The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-09-20
Original Story.
FRONTIER sketches
NUMBER TWENTY SEVEN.
By JOHN j. HEALY.
IUNBER TWENTY SEVEN.
Anecdotes Of Louis B0mpard.

# Among the many hunters and trappers
I who freQuented Old Fort Union, on the
Missouri river, there were not few whose
4 lives if written up would seem more mar
vcIous than tales of fiction. propose in
the course of these sketches to relate a few
anecdotes of these frontier heroes, partly
with view to aiding the researches of
future historians and also to rescue from
oblivion the valorous deeds that were done
without hope Or thought Of publicity, but
,~hicn are we'll worthy OF preservation in
the annals of our country.
Louis Bompard came to Fort Union
with Kit Carson, Beckwith ard few
others who we're afterwards noted for
remarkable adventures along the Missouri.
lie was a Frenchman, by birth, and not
more than sixteen years Of age when he
FIRST arrived in the country, Nature in
tended him for hunter and had endowed
him with all the requisites Of a bold and
hardy adyenturer. He was tall, muscular,
keen of vision, and swifer Of foot than the
most agile Indian. 1t is even asserted
that lie could outrun the fastest horse Of
the prairie, and on one occasion, when
pursued by his red enemies, he dismount-
ed and escaped, leaving his horse behind
him Old man Kipp, the father Of Joe
Kipp, now. living at the Blackfoot Agency,
was then in charge of Fort Union. Louis
had been out on one Of bis hunting trips
and was returning home. About FIVE miles
from the Fort war party Of Sioux jump
ed him, and though mounted on fine
american" horse belonging to the Fort
his pursuers gained rapidly upon him.
When within two miles and in fall view Of
the Fort the Indians we're close upon him,
and were circIing round TO head him off
His horse was running at its greatest
speed and he was dropping the Indians as
fast as he could load and FIRE his unnerring
rifle; but the reds were mounted upon
fresh animals and determined to capture
this scourge Of their race, # horsefesh
could do it, and as he now seemed almost
within their grasp they forced their ponies
to renewed exertions at every step in the
race.
But in spite Of what seemed hopeless
predicament Louis had so much confd
ence in his own feetness Of foot that felt
nofear Of being captured, but be was allx-
ious to save his horse from falling into the
hands of the Indians, as the animal was
the property Of old man Kipp, and he
knew that the latter would not consider even
the present desperate circumstances sufi-
cient excuse for parting with the animal.
However, the Indians were now ahead
and rapidly closing the circle around him.
and his only hope Of reaching the fort was
in leaving the horse, which lie did with
great reluctance. The surprise Of the In
dams must have been great when Louis
dismounted and with the speed Of a wing.
ed Mercury made bee line for the fort,
passing the leading horseman and reaching
the stockade in safety. Il il said that
Kipp was watching from one Of the bas-
tons of the fort and when Louis arrived,
instead Of congratulating him upon bis
narrow escape, abused him fearfully for de-
Serting the horse.
This remarkable man had nine bullet
wounds upon his body, received at various
times ii his engagements With the reds.
AT one time when he and partner were
out herding on the Yellowstone river, |
they were suddenly attacked By q large
warparty Of BIackfeet, and both men fell |
at the first volley. 1t happened Fortunate
ly for Louis that they were both In the
willows and brush picking wild plums
when the attack was made. His partner
was killed instantly, and he fell insensible I
and did not recover his consciousness
sntll found by bis companions the follow
ng day. His partner was dead aad scalp