The Montana post., 1868-03-07

Salmon. Mr.. and Mrs. Smith. of the
Metropolitan hotel, have given q party
each week during the winter. - The
dances have been well attended and as
well and properly managed as any
have attended in the west, not one dur
ing the winter having been disturbed
by drunkenness or disorderly conduct
Salmon can boast of having a social and
moral population .--..TtIl ElnIaIlg
A large bridge is being built across
the salmon at this place by Johns &
Barber. These gentlemen deserve great
credit for this great public enterprise.
They own the ferry here, but concluded
that too tedious to cross the many large
pack trains that come this way from the
west. The bridge will cost about $10,-
600. Our city was aroused on Monday
last on hearing the statement of Ban
mack Bill, - an Indian well known in this
valley and regarded as friendly. He
stated that he had been down the Sal
mon to the camp of some Indians just
below the mouth of North Fork that
the Indians there acted strange and as
if guilty of some crime. The Indians,
he sxid, were drying and cooking horse
meat. On making inquiry of them
where they got horse flesh, and on being
too inquisitive in general, Bill found
that his life wasn't worth much If he
remained. Bill appealed to his legs, and
being young, large and active, soon got
out of the way; but not until several
shots had been fired at him. Bill goes
through a great many different forms of
gymnastics in showing how near the
balls passed him and how he lodged |
them. The Indians csmped down the
river have been there all winter, aIe
very poor, haven't horse in their camp
or belonging to them. These facts were |
known to Bannack Bill and to many of |
the citizens here. Near the camp of
William Stevens and partner. These
men had taken up ground and were
winte ring there, that they might be inn
proving their claim and be ready to COM
mence work early in the spring. They
had with them FIVE head of fine horses.
About three or four weeks ago Mr.. Ste
vens and partner were up here to pro
cure supplies. Mr.. Stevens stated they
had bought supplies in the fall sufficient
to last them all winter. He stated that
the Indians had, a few days before he
left, killed and ate one of his best horses
that he had compromised with the chief
by agreeing to feed the chief and fami-
ly, the chief in return becoming respon-
sible for the safety of the balance of
their horses therefore the occasion of
their laying in more supplies. A Mr..
Thomas who lives about seven or eight
miles this side of Stevens, hearing from
Indian Bill as he passed up that things
ooked suspicious below, went down inn
nediately to see if he could be of assist
snce TO Stevens and partner. men whom
ne had long and fayorably known Ste
fc ri |
y and his highly respected and esteem
ID. On arriving at the cabin, Thomas
ound evidence of foul play. but could
ind nothing of the men. The proyis-
on gone, except some bacon and tea,
md other papers strewn over the floor.
dr. Thomas, after searching sometime
or the missing men, came suddenly on
'ome Indians. Thomas was followed
ong distance by the Indians, but sue
,eeded in reaching here safely on
tuesday evening. On Wednesday morn
ng he, with a company of citizens, left
his place to give chase and, if possible,
'attle, to the Indians. If true, most
Ieartily wish they may overtake them
nd give them their deserts; but that
vould be too bad /; the {" Indian Com
mission " would find fault with such
curse of procedure. They would have ,
IS wait until they can send a regular Off
er out here to look into the matter.
ee much in that infamous Commission
sport that know TO be as false as -
nd part of the Commission, TO my per
onal knowledge, know it as well as
o; but with red hands and blacker
carts, they sign the report and it be-
Omes official. Cannot we, who have I
uttered and seen so much of suffering,
o something to bring such men to JUS
ce? Every such report brings the
lood of hundreds on their sinful heads.
Salmon City /. T., Feb. 90 1868.
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