The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-09-01
THE PIERCED NOSES.
Their Familiarity with the Snake River
country-A Terrific Battlefield
Lawyer"

Speaking of the Nez Perces, an old
army officer, who has spent eighteen
years in active military service on the
east and west slopes of the Rocky
mountains, says that Joseph and his
band are not, as many suppose, in a dis
trict Of country with which they are not
familiar. They have a better knowledge
of the region bordering the Snake river,
up toward its sources, than any other
tribe of Indians, not excepting the
Shoshones, who are native there, or
the Blackfeet, who used to make
frequent incursions into that section.
For a quarter of a century these same
Indians who are GLIDING Howard have
made at least one trip a year into the
district which has been the theatre of
their operations since August l. In
former years, he says, the Nez Perces
always crossed over the mountains by
the same route they latterly took,
and the settlers were very much
annoyed by them. The Indians would
commit no murders, but they would fill
themselves with whiskey and go whoop-
ing and yelling through the settlements,
soaring the people away from their
homes. This led the settlers to petit
ton for the establishment of a military
post in that part of the territory. Gen.
Sheridan promised to furnish the troops
if congress would appropriate money
for the building of the barracks. Last
year the sum of $40, 900 was ~appropri-
ated, and very soo a post will be esta,
blished IN Missoula valley.
Near Pierre's hole-a long basin sit
uated between the North and South
forks of the Snake rivera terrific
battle was once fought by the Nez
Perces and Blackfeet. That was
twenty-five Oh thirty years ago. The
Nez Perces had, as was their custom,
gone over in that region to hunt, and
had fallen in with some trappers,
between whom and themselves the most
friendly and cordial relations had al
ways existed. The trappers looked to
a French Canadian, named Sublette, as
their leader. Tie Blackfeet, hearing
that the Nez Perces were there, and
being disposed to regard them as
intruders and trespassers, went over
the mountains to clean them out.
Sublette took command of the NeZ
Perces aud led them into the fight with
the Blackfeet. The battle, which was
fought on an open piece of ground,
lasted two days, the firing at times being
at close range and very fierce. A great
many were killed and wounded on both
sides, and the Blackfeet were not only
repulsed but were forced to retire
across the mountains, hotly pursued
and harassed by the victorious tribe.
One of the chiefs of the Nez Perces was
badly wounded in that fight. At that
time he was what would he called an
old man. After a long siege of it he
got well. Years afterward he became
a man Of influence among his people,
and for some reason or other he became
known to the whites in the Idaho and
Washington territories by the cognomen
of 'Lawyer, - and by this appellation he
is still known. He vas a kind of
peace-maker, aid was regarded as a
pretty good friend of the white man;
but when the recent outbreak occurred
he joined his fortunes with those of
Joseph, and, despite his great age,
betook himself to the val path. He
must be the oldest Lawyer" on the
Pacific coast and it is n marvel how he
keeps up with his command. With
any other general than Howard in
pursuit of him, the old chief could
hardly have escaped capture or death 30
long as he has.