The New York herald., 1876-10-30
UPPER MISSOURI INDIANS.
THE SIOUX RAIDING IN THE JUDITH BASIN
DANGEROUS OUTLOOK ON THE NORTHERN
pouvDApy

DANGEROUS OUTLOOK ON THE NORTHERN
BoUyDARx.
From the Helena tA. IT. Independent, Oct. 1a1
sux RIVER, H. T., Oct l6, 1876.
1t was reported here yesterday that the Sioux bad
wiped out thirty lodges OF River Crows in the Judith
Basin. The brought by some Nex Psrces
aud in consequence. they have given up the idea Of
going south Of the Mssouri they intend going the
Marias instead and JOIN the Piegans to strengthen
themselves. The Sioux have also killed two Gros
yenrcs the mouth Of Beaver Creek about seventy
miles from Benton.
The Crows, Gros ventres Pisgans and BIoods are
now skirmish line, and IN short time they will
be driven will join the enemy. Il will be mpos-
sible these Indians TO make any reasonable
ancc against the Sioux a. they have means OF re-
newng their supply or ammunition on account OF the
order against the trade Of II The River Grows
bsr about $50 lodges and will average four to tho
lodge and nhabit the country around the Judith and
Bears Paw mountains-al within seventy i've
hundred miles OF Fort Benton They are disposed to
be friendly TO the whites, and are we'll armed
with tho governments needle gun and VIM
chester carbines. They are good horsemen and take
best OF their stock The Gros ventres inhabt
the country the Crows but often extend north
OF the MIX River country and the Marias They num-
Der $50 lodges and were very powerful until the
10 They friendly with the Crows and equally
well armed mounted. Both tribes are At war with
the Sioux and band together for defensive purposes
The Assiniboins range sometimes through tho Grow
and Gros ventres territory, but generally farther
east and north, taking in the lower portion Of Ailk
River, Wolf Point and the Cypress and Wood
mountains. These Indians are poor but numer
Gus, have but few horses and are poorly armed
nd n a hnv ms on
hunting ground but there is no good feeling existing
between them, a. the Crows and eros ventres know
the ASSN boins animate with the Sioux There
also several bands OF Assiniboins who reside In
the British possessions and who seldom como south OF
the boundary line-only for tho purpose OF stealing
Among those northern Assinibons we lind the Crees
who extend from the Cypress and Wood mountains
the south. to the main Saskatchewan ON the north,
the Qui Appee lakes on The east and Rocky Noun
tains ON the This tribe is very numerous and
are friendly 70 al whites saavolng w.n sr.n nas
tho policy Of the HUDSON Bay Company .
American The Crecs and Assinlboins have inter-
married considerably, and may be counted friends and
ready TO make common against their enemies. Inths
mountains and along the foothills OF Bow River there
are about sixty lodges Of Assinboins, commonly
are yery pcaceabs and have had hard lie oi i. until
the past two years, whom they made peace with the
Backfeet and are allowed by them 70 50 to the plains
Tor buffalo. The Blnckcet proper nhabit the country
about Elk River, Bow River and Porcupne Tail Noun
tains They number 800 and 400 lodges; have
Since Since then they have been armns steadily with
the Winchester carbine, and In few year,
VII % as wen armed Tea sna sb ,ss r.s,
Assiniboins until yesr or 80 ago with ths
Backfeet md forty or fifty lodges OF SarSees che
speak language Of their own. But little Is known
about these Indians-none appear to know from
whence they come They are very quiet and hard
CHIEFS OF THE BLACKFExr
Grow Foot, Eagle Rib, Old Sun and Running Rab.
bit To the south or the Blackieet comes Bloods
nunnha odO gO-Cal
chiefs, among whom we ind the Hind Bull, Red
Grow, Medicine Sun, OLD Sun, Backfoot Old woman
Many Spotted Horses Three Bears Tie Father OF All
Children, Rainy Chief, Eagle Head and many others
The Bloods well armed and have some excelIent
horses. Their young men are the finest looking In.
dams on tho plains and pride themselves on theii
dress and arms. They speak the Backfeet language
They inhabt the country from River south the
Marias, extending east from the main chain 70 tbs
Wood Mountains and often as far north as the "Hand"
Elk river. This tribe Is capable OF doing greas
damage should they declare war against she whites
1t was they who
party at the mouth OF the Marias twelve miles nom
Benton in 1868 A. present they regard the whites
their friends and will remain 20 unless the Sioux will
;nuenc ce them TO the contrary they love war the
sake OF the excitement and SPOIL and u makes ous
little difference to them who they war upon providing
they can get the best off Many OF them were quite
anxious to take the held against the Sioux last sum
mer and as they are nne shots on horseback they
would do we'll Among the Bloods there live sixty
lodges Of North Piegans, under the lead Of Bad Boy
Crow Eagle Chief. Red Grow and Gray Eyes Thess
language are armed same and are eager 70 com
mence any one as the Bloods are
The south Plegxns occupy the Maras, MIX River
Sweet Hills Birch and Badger creeks, and oftei
as far north the Belly and Lost rivers Chin Ant
Green lakes. They number over 500 lodges and ART
the best mounted Indians among the PLAIN tribes
They been very peaceable with lev exceptions
since Colonel Baker visited them on the Aaras in the
winter OF lSo9-70. They never will have any love foa
the white man, and It Is questionable they ever had.
They have committed more depredations IN Montana
than ell tho Indians combined II Is true
Il cannot all be charged to the P,egans, for
the Boods well the Backfeet assisted
In the work. party OF eight ten would start
from Bow River out OF Biacktees camp, come south
to Blood camp Belly River, get ten or twelve re-
cruts and come the Cut Bank or the Marias, nnd
Piegan camp and swell the party TO hfty
or sixty The Pegans supposed 10 be
the most friendly of the tribes and had
the confidence OF the the frontier and
knew where good haus could be made. After the raid
made the Pegans went TO the Blood camp and got
horses in exchange for their portion OF tho spotls.
The Boods got Backfeet horses for their and she
Piegans share and the Backeet turned them over 70
the Hudson Bay Company and were encouraged 10
repeat these trips often possible