The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-16
NEWS FROM FORT CLAGETT.
sane INDIANS Coming En-Deaffa of White
Eagle. the H5g Chief Of the eros
Vesatres-The Flood.

lOn. Mr. hamilton is one OF the Oldest of
old timers, having been in this country for
20 years, and he tells us that this has been
the hardest winter, SO far, he has ever exper-
lenced IN Montana. He left Clagett Friday
morning, and had a rather severe trip of it,
owing TO the deep snow and intense cold.
The first night out he camped with Bushy
Heads band Of Gros Ventres Indians, num-
oerlng . lodges, at the mouth of the slough,
above Arrow creek. He spent the next two
nights with the Piegans, at the mouth of
Eagle creek there were IS lodges there, I'M
der a chief whose name signifies, in English.
"Blrd that Flies High Monday, while six
miles below the Coal Banks, his horse gave
out, and he was forced to leave him on the
prairie, and, packing his saddle, ETC., foot it
to the latter place, from whence he took the
Assinaboin coach to Benton.
There are between 800 and 400 lodges Of
Piegans, Bloods and eros Ventres Indians in
the vicinity Of Clagett, and more are coming
il, and from what he knew of the num-
Der near there and moving in that direction,
Hamilton estimates there must be at least 600
lodges III by this time, numbering as many as
2,4O0 souls. The Indians are out Of proyi-
sions, they have lost many OF their ponies
this winter, and have very few robes. An
Indian Commissions from over the line ar
rived at C}agelt last week. He will endeavor
to get the British Indians back to the Cana
dian slde, to receive their annuities, but if
the weather is too severe for them to travel,
WILL contract for their feed until spring, when
they will be moved, and the cost Of such sup
plies will be deducted from the next INSTALL
| ment Of annuities.
The winter thus far at the post has been
! very severe, and in consequence trade with
the Indians has been much lighter than usual.
Contracts had been let for getting out and
hauling timber, etc, but could not be filled
on account Of the deep snow.
While we in Benton nave had the benefit
OF several chinooks, the people there have
seen nothing Of a thaW. The snow fall there
nation Of warmer weather in any part of
the country came from the flood caused by
the breaking up Of the river above, and which
caught them entirely unprepared. Mr.. Ham
ilton, who occupied q cabin between the old
and the new posts, was reused during the
night by an Indian boy, and had barely time
to catch up ome blankets and his gun, and
get TO a place Of safety, before the flood of
500 onI uraAo~ n NY otpa tho ~, n, I'D ~
entire contents. The water rose at least 90
feet higher than it was eyer known to get be-
fore. The site of the old post was entirely
covered, and the water rose until il touched
the houses Of the new post, but no damage
Of any consequence occurred there. The ice
gorged q mile below, and the water spread
over the banks for a distance Of 500 yards on
either side Of the river. About a mile and a
half below the post, Charles Carriers wagon
provisions, bedding, and everything he had,
were carried away by the flood, and Joe Gan
ty and Voge lost their cabin and provisions.
At Dick Smiths wood yard, ten miles below
Clagett, two Of the government engineer
boats-a number Of which were hauled up
there-were carried down, but no further
damage done. Five miles further down, at
the Dauphin yard, Estes lost his cabin, stove,
provisions, q boat, about Is cords of wood,
and other things, being pretty well cleaned
out.
Jas. Wells cattle, some 900 head, which
are ranging near Clagett, have done very
we'll, as yet, considering the weather, not q
single hoof having died. They are all young
and hardy, and have stood up against the
cold and the snow thus far, but are pretty
thin now, and fears are entertained that url-
less warmer weather ONE very soon many
will go under.
There has been considerable sickness at the
post this winter. Some Of Mr. Wells family
have been quite i'll: and jim, himself, has
been laid up. Sam Dustin's little girl died
about the last OF December, and Geo. Whites
infant child since then.
White Eagle, the main chief of the Gros
Ventres, died at Clagett last Wednesday. He
was about so years old. White Eagle was
the last OF the big chiefs, has been chief Of
his tribe for over 90 years, and was a strong
friend to the whites. The Indians are pre-
serving his body, and say that they intend
burying him in the earth, like o white man,
as soon as the ground thaWs out. We under
stand that Bushy Head was next in rank to
White Eagle, and will probably succeed to
his place il the. tribe. He is also very friend
".
The people at Clagett have had no mails
since the first Of November, end Jim Wells
wants 10 knam who is the next President.