The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-07-26
Original Story.
NUMBER TWENTY.



k t the time Of which I am writing Fort
Enhi was deserted Mormon settlement
@tcd ON the north bank of the S;,ImoH
nr, about twenty-five miles above the
,rks. It was situated in a beautiful valley
Hending for miles along the river and
etected by low range Of foot hills,
AIe the latter were overshadowed by
eh range of mountains remarkable for
er.extreme ruggedness, which made
em almost impossible for either man or
Rst,
erhe former occupants of the fort had
bndoned the place about two years
bwous, owing to trouble with the Ban
Xix Indians, which strange to say was
lbught on through their religious bigotry
Il characteristic dislike for the 'gentiles.'
thn Powell, noted Mouutaineer and In
bn trader Of those days, had been travel
IFS with the Bannacks for the purpose Of
changing his wares for their robes and
rs, bat while near Lemhi was taken
asoncr by mixed war party Of Spok
n Eootenais, ana Pend 'OreiIIes, all Of
hch tribes were then at war with the
but on good terms with the
I6rmon whites. They took Powell to
amhi. and there decided upon killing
h. He appealed 10 the Mormons, but
lRy not on y refused to intercede for him,
IN laughed at his pleadings. Ending at
NJ that no mercy could be expected
m either his white or red foes, he watch
eagerly for an opportunity 10 escape.
he latter soon presented itself. The
RIIs Of the fort being high and built Of
hvel and sand, similar to adobe, and the
ates being always closed, the Indians
Der keeping their prisoner in confne-
bnt for a day or two relaxed their vigil
ee and gave him the liberty Of the en-
DSure with only one or two young bucks
Fatch his movements. One day, while
4 guards were not watching him closely
seized a lodge pole, and being young
d active succeeded in sealing the wall
ii escaping to the brush before his
.ptors were well aware what he was up
A shower Of bullets and arrows fol
Eed him as he disappeared in the hick
cubbcry that fringcs the river near the
rt. Not far from the spot he found some
his Bannack friends, who were watch
+ an opportunity to help him to escape,
ID he had no further difficulty il keep
8 clear Of his enemies. But from that
pc on the Bannacks were mortal foes OF |
Mormons, and finally gathered suf
fent force to lay siege to the fort. They
grounded the place aud guarded it SO
.sety that every eourier sent to Salt Lake |
assistance was either XII cd, captured
compelled to return. Finally one mes
ager more cunning than the rest did
Image to get through and bring back
relief party. But the indians while moi
ong enough to compete with this addi
nal force, contriyed to make it
hot for the whites that the latter con
lded to abandon the fort, which they
after caching everything of value they
re unable to carry wilh them. Their
inner Of eaching was peculiar but very
ectual. They dug holes IL the floors 81
houses and then pulled the houses
wn over the holes. In this condition
found the fort, except that The rubbish
been removed and the caches raised.
my Of the buildings were still in good
ldidon and the remains Of a grist mil
re still IN fair state Of preservation. u
re thought this briefdigression from nv
rratiye OF the Salmon river trip would
be without interest to the reader, tor
lie the old Fort Lemhi is noted land
trk the history Of its abandonment is
+ believe, generally known.
AS stated in last sketch Bostwick, fol-
'ed BY the p..rtialIy demented Drisvod
rted in search ol relief for themselves
starving companions. We little
'aght thatsuccor was 50 near at hand
e two men had hardly passed from our
ut before they returned, closely followed
three mounted men, who had entered
fort cautiously, 1t FIRST, but oh seeing Z
st"iek and his companion they at once
ls up to the door. We learned that i
Y were The advance Of traia party
2 Salt Lake City On their way to The {