The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-05-01
LOUIE REL.
The Man Who is Attracting the Attention OF
the Whole World.
Sun River Sun.

Sun RiUer Sun.
We give below an authentic sketch of the
life of Louie Riel, which will be of interest
to all our readers:
Louie Riel, the leader of the rebellion,
was born at Wolf River, Canada, about 1887,
and Is consequently nearly 80 years of age.
Both of his parents were white persons, but
his paternal grandfather married . full
blooded squaw, SO that he Is one-fourth
Indian blood. His father was Q man Of
marked ability and genius, and for several
years pursued an ecclesiastical course In q
Canadian seminary, with view Of preparing
himself to enter the Catholic priesthood.
This idea, however, be abandoned, and when
Louie was about IL years of age his father
took q leading part In sn insurrection Of the
half breeds against the Hudson Bay COM
pany's officials, the companys alleged ex-
tortions having given rise to the outbreak.
The mother Of the present rebel leader Is
said to have been the sister Of Archbishop
Tache, of Winnipeg, and a connection Of
several of the most prominent among the
early French settlers in the Red river coun-
try. Riel's early childhood was passed vt
home with his parents. He was afterwards
sent to College, through the kindness Of a
Mrs. Massoit, of Montreal, who took an in
aud pleasing manners. Among his College
companions was Hon. L. Derneules, of Min
nespolis, who speaks of him as . shrewd,
well.educated man, who is likely TO cause
considerable trouble before bis rebellion Is
put down. Riel was al one time employed
as q clerk by Edward Langiven, of West St.
Paul. Many of the French Canadian citi-
zens remember to have met him In st. Paul
In 1873 aud 1874. They describe him as q
handsome man and we'll built. In CONVEX
sation he is q very pleasant and agreeable
companion, and, beside speaking English
and French nuently, has a considerable
knowledge of Latin.
On the collapse Of the rebellion Of 1869,
Riel and some of his followers crossed TO
the United States, and an act of parliament
was passed banishing him for five years.
When his term Of Punishment expired he
returned to Manitoba, and was elected to
represent the elective district Of Provenches
In parliament. Threats were made by the
10y alists that If he took his seat he would
be shot for numbering Scott. The day Riel
entered the House Of Commons q company
of soldiers were secreted In an ante-room,
and 1t was generally feared that riot would
take place. Riel took his seat, but when
the opening prayer was concluded he left,
and never returned. After wandering over
the Northwest for some time he settled finally
In Montana, where he has accumulated con-
siderable property, being worth, it Is said,
some $50, 900. Opinions differ as TO Riels
true character, some Of those who knew him
chasing him simply as a turbulent adven-
turer, ever ready to lead an expedition like
the present one. and merciless and cruel in
dealing with those he dislikes. On the other
hand, the Fenians accuse him of having
Joined their movement during the famous
raid of General O'Neil into Canada in 1881
only to prove himself traitor. Others look
upon him as q hero and patriot, seeking after
years of peaceful agitation, TO right the
wrongs of his people by the only means left
bim--sn appeal TO arms. One thing is GER
tain, whatever his moral character may be,
he gives evidence of pluck and ability. He
has usually been described rs large man,
but he is not especially tall, and would prob
ably not measure over five feet six inches in
height. Riel's chief Lieutenant in the rebel.
lion was Lepine, half breed, very large and
Very tall. ODonoghue, who acted as q sort
Of chief secretary for the provincial gov
ernment at Fort Gary, was q young man Of
education and ability, and has often been
spoken of as the brains of the revolution.
He was very active and very patriotic, and
gave all bis means TO the cause. After tho
collapse of the rebellion he came to this
country and intrigued with the Fenian
brotherhood, and even went to Washington
to try to secure the sympathy of the United
States government for the half breed cause.
He died q few years ago.