Sun River sun. [volume] (Sun River, Mont.) 1884-1885, 1885-04-09
LOUIE RIEL.
The Man Who Is Attracting the ;.
tcn.ion Of the Whole World.


We give below IN authentic sketch of
the life Of Louie Ricl which will be of
interest to all of our readers:
Louis Riel. the leader of the rebellion,
WAS born ut Wolf River. Canudn, about
1887, and is consequently nearly 30 years
ol age. Both of his parents were white
persons, but his pa,crn:l grandfather mar.
ried ful!.5lo,lcd s4uaw. so tla, he is
one c.fourih Indian blood. His father was
man of marked ability and genius, and
for several years purs led an ecclesiastical
course In II Canadian seminary, with
view of preparing himself to enter the
Catholic priesthood. This idea, however,
he abandoned, and when Louis was about
twelve years of age his father took lead.
ing part in an insurrection Of the half.
breeds against the Hudson Bay company's
officials, the company's alleged cxtortions
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 II connection of
several Of the most prominent among the
early rrcncl, settlers in the Red river
country. Riel's early childhood vas pass.
cd at home with his parents. lie was af.
forwards semitic college, through the kind
ness of Mrs. Massoit of Montreal, who
took IN Interest in him on account Of his
brightness and pleasing manners. Among
his college companions was lion. L. Der.
ncules Of Minneapolis, who speaks Of
him rs shrcwd, well educated man, who
Is likely 10 cause considerable trouble be.
fore his rebellion is put down. Ricl was
ut one time employed rs clerk by Ed.
ward Langiyen of West St. Paul. Many
the French Canadian citizens remember
10 have met him in st. Paul In 1873 and
1874. They describe him as handsome
man and well built In conversation lie
is II very pleasant and agreeable compan.
ion, and, beside speaking English and
French ilucntly, has Il considerable know!-
edge Of Latin.
On the collapse Of the rebellion Of 1869.
Ricl and some of his followers crossed to
the United States, and an act of pariia.
mcnt was passed banisliing him for five
years. When his term of punishment OK.
pired he returned to Manitoba, and was
elected to represent the elective district
of Provencl'ies in parliament Threats
wcr" made by tho loyalists that ii he took
his seat lie would bc shot for numbering
scott. The day Ricl entered the house of
commons II company of soldiers were SO.
crrtcd In an ante.roo,n, and it WIS gcncr.
ally feared that riot would take place.
Rel took his seat, but when the opening
prayer was concluded hc left. and never
returned. After wandering over the North.
west for some time, lie settled finally in
Montana, where he has accumulated con.
siderable property, being worth, it is
said, some $G0,G00. Opinions differ as to
Rel's true character, some of those who
know him classing him simply as II tur.
bnlcnt adventurer, ever ready to lead IN
expedition like the present one, and mcr.
ciless and cruel in dealing with those lie
dislikcs. On the other hand, the Fenians
accuse him Of having joined their move
m"nt during the famous raid Of General
O'Neil into Canada in 1854 only to prove
him.cil Il traitor Others look upon him
as II hero and patriot, seeking after years
cf peaceful agitation to right the wrongs
of his pcoplc by the only means lel, him
an appeal to arms One thing is Ger.
tain, whatever his moral character may
be he gives evidence Of pluck and ability.
lie has usually been described rs large
man, but he IL not espcc.
tally tall, and would probably not meas.
ufe over five feet six inches in height.
Ricl's chief lieutenant in the rebellion
was Lcpnc, II bal breed, very large and
very tall. O'Dunoghuc, who acted us n
sort of chief secretary for the provincial
government Mt Fort Gary, was Il young
man Of education and ability, and has OF.
ten been spoken Of MS the brains of the
revolution. lie was very active and very
patriotic and gave ul his means to the
cause. After the collapse Of the rebel.
lion he came totllis country and intrigued
with the Fcnian brotherhood, and even
went to Washington to try to secure the
sympathy Of the United States govern.
mcnt for the halfbreed cause. lie died
n few wears ago