Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-26
selctt Storp.
GREIT MEDICINE MIN.

We cut the following from Chicago
paper. Ifnot true, it is, at least, "well
invented"
In the year 1882, graduated at West
Point, and as had gained considerable
distinction. being first in my class, ! was,
upon reporting TO the Secretary of War,
Immediately attached to M expedition
then upon the point of stlrting for the
purpose of exploring and surveying the
head waters Of the Missouri, and its
tributaries.
Immediately set out for St. Louis, and
reported to Captain Jones, who was in
command of the expedition. Twas second
in command. During the summer we
slowly worked our way up TO the great
stream. noting carefully its course, the
depth of water, nature Of the soil, and as
far as time would permit, the geological
peculiarities of the country. When winter
came upon Us, We encamped in the
wilderness. at least seven hundred miles
from the nearest white settlement. The
following year our operations were much
the same; and at the close of 1888, we
concluded that our work was about half
done. Up to this time the party had kept
pretty well together. ~ our work lay
along the banks of the great stream; but
in the spring Of 1884, ii was thought
better To detach small parties to explore
the smaller streams. la accordance with
this resolution | was placed in charge'of
4 party of six men and dispatched up a
considerable branch of the Yellowstone
river.
Up TO this time we had experienced
very little trouble from the Indians. They
We're at peace among themselves, andwe
were thus drawn into no side quarrelS,
and by liberal distribution of presents
we had managed to keep the friendship
of all. Some days after my party left
the main body, however. | began TO notice
signs of unusual commotiou among the
! red men Small hunting parties were no
where met with, outlying camps had been
removed; and al length we came upon
the entire nation of the ShawneeS, en-
camped upon the banks OF the stream we
were surveying, and making active prep
arations for coming hoStilitieS. | had
acquired knowledge Of several Indian
tongues, and had no difficulty in dis
covering the cause of the trouble 4
band of OtoeS had stolen some beaver
traps and horses belonging to the Shaw
nees, and the latter were preparing To
avenge the indignity. Now, a war be-
/ tween these two tribes would have con-
! sequences serious enough. ltwould stop
sll expeditions into the troubled country,
which embraced the whole Yellowstone
region. But worse than this might
ensue these Indian wars are frequently
contagious, and there was no saying
when or how hoStilities might end. And,
as the Indian does not always confine him
self 10 his immediate or legitimate
enemies, our sojourn in the neighborhood
of the contending parties would be very
| dangerous. The news of the outbreak
therefore, caused me a great deal of
anxiety; and returned from the Indian
camp to our own, full of grave fears for
the future, and halt determined at once to
rejoin the main party. On looking for
my companions, found Joe Stephenson,
the surveyor, pOring over tattered copy
of the United States Almanac, for 1884.
He had paid five dollars in gold for it TO
messenger who had brought out instruc-
tions to us early in the spring, and as it
was the only book owned by any member
ofthe expedition, it was priced accord
ingly.
That eclipse takes place tomorrow
Lieutenant" said Joe, after l had told
him of the troubles threatening US.
knew what eclipse he meant, for we
all knew the almanac by heart. 1 had
forgotten about it; Out the moment he
spoke of it, thought entered my mind.