to the North Blackfoot.
122 Owen, Maj. 1818-1889. Major John Owen was the owner of Fort
Owen, a trading post in the Bitter Root valley near the present town of
Stevensville, Montana. Major Owen bought the buildings and site of St.
Marv's mission from the Jesuit missionaries, November, 1850. He left his
home March 10, 1856, for his journey to Fort Benton. In his journal he
made the following entrv, March 26, 1856: "Left Mr. Dawson with some
regret for he had given Myself & party the hospitality of Fort Benton in
an open and liberal manner he is a Scotchman & one of the partners in the
fur trade on the Mo river." Major Owen visited Fort Benton, Aug. 20-27,
1855, when Governor Stevens was in camp nearby.
123 Yellow Head. See Note 124, Kelchiponesta's son.
124 Kelchiponesta's Son. This Piegan name was spelled "Kitch-eepone-
istah" when he signed the treaty of Oct. 17, 1855. His son was known as
Yellowhead, and Owen in his journal entry called him "Sartair, whose
Blackfoot name was Keitse Pern Sa." He arrived at Fort Owen, May 1,
1856 the first friendly visit of a Blackfoot to the Flathead country, which
spoke well for the result of the council of Oct. 17, 1855. He left Fort Owen
May 11, 1856, for Fort Benton with Major Owen's letter. Yellow Head
and Yellow Hair was probably the same person. Yellow Hair was em-
ployed as a guide in September, 1853, by Lieutenant Donelson of the Stevens
expedition in an exploration of Cadotte's pass.
125 Point Frenchman. There were two points on the Upper Missouri
known by this name, one about 30 miles below Poplar river and the other
between the Musselshell and Armell's creek.
CHARLES CHOUQUETTE. 1823-1911
126 Charles Chouquette, residing near Browning, Teton county, is prob-
ably one of the earliest of the Montana pioneers who have remained in the
state and lived to come in touch with modern life. As trapper, Indian
fighter, freighter, range rider and stockman he has had a long and eventful
experience, and the story of his life is much of the history of Montana. He
was born at St. Charles, Mo., Feb. 9, 1823, the son of Henry and Rosalie
(Piquette) Chouquette. In 1844, when 20 years of age, he signed articles
with Pierre Chouteau, the manager of a large fur company operating on
the Upper Missouri, and was placed in charge of a crew transporting a boat-
load of goods to Fort Union, the merchandise to be traded with the Indians
for furs and skins. The distance from St. Louis to Fort Union was 2,000
miles, and the journey was long, hazardous and embittered by numerous
hardships. Seventy-two days elapsed before the expedition arrived at Fort
Union, near the mouth of the Yellowstone river. In those days encounters
with savage and hostile tribes of Indians were numerous and oftentimes
sanguinary.
278 NOTES AND REFERENCES
One of the most notable Indian battles in which Mr. Chouquette was
engaged occurred in April. 1849, on the site of the city of Great Falls. He
and Anton Bussette and Louis La Breche had fortunately joined the famous
trapper, "Jim" Bridger, who had eighty men in his following. While in
camp on the Missouri at the point mentioned they were fiercely attacked
by 400 savages, and for a time the scale of battle hung about equally between
the contending forces. At last the Indians were repulsed, leaving forty-
seven of their companions dead on the field. This was during Mr. Cho-
quette's first trip up the river, when he assisted in moving the stores of
Fort William to Fort Benton. From 1844 until 1863 he was connected with
the American Fur Company. Later he built the first house erected in Fort
Benton, and then for six years was in the employment of lion. T. C. Power.
In 1871 he erected the first house built in Chouteau county, seven miles from
the old Indian agency, moved thither and engaged in farming and freighting
until 1887. For the past seven years Mr. Chouquette has resided on the
Blackfoot reservation in Teton county, where his family have a ranch of
320 acres of fine, well improved land on Willow creek, five miles from
Browning, devoted to the raising of cattle and horses and the raising of
hay. At Fort Benton, in 1854, Mr. Chouquette was married to Rosa Lee
(Rosalie) ?, an Indian, the ceremony being performed by Father De Smet.
They have six children, Melinda (Mrs. John Wren), Louise (Mrs. How-
burg), Josephine (Mrs. John Grant), Anton and George, all living on the
reservation. (PROGRESSIVE MEN OF THE STATE OF MONTANA.)
Published about 1900.
Note: Charles Chouquette died near Browning, May 18, 1911, and was
buried at Holy Family Mission, May 20, 1911. His daughter. Melinda C.
Wren, died at Browning, Feb. 29, 1940.
JACOB SCHMIDT. 1832-1907
127 Jacob Schmidt was born at Etiinger, in the vicinity of Heidelburg,
Germany, August 8, 1832, and died at Choteau, Montana, March 1, 1907,
aged 74 years, 8 months and 23 days.
Mr. Schmidt learned the tailor trade in his native village and in Frankfort
on the Main. When sixteen years of age he worked his way across the
Atlantic to New York City, from which place he later migrated to St. Louis,
Mo., and the same year embarked on a steamboat en route to Fort Benton,
Mont., via the Missouri river, arriving there in the spring of 1854. Here
he secured employment at his trade from Andrew Dawson, with whom he
remained until 1863, when he removed to Deer Lodge, and in the spring of
1864 to Silver City, Lewis and Clarke county, where he opened a grocery
store.
In 1865 he removed his grocery store to Helena and added to the enter-
prise a bakery. One year later he returned to Fort Benton, where he built
the Overland hotel, conducting the same one season, thence going back
to Silver City, where lie remained through the winter. In 1867 we find
Mr. Schmidt at Old Mission, near where is at present located Ulm station
on the Great Northern railway, and here for the following two years he
engaged in the stock business. From 1869 until 1874 Mr. Schmidt was
settled at St. Peter's Mission, twelve miles from Cascade, continuing in the
same enterprise; thence removing to Haystack Butte, on the South Fork
of Sun river, where he engaged in general farming and cattle raising. Dur-
ing the following sixteen years he resided at Chouteau. While here he
served six years as school trustee, and among his last acts was to address
the school children. He was honored by being elected coroner for three
successivr terms. For the past seven years he with his family have resided
in this couiitv of Teton on the Cut Rank river.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 279
At Fort Benton, Dec. 25. 1856, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to
Miss Margaret Miller. To this union was born eleven children, six of
whom have gone to join the great majority, along with five grandchildren.
He leaves a widow, three daughters, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Momberg,
Mrs. Kerr; two sons, Carroll and George; eighteen living grandchildren,
and two great grandchildren. (The Choteau .^cantha, March 7, 1907.)
REV. ELKANAH MACKEY. 1826-1858
12S Rev. Mackey was a missionary sent out by the Board of Missions of
the Presbyterian Church to establish a mission for the Blackfoot Indians in
Nebraska territory in the summer of 1856. He was born in Colerain, Pa.,
Sept. 16, 1826, and graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1852. He
entered the theological seminary of Princeton University and finished his
studies there in 1856 and was ordained as a missionary to the Indians. Be-
fore leaving for the West he married Miss Sarah E. Armstrong of Cecil
county, Maryland, who accompanied him to the country of the Blackfoot
Indians. Evidently the hardships and loneliness of the life of the trading
post proved too much for Mrs. Mackey and they left Fort Benton, Sept.
15, 1856, for the States and their home in Maryland. Rev. Mackey died
there Sept. 6, 1858.
E. A. C. Hatch, agent for the Blackfoot Indians, was at Fort Benton at
the time the Mackeys were there and made the following references to
them in his journal:
"July 29, 1856. Met Culbertson and party: Mackeys with him 'the first
white woman in the country.'
"Aug. 15, 1856. Culbertson party reached Benton. .\ug. 16, 1856. The
Priest and his wife appear to be pleased with the place, Indians and country
— will probably get enough of it before spring.
"Aug. 17, 1856. Today probably for the first time the walls of Fort Ben-
ton echoed to the sound of Protestant divine services. Not a very numerous
audience but very attentive. I did not attend.
"Aug. 18, 1856. Mrs. Mackey and Mr. Culbertson both unwell.
"Aug. 20, 1856. Mrs. Mackey some better and they talk of going down
again this fall.
"Aug. 31, 1856. Preaching up stairs.
"Sept. 1, 1856. Mr. Mackey started for the falls with Chouquette.
"Sept. 7, 1856. Mr. Mackey did not preach today. . . . Why? I do not
know.
"Sept. 15, 1856. Mr. Culbertson and wife, missionary and wife started
by land down the river."
Blackfeet Mission. Measures were adopted in the early part of the
summer for the establishment of a mission among the Blackfeet Indians
who reside on the headwaters of the Missouri, four or five hundred miles
northwest of Fort Union and near the base of the Rocky mountains. This
is known to be one of the largest and most interesting of all the Indian
tribes in the region. They are at the same time surrounded by many smaller
bands, who would share in the benefits of the mission. The attention of
the executive committee was especially called to the claims of these Indians
by Alexander Culbertson, Esq., who had resided for some time among them
as agent of the American Fur Company, and who felt a sincere desire to
see them brought under the influence of Christian civilization. Rev.
Elkanah D. Mackey of the Presbytery of Newcastle, and Mrs. Mackey, were
appointed to commence this mission, and left home in the month of June
for that purpose, but did not reach Fort Benton, the proposed headquarters
280 NOTES AND REFERENCES
of the mission, until the middle of August. From Fort Union they had to
travel by wagons, using tents at night, to Fort Benton and were three weeks
in performing this journey. They were very cordially received by the
Indians, and much gratification was expressed at the prospect of having
Christian missionaries to live with them. Mrs. Mackey's health failed, how-
ever, and Mr. Mackey felt it his duty to return with her after a sojourn of
six weeks at Fort Benton, hoping to be able to return in the spring and
resume his work.
Mr. Mackey has communicated much valuable information about the
Indian tribes in that region — the nature of the climate, the soil and pro-
ductions of the country — all of which go to show the importance of sus-
taining a permanent mission among that people. As they are migratory in
their habits, however, and dwell almost altogether in tents, very little good
can be affected for them, except by establishing a boarding school for their
children. This cannot be done, however, without large expense; and, as
it is presumed that the government would cheerfully make an appropriation
for this purpose, a proposition to this effect has been submitted to them.
Until this has been acted upon, no further measures will be adopted for
carrying on the mission.
(Minutes of the Gen. Assembly of the Pres. Church in the U. S. A., V15,
(1857) 20th ann. rept. of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres. Church
in the U. S. A., pp. 26-27.)
129 Hamilton, Maj. (of the opposition). 1811-1867. Major Joseph Var-
num Hamilton, who was in charge of Fort Campbell for the Opposition,
should not be confused with James Archdale Hamilton of Fort Union who
died in St. Louis in 1840. Joseph V. Hamilton born at Fort Madison,
Iowa, in 1811, the son of Major Thomas Hamilton of the U. S. army,
was in the service of the American Fur Company at an early date. At one
time he was acting Indian agent under Major Drips. In his later years he
lived in South Dakota and died at Fort Randall, .A.ug. Zi. 1867. (S. D. Hist.
Coll. vol. 8, p. 177.)
130 The Treaty. This refers to Major E. A. C Hatch's meeting with the
Indians near the mouth of the Judith river to receive the goods which were
brought up the river from Fort Union by mackinaw boats to that point.
Hatch received the goods Sept. 22, 1856, and distributed the annuities and
presents to the Indians. He said there were about 8,000 Indians present at
the council.
131 The Fathers, One of (Rev. Jos. Menetry). 1812-1891. This is a
reference to Father Joseph Menetry, one of the Jesuit priests from St.
Ignatius mission in western Montana, who was born in Switzerland in 1812
and died at St. Ignatius in 1891. after 40 years as a missionary in Montana.
The Father had come to meet the boats which were to bring supplies for
the mission.
132 Howard (Joseph). -1894. There were two men of this name at Fort
Benton, father and son, for a Joseph Howard was in the records of the
American Fur Company of 1830. The elder Howard was said by some to
be the son of Thomas P. Howard of the Lewis and Clark expedition, but
there was a man of the same name with the Northwest Company. The
infant son of Joseph Howard and Margaret, an Indian woman, was bap-
tized in the St. Louis Cathedral, .A.ug. 22. 1839, less than a month after his
marriage to Emilie Dulireuil at the same church. Joseph Howard, Jr., was
the son of a French Creole and a Piegan Indian woman, born at Fort Ben-
ton, taken to St. Louis at an early age and who returned to Fort Benton in
1851. He is the man who was sent with Owen in October, 1856, to help in
getting Ills goods to Fort Owen. Major Owen described him as "a stout
hard, young halfbrced, inured to all hardships of a mountain life." Howard
settled on a ranch near Choteau in 1873 and died there Dec. 28. 1894.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 281
133 Mr. Owen's Man. "Delaware Jim, whose father was a Delaware
chief and his mother, a white woman, and who had spent a life-time, for
he was now (1855) past middle age, in hunting and traveling over all
parts of the country, from the Mississippi to the Pacific . . . He had a
tall, slender form, a keen eye, an intelligent face and reserved manners.
He was reticent in speech although he spoke English well ..." (Life of
Gen. I. I. Stevens by Hazard Stevens.)
134 Simon, John. Monica Hamell, daughter of Augustin Hamell, mar-
ried a John Simon who died in St. Louis, 1863. There was a son, Charles
Simon, who was living on the Blackfoot reservation several years ago.
135 Mills, Henry. 1808- Henry Mills, may have been the "negro
Henry" mentioned in the St. Louis ledger of the American Fur Company:
Proportion of negro Henry's wages for services to
U. M. O. 1839-40.
Paid Kenneth McKenzie ^ of $378.12 $189.06
Yz of $243.74 1841-42 162.50
He was probably the property of Kenneth McKenzie since a portion of
Mills' wages were paid to him. There were a number of negroes at the
trading posts with Indian families. The census of 1870, Choteau county,
Montana territory, included a Henry Mills, negro, born in Kentucky, age
62 years, Indian wife and daughter. He was also included in the list of
inhabitants, Choteau county, 1862-63. His son, Dave, lived on the Blood
reserve in Canada where he was employed as an interpreter.
136 Gentard, A. Andrew Dawson mentioned a Paul Gentard in a letter,
September 25, 1860, and Paul Guitard was on the Choteau county poll list
of Oct. 24, 1864.
137 Lorian. Joseph. 1832- A carpenter, born in Canada 1832 and worked
in Benton, where he died about 1885.
138 Mercure, V. (L. Vincent) 1820-1877. Mr. Mercure, who was drowned
near Eagle creek in the Missouri river, August, 1877, was about 57 years
of age, a native of Canada, and by profession a carpenter. He came to
Montana in 1856 and until 1862 was employed by the American Fur Com-
pany. He then went to Salmon river, on a prospecting tour, and remained
absent from Benton about one year. On his return he went to the Sas-
katchewan river, where he remained another year. On returning to Benton
he went into partnership with Mr. Lorion, and until the year 1869 worked
as a contractor and builder, and by industry and economy saved quite a
competence. Advancing years and failing health, however, compelled him
to cease working at his trade and to seek some less laborious occupation.
In 1869 he purchased the Brewery Saloon which he conducted until 1875,
when he sold out and went to Canada. Shortly after his return from the
East he purchased a half interest in the Shonkin coal mine. The latter was
not a success and its failure is said to have been the cause of his death.
The deceased was an intelligent and skillful mechanic, of a quiet, inoffen-
sive disposition, and had the reputation of being very honorable in his
business transactions. He served several terms as Commissioner of his
county, and was a member of the Board of School Trustees at the time
of his death. Unfortunately, he lacked the energy and tact necessary to
a successful business career, and being of an extremely sensitive nature
he was unable to bear the humiliation resulting from his financial reverses.
He leaves a son and daughter, the former, now residing in Benton, was
educated in an Eastern college, at his father's expense, and the daughter
is with a family in Helena. Mercurc's death is regretted bv a large circle
of friends. (Benton Record, .^ug. 3, 1877.)
282 XOTES AND REFERExXCES
139 Simpson, Nelson. The name "Narcisse" was often pronounced and
spelled as "Nelse" and there was a Narcisse Simpson, packer, aged 30
years, born in Canada, in the census of 1860, Bitter Root Valley, Wash-
ington territory.
140 Paris, F. The report of A. J. Vaughan, agent for the Blackfoot In-
dians, 1860, states that Daniel F. Paris was appointed farmer on the
Blackfoot farm on Sun River, August, 1860.
141 Gourdereau, J. -1886. Joseph Goudreau, born in Montreal, came to
St. Louis in the early 40's. He was a blacksmith at Fort Pierre for a
number of years and later at the posts on the upper river. He died at
Vanderbilt, S. D., in 1886. (N. D. Hist. Coll. v. 1, p. 365.)
i-i2 Muller, Jacob. Jacob Miller's or Muller's, half-breed daughter, Mar-
garet, married Jacob Schmidt at Fort Benton, Dec. 24, 1856. The Schmidt
family made their home near Choteau, Montana. Muller, a Bavarian, was
better known in later years as "Jack Miller." His son. Jack, had a ranch
on the Blackfoot reservation about 1900.
143 Menard, A Louis Menard, with an Indian family,
was clerk and interpreter at Fort Pierre prior to 1851 and this man may
have been one of his sons.
144 Keiser, William -1867. William Keiser was known as "Buffalo
Bill" and died on the Little Prickley Pear, Sept. 27, 1867.
FORT SARPY. 1850-1860
145 Fort Sarpy was preceded by Fort Alexander which was built by Lar-
penteur in the fall of 1842 on the north side of the Yellowstone river near
the mouth of the present Armell's creek above the Rosebud. Culbertson
told Bradley he built Fort Sarpy which was named for J. B. Sarpy, a
partner in the Chouteau company, in the summer of 1850. It was located
on the north bank of the Yellowstone river a short distance below the
mouth of the Rosebud, and Robert Meldrum who completed the fort was
in charge. Larpenteur said that he was offered $1000.00 a year in the
summer of 1849 to take charge of the fort which was considered the most
dangerous of the posts of the company. In the St. Louis ledger there
is an entry to the effect that the trade and equipment goods of Ft. Alex-
ander were returned to Fort Union, May 26, 1850, which would have been
about the time the returns for the winter of 1849-50 would have been
brought down to Fort Union. This may indicate the end of Fort Alexan-
der and the beginning of Fort Sarpy although the fort built in 1850 was
generally known as Fort Alexander. It was mentioned in the records of
the company by that name and De Smet, Kurz, Hayden and others
wrote of Fort Alexander, not Fort Sarpy. As late as 1856 Warren called
it Fort Alexander Sarpie.
One of the first to use the name, Sarpy, for the Crow post was the
Indian agent, A. J. Vaughan, in his report of 1854. He left Fort Union
July 18th in a keel-boat loaded with government goods and those of the
fur company on a journey of 300 miles up the Yellowstone river to Fort
Sarpy where they arrived Aug. 15. 1854. Vaughan wrote: "Scarcely a
day passes but the Crow country is infested with more or less parties of
Blackfeet, who murder indiscriminately anything that comes within their
reach. At Fort Sarpy so great is the danger that no one ventures over
a few yards from his own door without company and being well-armed."
The journal gives us the date of the destruction of the first Fort Sarpy,
May 19, 1855, and from the reports of the Indian agents for 1855, 1856,
1857, we learn no goods were sent up the Yellowstone river to the Crows
NOTES AND REFERENCES 283
from the government for those years. Vaughan's report for 1855 dated
Sept. 12, 1855, stated: "On the 23rd of August, a mackinaw boat was
started from Fort Union with the usual outfit of trade for the ensuing
season at the Crow post. It had only proceeded a short distance up the
Yellowstone river when the hunters for the boat, who were in quest of
game (in company with seven Crow Indians, who had to accompany me
with their annuities) were driven back to the fort by a war party of Sioux
Indians, having had a miraculous escape with their lives. The boat im-
mediately returned to the fort, and the trip to the Crows abandoned for
the present season."
The long trip overland to the Little Big Horn that Vaughan made in
1856 to meet the Crows in council and to urge them to come to Fort Union
to receive their presents from the company would indicate there was no
post on the Yellowstone river that year. In 1857, A. H. Redfield succeeded
Vaughan as agent for the Upper Missouri Indians and when he came up
the river by steamboat to Fort Union that summer, the goods were un-
loaded and stored at Fort William as Meldrum assured him the Crows
would not come to Fort Union because of their fear of the smallpox which
was raging among the tribes below Fort Union. The Crows also main-
tained that by the terms of the Fort Laramie treaty, 1851, their goods
were to be delivered to them in their own country and again it was dan-
gerous for them to visit near Fort Union because of their enemies, the
Blackfoot and the Sioux Indians.
In Redfield's report for 1858 he told of his trip up the Yellowstone river
that summer in a fur company boat with annuities for the two years, 1857-
1858, to distribute to the Crows. The expedition left Fort Union, July 4,
and was to meet the Crows at the mouth of the Powder river but when
they reached that point the Indians were not there. Redfield was ill and
decided to return to Fort Union and placed the goods in charge of Henry
W. Beeson to be taken up to Fort Sarpy. This, the second fort of that
name, was built on the south side of the Yellowstone river a few miles be-
low the mouth of the Big Horn and might have been occupied the winter
of 1857-1858. It was there in August, 1859, when Raynolds visited the fort
but when Maynadier went down the Yellowstone, July, 1860, he found Fort
Sarpy abandoned which marked the end of the last trading post on the
Yellowstone river.
Maynadier described it as follows:
"We found the trading-house situated in the timber on what during the
high water would be an island, a channel, now dry, passing to the south
of it. The "fort" is an enclosure about 100 feet square, of upright cotton-
wood logs 15 feet high, the outer wall also forming the exterior of a row
of log-cabins which were occupied as dwelling houses, store-houses, shops
and stables. The roofs of these structures are nearly flat, and formed of
timber covered to the depth of about a foot with dirt, thus making an ex-
cellent parapet for purposes of defense. The preparations for resistance to
possible attacks being further perfected by loopholes in the upper part of
the outrow of logs. The entrance is through a heavy gate which is al-
ways carefully closed at night. No flanking arrangements whatever exist,
and the 'fort'is thus a decidedly primitive affair. It is amply sufficient to
protect its inmates against the Indian."
(See Volume three of the Contributions of the Historical Society of
Montana for a description of the first Fort Sarpy as given by Culbcrtson.)
146 Six. See Big Six. Note 148.
147 Moakes. Evidently another name by Chambers for the man known
as "Big Six."
284 NOTES AND REFERENCES
148 Big Six. Also Moakes, Nokes, Six. From the journal we learn that
he was a white man, born in Virginia, Feb. 20, ran away from
Fort Sarpy, May 2, 1855, to the Crow camp where he told lies about the
fort and Chambers. When he left the fort he stole ammunition which
showed he didn't intend to return. It may be that Chambers was using
some special name for this man as he used Murrell for Meldrum.
149 Parr Flesh (parfleche). A rectangular case made of buflFalo hide
which was used at first to pack pemmican and other dried food. It was
folded over and laced with rawhide thongs to make a flat case.
150 Murrell (Meldrum). This seems to be a name that Chambers ap-
plied to Meldrum for some obscure reason of his own.
151 C. & D. These initials may be intended for Culbertson and Denig,
who were in charge of Fort Benton and Fort Union, respectively.
152 Mose. -1858. Mose, a negro, born in Virginia according to the
journal. He was drowned in the Yellowstone river, July, 1858. while
working on the cordelle of the boats going up to Fort Sarpy (2nd) with
company goods and Indian annuities for the Crows. Culbertson gave the
year as 1846 when he described the trip to Bradley but since it was Col.
A. H. Redfield who was in charge of the distribution of the annuities it
must have been 1858, which was the year Redfield made the journey.
ROBERT MELDRUM. 1806-1865
153 Robert Meldrum born Shelby County, Kentucky, 1806, the son of
Rev. William, and Mary Meldrum, Scotch-Irish emigrants who arrived in
Kentucky in 1804, learned the blacksmith trade and left home for the west
at the age of 16. One account states that he was with Bonneville's expedi-
tion to the Rocky Mountains but the first record we have of him is from
the original manuscript of the Larpenteur journals in the Minnesota His-
torical Society library.
On Aug. 3, 1835, Larpenteur wrote; "Meldrum sent to the Crows;" Sept.
2, 1835, "returned to Fort Union, had killed a Blackfoot;" Oct. 14, 1835,
"Returns from Mandans;" Oct. 23, 1835, "Left for Camp." This was the
year Fort Van Buren was built near the mouth of the Rosebud by Tullock.
Culbertson said that Meldrum lived with the Crows before he entered
the service of the American Fur Company and knew the tribe and their
language better than any other white man. Edwin T. Denig described him
to Kurz as follows:
"Unless a white man were rich he became the sport of the savages when
he went about naked and wore long hair reaching to his shoulders, as was
the practice with some white men at Fort Alexander on the Yellowstone.
It was a mistake for a white man to adopt the life and customs of Indians,
he loses their respect. Meldrum, bourgeois at the trading post among the
Crows, was an example. Though Meldrum is a soldier of note, his scalps
and his trophies from the hunt have not won him influence among the
Absaroka; he is esteemed for his prodigal liberality, on account of which
he has fallen into debt instead of accumulating money. He is said to be
an efficient gunsmith but not an especially shrewd business man. If,
through ambition or vanity, he aspires to take the lead in establishing a
widely extended family connection, certain Crows of consequence become
immediately jealous and go to the opposition or come here (Union) to
barter their robes." This description of Denig's is supported by Chambers'
comments in his journal.
James Murray was in charge of Fort Alexander from 1843-1847.
Augustus Barlow (N. D. Hist. Coll. vol. 7) who was with the "opposition"
said Meldrum was in charge of Alexander the winter of 1848-49. Lar-
NOTES AND REFERENCES 285
penteur refused to take charge in 1849 for $1000.00 a year since it was the
most dangerous post in the country.
Culbcrtson began the construction of Fort Sarpy ni 1850 and left Mel-
drum to complete the work and take charge of the post. From that year
until 1859 Meldrum was chief trader at the Crow post wherever it was
located. Raynolds found him there in 1859 and described him as the "best
living authority in regard to the Crows, outside of the tribe, having spent
30 years in their country during that time visiting the regions of civiliza-
tion but once, and on that occasion spending only 19 days in St. Louis.
He had lived long among these Indians, assuming their dress and habits,
and by his skill and success in leading their war parties has acquired dis-
tinction, rising to the second post of authority in the tribe. He of course
speaks their language perfectly and says it has become more natural to
him than his mother tongue. I noted the alacrity with which he ceased
speaking English whenever an opportunity offered."
Meldrum was known to the Indians as Round Iron. Max Big Man
was told by White Dog it was because Meldrum, a blacksmith, made round
iron emblems with a hole in the center which were distributed to the In-
dians as favors.
After the discontinuance of the Crow Post Meldrum went to Fort Union
where he was married to Mary, a Blackfoot squaw, by Father De Smet,
on board the steamboat Yellowstone July 11, 1864. The witnesses to the
marriage were Mr. Culbertson and Mr. Rolette. He died at Fort Union,
July 10, 1865, and was buried in the fort cemetery next day.
Culbertson described Meldrum to Lieut. Bradley as a "man of gentle
but courageous character who used excellent language and held the at-
tention of his listeners by his lively and intelligent description of his ad-
vertures. When he went to live at Fort Union he resumed the dress and
customs of the white man."
The following entries from the St. Louis ledgers of the P. Chouteau, Jr.,
and Company show the earnings of Meldrum for the years 1856-57.
May 20 1856— Paid Meldrum $1056.25
Expenses of men with express with Meldrum 36.25
May 22 1856— Paid Meldrum 942.50
May 31 1857— Paid to his sister, Mrs. Wilson 200.00
July 18 1857— Balance due him at Union 858.25
154 Tetreau. Tetereau. Tetreaux, an employe at Fort Union, 1851-2.
(Kurz Journal, p. 305). The name was also spelled Tetreault.
155 Mosier, Maj. (Sidney). Mosier was, according to the journalist, a
Virginian and chief of the culinary department at Fort Sarpy. See Note
178, Missouri Republican, June 30, 1855.
156 Faillant. This may have been the man named Vaillant who was on
the Upper Missouri in 1842. Chambers may have misunderstood the pro-
nounciation of the name.
157 Pumpkins, Mr. Evidently the name of the Indian known as Pump-
kin and High Pumpkin.
158 Depouille. "It is a fat substance that lies along the backbone (of
the bufifalo), next to the hide, running from the shoulder blade to the last
rib, and is about as thick as one's hand or finger. It is from seven to
eleven inches broad; tapering to a feather edge on the lower side. It will
weigh from five to eleven pounds, according to the size and condition of
the animal. This substance is taken off and dipped in hot grease for half
a minute, then is hung up inside of a lodge to dry and smoke for twelve
286 XOTKS AXD KKFEREKCES
hours. It will keep indefinitely, and is used as a substitute for bread, but
it is superior to any bread that ever was made. It is eaten with the lean
and dried meat, and is tender and sweet and very nourishing, for it seems
to satisfy the appetite. When going on the warpath the Indians would
take some dried meat and some depouille to live on, and nothing else,
not even if they were to be gone for months." (W. T. Hamilton)
159 Bear's Head. Kurz gives Bear's Head's name as "Machetetsi Antu"
and said he was the "Chief, in command of the soldiers, a warrior
of great ability and power." According to Hayden the territory of Bear's
Head's band of Crows was the valley of the Yellowstone river from mouth
to source and they occasionally passed the winter with the Assiniboines
near Fort Union. The two Lutheran missionaries, Braueninger and
Schmidt, who came out to the Crow country in 1858, met the Bear's Head
at Fort Sarpy and stayed with him at his camp in preference to living with
the rowdy white men at the trading post.
A chief of the River Crows, Bear's Head, visited the trading post in the
Judith Basin, 1874.
160 p. C. Jr. & Co. P. Chouteau, Jr., and Company. John Jacob Astor
retired from the American Fur Company in 1834 and Pratte, Chouteau
and Company purchased the Western Department of that company. When
the American Fur Company suspended in 1842, the firm of P. Chouteau, Jr.,
and Company bought the inventory and carried on the business. The in-
dividual members of the company at this time were Bernard Pratte, Bar-
tholomew Berthold, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and Jean Pierre Cabanne.
Pierre Chouteau, Jr., head of the company, was a grandson of Auguste
Chouteau, one of the founders of St. Louis, where Pierre, Jr., was born
Jan. 19, 1789, the m.ost illustrious member of that famous family. He
entered the fur trade before he was sixteen and learned the business in all
its branches and as the trade expanded was drawn into new fields, bank-
ing, mining and transportation. He was an industrious man and knew the
fur business to its smallest detail. His later years were spent in New York
City, where he died Oct. 6, 1865. His son, Charles P. Chouteau, had taken
over the supervision of the interests of P. Chouteau, Jr., and Company and
was in charge until the holdings on the Upper Missouri were sold about
1866.
161 Emmell's Creek. This creek and Emmell's Prairie were named for
Michael E. Immell, a native of Chambersburg, Penn., who went up the
Missouri river in 1809 with the Missouri Fur Company, was active in the
fur trade of the Missouri and Yellowstone country until his death, May
31, 1823, when he was killed by Blackfoot Indians on the Upper Yellow-
stone. The creek mentioned by Chambers is the same as that shown on
the De Smet map which came into the Yellowstone from the north a short
distance below Tongue River. The later Emmell's creek as shown on the
Raynolds-Maynadier map of 1867 entered the Yellowstone from the south
above the Rosebud and is known today as Armell's creek, a corruption
of Emmell's.
162 Denig (Dening), Edwin T. 1812-1862-3. Edwin T. Denig, born at
McConnellstown, Penn., March 10, 1812, said to have been a friend of
Alexander Culbertson's came up the river on the Assiniboine in 1833
with Culbertson. Denig was employed in the office at F"ort Union and by
1851 was chief trader at that post. He had at least two Indian wives and
was married by Father Daemen in St. Louis the summer of 1855 to an
Assiniboine squaw. Deer Little Woman. His children were baptized at
the same time. He moved with his family from Fort Union to the Red
River Settlement in Canada in the summer of 1856 and remained there
until his death in 1862-1863, was buried in the old Headingly graveyard
about IS miles from Winnipeg.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 287
Denig was well educated and wrote several sketches of the Indians and
fur trade of the Upper Missouri at the request of Father De Smet, Audu-
bon and others, who used the information obtained in their own writings.
His "Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri" written about 1854 and pub-
lished in the 46th annual report of the Bureau of American Ethnology,
1930, is a fine account of the history, manners and customs of the Assini-
boine Indians.
163 High Pumpkins. See Note 157, Pumpkin, Mr.
164 Long Elk. Granville Stuart met Long Elk at Gallatin, Montana,
June 2, 1880.
165 Horse Guard. T. A. Culbertson met the Horse Guard on June 17,
1850, at Fort Union and described him as "a great warrior, altho still a
young man; his name is Horse Guard, and altho not 30 years old he has
been engaged in about 30 expeditions, always returning with scalps or
horses and getting his party back in safety. He is a half-breed and has
the features of a white man * * * he is very brave. His son, a fine look-
ing boy. is with him." A. H. Redfield, agent for the Upper Missouri
Indians in 1857, reported Horse Guard a chief of some 70 lodges. He
signed the River Crow treaty at Fort Hawley on the Missouri July 15.
1868, and was in the Judith Basin, the winter of 1873-74, when he visited
the trading post of Story on Casino creek.
166 Rotten Tail (Crow). Kurz described Rotten Tail as a middle-aged
man when he visited Fort Union in 1851. He spelled the Indian name Tsite
You but Vaughan in his report spelled it Chee See Poosh. Rotten Tail
did not attend the Laramie council of 1851 but was recognized as the Crow
chief by Vaughan in 1854 when he distributed the annuities to the tribe.
W. T. Hamilton met him in the fall of 1858 on the Teton river and spoke
of him as head chief of the Crows. In a manuscript article of John Neu-
bert's (Historical Society of Montana) he wrote that Rotten Tail's band
of Crows robbed the wagon train of Dorris in 1864 at Milk river. Neubert
found Rotten Tail and persuaded him to have most of the goods returned.
16" Jabots Houses. This name as written by Chambers is not found in
any record or map. A. D. Jabotte, an employe of Fort Union in 1835 is
the only name that resembles "Jabots." On the De Smet map of the Yel-
lowstone river there is a Tarbois or Tarbot creek and it might be Jarbot
for the first letter could be either J or T. This creek is opposite and be-
low Glendive creek which would be about the location of Jabot's Houses.
The name may have been given to a winter trading house of A. D.
Jabotte, but this is only a guess.
168 C & Spy. Evidently an abbreviation of Chouteau and Sarpy, partners
in the fur company.
i6'-' Carter, Chas. A Charles Carter lived in Benton in the 70's and 80's,
a freighter and laborer. Schultz in "Friends of My Life as an Indian"
wrote of a Charles Carter, a white hunter in the Judith Basin, 1879-80, but
since it is a common name was probably not the Charles Carter of 1855.
I'i'O Osborn. James Osborne. See Note 178. June 30, 1855, Missouri
Republican.
171 Fort Belknap. An army post in Texas on Red Fork of the Brazos
river.
1"- Grey Chief. Grey Chief, Grey Head and Le Gras (Gris) were prob-
ably names for the same person who was a Crow chief. He was at Fort
Union the winter of 1851-52 when Kurz said his grey hair was not due
to old age and was a perfect yellow in spots. Little Grey Head was a
Piegan Indian.
2SS NOTES AND REFERENCES
i'3 Four Rivers. Four Rivers is described in Kurz journal as a Crow
chief, a very powerful man, both in regard to physique and influence in
tribal matters.
174 Two Face. Two Face was chief of the largest band of Crows, about
200 lodges, which ranged through the Wind River mountain region and
dealt with the traders of the American Fur Company on the Yellowstone
river.
i"5 Mountain Tail. A Crow chief mentioned by Dr. Hayden who gave
his name as Au-ma-ha-be-ci-se, but his name was spelled Ah-be-che-se
on the Crow treaty of May 7, 1868, which he signed at Fort Laramie.
i"*"' Col. Vaughn (keel boat). It was customary to name the keel
and mackinaw boats which were built to take the goods either up or down
the river.
1'" Nokes (Big Six). See Note 148.
Missouri Republican, June 30, 1855.
178 "The voyageurs who came down from the mts. on the mackinaw
boats report having had a great deal of trouble in descending the river on
account of low water. The mountain rise overtook them only a short dis-
tance above Council Bluffs. This party left the Yellowstone river about
the first of May. Met the A. F. Co. boat, the St. Mary, about 80 miles
above Sargeant's Bluff on the 19th. Sixty miles below Sargeant's Bluff
met government steamboat Grey Cloud on the 20th. Met the Arabia and
the William Brand on the 21st. Met the Clara and Kate Kearney on the
23rd, 80 miles above Council Bluffs.
"Last evening met Sidney Mosier, George Shaw and James Osborne
who arrived in the city yesterday from the mountains, came down from
Fort Benton with three mackinaw boats as far as Council Bluffs and from
there to this city on the steamer Admiral. Left Benton on 3rd of May
and arrived at Council Bluffs on the 19th inst. Two mackinaw boats
which left Fort Sarpy on Yellowstone river on the 19th of May also ar-
rived at Council Bluffs on 23rd inst. The boats and cargoes are property
of the A. F. Company. These gentlemen reported that the Blackfeet In-
dians have been annoying the Crow Indians during the winter by stealing
their horses. The latter avenged themselves by taking 17 scalps of their
enemies during the winter. Late in the spring a Blackfoot Indian came
close to Ft. Sarpy and scalped a squaw of his own tribe who had been a
prisoner of the Crows for several years. On the 1st of Alay 7 men started
from Union to Sarpy over 200 miles to assist in bringing boats down the
river. On the 3rd day out they were met by a part}' of over 300 Sioux
armed to the teeth who acted in a hostile manner. One of the party who
could speak Sioux interfered. The Sioux demanded their surrender but
some of the party were unwilling and they were attacked and a German,
George Sikes (Shike) (Quincy, Illinois) was wounded. They came to a
parley and the Indians stripped them of guns and ammunition and clothes,
left them naked in the mountains. They finally reached Sarpy after sev-
eral days suffering from cold and hunger. A young buffalo calf which
they killed with a stone was all they had to cat. Three days after they
arrived at Sarpy 300 Sioux surrounded the fort but after distributing pres-
ents and having a talk the Indians left without attacking. Mr. Mosier
and his party report that on the way down they were not molested until
they got to the Sargcant Hills where they were hailed from an Indian
village and on refusing to land the steersman was fired upon but missed.
The Upper Missouri is low but little snow in the mountains during the
winter."
NOTES AND REFERENCES 289
179 Perault, Jas. P. Charles, Daniel and James P. Perreau were in the
poll list of Oct. 24, 1864, Choteaii county, Montana territory. The census
of 1870 for this county included a David Perrow (Pcrrcault).
180 Partizan. The Partisan or "leader of a war party" was described by
Denig as one who was in command during the entire expedition, directed
their movements and possessed the power of a military captain among
the whites. He received the honor or bore the disgrace of success or
failure and upon the return of the expedition his authority ceased.
181 Carafel, Carrafel, David? -1866. Carafell was probably the David
Carafell who was killed by Blackfoot Indians on Pablo's island near Fort
Benton in 1866. He was described in the Bradley manuscript as an old
trapper and hunter who had passed nearly forty years in the west. Kurz
mentioned a Vice de Carafel at Fort Union in 1851 who was a skilled
beaver trapper and in charge of a winter camp a short distance above
Fort Union on the Missouri river. Palliser met Vace de Carafel whom he
described as a very likable and capable mountaineer, which agreed with
Kurz' account.
David Carafell was one of the party that went north from Fort Benton
in 1862 to prospect for gold near Fort Edmonton, Canada. The list of
inhabitants of Chouteau county, 1862-63, included Daniel Carafel, freeman,
Benton.
182 Fort Berthold. 1845- Fort Berthold was built in the fall of 1845
by F. A. Chardon after he came down from Fort F. A. C at the Judith.
It was located on the left bank of the Missouri river above the Knife,
and intended for the trade of the Gros Ventre or Hidatsa Indians. It was
named in honor of Bartholomew Berthold of the firm of P. Chouteau, Jr.,
and Company.
183 Bobires. This is Chambers' attempt at the spelling of the French
name, Bourbeuse, of the Muddy river which comes into the Missouri
river from the north near the town of Williston, N. D. There was also the
Big and Little Muddy above Fort Union that enter the Missouri from
the north. The name Bourbeuse was used by Maximilian, Audubon,
Larpenteur and De Smet, and means "muddy or miry."
184 Water Raises. This is the L'eau qui Monte of Maynadier's report
which comes into the Missouri river from the east below the Little Knife
river. About where the Shell river is today.
185 Riter, F. G. We have very little information concerning Frederick
G. Riter. In his report for 1857, A. H. Redfield, agent for the Indians of
the Upper Missouri, mentioned him as the "agent of the American Fur
Company in charge of this post" (Union) and when Maynadier went down
the river in the summer of 1860 he found Riter in charge at Fort Berthold.
A Fred Ritter, laborer, aged 40 years, born in Prussia, was included in
the 1870 census for Dawson county, Montana territory.
186 Old Spaniard. Probably Joe Ramsey. See Joe Ramsey. Note 225.
187 Denig's Son. Robert Denig, son of Edwin T. Denig and an Indian
mother, baptized by Father Hoecken at Fort Union, June 28, 1840.
188 St. Mary (Steamboat). This was the steamboat on which U. S. Com-
missioner Gumming and party came up the river to attend the Judith
Council. The boat left St. Louis, July 11, 1855, and was 35 days making
the trip as the water was the lowest ever known. The goods for distribu-
tion to the Indians were on the boat and had to be unloaded and placed
on mackinaw or keel boats for the Upper river trip. The Saint Mary,
290 NOTES AND REFERENCES
a side-wheel mountain boat, sank in the Missouri river below Nebraska
City, Sept. 4, 1858, on a trip to Fort Union.
189 Hayden, Dr. F. V. 1820-1887. Ferdinand V. Hayden born in West-
field, Mass., Sept. 7, 1829, graduated from Oberlin college (Ohio) in
1850 and from Albany Medical college, 1853. In that year he made an
exploration of the Bad Lands of the Dakotas and from that time until
his retirement, due to ill health, in 1886, he was employed in conducting
geological and scientific explorations of the western United States. He
made a journey up the Yellowstone river in 1854 with Major Vaughan and
was present when the latter met the Crow Indians near Fort Sarpy, Sept.
18, 1854. He made trips up the Missouri river in 1855-56 and was with
the Raynolds-Maynadier expedition of 1859-60. He was in charge of the
Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories from 1869 to 1879
when this survey and others were consolidated in the United States Geo-
logical Survey and in that year, 1879, he was made chief of the Montana
division, which office he held until his retirement in 1886. His death oc-
curred in Philadelphia, Dec. 22, 1887.
190 Girard, F. 1829- Frederic F. Gerard, born in St. Louis, Nov. 14, 1829,
of French parents, entered the service of the Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and
Company, the fall of 1848 at Fort Pierre. He was employed as a clerk and
trader at various posts. When the company was discontinued he became
an independent trader with stores at Fort Berthold and Fort Stephenson.
Later he was in business at Mandan, N. D., and moved to Minneapolis
about 1890 where he was living in 1906.
191 Aug. 26. 1855. Note. "On the 23d of August, a Mackinaw boat was
started from Fort Union with the usual outfit of trade for the ensuing
season at the Crow post. It had only proceeded a short distance up the
Yellowstone river when the hunters for the boat, who were out in quest
of game (in company with seven Crow Indians, who had to accompany
me with their annuities), were driven back to the fort by a war party of
Sioux Indians, having had a miraculous escape with their lives. The boat
immediately returned to the fort, and the trip to the Crows abandoned
for the present season.
"A few days previous to this, some Indians (no doubt of the same
party) stole from Fort Union, eight horses, and from Fort William five;
at the same time, near the latter fort, they fell in with two men who were
butchering some bufTalo they had killed; they took from them their meat,
horses, guns and clothing, and they told me personally they considered
themselves fortunate in getting off alive. Shortlj' after the boat returned,
fifteen Indians appeared on the hills in sight of the fort; ascertaining
them to be Sioux I sent my interpreter to them (Zephyr Rencontre) . . .
After giving them a good lecture about their conduct in violating their
treaty stipulations in being at war, they left me promising to return to
their people without committing any more depredations.
"Thus you see that these war parties of Sioux have not only prevented
the government from being able to deliver the Crows their annuities, but
have also prevented them from the usual facilities derived from their
licensed traders." (Kept, of A. J. Vaughan to Supt. Gumming, St. Louis.
Sept. 12, 1855.)
192 Zophyr (Rencontre) 1800- Zephyr Recontre was employed as clerk
and trader at Fort Tecumseh (Pierre) in 1830. He was born in Missouri
about 1800 and married in 1837 to a Yankton Indian who with her daugh-
ters was killed by Sioux Indians near Fort Lookout, July, 1851. He acted
as an interpreter at various trading posts and Indian agencies and was
said to have been an intelligent and faithful worker.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 291
193 Dobey Town. The opposition post of Fort William, so-called be-
cause some of the buildings were built of adobe.
194 Campbell, Thomas. 1830-1882. Thomas Campbell was no connection
of Robert Campbell of the Harvey, Primeau opposition company. The
River Press (Fort Benton), May 24, 1882, contained the following obitu-
ary of Thomas Campbell:
"Tom Campbell died at the Overland Hotel Sunday and was buried
Monday. The deceased came to Benton some forty years ago, and for a
long time was in the employ of the American Fur Company at this point.
All these years he spent in the Northwestern country, chiefly along the
Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, at trading posts, and sometimes among
the Indians. He was a fluent Sioux talker and numbered his squaws by the
score. Tom claimed to be a nephew of Alexander Campbell, the founder
of the Campbellite church, and doubtless could make good his claim. Of
late years he has been a hard drinker, which hastened his death to a great
extent. He was trustworthy, honest and generous to a fault, and has hun-
dreds of friends along the frontier who will regret to hear of his demise."
The census of 1870, Dawson county, Montana territory, listed a Thomas
Campbell, 40 years of age, born in Pennsylvania, Indian trader. The trad-
ing post known as Campbell's Houses on the right bank of the Milk
river below the mouth of Little Rocky creek, was built about 1870 by
Thomas Campbell for Durfee and Peck, Indian traders.
195 Le Gras. This was probably the Assiniboine Indian of that name
who was at Fort Union in 1851.
196 Fool Bear. Mato Winko, chief of the Canoe band of the Assiniboine
Indians, was known as Crazy Bear, Fool Bear, L'ours Fou and Ours Fou,
all translations of his Indian name. He was appointed chief of the Assmi-
boine tribe at Fort Laramie council, Sept. 17, 1851. James L. Long, an
authority on this tribe, said Crazy Bear was chosen to represent the
Assiniboines at Fort Laramie because his band was at Fort Union most
of the time but he was not recognized as chief by the other bands of that
tribe. The government recognized him as chief and when the annuities
were distributed at Fort Union he was given a large share that he divided
among his head men. Long says that Crazy Bear died northwest of Fort
Union during a smallpox epidemic and was 70 years old at the time of
his death.
197 Napper (Scalp?) "Knapper, one who has been scalped but not
killed." (Kurz Journal, p. 243.) Chambers appears to use the word as
meaning scalp.
198 Tremble River. This is the Poplar river of today, known then as
Riviere au Tremble, French for Aspen River.
199 Champagne Houses. See Champaigne, Michel, Note 26.
200 Brick's. This is a reference to Chambers' Gros Ventre squaw. In
his entry of Dec. 14, 1855, he wrote, "Bricks, Stones, Missy," all of which
refer to the same person and Bricks and Stones were probably translations
of her Indian name.
201 Crow-Ca-Ja-Na (Cracon du Nez). The Cracon du Nez "A very nar-
row bit of land, a high bluff, on one side of which flows the Teton river
and on the other the Missouri. The force of the current of each river
in high water had for years borne against this blufif until it was almost
worn through. So narrow was this bit of land even in early days that
the Indians said it was like the 'gristle of the nose' which divides the two
nostrils. The early but illiterate French employes had translated the
292 NOTES AND REFERENCES
Indian name into French, but they never gave the correct orthography of
the first word or its exact meaning. This word is 'croquant,' meaning 'poor
wretch, country-man, peasant, gristle.' The correct phrase would be 'Cro-
quant-du-nez' or 'gristle of the nose.' The name has been spelled in many
ways as Kroko-de-nay, the Crow-con-de-nay and Croaking Jenny." (River
Press, Fort Benton, Jan. 1, 1890, p. 5.)
202 Three Islands. In the Missouri river, thirty miles below Benton.
203 Hawkins (rifle). The Hawken rifle used by plainsmen and moun-
taineers was manufactured by Samuel Hawken of St. Louis. He had a
shop on Cherry street in that city where he made these rifles between
1822-54.. (Wm. A. Almquist, Harlowton, Mont.)
204 Hole in the Wall. Landmark on the Missouri river about 65 miles
below Benton.
205 Judith Fort. By the "old Judith fort" Chambers meant the trading
post built by F. A. Chardon in the spring of 1844 at the mouth of the
Judith river which was named for Chardon. It was not a desirable loca-
tion for trade and the Blackfoot Indians would not come there because
it was too close to enemy territory so Culbertson went up in the fall of
1845, destroyed the Judith fort and built Fort Lewis. This was a few
miles above the site of Fort McKenzie and on the opposite side of the
Missouri river. See Fort Benton, Note 1.
200 Adams & Rondins Rapids. There were several Adams with the fur
company as early as 1833 and the rapids were probably named for one
of these men. Rondin Rapids were named for Charles (Rondin) Mercier,
who came up the Missouri in 1832. Between the Judith river and Snake
Point.
207 Snake Point. On the Missouri river about five miles above Cow
Island.
208 Cow Island. In the Missouri river above Armell's creek at the
mouth of Cow Creek.
209 Grand Island. Chambers also referred to the Island as Big Island,
in the Missouri river between Cow and Armell's creek.
210 Forchette's Point. This point in the Missouri river about 25 miles
below the Musselshell river probably named for one of the men of
the fur company about 1832-33.
211 Round Butte. A butte south of the Missouri river, half way between
Fort Union and Fort Benton.
212 Dophin (Dauphin, L.) -1864-5. Very likely this was the Louis
Dauphin mentioned by Larpenteur and La Barge who was the "famous
hunter" connected with the various posts of the Upper Missouri river. He
was killed by the Sioux Indians in either 1864 or 1865 near the mouth of
Milk river.
Kurz wrote of a man named Dauphen "another of the same sort (as
Cadotte) lives an isolated life on the prairies with his two wives. He left
the Opposition in debt, and now hunts on his own account. . . Although
he was formerly a trapper and followed the related business of trader, he
can no longer find employment with cither of the companies ... he has
defrauded both of them ..." (1851-52). A Dauphin had a trading post
at the mouth of Milk River, spring of 1862. Harkness mentioned Dauphin's
cabin as being eight miles below the mouth of Milk river. The Dauphin
rapids were named for Antoine Dauphin, who died of smallpox in 1837.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 293
213 Dry Fork. A branch of the Missouri river from the south, Garfield
county, Montana.
214 Carafell's Houses. This may have been the location of Vice de
Carafel's winter trading camp of 1851-2 mentioned in the Kurz journal as
being a short distance above Fort Union on the Missouri river.
2ir. Fort Clark. 1831- Fort Clark was built in 1831 by James Kipp for
the American Fur Company on the right bank of the Missouri river, 55
miles above the present site of Bismarck, North Dakota. It was named
for William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition, who was for many
years Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis. In its day it was one
of the three principal posts of the Missouri river, Forts Pierre and Union
being the others.
216 Gardepe (With the Opposition?). This was a well known name on
the Upper Missouri river for many years of French-Canadian origin.
An Alex Guardipee signed the Blackfoot treaty, Benton, Sept. 1, 1868, as
interpreter.
217 Bobieres. The Big Muddy above Fort Union. See Note 183.
218 Cardinal, Mrs. J. B. The Indian wife of Jean Baptiste Cardinal who
was listed in the Pembina census of 1850. A Cardinal, half-breed, was in
charge of the men who built a post for the Harvey, Primeau Company in
1848 on the Yellowstone river near Fort Alexander. (N. D. Hist. Coll.
vol. 7, pp. 81-82.)
219 McKenzie (Owen), 1826-1863. Owen McKenzie, son of Kenneth
McKenzie and an Indian mother, was born 1826 near Fort Pierre. About
1838 Kenneth McKenzie's Indian children were sent to the Red River
Settlement in Canada to be educated at the school maintained by Rev. D.
Jones. Owen McKenzie seemed to be the only one of the children on the
Upper Missouri and it is possible that the others remained in Canada.
When Audubon spent the summer of 1843 at Fort Union "young Owen"
was a hunter for the post and Audubon often commented on his skill as
a horseman and hunter. Palliser, who hunted with him in 1847, said he
was about 21 years old then and described him as "a splendid rider, first-
rate shot, and taken on the whole, on foot and horseback, the best hunter
I ever saw." At this period Owen was in charge of the winter trading
post at White river where Palliser spent some time with him.
In the hunting annals of the Upper Missouri Owen McKenzie's record
of loading and shooting 14 times in one mile during a buffalo hunt was
one of the best known. This called for superb riding as well as expert
marksmanship. He was employed at Fort Union and winter trading posts
near that point for a number of years. In the winter of 1862-63 he was
in charge of a small post for the firm of Harkness and La Barge on the
Missouri above Fort Union and in the summer of 1863 he was sent to
take charge of Fort Galpin at the mouth of the Milk river for the same
firm. That year the steamboats due to low water could only reach the
Milk river and freight was unloaded at that point. Malcolm Clarke and
his son, Horace, who was returning from school, were passengers on one
of the boats and when McKenzie appeared a quarrel broke out between
the two men over money matters. Clarke shot and killed McKenzie in
what he claimed was self-defense. Since the latter had many friends
among the white men and Indians who were present there was a great deal
of feeling against Clark, and he left during the night for Fort Benton
to escape the wrath of McKenzie's friends.
220 Clemow (Claymore, Clement), Basil. 1824-1910. Basil Clement was
born in St. Louis, Jan. 7, 1824. His father, Charles Clement, was a native
294 NOTES AND REFERENCES
of Paris and his mother a half-breed. Basil was in the service of the
American Fur Company for over twenty years as trader, hunter, guide,
interpreter and boatman. He served as guide and interpreter for several
exploring expeditions of the government in the 60's and 70's. Among
these were the Sully expedition of 1864, the treaty with the Indians at
Fort Rice, 1868, and the Stanley surveying expeditions of 1874 and 1875.
He located a ranch at the mouth of the Cheyenne river in South Dakota
in 1877 and died there Nov. 23, 1910. His name was spelled in various
ways, Clemo, Clemow and Claymore, The last form was the one used
in the government records.
221 Sand Hills. Medicine Lake, northeastern Montana, was known in
early days as Sand Butte Lake and this may have been the location of the
Sand HUls.
222 Four Bears. A Gros Ventre Indian whose name Kurz wrote as
"Matchbitse Topa." He attended the Fort Laramie council of 1851. Lieut.
Maynadier, who saw him Aug. 20, 1860, at Fort Berthold, described him
as a tall, fine-looking Indian and spelled his name "Mali-Topa."
223 Two White Weasles. Two White Weasles was a River Crow Indian
chief who signed the treaty at Fort Hawley, Missouri river, July 15, 1868.
Doane and Koch met him at the Story trading post in the Judith Basin
in 1874.
224 Snake Butte. This butte was midway between the Big and Little
Muddy on the Missouri river.
225 Ramsey, Jos. Joseph Ramsey was a Mexican or Spaniard who had
been a hunter for Fort Union since 1840. Ramsey was a corruption of his
Spanish name which was Jose Ramuso or Ramisie. After the loss of one
of his hands through the bursting of his gun he looked after the horse
herd at the fort. Dr. Matthews saw him in the spring of 1871 and de-
scribed him as a "tall good-looking old man of Spanish type. He spoke
English very imperfectly. He was dressed like an Indian, wrapped in a
blanket. At the time I saw him he was living on the charity of the Assini-
boines, although they themselves were in a half-starving condition."
226 Bouchie, This is probably the J. Bouche of the St.
Louis ledger, "June 1, 1857, salary to June, 1857, $300.00." Bouche accom-
panied E. A. C. Hatch, Indian agent, from Fort Union to Fort Benton,
June, 1856. A latter day landmark on the Missouri river, 491 miles below
Fort Benton, was known as "James Busha's grave." It was listed in the
table of distances on the Missouri river in the Hosmer Journal of 1865.
227 Constantine. Probably the John Constantine of Fort Benton whose
name appeared in the St. Louis ledger, April 23, 1856.
228 Alvary (Alvarez), P. 1829-1904. This must have been Philip Alvarez,
list of men of the U. M. O. in 1855. De Smet baptized. May 25, 1866.
Nicholas, son of Philip Alvarez and his Assiniboine wife, at Fort Union.
The census of 1870 for Dawson county, Montana territory, listed Philip
Alvarez, 41 years old, born in Missouri, interpreter. He died in Valley
county, Montana, 1904.
229 Rollette, John C. There were several Rolettes in the fur trade and
this is probably the J. C. Rolette who came to Fort Pierre from Canada
and later returned to that country.
230 Harney (Gen. Wm. S.) 1800-1889. This is a reference to the defeat
of the Brule Sioux Indians, Sept. 3, 1855, on the North Fork of the Platte
river by troops under command of General Harney.
NOTES AND REFERENCES 295
231 Morgan, There were several men of this name on the
Upper Missouri about this time. Charles Morgan, a Scotchman, hunter at
Fort Union in 1851-52, planned to return to his home in 1852.
Robert Morgan, a friend and countryman of Andrew Dawson, settled
in the Red River country of Canada, where Andrew Dawson, Junior, was
sent to school and lived with Morgan.
John B. Morgan, an old mountaineer, lived on Sun River in 1862 and
was the first settler on the Little Prickley Pear, where he was living when
the Fisk expedition of 1863 came through. He had built a log house, barns
and corralls, all surrounded by a stockade ten feet high.
232 La Bomparde, Louis. 1818-1872. This may be the L. Bompard in
the list of men for the U. M. O. in 1855. Larpenteur mentioned Louis
Bompard's arrival at Buford from Benton in 1867. The 1870 census for
the Upper Missouri district lists Leavie (Louie) Bompart, aged 52 years,
born in Missouri, half-breed family of four children. He died at Fort
Clagget, M. T., Jan. 1, 1872.
Alexis La Bompard was a well-known man in the fur trade, hunter at
Fort Union when Audubon was there in 1843 who described him as a
"first-rate hunter and powerfully built." He was hired by Governor
Stevens as a guide to the Yellowstone river in 1853 and represented as
"knowing the country well." He was a hunter for Fort Union in 1851-52
when Kurz was there.
233 Degnue. See Dagneau. Probably meant for J. Dagneau, whose name
appears in the St. Louis Ledger of the U. M. O.
234 Chambers, Col. A. B. 1808-1854. Col. A. B. Chambers, born in
Mercer, Pennsylvania, Jan. 9, 1808, died in St. Louis, May 22, 1854. He
was editor and owner of the Missouri Republican published in St. Louis
from 1837 to 1854, and acted as secretary for the Fort Laramie council
with the Sioux and other tribes, September, 1851.
236 Cote Trambeleau (not Poplar River). A location on the Missouri
river near Pierre, S. D., was known as "Cotes qui tremp a L'eau" or "the
hill that slides into the river." This may have been the name of a similar
location on the Missouri river just below the Little Muddy.
236 McKenzie's Old Houses. This must have been the location of Owen
McKenzie's winter trading post, 1851-52, mentioned by Kurz, on the Lower
Bourbeuse (Little Muddy).
237 Harvey's Point or Hervey's Point. On the Missouri river about 18
miles below the Big Muddy, may have been named for Alexander Harvey.
238 Poudirie. A French-Canadian word for the snow storm that we call
blizzard today. This meaning is given by Boiler and Hayden. Coues said
it might have been from the French word for "powder-mill" "poudrerie."
but the root of the word was "poudre."
239 Long Horse -1874. Long Horse was a Crow chief but had only
a small following, his leadership and fame arising from his giant size. He
was slain in the spring of 1874 in a duel with Weasel Calf, a Blackfoot
Indian. In this duel each Indian was armed with a shield and lance.
Weasel Calf's lance passed entirely through the shield and also the body
of Long Horse. . . , ^ , .
In accordance with the Indian custom he was buried on a tree scattold
near where he fell, but the skeleton of his giant frame. 6 foot, 10 inches,
was removed some time later.
240 White Thigh. White Side, a River Crow, signed the River Crow
treaty at Fort Hawley on the Missouri river, July 15, 1868.
296 NOTES AND REFERENCES
241 Band des Canots. This was the Canoe band of the Assiniboine
Indians. This tribe was divided into six bands which were as follows:
100 lodges Gens du Gauche (named by the whites for the chief of
the band).
60 " Gens du Nord
220 " Gens des Canots
60 " Gens des Filles
50 " Gens des Roches
30 " Gens: Le bas Rouge
The head chief of all these bands was at this time (1854) L'ours Fou or
Crazy Bear. (Denig's Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri; 46th annual
report of the Bureau of American Ethnology.)
242 Tiger Buttes. These are marked as the Panther Hills on the Ray-
nolds-Maynadier map, edition 1876. South and east of Glasgow, Montana.
243 Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek branch of the Milk river from the south
in Phillips county.
244 Searces or Sarcees. Proper spelling as given in the Handbook of
American Indians is Sarsi. The tribe hunted on the Upper Saskatchewan
river in Canada which was near the Blackfoot territory. Their customs
resembled the Blackfoot Indians but they retained their own language.
245 Little Beaver Creek. Present Beaver creek which enters the Milk
river from the south at Havre.
246 Note May 7, 1856. On this trip from Fort Benton to Fort Union
Chambers followed a route about midway between the Milk and the Mis-
souri rivers, through the gap of the Bear's Paw and the Little Rockies
and reached the Missouri river just above Round Butte.
247 Eagle Creek. A fork of the Missouri river from the east below Fort
Benton.
248 Dog River. Comes into Eagle Creek from the northeast.
249 Grand Tour. The Big Bend of the Milk river.
250 Porcupine. On the present day maps the Little Porcupine creek is
a branch of the Missouri river from the north below Milk river and Big
Porcupine is a tributary of the Milk river from the north.
251 Wolf Point. On the Missouri river about 125 miles above Fort Union.
252 Gore, Sir St. George. 1811-1878. Sir St. George Gore was returning
from a hunting expedition of two years' duration. He left St. Louis early
in 1854 and traveled with a large party of men and equipment to Fort
Laramie and from that point north to the Yellowstone region. The ex-
pedition had slaughtered buffalo and other game in great numbers, which
caused the Indians to protest to the Indian agents against the wasteful
destruction of the game.
Sir St. George Gore was the eighth baronet of that title, born in Ireland,
1811, and died unmarried, Dec. 3, 1878.
253 Martin, Pete. Peter Martin was a Mexican or Spaniard who was
hired as a hunter by Governor Stevens' party at Fort Benton in Septem-
ber, 1853. In 1859 he moved with his family from Fort Union to the
settlement on the Little Blackfoot river and was included in the poll list
for Deer Lodge county, Montana territory, Oct. 24, 1864. J. Larpenteur
Long said his real name was Martinez. His son, Dan Martin, 80 years
old in 1940, was interpreter at Fort Buford for many years.
NOTES ANE) REFERENCES 207
254 Warren, Lieut. G. K. 1830-1882. Lieut. Gouverneur K. Warren,
born in Newport, R. L, 1830, graduated from the United States military
academy in 1850, served as topographical engineer with General Harney
on the Sioux expedition of 1856. At this time he was making an explora-
tion of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers for suitable locations for
military posts and other information regarding the country. Warren and
his party came up the river to Fort Union on the Saint Mary and there
bought wagons from Sir St. George Gore to proceed up the Yellowstone
river The'^ expedition traveled up the left bank of the Yellowstone by land
about 100 miles and from there to the mouth of the Powder river with
pack horses. From that point they returned to where the wagons were
left and a number of the party navigated the Yellowstone river to the
mouth in a boat made of buffalo hides. The remainder of the party re-
turned in the wagons. Lieut. Warren served in the Union Army during
the Civil War and died in 1882.
255 Brazos. This was the location of Brasseaus' or Brazeau's Houses,
on the left bank of the Yellowstone river, 50 miles from the mouth. The
name of Brazeau appeared at an early date in the records of the American
Fur Company. When Catlin visited Fort Union in 1834 he met a J. E
Brazeau who was the Brazeau at Fort Edmonton in 1859 when the Earl
of Southesk visited there. Larpenteur mentioned a Joseph Brazeau, a
traveling clerk, July 8, 1835, who was probably J. E. Brazeau.
There was also a John Brazeau, a negro, who was employed at Fort
Berthold and Fort Union, died at Fort Stephenson about 1868.
256 Emmill's Prairie. North bank of Yellowstone river between the
Rosebud and Powder river. See also Emmell's Creek, Note 161.
257 Nine Blackfoot Creek. From Chambers' description of this journey
up the Yellowstone river Nine Blackfoot creek would be a branch of the
Yellowstone coming in from the south above the Rosebud river, some-
where near Armell's creek of today.
258 O'Fallon's Creek. The OTallon creek mentioned here is the Armell's
or Emmell's creek of today which enters the Yellowstone river from the
south above the Rosebud river. The present O'Fallon creek is a branch
of the Yellowstone river from the south below Powder river. Both were
named for Maior Benjamin O'Fallon, U. S. Indian agent for the Upper
Missouri, 1823-27.
259 Grass Lodge Creek. Now known as Lodge Grass creek, fork of the
Big Horn river from the west.
260 Blackfoot boy. A. J. Vaughan, Fort Union. Sept. 10, 1856, report to
Supt. A. Gumming, Supt. Indian AflFairs.
"I found one captive in their possession. He was an interesting Black-
foot boy, some fourteen years old, who, on our arrival at the camp, came
running to us with tears in his eyes, exulting that a deliverer had come to
his rescue. I took charge of him, which the chiefs consented I should do
without a murmur. So soon as an opportunity oflFers itself I shall return
him to his distressed parents."
261 Largie. This would seem to be a French-Canadian term from the
French word "larguer" or "large," meaning to "stand off at sea" or "sheer
off" and is used here to mean "to take off across country" instead of fol-
lowing the course of the streams. Rev. J. A. Collette, St. Mary's parish.
Helena, Alontana, said the word "large" has been used with this meaning
among the French peasantry.
262 Aug. 14, 1856. A. J. Vaughan said 350 men with 450 horses made
the trip to Fort Union with him.
298 NOTES AND REFERENCES
263 Spanish Island. An island in the Missouri river about 28 miles be-
low Fort Benton. Maximilian in 1833 called it Spaniard Island.
264 Dauphin's Rapids. These rapids, 13 miles below the mouth of the
Judith river, were considered the most dangerous in the Upper river. Cul-
bertson said the rapids were named for an Antoine Dauphin, who died of
smallpox in 1837.
265 Emmell's Island. This is Armell's island in the Missouri river op-
posite Armell's creek, named for Augustin Hamell.
266 Featherlands House. This location was probably that of Feather-
lands Island in the Missouri river about 16 miles below Round Butte.
There was also a creek of the same name which came into the Missouri
river from the south at that point.
In Vaughan's Then and Now mention was made by E. .A.. Lewis of a
Bill Fatherland at Fort Union in 1858.
267 Rolette's Houses. E. W. McNeal who came up the river on the
steamboat Alone in 1863 said Fort Rolette was on the north bank of the
Missouri river about 40 miles above the Yellowstone.
268 Fort William. 1833-1858. Fort William was built in the fall of 1833
by the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and named for William Sublette, a
partner of the firm. Robert Campbell was in charge until the company
sold out to the American Fur Company, June, 1834. It was situated on
the north bank of the Missouri river about three miles below Fort Union
and was the first opposition post on the upper river. It was occupied by
the Union Fur Company in 1842 and the name changed to Fort Mortimer.
This company sold out in 1845 and the next year the fort was occupied by
the new opposition company of Harvey, Primeau and Company and the
old name of Fort William restored. Since some of the buildings were built
of adobe it was known to the occupants of Fort Union as the "doby fort."
It was abandoned in 1858 and the property moved up to Fort Stewart.
269 Fox River. A branch of the Yellowstone river from the west about
15 miles above the junction of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.
270 Big Hills. The High Buttes of Lieut. Warren's map below the
Powder river.
271 Lone Tree Cut. A map drawn by Father De Smet, undated, shows
a Lone Tree creek which entered the Yellowstone a short di.stance below
and opposite the mouth of the Rosebud river.
272 Scott, John. In his report for 1856, A. J. Vaughan, wrote: "They
informed me that a man by the name of Scott, in company with another
man, from the Platte, whose name they could not give, had left their vil-
lage two days before my arrival, and that he told them 'that he had come
to ask them to return with him to the Platte to trade; that there they
would find no sickness; that they would meet plenty of buffalo; that they
must not proceed to Fort Union to obtain their goods, or disease and
death would be the result; and moreover that a large body of soldiers were
stationed there for the purpose of casting their principal men into irons,
and conveying them to the states'."
273 Mamalls. Since "mamelle" and "teton" have the same meaning in
French, "woman's breast," these must have been the "Tetons of the Yel-
lowstone" described by De Smet in August, 1851. as being 30 miles from
Fort Union.
XOTKS AND REFERENCES 299
274 Yanctonias. The Yanktonai are one of the seven primary divisions
of the Dakota or Sioux tribe. Their habitat in 1855 the country between
the James river and the Missouri.
275 Red River Half Breeds. Half-breed Indians from the Red River
settlements in Canada near Winnipeg.
276 English Gentleman (Sir St. George Gore). See note 252.
277 Upper Missouri Outfit. (U. M. O.) The name Upper Missouri Out-
fit dated back to 1827 when the American Fur Company bought out the
Columbia Fur Company and organized another division of their Western
Department. The term "outfit" in the Canadian fur trade meant trade
goods for any particular year including goods for use at the post as well
as for trade but here it was used to designate what were known in Can-
ada as "districts," a certain area or territory including several posts.
During the period covered by the Journal, 1854-56. the Upper Missouri
Outfit was a subsidiary of the Pierre Chouteau, Jr. and Company and en-
tered in the St. Louis ledgers as the U. M. O. There were other depart-
ments such as the Minnesota Outfit, the Sioux Outfit, the Platte
Outfit, etc.
Of the twelve shares of the U. M .O. eight were owned by the parent
company, the P. Chouteau, Jr. and Company, and the other four shares
were divided among the chief traders of the various posts. In 1854 the
principal posts were Forts Pierre, Clark, Berthold, Union and Benton on
the Missouri river and Fort Sarpy on the Yellowstone river.
278 Boismann, Joseph. "Joseph Boismener, a man assigned to me by
Mr. Dawson was as good an ox driver as ever handled a whip." (Owen
Journals, v. 1. p. 147. Trip from Ft. Benton to Ft. Owen, Nov. 1856.)
CHARLES MERCIER (Rondin). 1803-1891
By Wm. F. Wheeler
279 Charles Mercier, or Moultier as Col. J. J. Donnelly, his Attorney
insists is his correct name (or Rondin a nick name for his being round-
shouldered, by which he is known by the people at Fort Benton), was born
at a place called "the Portage," which is about forty miles above St. Louis,
Mo., in the year 1803. He was of Canadian French descent, and had a
very limited education, as there were no public schools in those days. He
learned boat building at Carondelette below St. Louis when a boy and
during the many years he was in the employment of the American Fur
Company, he was engaged as carpenter & boat builder at their various
forts on the upper Missouri, and generally built the Mackinaws in which
they transported their robes and furs to St. Louis.
Mr. Mercier (as I shall call him) was employed by the American Fur Co.
in 1827 (?) at St. Louis, to go to their trading posts on the upper Mis-
souri in the capacity of carpenter. The company at that time consisted
of P. Chouteau, Jr., and Harrison and Valle, all of St. Louis. The expe-
dition left St. Louis in April and consisted of two keel boats loaded with
goods for the Indian trade. Mr. Mercier helped to work these boats up
the Missouri from April until in September, when they arrived at the
mouth of the Heart River, where they landed and went into winter quar-
ters. They built no fort as the Indians were friendly, but erected com-
fortable log cabins. They made a good trade and sold out one boat load
of goods. , . , , „ .
The next Spring. 1828, they filled the empty boat with robes & furs
and sent it back to St. Louis. At old Ft. Pierre, it was met by a steamer,
on its way with supplies for Ft. Union which overtook them on its return
down the river and took the cargo to St. Louis.
Note: (The steamboat Yellowstone was the first steamboat to come up
the Missouri river as far as Fort Pierre which was in the summer of 1831.
300 NOTES AND REFERENCES
The next year, 1832, the Yellowstone went on to Fort Union, and on the
return trip from Fort Union reached Fort Pierre, June 25, 1832.)
Mr. Mercier accompanied the remaining boat up the Missouri. When
the party arrived at the mouth of the Marias River, Mr. James Kip (Kipp)
who had charge of the boat and goods landed and built winter quarters,
but no stockade, as the Indians were friendly. Here they traded during the
winter of 1828-9 (1831-32). In the spring of 1829 (1832) they were at-
tacked by the Assinaboine Indians and one of their men was killed. In
consequence they burned their houses there and moved to a better loca-
tion eight miles above on the Missouri and built a new and strong post,
which they named Fort McKenzie. Here they lived and traded for four-
teen years and were very successful. Their trade was almost entirely with
the Blackfeet, Bloods and Piegan Indians. During all this time but four
of their men were killed by the Indians, and Mr. M. thinks probably be-
cause of their own misconduct.
In the fall of 1843, a war party of Blackfeet enroute to the lower coun-
try visited the fort, and as was the rule were given a feast, and supplied
with five rounds of ammunition. With this they were not satisfied but de-
manded that the amount should be doubled. Mr. Chardon, the Bourgeois,
or man in charge of the post, refused to grant this demand. In the morn-
ing when the Indians were about to cross the river, either by accident
or design, they shot a cow belonging to the post, which they refused to
pay for. They also killed a negro employee who went in pursuit of them,
and they escaped. Mr. Chardon swore that the negro's death should be
avenged, and Mr. Harvey, the head clerk, said the Indians should pay
dearly for the cow they had killed, when they came to trade in the spring.
A terrible revenge was taken as will appear by the narrative of Mr. George
Weippert, given in this series. Mr. Mercier was not a witness to the
tragedy, and declined to give an account of it for that reason, but he
said it was worthy of savages, instead of white men.
This event was so terrible that the employees threatened to return to
St. Louis and leave the service of the Company. In consequence, Mr.
Chardon, the head trader, and Mr. Harvey determined to burn and aban-
don the fort for fear of the vengeance of the Indians, which their employees
dreaded. So in the Spring, 1843 (1844), they burnt and abandoned the
post, and ever since then they have called it Fort Brule, which in their
French signified the "burnt fort." It is also called by the survivors (dur-
ing the time it was occupied, from 1829 to 1843 (1832-1844,) Old Fort Mc-
Kenzie.
After the burning of the Fort, Mr. Chardon floated all of the property,
of the Company down to the mouth of the Judith River, and just above'
built a post which was named Ft. Chardon, in honor of the head trader,
who was a member of the Company, and is still remembered for his
drunken habit. At this place they lived and traded until the next Spring,
1844 (1845).
In consequence of the rivalry of the Company of Independent Traders
and Trappers, headed by such men as Sublette, Cotton, Bridger, Campbell,
and others, who had established a post named Ft. Cotton, rightly Ft. Hen-
ry (Honore), on the east side of the Missouri, three or four miles above
the present city of Ft. Benton, the American Fur Company bought out their
posts in the Northern part of Montana, and therefore in the spring of 1844
(1845), Air. Chardon abandoned Ft. Chardon and moved up to and took
possession of Fort Cotton (Fort Henry). (It was Culbertson who burned
Ft. Chardon and moved up to Ft. Cotton). Here the .\merican Fur Com-
pany carried on their trade for two years, or until the spring of 1846
(1847) when they abandoned the post and moved all the timbers of the
fort, including houses, stockades, etc. to the site of the present Fort Ben-
ton. With these timbers, and new ones hauled from the Highwood Moun-
tains, a new trading post was built, and occupied. But gradually, by the
NOTES AND REFERENCES 301
work of their employees and stragglers, the company built the adobe post,
a part of which is still standing (in 1884), and which gave name to the
present thriving and pretty City of Fort Benton.
Mr. Mercicr remained in the employment of the Am. Fur Co. until
they sold out to the North West Fur Co. in 1866. This company con-
sisted of James B. Hubbell, Tcnn. llawley, and C. Frank Bates. The
last Agent in charge of the Am. Fur Co. he says was I. G. Baker. Frank
H. Eastman was the manager of the N. W. Fur Company, until the time
of his death which occurred in 1874 (1877) at Bismarck, D. T., when the
new company closed up their business for good.
Mr. 1. G. Baker and Brother immediately after the sale of Ft. Benton
Trading Post, commenced trading on their own account, and today are
among the wealthiest merchants at Ft. Benton or in Montana.
Mr. Mercier continued in the service of the Am. F"ur Company at old
Ft. Union, while under the charge of Maj. Culbertson, for five or six
years, and until it was abandoned.
Mr. Mercier was employed by Maj. Vaughn, U. S. Indian Agent, at
Sun River for a year or two as carpenter. He was also employed by
Labarge Harkness & Co. for some time at their trading post, which was
situated in the upper part of the present City of Ft. Benton.
After his retirement from these employments, Mr. Mercier built a small
log house, in which he has lived for nearly twenty years. For ten years
or more it was the only dwelling house occupied by a white man outside
of the trading posts. When the town site was patented by the Probate
Judge in trust for the occupants, the County Commissioners of Chouteau
County ordered that the fee to the three lots on Main street, so long oc-
cupied by Mr. Mercier, be conveyed to him without charge, which action
was heartily approved by the whole people, and showed their kindly feel-
ing to the "Old Timer," of 1828.
Mr. Mercier was always employed in and around the trading posts of
the Fur Companies, as a mechanic, and never went out as hunter or trap-
per. Therefore he has no account of battles with the savage Indians or
encounters with wild beasts to relate.
Mr. Mercier was married to an Indian girl, aged 13 years, about 1831.
They lived happily together, respected by all who knew them for 50 years
until she died in 1878. He said that he was no "squaw man," for she had
been his only wife in all that time. By her he had eleven children. Four
are living — 3 at Benton — one is married and lives in St. Louis. Mrs. Bost-
wick, one daughter is living at Benton. Her husband, Henry Bostwick,
was killed at the Battle of the Big Hole. Mr. M's. other descendants are
ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and all live near him,
and are much respected by the community. Mr. M. has led a quiet, in-
dustrious and blameless life. At eighty-one his health is fair and he may
live manv years to come.
From the River Press (Fort Benton), Feb. 19, 1890.
"Since then (1864). he (Rondin) has lived in this city at the corner of
Main and Rondin streets. Until a few years ago he supported himself by
sawing wood and doing odd jobs, when by reason of his increasing age
and infirmity Choteau county made a provision for his declining years.
The citizens of Benton, too, have not been neglectful of the old man's
earthly wants. He is a devout Catholic and attends church every Sunday.
He is one of the last of whom Abbe Domenech wrote: 'Their .glory is
extinct; they are no more. The masters and the great navigators of the
inner seas of the new world are gone, and in a short time hence the very
name of the voyageurs will be no more than a pleasing legend of the
American solitudes'."
Charles Mercier (Rondin) died in Fort Benton, December, 1891.
280 Apishamo. Kurz. "A hide (antelope or piece of buffalo skin) used
as a saddle blanket."
302 NOTES AND REFERENCES
ALEXANDER HARVEY. 1807-1854
281 Harvey, according to Larpenteur, was a native of St. Louis, born
about 1807. He entered the employ of the American Fur Company in 1831.
In the Fort Tecumseh Journal, Nov. 1, 1832, the following reference shows
that Harvey was on the upper river in 1832: "A. Harvey and Beckwourth
arrived from Ft. Lookout on their way to the Mandans (both freemen)."
(S. D. Hist. Coll. Vol. 9, p. 162.)
Harvey was with Maximilian's party on their journey up the Missouri
river in June, 1833, and when the party reached Fort Union, Harvey and
Berger went on ahead of the boats overland by horseback to Fort McKen-
zie. Mitchell sent him in September of that year in charge of a crew of
30 men to build the new post. He was an energetic and active man with-
out fear and of great physical strength. Larpenteur said he was "the bold-
est man that was ever on the Missouri ... a man six feet tall, weighing
160 or 170 pounds and inclined to do right when sober."
The feats of endurance, strength and courage of Harvey were legendary
on the river and although hated and despised for his cruelty and callous-
ness he was granted a reluctant admiration for other qualities. On
complaints of other employees in the winter of 1839-40, he was summoned
by the head of the company to report at St. Louis and he made the trip
alone and afoot along the river to the city. Chouteau was so impressed
by this performance that instead of the dismissal that was intended he
was ordered to return to Fort McKenzie. When Harvey arrived at Fort
Union he summoned every man who had testified against him and gave
each one a beating and was perfectly sober at the time. Revenge was an
important item in his makeup and this quality was responsible for the
killing of Isadore Sandoval at Fort Union in 1841 and also, perhaps, for
the massacre of the Blackfoot Indians at Fort McKenzie in February, 1844.
When Chardon moved to the mouth of the Judith river in the spring of
1844 Harvey went with him and the next spring when Chardon went
down the Missouri to establish Fort Berthold he remained in charge at
Fort F. A. C. until Culbertson came up to move that fort up the river
above the location of old Fort McKenzie.
Among the men with Culbertson were James Lee, Malcolm Clark
and Jacob Berger who planned before they left Fort Union to
attack Harvey and run him out of the country. This plan must
have been the result of bad blood between Chardon and Harvey
prior to Chardon's departure for Fort Berthold. As had been proven Har-
vey bore bitter grudges against any one who had wronged him and he
may iiave intimidated Chardon before the latter left Fort F. A. C. with
threats to expose him for selling liquor to the Indians. Others beside
Chardon were guilty of this offense and these three men who went up to
Fort F. A. C. with an avowed intent "to get Harvey" might also have
been among the offenders. The attempt on Harvey's life failed and Cul-
bertson persuaded him to give up the Fort by paying his wages in full and
giving him a strong recommendation. Harvey went down the river in a
canoe and when he reached Fort Union told Larpenteur he was going
down to St. Louis to bring charges against Chardon and the other men
of an attempt at murder and violation of the government regulations re-
garding the Indian country. When he got to Fort Pierre llonore Picotte
tried to hold him there and was willing to give him charge of the Black-
foot post if he would remain in the country for Picotte knew if Harvey
told the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs at St. Louis of the com-
pany's practice of selling and trading liquor to the Indians it would mean
serious trouble for them. Harvey was not to be dissuaded and continued
on his journey down the river to St. Louis, and on March 13, 1846, the
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, T. IT. Harvey, directed Major Drips.
Indian Agent, to order Chardon. Berger, Clark and Lee out of the Indian
NOTES AND REFERENCES 303
country to appear in St. Louis to answer charges which had been pre-
ferred against them. Chardon was accused of seUing liquor to the Indians
and the other three with attempted murder. Nothing came of these
charges as the case was postponed from time to time and finally dropped,
but Harvey with three others and the financial backing of Robert Camp-
bell organized the St. Louis Fur Company, another opposition to the
Chouteau company.
While he was at Fort Pierre he met Charles Primeau, Joseph Picotte
and A. R. Bonis. Since all three were ready to leave the company and
enter business for themselves his suggestion came at the right time.
Until his death in 1854 Harvey was the chief worker and organizer in
this company and made his headquarters at their Blackfoot post, Fort
Campbell, where he labored hard at the business he knew, the fur trade.
No one ever accused him of dishonesty, laziness or cowardice. His chief
fault was his arrogant bullying of the men who offended or crossed him
in any way, and the desire to impress upon all that it was dangerous to
harm Harvey in any manner, by word or deed. Perhaps he succeeded in
this endeavor.
Harvey must have had an Indian family for in his letter to Campbell
written just before he died, July 17, 1854, he asked that Campbell care for
his two daughters who were in a convent school near St. Louis. The
obituary comments published in the St. Louis newspapers gave him high
praise for his admirable qualities and the publishing of these comments
in this journal may help to vindicate his character in the history of the
fur trade.
Kiel Boat 15 Miles Below the Upper
BuUbers July 17th 1854
Mr. Campbell Esq
1 regret to inform you that I am laying here at the point of death and
do not know the moment it may occur, if it should occur I am under the
nessesity of leaving order for her to go back to Fort William for the want
of a Steersman to take her up I shall advice Mr. Peacott to let you hear
of it as soon as possible so you can arrange accordingly I appoint you
the Executor of my Estate Settle up all the business I have remaining in
the world after the close of our business if there is any thing comeing to
me it will be equally divided between my two children Edeline & Susan
and those two I beg of you as a Friend not to see them suffer give my
last respects to Mrs Campbell and her children. I give my last farewell
to yourself and all the gentlemen in the Store and enquiring Friends
1 die in peace and Friendship with the world
Alexander Alexander M. Harvey
State of Missouri i g_.
County of Saint Louis \
Be it remembered that on this Eleventh day of May in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight before me Peter Fergu-
son Judge of Probate of the County of Saint Louis personally appeared
William H. Alexander who being by me duly sworn on his oath saith,
I was present at the time of the date of the foregoing instrument as wit-
ness and saw Alexander M. Harvey subscribe his name to said instrument
and heard him declare the same to be his last will — I subscribed my name
as a witness thereto in the presence of said Harvey and at the time of so
doing he said Harvey was of sound and disposing mind to the best of my
knowledge and belief — the residence of said Harvey was at Fort Campbell
near the falls of the Missouri about sixty miles above the mouth of the
Yellowstone and the place of executing said instrument and the place of
the residence of said Harvey are both in the Territory of Nebraska the
body of said instrument was written by me at the request of said Harvey.
Wm. H. Alexander.
304 NOTES AND REFERFA'CES
Sworn to and Subscribed before me at St. Louis thisi
11 day of May 1858
I'eter Ferguson |
Judge of Probate J
I William F. Ferguson Judge of Probate of the County of Saint Louis
having examined the foregoing instrument in writing and the testimony
of William H. Alexander the subscribing witness thereto, consider that
said instrument is not duly proved to be the last will of Alexander M.
Harvey deceased and do reject the same.
Given under my Hand at the County aforesaid this Eighteenth day of
May in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty nine.
William F. Ferguson
Judge of Probate
(Rejected Will of Alexander M. Harvey,
as Certified by the Probate Court of
the City of St. Louis, Missouri.)
(For the newspaper notices on Harvey's death we are indebted to Miss
Stella M. Drum, of the Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis.)
ALEXANDER M. HARVEY
DIED at Fort William, on the Yellow Stone, on the 20th July last,
ALEXANDER M. HARVEY, in the 47th (the second figure is blurred,
but the impression looks like 7) year of his age.
The deceased has been for many years a prominent and successful In-
dian trader. He was the leading partner of Harvey, Primeau & Co., and
Harvey & Co. He was a man of firmness, honesty and courage, and he
possessed besides, a kindness and humanity which rendered him extremely
popular with the Indians, with whom his traffic brought him in contact.
It is no small evidence of his worth that the red children of the mountain
and prairie always regarded him with respect and esteem. He had never
yielded to the temptations of his gainful barter to deceive the savage, and
they loved and reverenced him for his uprightness and his kindly be-
havior towards them. The deceased was known to many of our citizens
as a man of stainless honesty, inflexible courage, and invincible energy.
He met death with the same unshaken fortitude that he had often evinced
when encountering other perils; and upon his gravestone may be fitly
inscribed the epitaph. "Here lies a brave, an honest, and kind-hearted
man."
(Missouri Republican, September 19, 1854).
DEATH OF ALEXANDER M. HARVEY
Our obituary column yesterday, contained a notice of the death of Alex-
ander M. Harvey, for many years a prominent and successful trader with
the Indians on the Upper Missouri. Mr. Harvey was, we think, a native
of St. Louis and has been for a long time a leading partner in the exten-
sive trading concerns in that region. He was a man of great energy of
character, and of unquestioned courage, and these characteristics, with
his proverbial honesty and kindness to the Indians, secured for him a de-
gree of confidence which has rarely been accorded to any man. The In-
dians loved him and his influence over them was unbounded. At the time
of his death he was engaged in profitable trade and a few years more
would have enabled him to retire with wealth honestly and laboriously
earned.
(Missouri Republican, September 20, 1854).
NOTES AND REFERENCES 305
281A Primeau, Charles. 1811-1897. Charles Primeau, born in St. Louis,
1811, came up the river in 1831 as clerk for the American Fur Company
at Fort Union. In 1846 he became a member of the Harvey, Primeau
Company and after that company sold out in 1860 he acted as interpreter
at Standing Rock Indian Agency. He was married to his Indian wife and
his children baptized bv Father De Smet in 1857. Primeau died at Fort
Yates, N. D.. in 1897.
252 Galpin, Charles E. -1870. "Major" Charles E. Galpin came to the
Dakota country in 1839, married a mixed blood Sioux woman, and was
engaged in the fur trade of the Upper Missouri for many years. In later
years he had sutler stores at several of the army posts on the river and
trading posts near the Indian agencies. He died about 1870 on the Indian
reservation at Grand river.
253 Hodgkiss, W. D. -1864. W. D. Hodgkiss, a native of New York,
entered the fur trade in 1832 with Bonneville. He was employed as clerk
at Fort Pierre and other posts, was in charge of Fort Union in 1863 where
he died the following year. He had an Indian family and some of his
descendants still live in South Dakota.
284 u. M. O. Inventories. The ledgers of the P. Chouteau, Jr., and
Company do not contain detailed inventories of the U. M. O. later than
1851. Those for 1852, 1853, 1856 were the total sums of the inventories,
at least that is all that was found in the ledgers for those years. The
notations of dividends and earnings while not clearly explained are in-
cluded, with the date of entry in the ledgers, as these give some idea of
the earnings of the men employed as chief traders at the various posts.
285 All measurements for distances on the Missouri River are taken
from the Missouri River Commission maps published 1892-1895.
}
I
BTRLTOGRAPHY
^07
MANUSCRIPTS
Ashby, S. C.
Chouteau-Maffiitt
Papers.
Culbertson
Manuscript.
Dawson, Andrew
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reminiscences. Historical Society of Montana.
Missouri Historical Society. St. Louis
History of the Indian tribes of the Missouri river.
Crows, Assiniboines, Sioux, etc. Missouri Histori-
cal Society. St. Louis.
Letters to Andrew Dawson. 1860-64.
Historical Society of Montana.
De Smet, Rev. P. J. Manuscripts. St. Louis University.
Hatch, E. A. C.
Larpesiteur, Charles
McNeal. Eli W.
Pierre Chouteau, Jr.,
and Company.
United States Census.
1870.
Wheeler, W. F.
Fort Belknap (Indian Agency, Montana) Journal.
1873-1875. Historical Society of Montana.
Diary. June 7-October 15, 1856.
Minnesota Historical Society.
Journal (original manuscript), 1833-1872.
Minnesota Historical Society.
Account of trip by steamboat to Montana in 1863.
Historical Society of Montana .
Ledgers of St. Louis Company.
Missouri Historical Society. St. Louis, Mo.
Montana territory.
Historical Society of Montana.
Biographical sketches of employes of the American
Fur Company from personal interviews. Joseph
Cobell, Henry Robert.
Historical Society of Montana.
NEWSPAPERS
Dupuver Acantha. 1894-
Fort Benton Record. 1875-1884.
Helena Herald. 1866-
Montanian (Choteau). 1890-
River Press (Fort Benton). 1880-
Teton Times (Choteau). 1892-1894.
Abel, Annie H. Chardon's Journal at Fort Clark. 1834-1839.
Pierre. S. D. 1932.
Audubon, Maria R. Audubon and His Journals. 2 vols. Scribners.
1900.
Boiler, Henry A. .Among the Indians, Eight Years in the Far West.
1858-1866. Philadelphia. 1868.
Chappell, P. E.
History of the Missouri River. Kansas City. n. d.
308
Chittenden, H. M.
Chittenden, H. M.
Chittenden, H. M. and
Richardson, A. T.
Crawford, L. F.
Culbertson,
Thaddeus A.
Denig, Edwin T.
Dunn, John
Garraghan, G. J.
Grinnell, G. B.
Hafen, L. R., and
Ghent, W. J.
HamUton, W. T.
Hayden, F. V.
Heitman, F. B.
Henry, Alexander, and
Thompson, David
Hodge, F. W.
Hosmer, J. A.
Kane, Paul
Kurz, R. F.
Larpenteur, Charles
Luttig, J. C.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
American Fur Trade of the Far West. 3 vols.
Harper. 1902.
History of Early Steamboat Navigation on the
Missouri River. 2 vols. Harper. 1903.
Life, Letters and Travels of Father Pierre-Jean
De Smet, S. J. 1801-1873. 4 vols. Harper. 1905.
Rekindlinu: Camp Fires. The Exploits of Ben
Arnold (Connor). Capital Book Co., Bismarck,
N. D., 1926.
Journal of the Expedition to the Mauvaises Terres
and the Upper Missouri in 1850. Annual Report
of the Smithsonian Institution. 1850.
Indian Tribes of the Upper Missouri. 46th annual
report. 1928-29. Bureau of American Ethnology.
History of the Oregon Territory and British
North-American Fur Trade. London. 1844.
The Jesuits of the Middle West. 3 vols. America
Press. 1938.
Blackfoot Lodge Tales. Scribners. 1892.
Broken Hand, Story of Thomas Fitzpatrick.
Denver, 1931.
My Sixty Years on the Plains. Forest and Stream.
1905.
Contributions to the Ethnography and Philology
of the Indian Tribes of the Missouri Valley.
Philadelphia. 1862.
Historical Register and Dictionary of the United
States Army. Washington, D. C. 1903.
New Light on the Early History of the Great
Northwest. 3 vols. Harpers. 1897.
Handbook of American Indians. 2 vols. Bureau
of American Ethnology. Bulletin 30. 1907.
A Trip to the States in 1865. Virginia City, M. T.
1867.
Wanderings of an Artist. Toronto. 1925.
journal of Rudolph F. Kurz. An Account of His
Experiences Among P'ur Traders and Indians,
1846-1852. Bureau of American Ethnology. Bul-
letin 115. 1937.
I'orty Years a Fur Trader. 2 vols. Harpers. 1898.
Journal of a Fur-trading Expedition on the Upper
Missouri. 1812-1813. Missouri Historical Society.
1920.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
309
Maxmilian,
Prince of Wied
Montcina Historical
Society
North Dakota State
Historical Society
Owen, John
Palliser, John
Point. Rev. Nicholas
Raynolds, W. F.
Robertson, Colin
Robinson, Doane
Schultz, J. W.
Schultz, J. W.
South Dakota State
Historical Society
South Dakota State
Historical Society
Southesk, Earl of
Stevens, Hazard
Stevens, Isaac I.
Stuart, Granville
Townsend, John K.
Travels in the Interior of North America. 1832-
1834. 3 vols. Thvi'aites' Early Western Travels.
A. H. Clark. 1906.
Contributions, vols. 1-9. 1876-1923.
Collections, vols. 1-7. 1906-1924.
Journal and Letters of Major John Owen. 1850-
1871. 2 vols. Montana Historical Society. 1927.
Solitary Rambles of a Hunter in the Prairie.
London. 1853.
A Journey in a Barge on the Missouri River from
the Fort of the Blackfeet (Lewis) to that of the
Assiniboine (Union) 1847. Mid-America. January,
1931. vol. 13. Chicago.
Report on the Exploration of the Yellowstone
River. 40th Cong., 1st Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 77.
Wash. 1868
Colin Robertson's correspondence book. 1817-1822.
Champlain Society. 1939.
Encyclopedia of South Dakota. Pierre, S. D. 1925.
Friends of My Life as an Indian. Houghton,
Mifflin and Company, 1923.
Sign Posts of Adventure. Houghton, Mifflin and
Company. 1926.
Collections, vols. 1-17. 1902-1934. Pierre, S. D.
South Dakota Historical Review, vol. 1. 1935.
Pierre, S. D.
Saskatchewan and the Rocky Mountains, Toronto.
1875.
The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens. 2 vols.
Houghton, Mifflin and Company. 1900.
Report of Exploration of a Route for the Pacific
Railroad Near the 47th and 49th Parallels, from
St. Paul to Puget Sound. 12 vols. 33d Cong.,
1st Sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 129. Washington.
Forty Years on the Frontier. 2 vols. A. H. Clark.
1925.
Narrative of a Journey Across the Rocky Moun-
tains, to the Columbia River (1834). . . vol. 21.
Thwaites' Early Western Travels. A. H. Clark.
1906.
310
BIBLIOGRAPHY
U. S. Commissioner
of Indian Affairs
Annual Reports. 1851-1868. Washington, D. C.
Vaughn, Robert
Warren, G. K.
Wyeth, N. J.
MAPS
De Smet, Rev. P. J.
Missouri River Com-
mission
U. S. War Dept.
Warren, G. K.
Then and Now, or Thirty-six Years in the Rockies.
MinneapoHs. 1900.
Preliminary Report to Capt. A. A. Humphreys,
Topographical Engineer, in Charge of Explora-
tions and Surveys, War Department . . . dated
Nov. 24, 1858. 35th Cong., 2d Sess., Sen.Ex.Doc.l.
Correspondence and Journals.
Ore. 1899.
1831-6. Eugene,
De Smet Collection. St. Louis University.
Map of the Missouri River. Pub. 1892-1895.
Map of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers and
their Tributaries. Raynolds-Maynadier. 1859-1860.
Pub. 1867.
Maps of surveys in Dakota and Nebraska territori-
tories. 1855-1856.
INDEX
J
INDEX
313
INDEX
Abel, Mrs. Annie E., 239
Adams, John, 25
Adams & Rondins' Rapids, note
206, 142, 292
Admiral, steamboat, 288
Adobe bricks, note 6, 1, 97, 246
A. F. Co., see American Fur Com-
pany
Alexander, Pend d'Oreille Indian,
269
Alexander, William H., 303-304
Almquist, William A., 292
Alone, steamboat, 298
Alvarez, Nicholas, 294
Alvarez, Philip, note 228, 148, 193-
194, 294
Alvary, see Alvarez
Amen, M., 99
American Fur Company, note 160,
166, 170, 239, 243-245, 247-249,
251, 256-257, 261, 267-268, 271,
278-281. 284, 286, 288-289, 291,
293-294, 297-302, 305
Annuities, Indian, 121, 149, 176, 186,
192
Apishamo, note 280, 219, 301
Arabia, steamboat, 288
Arapaho Indians, see Crows
Arikaras, 129
Armell, see also Hamell
Armell's Creek, Missouri R., 253,
262, 277, 292
Armell's Creek, Yellowstone R., 282,
286, 297
Armstrong, Sarah E., 279
Arnell, Mary, see also Augustin
Hamell, 253, 254
Arnell's Creek, see Armell's Creek
Arnoux, Susan Hamell, 262
Arrow Creek, 266
Ash Island, 161
Ashby, S. C, 275
Assiniboine, steamboat, 275
Assiniboines, 127, 130-1, 137, 148,
151, 155. 157-9. 161. 174. 181. 192,
296
Astor. John Jacob, 286
Audubon, John T., 240, 243, 246, 287,
289, 293
Au Trembe River, see Tremble
River
Bad Head, note 104, 59, 61-62, 69,
275
Bad Lands, Dakota, 290
Bad Lands, Yellowstone, 174, 184
Badger Creek Agency, 255
Bad Shape. 113
Baker, I. G. & Co., 249, 253, 301
Ball, 1. 58
Band de Canots. note 241, 160, 296
Banff, Canada, 259
Bank, The, see White Cow Against
the Bank
Baptiste, see Baptiste Champaigne
Barcier, Bercrier, see Bercier
Barlow, Augustus, 265, 284
Barnes, note 65, 39, 268
Barnes, Phil. 268
Barra, Joniche. 193, 194
Bates, C. Frank. 301
Battle of New Orleans, 105
Beardy, 60
Bear's Head (Crow), note 159,
106-107, 109-110, 113, 115. 158-159,
176, 183, 186, 286
Bears Paw, 28, 33-34, 36-37, 39, 164,
166-167
Bear's Paw Gap. 167, 296
Bear's son, 157
Beaver Creek, 140
Beaver Creek, note 243, 163, 296
Beckwourth, James P., 302
Beeson, Henry W., 283
Beliveau. L., 89. 193
Belleveau, Leandre, see Beliveau, L.
Bellies (Belly) River, note 106, 60,
275
Belt Mountain. 78
Belt Mountain Creek, note 95, 55,
274
Benton, see Fort Benton
Benton. Thomas H., 240, 242
Bercier, , note 7, 1, 5, 7, 39
Bercier. Antoine, 246
Bercier's Springs, note 7, 246
Berger. Jacob. 302
Berry, George C. 275
Berry, The. 82
Berthold, Bartholomew, 286, 289
Bethlehem, Penn.. 242. 244-245
Big Bend, note 109, 62, 138, 163-164,
275
314
INDEX
Big Bend, Milk R., 253. 296
Wig Calf, 72
Big Feather, note 40, 22, 61, 66, 265
Big Head, Yanktonai, 191
Big Hills, note 270, 126, 184, 298
Big Hole, Battle of the, 301
Big Horn River, 175-176, 185-186,
264, 283, 297
Big Insides, 115
Big Island, note 209. 180. 292
Big Lakes band, note 48, 27, 262,
266
Big Muddy, Mo. R., 136, 157, 162,
170-173. 270, 289, 293-295, 303
Big Plume, see Big Feather
Big Porcupine, Milk R., 296
Big Porcupine, Yellowstone R.. 175,
185
Big Six, note 148, 284
Big Snake, note 70, 40-41, 43, 55. 58.
64, 69, 268
Big Sun, note 115, 63, 276
Bill, John, 165
Birch Creek, 261-262
Bird, James, note 24, 7, 9, 11, 19, 21,
36, 45, 60, 71. 166, 169-170, 256
Bird, James Curtis, 257
Bird, James, Sr.. note 24, 256-257
Bird, Joseph, 256-257
Bird, Nicholas George, 256
Bird, Thomas, 267
Bird's son, note 60, 35, 170, 267
Bird Tail Rock, 246
Bismarck, N. D., 293, 301
Bitter Root River, 267
Bitter Root Valley, 93, 261, 269, 277,
282
Black Chief (Blackfoot Ind.), 257
Blackfoot boy, note 260. 176. 286.
297
Blackfoot Farm. 282
Blackfoot Indian Reservation, 260
Blackfoot Indians, 15, 27, 55-57, 63-
98, 118, 123, 130. 154, 165. 257,
263, 274
Blackfoot Mission. 279
Blackfoot River. 254
l'>lackfoot Treaties
Oct. 17. 1855. 265. 271-2. 274-7
Nov. 16, 1865, 261. 266-7, 274.
276-7
July 15, 1868. 274-7, 287, 293, 295
Sept. 1, 1868, 255. 261. 266-7, 272,
275, 277, 293-294
Blackfoot Treaty, Canada, Sept. 22,
1877. 262, 274-276
F'.lack Snake Man, see Big Snake
Blevins. Daniel O.. 249
Blivens, Daniel, see Blevins,
Daniel O.
Blind Pagan, 84
Blood Reserve, 242, 245, 267, 281
Blood Indians, notes 21, 32, 7-45,
59, 64-98, 127-128, 139, 164-165
Affair at Ft. McKenzie, 247-248,
255, 268-269, 300
Fight with Crows, 115
Bloody Indians, see Blood Indians
Boats (fur company), note 93, 50-51
Boats (government), note 74, 42-45,
270, 274
Bobires, see Bourbeuse
Bobieres, see Bourbeuse
Boise. Ida.. 245
Boismenn, Joseph, note 27i^, 193,
299
Boiler. Henry A.. 295
Bompard, see Labompard
Bonneville, Capt., 284
Bonneville's Travels, 251
Bostwick, Henry, 301
Bostwick, Mrs. Henry, 301
Bouche, J., note 226, 148. 173, 294
Bouchie, see Bouche, J.
Boudin, 168
Bouis, A. R.. 265, 303
Bourbeuse River, notes 183, 217,
128-9, 145. 149. 293
Box Elder Creek, note 34, 16, 165,
264
Box Elder Creek, Yellowstone R.,
187
Bow River, Canada, 262, 275
Boy Chief, 119-121
Bradley, Lieut. James H., 241, 246.
263. 265. 269, 275, 284-285
Brasseau's Houses, 297
Braueninger, Moritz, 286
Brazeau. J. E., 297
Brazeau. Joseph, 297
Brazos, note 255, 174, 184, 297
Bricks, note 200, 140-142, 152, 171,
271. 291
Bricks' family, 165-167
Bridger, James, 278, 300
Brown, , 117
Brown. Joseph, 99. 250
Brownina:. Montana, xi, 250. 254,
262. 276-278
Brulus. 149
Buchanan. Pres., 271-272
Buffalo. 47. 267
Buffalo Bill, see Keiser. William
Buffalo Island, Missouri R., 262
Buffalo tongues, note 39. 18, 73. 265
Bull Sitting Down, 63, 276
Bull's Head, note 121. 67-68
INDEX
315
Burd, see Bird, James
Bureau of American Ethnology, 287
Burnt Houses, 155, 157
Busha, James, 294
Bussette, Anton, 278
Butte and Rondin streets, Ft. Ben-
ton, 263
Cabanne, Jean Pierre, 286
Cabree, note 58, 34, 267
Cadot, Cadott, see Cadotte
Cadotte, Pierre, note 18, 4, 8, 13,
15-19, 21-22, 28-30, 33, 35, 40, 42,
45, 67, 147-151, 193, 246, 254, 292
Jean Baptiste, 254
Louis, 255
Peter, 255
Cadotte's Pass, 254, 267, 277
Calf's Robe (Blood), note 108, 60,
97, 275
Calf Robe's woman died, 93
Calf's Shirt, 275
California, 245
Camp Pecan, 137
Campbell, Alexander, 291
Campbell, Robert, 231, 252, 265, 291,
298, 300, 303
Campbell, Mrs. Robert, 303
Campbell, Robert, steamboat, 245
Campbell, Thomas, note 194, 136,
174, 194, 291
Campbell's Houses, 291
C. & D., note 151, 102, 284
C & Spy, note 168, 116, 287
Canoe band, see Band des Canots
Carafel, David, note 181. 127, 174,
184, 289
Carafel, Daniel, 289
Carafel, Vace de, 289
Carafel, Vice de, 289, 293
Carrafell, Carrifell, see Carafel
Carafell's Houses, note 214, 144, 293
Cardinal, Mrs. J. B., note 218. 145,
293
Cardinal. Jean Baptiste. 293
Carondelet, Mo.. 299
Carriage, 7
Carroll, Matthew, 271
Carter, Charles, note 169, 117-118.
121. 124, 287
Cascade, Mont.. 278
Casino Creek, 287
Catholic Mission, 267
Catlin, George, 246. 264, 297
Chaine, Pierre, see Chine, Pierre
Chambers, Col. A. B., note 234, 153,
270, 295
Chambers, James H., note 77, ar-
rives Ft. Benton, 44. 73; 166, 193,
249. 260, 270, 284, 286, 289, 291-
292. 297.
Chambersburg, Penn., 286
Champagne Houses, note 199, 140,
291
Chanipaigne, Baptiste, note 25, 8,
10, 12-13, 19, 21-22, 24, 41, 69. 73,
97, 139, 166-170, 260
Champaigne, Josctte, 261
Champaigne, Lizette, 261
Champaigne, Louis, 261
Champaigne, Mary, 261
Champaigne, Jean Baptiste, see
Champaigne, Baptiste
Champaigne, Michel, 8-13, 15-17,
19-20, 24-28, 41-42, 44, 53-54, 141,
143, 194, 260
Champaigne. Peter, 261
Champaigne, Simon. 261
Chantier, note 103, 59. 264, 275
ChantiUy, Battle of. 268
Chardon, F. A., 240, 247-249, 269,
289, 292. 300, 302
Charloi. 253
Chene, Chiene, see Chine
Cheyenne River. 251, 294
Chicken coop, 8
Chine. Caroline, note 105. 275
Chine, La Croix, note 105. 275
Chine, Pierre, note 105, 60, 73. 152,
159, 162, 193-194, 275
Chippewas. 130
Chittenden. H. M., 246
Choteau, Montana, 278, 280, 282
Choteau Acantha, 279
Choteau Montanian, 260
see also Chouteau
Chouquette. Anton, 278
Chouquette, Charles, note 126, 86,
90, 92, 97, 171-173, 270, 277, 279
Chouquette, George, 278
Chouquette, Henry, 278
Chouquette, Josephine, 278
Chouquette, Louise, 278
Chouquette, Melinda, 278
Chouquette, Rosa Lee, 278
Chouquette, Rosalie Piquette, 277
Chouteau, Auguste, 286
Chouteau. Charles P., 286
Chouteau, Pierre, Jr., 240, 247, 263.
277. 286, 302
Chouteau and Sarpy, 287
Chouteau County, Montana, 253.
255. 261. 281, 301
Chouteau Countv Poll List, 262,
271. 273, 281, 289
Cincinnati, Ohio, 251
Citadel, note 91, 50, 141. 274
Clagett, Montana, 276
Clara, steamboat. 288
Clark William, 293
Clarke, Helen P.. 263
316
INDEX
Clarke, Horace, 263
Clarke, Malcolm, note 30, 13, 52-53,
55, 58, 65, 117. 145-146, 161, 234-
235, 263, 265, 269, 293, 302
Clarke, Primeau and Company, 265
Clarks houses, note 47, 26-27, 266
Claymore, see Clemow
Clement, see Clemow
Clement, Charles, 293
Clemow. Basil, note 220, 146. 293-
294
Coal makers, note 9, 1
Coal pit, note 43, 23, 266
Collette, Rev. J. A., 297
Col. Vaughan (keel boat) note 176.
122, 124-125, 288
Columbia Fur Co., 270, 299
Columbia River, 271
Constantine, John, note 227. 148, 294
Cordelle, 45
Cote Trambeleau, note 235, 154, 161,
295
Cote Daurion Post, see Fort Coteau
Daurion.
Cotton, Mr., 240, 300
Cotton Bottom, see Fort Cotton
Cotton Woods, 165, 168
Cottonwood Creek. Yellowstone R..
174, 184, 187
Coues, Elliott, 295
Council Bluffs, 288
Council Grounds, 51
Couquette. Charles, see Chouquette,
Charles
Covered with Fat (Crow). 121, 176
Cow Creek, 292
Cow Island, note 209, 89, 142, 179.
292
Cracon du Nez, note 201. 140, 165,
263, 291
Crazy Bear, see Fool Bear
Cree friend, 48
Cree Indians. 130. 152
Crees, North, 130
Crosby, Col. H. R.. note 69, 40-41,
43, 268
Crow boat, 135-136
Crow Council. Aug. 10, 1856. 183
Crows, note 38A. 18, 100-124, 135,
138. 142, 144-152, 154-159. 174-179.
183-187. 192, 250, 264. 282-283
Crows Flag, 10
Crows Treaty, 275, 288
see also Blackfoot Treaty
Culbertson, Alexander, x, notes 2-3,
arrived at Ft. Renton, 1; 4-6, 9,
11-12, 14-15, 17; arrived at Ft.
Union, 23; arrived at Ft. Renton.
40-42; 44-45, 48-49, 86, 88-90. 111.
117, arrived on Steamboat St.
Mary and left for Fort Benton,
132-134; 137, 139-141, left for the
Judith, 147; 234-235. 240-241, 246-
247, 249, 260, 262-263, 265-266,
269-271, 275, 279, 282-286. 292,
300-302
Culbertson, Mrs. Alexander, note 3,
1, 7-8, 133. 241-242. 255. 276, 279
Culbertson. Anna, 241. 245
Culbertson, Fannie, 242, 244-245
Culbertson, Jack, 242, 244-245
Culbertson, Jane, 242. 244
Culbertson, John C. 240
Culbertson. Joseph. 240, 242, 244-245
Culbertson, Julia. 242. 244-245
Culbertson, Maria. 244
Culbertson. Alary Finley, 240
Culbertson, Nancy. 244-245
Culbertson, R. A., xi
Culbertson, Samuel D.. 241
Culbertson, Thaddeus A., 241. 287
Culbertson's Mill. 240
Culbertson's Postoffice. 240
Culbertson's Row, 240
Culbertson's Mr. B in Law, 6, 8, 13,
26, 61. 66, 75. 98, 137
Cullen, William J.. 273
Cumberland House, 256
Cumming. Col. .\lfred. note 78, 41,
44. 46. 132. 140. 147-149. 245. 260.
271-273. 289-290. 297
Cut Bank. 267. IIZ
Cut Bank River. 278
Cut Hill. 175, 184
Cypress Mountains, note 61, 36, 40,
91, 253. 267, 274
Daemen, Rev., 286
Dagneau. J., 152-153. 193-194. 295
Dauphin. Antoine, 292, 298
Dauphin, Louis, note 212, 143, 157.
182, 193, 292
Dauphin Post. 270
Dauphin's Rapids, note 264. 179, 298
Dawson. Andrew, note 42. x. 23, 26.
49. 53, 55, 75. 86. 88, 93, 132, 142.
145, 165-166. 171. 234-235. 242. 249.
261. 263. 266. 270, 277-278, 281,
295, 299
Dawson, Andrew. Jr.. 266, 295
Dawson. James. 266
Dawson's Mr., boats. 168-170
Dawson's Mr., comrade, note 111,
62, 98, 275
Dawson's Mr., family, see Andrew
Dawson
Dawson's Mr., wife, note 44, 24-25,
266
INDEX
317
Dawson County, Montana, census,
1870, 289, 291, 294
Dearborn River, 246, 254, 271
Deep River, note 89, 48, 263, 111
Deer Little Woman, 286
Deer Lodge, 246, 278
Deer Lodge County Poll list (1864),
296
Deer Lodge River, 252
Degnue, see Dagneau, J.
Delavifare Jim, note 133, 92
Demos, 47
Denig, Edwin T., note 162, 109-110,
124, 127, 132, 149, 151, 234, 240,
246, 265, 276, 284, 286-287, 289, 296
Denig, Robert, note 187. 132, 151,
173, 289
Denig's, Mr., son, see Denig, Robert
Depouille, note 158, 105, 285-286
De Roche, Benjamin, note 86. 46,
273
De Roche, Benjamin, Jr., 273
De Rochi, B., see De Roche,
Benjamin
Deschamps, Philip, 254, 262
De Smet, Rev. P. J., 242, 244, 246,
259, 263-264, 266-267, 272, 275,
282, 285, 287, 289. 294, 305
De Smet map, 286, 298
Dick, 122
Dobbies, see Adobe bricks
Dobey town, note 193, 136, 291
Dobies, see Adobe bricks
Doct Fool, 113-114
Doctor Long Elk, see Long Elk
Dog's Head (Crow chief), 158-159,
176, 185
Dog's Lodge, 155
Dog River, note 248, 166, 296
Domenech, Abbe', 301
Donelson, Lieut., 277
Donnelly, J. J., 299
Dophin, see Dauphin
Dorris, 287
Doty, James, note 67, 40, 43. 50. 249.
254, 260, 268-269
Doty, James Duane, 268
Doughboy, see Adobe bricks
Dove's Head. 100
Drips, Andrew, 265, 280, 302
Drumm, Stella M., xi, 304
Dry Bones (Assiniboine Ind.), 160
Dry Fork, note 213. 129, 143, 168,
181. 261, 293
Dry Fork, Yellowstone R.. 187
Dubreuil. Emilie, 280
Dull, Thomas, 193
Dunn, John. 258
Dupuyer. Montana. 261
Durfee and Peck, 291
Durocher, August, 273
Durocher, Marie Louise Hortiz, 273
Eagle Chief (Gros Ventre), note 81,
44, 54. 272. 276
Eagle Creek, note 247, 140, 166, 281,
296
Eagle Ribs, 243
Earth Woman (Mrs. Jas. Kipp),270
East, Ernest E., xi
Eastman, Frank H., 301
Ebey & Brothers, 105
Eclipse of moon, 29
Edgerton County. 263
Edmonton House, see Fort Edmon-
ton
Elk Fork, Saskatchewan R. 270
Elk Lake, Canada, 253
Emmells Creek, Yellowstone R.,
note 161. 109, 178, 187, 286, 297
Emmells Island, Mo. R., 180, 298
Emmills Prairie, note 256, 175, 184,
286, 297
English gentleman, note 276, 192
E See Tah, 106
Etlinger, Germany, 278
Faillant, note 156, 104, 107, 110. 285
Falls of the Missouri, see Great
Falls, Mo. R.
Father of All People, note 112, 63,
243, 275
Fatherland, Bill, 298
Feather, The, see Big Plume
Featherland's houses, note 266. 181,
298
Featherland's Island, 298
Femmisee, see Sitting Woman
Fergus County, Montana, 262
Ferguson, Peter, 303
Ferguson, William F., 304
Fine Horse Island, 141
Fisk Expedition (1863), 295
Flathead country. 1, 79
Flathead trader, 3
Flatheads, 34-35, 43. 47, 68, 75, 78,
98, 258. 271, 274
Florida Indian Campaign, 240
Fontenelle, Mr., 251-252
Fool Bear, note 196, 136. 155, 291.
296
Forchette's Point, note 210, 142, 292
Fort Alexander, 265, 282. 284. 293
Fort Alexander Inventories, 195-198,
236
Fort Alexander Sarpie. 282
Fort Belknap, Montana, 242, 253
Fort Belknap, Texas, note 171, 117,
287
318
INDEX
Fort Belknap Indian Agencv, 260,
262
Fort Benton, note 1, xi, 1, 58, 114,
118. 132-133, 139-141, 145. 147, 150,
152, 157, 159, 162, 166, 169, 171,
179, 194, 239-242, 244-247, 249-250,
253-256, 261-283, 287-289. 291-292,
294-296, 298-301
Fort Benton Inventories, 199-208,
236
Fort Benton Journal, ix. 1. 239, 266
Fort Berthold, note 182, 128-129,
132, 236. 289-290, 294, 297, 299,
302
Fort Boise, 260
Fort Bouis. 267
Fort Browning, 253
Fort Brule, 249. 300
Fort Buford, 246, 296
Fort Cambell, see Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell, note 31, 46, 153, 165,
263, 265, 280, 303
Fort Chardon, 240, 249, 269, 289,
300, 302
Fort Clark, note 215, 145, 157, 191,
236, 262, 265-266, 293. 299
Fort Clark Journal, 239
Fort Coteau Daurion, 236
Fort Cotton, 240, 247, 249, 300
Fort Edmonton, 255, 257, 259-260,
289, 297
Fort F. A. C, see Fort Chardon
Fort Galpin, 293
Fort Garry, 253, 260
Fort Hall, 258
Fort Hawlev. 253. 274-275. 277. 287,
294-295
Fort Henry, 247, 300
Fort Honore, see Fort Henry
Fort John, 240
Fort Laramie, 240-241, 270, 295-296
Fort Laramie Treaty, 283, 287, 291,
294
Fort Lewis, 240-241, 263, 269, 292
Fort Lookout, 244, 290, 302
Fort McLeod, 273
Fort McKenzie. note 71. 42. 239-240,
247, 251, 253-254. 262. 268-269. 272,
274, 292, 300, 302
Blood Indian affair at, 1843, 1844,
247-248, 276
Fort Madison, Iowa, 280
Fort Mortimer, 298
Fort Owen, 267. 269. 211. 280, 299
Fort Peck, 242
Fort Piegan, 169
Fort Pierre. 236, 241, 272. 282, 290,
293-294. 299-300. 302-303, 305
Fort Pierre Journal, 257
Fort Primeau, 265
Fort Randall, 280
Fort Rice, 293
Fort Rolette, see Rolette's ileuses
Fort Sarpy, note 145, 100-101, 105,
111-112, 118. 124. 271, 282-285,
288-289, 299
burned, 126
Fort Sarpy Journal, ix, 100, 239
Fort Stephenson. 290, 297
Fort Stewart. 298
Fort Tecumseh, 290, 302
Fort Tecumseh Journal, 257
Fort Union, note 4, 1, 8, 13, 23-24,
32, 42, 44, 51-53, 58, 60, 63, 65. 67,
70, 11, 80, 89, 105, 110, 113, 117-
118, 123-124. 127-130, 139-145, 149,
151, 154-158, 164, 166-167, 171,
177-179, 182, 184, 186-187. 192,
194, 240-244, 246-248, 251. 255,
257, 261-263, 265-266, 270-271. 275,
277, 279-280, 282-291, 293-302. 305
Fort Union Inventories. 209-230,
236
Fort Van Buren, 284
Fort Vancouver. 258
Fort Walla Walla. 258
Fort William, note 268, 179. 184.
265, 278, 283, 290-291, 298, 303-304
Fort William on the Laramie River,
251
Fort Yates, N. D., 305
Fouchette's Point, see Forchette
Point
Four Bears, note 222, 147, 270, 294
Four Dances (Crow Chief), 105.
111-112, 114, 158-159
Four Nations, 31
Four Persons, 274
Four Rivers, note 173, 120. 287
Fourth of July, Zl , 82
Fox, Livingstone & Co., 240, 249
Fox River, note 269, 184, 298
Frenchman's Point, note 125, 85.
162, 180, 182, 277
Frost, Todd & Company, 265
Frush, C. W.. 261
Gaipard. Jean, 99
Galena, 111., 251
Gallatin Citv, 252. 287
Galpin. Charles E.. note 282. 234-
235. 305
Gap, The, Big Horn R., 175, 185
Gardape. note 216, 145. 293
see also Guardipee
Garden. Z2>, 130
Gardipee. Eli, xi
Garreau. Josette. 266
Garreau. Pierre, 266
INDEX
319
Garspard, 99
Gens des Canots, 296
Gens des Filles, 296
Gens des Roches. 296
Gens du Gauche. 296
Gens du Nord, 296
Gens Le has Rouge. 29()
Gentard, A., note 136, 99. 281
Gentard, Paul, 281
George, 47
Gillette, W. C, 272
Girard, Frederic P., note 190. 133,
136, 139, 146-148, 290
Glacier Park, 263, 266
Glasgow, Montana, 296
Glendive Creek, 287
Godin, Antoine, 258
Goodreau, see Gourdereau, J.
Gordon (Crow Indian), 106-107, 109,
114, 176, 186
Gore, Sir Geo., see Gore, Sir St.
George
Gore, Sir St. George, note 252. 174,
184, 192, 265, 296-297, 299
Government camp, Missouri R.. 170,
172
Government goods, note 56, 2, 31.
267
Government men, note 59, 34, 267
Government wagons, note 56. 34,
267
Gourdereau, Joseph, note 141. 99,
193, 282
Grand Island, note 209, 292
Grand River, 305
Grand Tour, note 249. 168, 296
Grant, Mrs. John, 278
Grass Lodge Creek, note 259, 176,
185, 297
Great Falls, Mo. R., 245, 279, 303
Great Falls, Montana City. 278
Green River, 252
Grey Chief (Crow Indian), note
172, 119, 287
Grey Cloud, steamboat. 288
Grey Eyes (Blood Indian), 243
Grey Head (Crow), 158-159, 287
Grinnell, G. B., 267
Gros Ventres, note 14, 4-30, 40, 48,
52, 61-98, 118, 128-129, 145, 147,
150, 167, 250, 263
Gros Ventres Treaty, see Blackfoot
Treaties
Gros-vents, Grovonts, see Gros
Ventres
Guardipee, Alex, 293
Guardipee, Eli, 260
Guitard, Paul, 281
Half breeds, 88-89, 136, 191
Hamell, Augustin, note 27A, 9, 254.
281, 298
Hamell, Ellen, 262
Hamell, Margaret, 262
Hamell, Monica, 281
Hamills Houses, note 21, 261-262
see also Augustin Hamell
Hamilton. James A., 280
Hamilton, Major Joseph V., note
129, 90, 280
Hamilton, Major Thomas, 280
Hamilton. Wm. T., 255, 272, 275,
285, 287
Harkness, James, 246, 270-271
Harkness and La Barge, 293
Harnev. Gen., note 230, 149. 294.
297
Harriott, Mr. J. E., 259
Harvey, Alexander M., note 281,
231, 240, 248-249, 263, 265, 269,
295, 300, 302-304
Harvey, Edeline, 303
Harvey, Susan, 303
Harvey, T. H., 302
Harvey, Primeau & Co., 231-232,
263. 265, 267, 293, 298, 304-305
See also Harvey, Alexander M.
See also St. Louis Fur Company
Harvey's Point, note 237, 155-156.
295
Hatch, Major E. A. C, note 76. 43.
50, 53, 55, 57, 65, 88-90, 132. 161.
250, 255-256. 268, 270, 273. 275-
276, 279-280. 294
Havre, Montana. 264, 296
Hawk Woman. 260
Hawken, Samuel, 292
Hawkins, note 203. 141. 292
Hayden, Dr. F. V., note 189. 132.
250. 265, 276, 282, 286-287. 289.
295
Haystack Butte, 278
Heart Butte, Montana, 250
Heart River, 270, 299
Heavy Runner, 276
Helena. Montana, xi
Helena Herald, 246
Henry, see Mills, Henry
Henry, Alexander, 256, 262
Henry's boy born, note 52, 28, 267
Henry's cache, Yellowstone R., 184
Henry's cut. 154, 157. 182
Hermaphrodite cow, 150
Hermaphrodite keel boat, note 46.
25. 266
Hervey's Point, see Harvey's Point
Hidatsa Indians, see Crow Indians
High Buttes. 298
320
INDEX
High Pumpkins, note 163, 111, 158.
186. 287.
See also Pumpkin
"High Wood" Creek, 55, 249
Highwood Mountains, note 13, 247,
250, 300
Hilger, David, 264
Historical Society of Montana, ix,
263, 266, 271
Historical Society of Montana Con-
tributions. 263. 266, 269
Hodgkins, W. D., note 283. 234-235,
246. 305
Hoecken, Rev.. 261. 289
Hole in the Wall, note 204, 142, 292
Holy Family Mission, 256, 260, 278
Horse Guard, note 16, 3, 254
Horse Guard (Crow), note 165, 113,
176, 186, 287
Hosmer Journal, 250, 294
Howard, Joseph, note 132. 92, 193,
280
Howard, Thomas, 280
Howburg, Mrs. Louise, 278
Hubbell and Hawley, 253, 301
Hudson's Bay Company, 253, 255-
259, 262
Hunter, note 5. 1, 246
Idaho, 245
Immell, Michael E., 286
Imoda, Rev., 275
Independence Anniversary, see
Fourth of July
Indian agency site, 55
Indian Outbreak, note 92, 50. 274
Inventories, see Fort Alexander In-
ventories, Fort Benton Inven-
tories, Fort Union Inventories
Iowa, steamboat, 243
lowas. Sacs and Foxes, 272
Iron Boy (Crow Chief), 158-159
Iron Head (Crow). 176
Trvin, Louis S.. 245
Tabots houses, note 167. 115, 127,
287
Jabotte, A. D., 287
Jackson, Thomas, note 53. 28, 31-32,
35, 40, 43. 45, 267. 269
Jackson, William, 267
Jacksonville, 111.. 251
James River, 299
Jemmy Jock, Jim Jack, see Bird.
James, Jr.
Jesuit Missionaries, 263, 277
Jesuit priests. 280
Jones, Rev. D., 293
lournalist, 45, 274
Judith Basin, 286-287
Judith Council, 183, 255, 260, 271-
274, 289
Judith Fort, note 205, 142, 147, 179,
292
Judith River, 39-40, 43, 49, 90-91, 99,
179, 240, 247, 249, 256, 268, 270,
273-274, 280, 300, 302
Judith Treaty, note 205, 142, 147,
179. 292
Kaiser, William, see Keiser, William
Kalispell, Montana, xi
Kane, Paul, 259, 268
Kate Kearney, steamboat, 288
Keel boat, note 37, 17, 70-71, 264
Keiser, Wm., note 144, 99. 193, 292
Keitse Pern Sa, 277
Kelchiponesta's son. note 124, 76,
267, 277
Kennerly, Alziere Menard, 273
Kennerly, George Hancock, 273
Kennerly, Henry A., note 84. 45,
48. 140, 272-273
Kerr, Mrs., 279
Kinerly, see Kennerly, H. A.
King of the Missouri, 266
Kipp, James, note 75, 43, 132, 142,
146, 149, 158. 161-162, 234-235.
240, 245, 251. 257. 270. 293, 300
Kipp, Joseph, 270, 275
Kips Point, 91
Kitch-eepone-istah,
see Kelchiponesta
Knees, note 36, 17, 264
Knife River, 262. 289
Knot on the Hand (Crow), 110, 183
Kootenai Indians. 255-256, 274
Kootenai River, 247
Kurz, R. E., Journal, 239, 243, 246.
254, 265, 271, 282, 284-289, 292-
295, 301
La Barge, Joseph, 292
La Barge, Harkness & Co., 267. 301
La bombarde, Alexis, 295
La bombarde, Louis, note 232, 151-
153, 157, 174, 193-194, 295
LaBreche, Louis. 278
Lamarche. 104, 108. 112, 119, 121
Lame Bull, note 80. 44. 48, 53, 60.
98, 271-272
Lame Hand. 62-63
La Motte. Maria Louisa,
see Hamell. Augustin
Landreau, Lein, 99
Lansdale. R. II., note 79, 44, 83-84.
271
Lantesco. 99
Laparche. Joe, 99
Laramie River. 251-252
INDEX
321
Laramie Treaty, see Fort Laramie
Treaty
Largie, note 261, 177-178. 187. 297
Larock, Joseph, 255
Larpenteur, Charles, 240, 246. 264,
271-272, 282-284, 289, 292, 302
Larpenteur Journals, 284
Larue, Sophie, 255
Laugevine, Michael, 253
Law's Point. 127
L'eau qui Monte River, 289
Lee, James, 302
Le Gras, note 195. 136, 287, 289. 291
Lemontry, 99
Lewis. E. A., 298
Lewis and Clark County. 263
Lewis and Clark County census. 263
Lewis and Clark Expedition, 280,
293
Little Antelope, 57
Little Beaver Creek, note 245, 165.
296
Little Blackfoot River. 252, 296
Little Dog, note 20, 6. 14. 45, 55.
64, 72. 84, 89. 127-129, 255, 266,
269
Little Dog's brother died, 93
Little Dog's son, 125
Little Gray Head, note 23, 7, 56. 69,
95. 256. 287
Little Horn River. 176. 183, 185-187,
283
Little Knife River. 289
Little Missouri River. 265
Little Muddy. 134, 136. 153-154. 156-
157. 161-162, 171, 289, 294-295
Little Pagan. 32
Little Porcupine, note 250, 169. 296
Little Powder River. 117. 271
Little Prickly Pear Canyon. 263
Little Pricklv Pear Creek, 282, 295
Little Robe, note 35, 16, 18, 56, 58-
59, 61, 264
Little Rocky Creek, 291
Little Rockv Mountains. 31. 164.
167
Little Rockv Mountain Gap. 167,
296
Locust Grove, 241
Lodge Grass Creek
see Grass Lodge Creek-
Lone Chief, see Lame Bull
Lone Tree Cut, note 271. 185. 298
Long Elk. note 164, 112-114, 287
Long Horse (Crow chief), note 239.
158-159, 295
Long, James L., xi, 291
Long Lake, 191
Lophyr, see Rencontre, Zephyr
Lorian. Jos., note 137, 99, 193, 253,
281
Lott, Howard B., xi
Loud Voice, see Big Snake
Low Horn, note 98. 56. 65. 69, 274
Lowman, Mrs. Mary, 257
Lutheran Missionaries, 286
McAdow, P. W.. 271
McClintock, Walter, 274
McCulloch. Thomas G.. 242
McDonnell, Mrs. Anne. x. xi, 239
Alachetetsi Antu, see Bear's Head
M'Kay. Mr.. 258
McKenzie. Kenneth, x, 240, 246, 257,
281, 293
McKenzie, Owen, note 219, 145, 271,
293, 295
McKenzie's old houses, note 236,
154, 182. 295
Mackey, Rev. Elkanah, note 128,
88-89, 174. 279-280
Mackinaw boat, note 38, 17, 61. 264
Mackinaw District, Mich.. 261
McLemore. Clyde, xi
McLeod, John, 258
McNeal. E. W.. 298
Mamells, note 273, 187. 298
Mandans. 129
Maria, see Marias River
Marias River. 14. 16-18, 20, 26, 35-
36, 46-48. 50. 52, 140-141. 165-166,
251. 256, 261-262. 268, 275-276,
300
Margaret (Indian woman), 280
Marie Nitchetoaki (Indian woman),
261
Marsh. Dr. E. J., 245
Martin. Dan. 296
Martin. Pete, note 253. 194, 296
Matthews. Dr. Washington, 294
Max Big Man. 285
Maximilian, Prince of Wied, 240,
246. 257. 272. 274, 289, 298, 302
Mavnadier. Lieut. H. E., 264, 283,
289, 294
Medal, 122
Medicine Creek. 267
Medicine Lake. 294
Medicine Snake Woman.
See Culbertson, Mrs. Alexander
Meldrom. Mr.,
See Meldrum, Robert
Meldrum, Marv. 284
Meldrum, Robert, note 153, 103-107,
109-111, 113-117. 119-124, 126-
127. 134-135, 139, 146-147. 151.
246, 282-285
Meldrum. William, 284
Meldrum, Mr., brother-in-law. 123
322
INDEX
Menard, note 143, 99, 282
Menard, Louis, 282
Menard, Pierre, 273
Men-es-to'-kos
See Father of All People
Mena-es-to-ka, see Mountain Chief
Menetrev, Rev. Joseph, note 131, 91,
280
Mercier. Charles, note 279. 193, 239,
247, 292, 299-301
Mercure, L. V., note 138, 99, 193-
194. 247. 281
Michel, see Champaigne. Michel
Milk River, 4-5, 13, 15, 19, 25. 32,
34, 40-41, 45. 49-50, 62-63, 137-
139. 143, 152, 162-164, 168-169.
250. 253-254, 261-262. 264, 271-
212, 275, 287, 291-293, 296
Miller, see Muller
Mills, Dave, note 135, 99, 267
Mills, Henry, note 135, 47, 99, 193-
194, 267, 273, 281
Minister and wife, see Rev. Mackey
Minnesota Historical Society, xi,
270
Minnesota Outfit, 299
Minnesota Territory, 299
Missouri Falls, note 96, 55, 274
Missouri Fur Company. 275, 286
Missouri Historical Society, xi, 304
Missouri Republican (newspaper),
287-288. 295. 304
Missouri River. 31. 129, 160. 166,
168-170, 174. 242-247, 250-251,
253. 261-264, 267. 271. 286. 290-
291. 294-300. 302
See. also. Upper Missouri River
Mitchell. David D.. 240, 257. 268,
302
Moakes, note 147, 100. 283
Momberg, Mrs., 279
Moncrevie, 260
Monroe, see Hugh Munro
Montana, 245, 247
Montana Legislature, 256. 2T^
Montreal. Canada. 255. 282
Moravian Seminary. 242, 244-245
Morcau, Morreau. 30, 41
Morgan, note 231. 151. 181. 295
Morgan, Charles, 295
Morgan, John B., 295
Morgan, Robert, 242, 266, 295
Mose, note 152, 103-104. 284
Mosier. Major, note 155, 104-105,
285. 288
Motsena. 139
Moultier. Charles
See Mercier, Charles
Mountain, note 13, 2.
Mountain Chief (Blackfoot), note
119, xi, 66, 276
Mountain Tail (Crow), note 175,
122-124, 186, 288
Mr. C's b in law
See Culbertson, Mr. B in Law
Muddy River, see Bourbeuse River
Mules, 7, 9
MuUan, Lieut., John, 249
Muller, Jacob, note 142, 99, 194, 282
Muller, Jack, 282
Muller, Margaret, 279, 282
MuUor, see Muller, Jacob
Munro, Amelia, 267
Munro, Hugh, note 22, 7-8, 19, 22,
24, 28, 31, 35, 42, 45-49, 140, 194-
195, 255, 259-260, 267
Munro, Hugh, Sr., 255
Munro, Mr., brother-in-law, 80-82
youngest boy died, 96-97
Munroe, see Munro, Hugh
Murray, James, 284
Murrell, note 150, 102
See Meldrum, Robert
Muscleshell River
See Musselshell River
Musselshell River. 47, 142, 180. 249,
265, 274, 277
Napper, note 197. 136. 139. 155, 157,
291
Narbesse, 253
Natawista
See Culbertson, Mrs. Alexander
Neay. W. L., 251
Nebraska. 245, 303
Nebraska City, 290
Nee Ti Nee, see Lame Bull
Negroes, see Alills. Dave
See Mills, Henry
See Mose
See Reese. Tom
Nenonesta, 11
Neubert. John, 287
New Mexico, 251
New Orleans, 240. 251
New Year's party. 58. 153
New York Citv. 240, 278, 286
Nez Perce. 121-122. 258. 273
Ni-na-sta'-ko-i, see Mountain Chief
Nine Blackfoot Creek. Yellowstone
R., note 257, 175, 185, 297
Noh-Ska-stum-ik, see Three Bulls
Nokes, note 177, 123, 288
North Blackfeet Indians, see Blood
Indians
North Blood, see Blood Indians
North Dakota, 266
North Fork of the Platte River. 265.
294
INDEX
2>22,
North Pagans, see Piegan Indians
Northwest Company, 240. 257
Northwest Fur Company, 247, 249,
262. 301
Norway House, 268
Norwood, James H.. 272
Nute, Grace L., xi
O'Fallon, Benjamin, 297
O'Fallon's Creek, note 258, 175, 185,
297
O'Hanlon, Tom, 253
Old Limpy, 121
Old Peke, 155-156
Old Sunn (Blackfoot), note 114, 63,
276
Olvert, Louis, 99
Olympia, Wash.. 269. 271
One of the Fathers
See Menetrey, Rev. Joseph
Onistah, see Calf's Shirt
Onistai Pokuh, see White Calf
Only Chief, see Lame Bull
Opposition boats, 29, ii
Opposition Company, note 41, 22,
2,2,, 2>7, 39. 44. 64, 70. 136. 150. 160,
263, 265, 280, 284
Opposition House, note 31, 15, 25,
61
Orleans. Nebraska, 242
Osage Indian Agency, 272
Osborne, James, note 170, 117, 126,
287-288
Oswego, Montana, xi.
"Outfit," 299
Owen, Major John, note 122, 68, 75-
76, 79, 91-93, 95-96, 193, 249, 261,
277, 280
Owen Journals, 299
Owen's, Mr., man, note 133, 92, 281
Pablois Island, note 45, 25, 266, 289
Pablo's Rapids, 266
Pacific Railroad. 268
Pack robes, note 54, 28, 267
Pagan Indians, see Piegan Indians
Painted Lodge (Piegan Indian),
25, 27
Palliscr, Capt. John, 289, 293
Pambrun, Pierre C. 257
Pambrun. Thomas. 259-260
Panther Hills. 296
Parflesche, note 49. 101. 284
Paris. Daniel F.. 282
Paris. F.. note 140. 99. 282
Parksville. Mo.. 245. 270
Partizan, note 180. 125. 289
Paul, note 19. 6, 24. 255
Paul, Amiel. 253
Paul, Mrs. Louise. 254
P. C. Jr. & Co., see Pierre Chou-
teau, Jr., and Company.
Peacott, see Picotte, Joseph
Pearson, W. H., note 72, 43, 269.
274
Pecotte, see Picotte, Joseph
Pehama et Seienike, 261
Pellew, 253
Pellot. Paul, note 19, 255
Pend d'Oreilles. note 88, 48, 269,
273-274
Pennsylvania. 241
Peoria, Illinois, xi, 241-242, 244-245
Peoria Daily Transcript, 244
Perault, see Perrault
Perrault, Charles, 289
Perrault, Dan, 289
Perrault, James P., note 179. 99.
123-124, 135. 145, 262, 289
Perrow, David, see Perrault
Perry, note 29, 10, 262
Perry, Charles, 262
Pickon, 59
Picotte, Angus, 193
Picotte, Emilia. 267
Picotte, Honore. 240-241. 265. 267,
302
Picotte. Toseph. note 50, 28, 70, 94.
265. 267, 303
Picotte, Marie. 267
Picotte. Paul, 267
Picotte. Suzanna. 267
Piegan Indian Agency, 255
Piegans. 7-40. 55-59. 64-98, 127. 141,
145, 181, 263
Pierre Chouteau, Tr., and Company,
note 160, 106, 109, 115, 193-236,
240-241, 261, 263. 265-267. 271.
282. 285-286. 289-290. 299, 303, 305
Pierre's Hole. Battle of. 252-253.
258
Pierre. S. D.. 295
Pig pen, 8
Platte Outfit. 299
Platte River. 110. 145. 186. 239-240.
251. 2-S.3. 271. 298
See. also. North Fork of the
Platte River
Plenty Eagles. 72
Point. Rev. Nicholas. 240. 261
Polache. Paul, see Pellot, Paul
Point Frenchman
See Frenchman's Point
Poplar River, see Tremble River
Porcupine CMo. R.), 162, 170, 172,
296
Porcupine (Milk R.). 163. 296
Potatoes, 146
Pouderie, note 238. 155. 295
324
INDEX
Powder River, 126, 136, 174 184
265, 283, 297-298 '
Powder Horn River
See Powder River
Power, T. C, 278
Pratte, Bernard, 286
Pratte. Chouteau and Company 286
Presbyterian Church, 279-280
Press, note 55, 28, 267
See, also. Packs robes
Primeau, Charles, note 281 A 231
265, 303, 305 '
Princess Mag, 111, 113-114
Princess May, 106-107
Princeton University 241 ^79
Provo, 251-252
Pumpkins, note 157, 104, 115, 159,
285
Quacken Asp, 137
Quaking Ash, 182
Quebec, Canada, 247
Racine, Baptiste, 193-194
Ramsey, Joseph, note 225, 148 171
193-194, 289, 294
Ramuso, Jose, 294
Rattlesnake, 178
Ray, see Wray, J. F.
Raynolds, Wm. F., 283, 285
Raynolds-Maynadier Expedition,
290
Raynolds-Maynadier map, 286 296
Red Bull, 69
Red Crow, 243
Redfield, A. H., 272, 283-284, 287,
Red Horn, note 100, 58 274
Red River, 151, 246, 253, 257
286, 293. 295
Red River half-breeds, note
191, 299
Reese, Tom (negro), 248
Rencontre, Zephyr, note 192,
Revais, see Rivet, Louis
Ricarees, see Arikarees
Rider, The, note 107, 60, 275
Rising Head, note 51, 28. 80 98
267 ' '
Ritch, John B., xi, 260, 276
^'^!^J.' Frederick G., note 185. 130,
266,
275,
136.
152, 193-194,
134, 143-144. 148
246, 289
Ritter, Fred, 289
Rivet, Louis, note 15, 2, 4 12-13 IS
17. 20-24 26-29, 53, 55, 60-62.' 68,'
96-97, 142, 161. 166. 239. 250 26^
Rivet s Houses, 19
Roberts, George H., 245
Roberts, Mrs. George H.
See Culbertson, Julia
Robson, Henry, 245
Rocky Mountain Fur Company, 252,
298
Rocky Mountain House, 259
Rocky Mountains, 250-251, 254, 264,
Rollette. John C, note 229, 149, 151
153-158, 161-162, 285, 294
Rolette's houses, note 267, 182, 298
Rondain, Rondean, Rondin, Charles
See Charles Mercier
Rose, Alexander, note 11, 2 9 11-14
18-19, 21-22. 24, 53, 60, 62, 'SS 99*
152, 154. 165-166, 193-194 '
Rose, Charley, 250
Rose, Edward, 250
Rose, William, 250
Rosebud River, 175-177, 185-187
282, 284, 286, 297-298
Rose's, Mr., father-in-law, 96-97
Rose's, Mr., sister-in-law died, 95
Rose's, Mr., woman, 59
Rose's grave, 250
Rose's Point, 250
Rotten Belly, note 101, 59 274
Rotten Hand, 109
Rotten Tail, note 166, 114, 159, 186,
287
Roubideau, 250
Round Butte, note 211, 143 168-
169, 181, 292. 296, 298
Round Iron, see Meldrum, Robert
Rowand. John. 259
Rundle, Rev., 258-259
Sacred Heart Convent. 261
St. Charles, Mo., 277
St. Ignatius Mission, 280
St. Joseph, Mo.. 272. 274
St Louis, 11, 58. 68. 149-151, 156-
157, 171. 240-241. 243-244, 247-
253, 263, 265. 269, 273, 277-282
285-286. 289. 292, 295-296 299'
301-304
St. Louis cathedral, 280
St. Louis directory, 254, 270
St- Louis Fur Company, note 41,
^SJ^°-V4',''4n'^'^^'"' 193-236, 265-266,
270, 273. 281-282, 285. 294-295. 299
St. Louis University, xi
St Mary's Lake. Glacier Nat. Park
256
Saint Mary, steamboat, note 188,
132. 192, 270, 288-290, 297
St. Mary's Mission, 277
St. Mary's (village), note 63 37 44
76. 83. 267 ■ • .
INDEX
325
St. Pauls, 151, 253, 270, 273
St. Peter's Mission, 278
St. Peter's River, 240
St. Valentine's Day, 112
Salmon River, 281
Salt Lake City, 247
Sand Creek, 30, 163, 166
Sand Butte Lake. 294
Sand Hills, note 221. 146. 294
Sandoval, Isadore, 302
Sandoval, Richard, xi.
Sarcees, note 244, 164, 259, 277, 296
Sarci, 296
Sargeant's Bluff, 288
Sargeant Hills, 288
Sarpy, J. B., 282
Sartair, 277
Saskatchewan River, 250, 255-256,
259, 268-270, 277. 282
Saxton, Lieut., 254
Scanlon, Rev., 244-245
Schmidt. Carroll, 279
Schmidt, George, 279
Schmidt, Jacob, note 127, 86, 99,
193-194, 278, 282
Schmidt, missionary, 286
Schultz, James W.. xi, 262, 275-276,
287
Scotland, 263, 266
Scott, John, note 272, 186, 298
Searces, see Sarcees
Selkirk Settlement, 257
Sets Every Way, 111. 121
Shaw, George, 288
Shayenne River
See Cheyenne River
Shell River, 289
Shelby County, Ky., 284
Shike, George, 124, 288
Shonkin coal mines, 281
Shonkin Creek, 253, 275
Shouquet, see Chouquette, Charles
Shreveport, steamboat, 272
Silver City, Mont., 278
Silverthorne, John, 247
Simon, Charles, 281
Simond, John, note 134, 99, 281
Simpson, Nelson, note 139, 99, 282
Sioux, 44. 100-125. 131, 136, 146-147,
174, 299
Sioux, attack on men from Ft.
Union, 123-124, 288
Sioux City, S. D., 262
Sioux Outfit, 299
Sitting Squaw, see Sitting Woman
Sitting Woman (Gros Ventre), note
102, 59-61, 274-276
Six, note 146, 100-101, 103, 107, 112,
115, 118-119, 122-123, 283
Skunk (Gros Ventre), note 97, 55,
58, 70, 274
Sleepers, note 113, 63, 276
Smith, Jacob, see Schmidt. Jacob
Smith River. 273
Smithsonian Institution. 241
Smoke House, 35, 97
Snake Bute, note 224, 148, 294
Snake Creek, 168
Snake (Indians), note 66, 39-40, 268
Snake Point, note 207, 142, 292
Snake River, 252, 253, 260
Soldier band, note 117, 65, 276
Soldiers, 121
Southesk, Earl of, 297
Spaniard, a, 174
Spaniard, old. note 186, 130
Spaniards, two, 128
Spanish Island, note 263, 179, 298
Spotted Calf, 59
Spotted Cow, 13
Spotted Eagle, note 99, 57, 274
Spread Eagle Point, 250
Spread Eagle, steamboat, 245
Stanford, Harry, xi
Stanley, John M., 241
Stanley Expedition (1874), 294
Star Robe, note 94, 54, 274
Stevens' Expedition
See Stevens, I. I.
Stevens, Hazard, 274-275
Stevens, I. I., note 64, arrives at Ft.
Benton, 37-42; 46-48, 50-51, 140-
141, 191, 241-250, 254-256, 260-
262, 267-274, 277, 281, 295-296
Stevensville, Montana, 277
Story Post, 287
Stoup, Michel, 107. 123
Stuart. Granville, 246, 262, 287
Stuart, James, 262
Stuart, Thomas, 262
Sublette, William, 252, 298, 300
Sully Expedition, 1864, 294
Sun River, 38, 93, 272, 277, 282, 295,
301
Sun River, Upper, 256
Sun River, South Fork, 278
Surround, note 57, 32, 267
Susnard, T., 193
Sweetgrass Hills, see Three Buttes
Switzerland. 280
Tail That Goes Up the Hill, note
116, 63, 276
Tarbois Creek, 287
Tarbot Creek, 287
Teton River, 5-6, 16-20, 23-25, 35-36,
39, 43, 47, 50, 52-53, 57-58, 60, 246,
291
Teton Times, 259
326
INDEX
Teton of the Yellowstone, 298
Tetreau, note 154, 103, 110, 285
Tevis, Mr., note 17, 4, 9, 14, 254
Thin Behind (Crow), 176-177, 183,
186-187
Thin Hills, 136
Three Bulls, note 120, 67, 277
Three Butes, note 12, 2, 40. 48-49,
250, 268
Three Cottonwoods, see Cotton-
wood Creek, Yellowstone R.
Three Forks, 271
Three Islands, note 202, 141, 292
Three Sons (Indian), 255
Tiger Butes, note 242, 163, 296
Tobacco Gardens, 245
Tobacco Pants (Indian), 59
Tongue River, 107, 110, 112, 114,
122-123, 286
Tongues, see Buffalo tongues
Townsend, John K., 258
Tramps On Her Foot, Miss, 116
Treaty, note 130, 49, 91, 192, 280
See also Blackfoot, Crow and
Fort Laramie treaties
Tremble River, note 198, 137, 144,
162, 170, 172, 182, 277, 291
Troudelle. Charles, 193-194
Trudell, C, see Troudelle, Charles
Tullock, Samuel, 284
12 Mile Prairie, 175, 178, 184, 187
Two Elks (Gros Ventre), note 83,
45, 59, 273
Two Face (Crow), note 174, 120,
122-123, 176, 186, 288
Two Fork, note 116, 62, 164, 183,
275
Two Medicine Lodge Creek, 255,
260
Two White Weasels, note 223, 147,
294
Ulm, Montana, 278
Union Fur Company, 298
Upham. H. D., 266, 277
Upper Bullbers
See Big Muddy, Mo. R.
Upper Missouri Outfit, note 277,
192-236, 240-241, 246, 260, 263,
267, 281, 295, 299
Upper Missouri Outfit, Inventories,
note 284, 195-236, 305
Upper Missouri River, 240-243, 263,
265-266, 270-272, 274, 277, 292. 304
Vaillant, 285
Valle, 101, 104, 107. 110
Van Cleve, Mrs. Charlotte W., 263
Vandenberg, Henry, 276
Vanderbilt, S. D., 282
Vaughan, Alfred J., note 82, 44-45,
100. no, 122, 132-133, 136, 141,
174, 176, 178. 182, 184-187, 171-
172. 255, 270, 272-273, 282-283,
287, 289, 297-298, 301
Vaughan, Fanny, 272
Vaughan, young. 272
Vaughan's, Col. boat, 135-136
Vaughn's, Robert, "Then and Now,"
268, 271, 298
Virginia, 272
Walla Walla, Wash., 256, 289
See. also. Fort Walla Walla
Warren. Lieut. G. V., note 254, 174,
179, 282, 297-298
Washington, D. C. 241, 262
Washington Territory, 268-269, 274
Washington's Birthday, 112
Water Raises, note 184, 129, 289
Weasel Calf, 295
Weippert, George, note 10, 2. 48, 52,
74, 193-194, 239, 247, 300
Weippert's, G., wife died, 71
Wheeler, Col. W. F., 239, 247
White Bear, 119-120
White Calf, note 28, 10, 262, 268
White Calf, young, 69
White Cow Against the Bank, note
49, 27. 62, 266
White Cow in the Middle, 266
White Dog, 285
White Eagle (Gros Ventre), note
118, 65, 276_
White man with gold, note 8, 1, 246
White River, 129, 293
White Side, see White Thigh
White Thigh (Crow chief), note
240, 158-159, 295
Whoop-up, 275
Wiggins, Mr., 250-251
William Brand, steamboat, 288
Williston, N. D.. 245. 289
Willow Creek. 163. 187, 278
Willsen, see Willson, E. S.
Willson, E. S., note 85, 45, 48, 53-
55, 65, 141, 161, 273
Wilson. Mrs., 285
Wind River, 265. 288
Winnipeg, Canada, 257, 260. 299
Winter houses, 151-152
Wipert, G., see Weippert, George
Wister, 60
Wolf Mountain, 76
Wolf Point, note 251, 162, 170, 172,
250. 270, 296
Wolf Skin, 109-111, 115-116
Wood Mountain. 131
Woody. F. H., 247
Woody Mountain, 240
INDEX
zn
Wray, J. F., note 2>2,, 16-17, 37, 42,
49, 58, 60, 62, 67, IZ, 80-81, 88, 99,
139, 156-157, 165, 171-172, 179,
193, 246, 263-264
Wren, Mrs. John, 278
Wright, George B., 276
Wyeth, N. J., 253, 258
Yanctonias, note 274, 191, 299
Yankton, S. D., 262
Yankton Agency, S. D., 267
Yellow Belly (Crow). 176-177, 186
Yellow Dog (Crow), 186
Yellow Fish, see Rose, Charley
Yellow Hair, note 62, VJ , 267, 277
Yellow Head, note 123, 69, 75, 267,
277
Yellowstone, steamboat, 212, 285,
299-300
Yellowstone River, Zl , 39, 42, 44 74
118, 125, 146, 176, 178, 184-185',
187, 241-242, 265, 276-277, 282-
284, 286, 288-289, 297-299, 303-304
York Factory, Canada, 256
Zephyr, see Rencontre, Zephyr
326
Teto
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