The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-10-25
Original Story.
RON TIER SKETCHES
By JOHN J. HEALY.
The Otter's Bark.
NUMBER THIRTY-ONE.

An interesting volume might be written
j the strange supergtitions peculiar to the
trious tribes of Indians. The northern
II men are firm believers in ghosts, OF
5od and evil spirits, and many of the
aiefs, like the Greeks of old, have their
stron gods and goddesses. Their IDEAS
I the supernatural are in most instances
spremeIy ridiculous, but they are often
y offspring of fine imagination and
build furnish excellent material for
BETS theme.
About the year 1910 there was noted
ioux chief named Otter Robe, who roam
with his tribe along the Missouri below
.ort Union. He was naughty, exacting
sader of his people and an uncomproml- :
IL enemy Of the whites. This chief took
4 n anne from the fact that he considered
q otter his protecting genius and spirit
ii guide aud that he had the power to
smmune with and receive instructions
som the animal before going upon the war
atb or making terms ofpeace. The otter )
srk called him to council, and whenever
BARD was religiously obeyed.
In the same year there was a notorious
hite trader named Chaderdon, who tre-
aenteG the Sioux camps along the river
II the purpose of exchanging his goods
IL robes and furs. Even in those days,
ben nearly every white iuhabitant Of the
kairie was a noted hero, Chaderdon was
snsidered an unusually brave and ad-
snturous hunter and trader, and his name
IA long been terror to his Indian
#emies. There are many men now living
Il Montana who will remember Chaderdon
bd his many remarkable adventures.
One dag, this trader was bartering with
small camp of Sioux Indians, located
Il q we'll timbured point on the Missouri
ver, above Fort Pierre. Before the
.-.aa had uel.began, Chaderdon was sur
tised by the arrival of large camp Of
hosen warriors led BY the famous Ottel
bobe, and knowing the deadly hatred 9
lie chief towards the whites he concluded
hat unless Otter Robe could be conciliat
a or made away with in some manner ht
build be plundcred of his goods and per
hps lose his life. He accordingly treated
he chief with great respect and apparent
Eendship and succeeded in keeping hin
kliet until night came on and the camp
stired to rest. But the willy trader had
u idea Of permitting the night TO pas
kthout an effort to rid himself Of his
benny, for he knew that the latter wcnld
n the first favorable opportunity, rob hin
4 all his wares and perhaps murder hin
g1ether be made resistance or not.
Il 1t is proper to explain that Ghaderdoe
as not only on friendly footing with th-
Aoux, but having married or Purcnasee
he Of their women he was regarded as
Rlative of one of the families Of the tribe
He had therefore nothing to fear eyet
Fom Otter Robes immediate followers, a;
se latter we're not disposed to iniure bin
bless melted to do 50 BY their chief. *
ave killed Otter Robe openly howeye
ould have brought upon him the enmll.
the entire tribe, and bis own lite woulS
ave been forfeited at once. His oaly SAT,
purse was therefore to dispose of tn
hief secretly and in a manner that Woalo
pt ALLOW the slightest suspicion to res
lPon himself The task was extremel,
ff6cult, as we'll as dangerous to Cbader
sbn, but his active brain was not long II
Pncocting a scheme worthy of bis couFag
bus spirit. Knowing the peculiar super