The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-04-19

the banks Of the stream were en-
tireIy taken up. Hundreds Of other
gold seekers then focked in, and
finding no dry land unoccupied
many Of them took up claims in the
he'd Of the stream, while those who
failed in this we're compelled to
scatter gout over the country in
search of new fields, which they
finally discovered at point be-
tween the Clear Water and Salmon
river, and from the claims there
established sprang Elk City. y
! Those who located in the bed of
the creek were obliged to wing
dam the stream, which few
weeks later was rendered useless
by a heavy rainfall. The destruc-
ton of property by the storm was
fearful to behold. For q whole
day horses, and personal property
of all kinds, came sweeping by our
camp, and all the mining works
along the banks of the creek, our
own excepted, were either badly
damaged OF totally destroyed. Ali
the work had to be done over again,
at great expense and causing con
siderable trouble and loss Of time.
As my health did rot improve
sufficiently to allow me to work
after several weeks rest, I began
to think | was an unnecessary
burthen to the party, and after
consulting with my friend Ken
nedy I concluded to strike out for
other localities, hoping that g i
more active life would enable me
to recover my health. ! according
ly associated myself with the tol-
lowing named men and struck out
in search Of new prospects Geo.
Grigsby, Charley May, Bob Reed
(American Bob, Jack Allen, part
,ner of Neel Campbell's, since kill
ed by Kootenay Indians in the
killed on the Teton Rlves7 ae99
Piegans, in 1869, Joe Aag'ue'
4 Trenchman, partner of Thibo's,
and Uncle Jimmy Ayers.
We had all heard considerable
talk about gold in the Salmon river
country, and Grigsby claimed TO
have seen a $24.0o nugget in the
hands Of an Indian who stated that
he had found til the river. For
this point we accordingly directed
our course.
The Nez Perce Indians, about
this time, were becoming exceed
ingly restless, owing to the con
tinued encroachments OF the whites
upon the lands which they held BY
right Of treaty with the Govern
ment. The Orc Fino district was
part Of the reservation set aside
for them, but they consented 70
give that up, if the miners would
promise not encroach farther upon
their domain. The promise was
readily given, but Of course was
not faithfully kept, and the estab-
Iishment of Elk City was in direct
violation Of the agreement.
The tribe was then, as it is 70
day, divided INTO two bands, calico
the North and the South Nez Perces-
Looking Glass, Eagle Of the L'ghi
White Bird, and Crazy Grizzly
Bear were the leaders ofthe north
err band, while chief appointed
by the Government, called Lawyer,
had control Of the southern party
The latter were not inclined TO otier
any resistance to the whites, but
the northern band were determined
to drive back the prospectors, and
when the Elk City party attempted
to cross the Clear Water at Law
yer's Crossing, they were eneount-
cred BY the Indians and threatened
with death if they did not return
the way they cane. The miners
told them that if they put their
threats into execution, for every
IA -v,an fhav EilIna D fhnnsand