The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-08-12

Gabriel DUmOnt, the brave and DASH
ing lieutenant of Riel In the late North.
western rebellion, Is prominent fea
ture of Buffalo Bills great Wild West
camp on Staten Island, and when the
joyful intelligence Of the general am
nesty granted by the Canadian Govern
ment was received in the camp, DumOnt,
who has been an exile ever since he,
with Lieut.. DUMAS, fought his way out
when surrounded by General Middle
toms command and escaped to the
United States, became among the deni-
zens of the Wild West settlement more
of hero than ever. There went up a
perfect howl of delight. The Sioux,
ArraDshOe and other Indians In the
spect and admiration for the gallant
soldier, had the news communicated to
them and gave vent to their gladstone
sentiments in wild war whOOps. Bnffs-
10 Bill and his partner, Nate Salisbury,
together with General Manager Burke,
as soon as the news was received, pro-
ceeded at once to DumOnt's tent and,
shaking his hand, sincerely CongratU-
lated him. The soldier was Visibly Rf-
fected. Tears coursed down his
bronzed cheeks and he seemed for a
time completely unnamed. When he
had somewhat recovered Messrs. Cody &
Salisbury generously offered to release
him from his engagement In view of
the altered state Of affairs. DumOnt
replied instantly:
mo; when was an exile, without
home or shelter, and with but few
friends and they as unfortunate as my.
self, you n0bly offered me an asylum in
your camp, treated me as q brother,
with kindness, courtesy and love, and so
long as my poor services can be of any
use to you, Just so long will l remain
with yO1."
DumOnt has property In the Dominion
that was valued at $4,000. 1t was con-
fiscsted. 1t Is surmised that under the
amnesty 1t will be restored to him.
Gsbrial DumOnt was born at st. BOni-
face, Manitoba, in 1887, and Is Of French
and Indian extraction. He was married
at the age Of 20 to half-breed woman
of the AssinibOlne tribe Of Indians. He
has no children. In appearance he ts a
plain, unassumiDg man Of medium
height, possessed Of an iron constitution
welded to indOmitable courage. His
mental qualities prove him to be man
of superior character. His boyhOOd was
passed among the Indians, from whom
he gained knowledge of wOodcraft that
served him well during the Northwest
rebellion. At the age of % he entered
the service Of the Hudson Bay Com
psDy as hunter and trapper. At the ex-
pirstlOn of his ttrm of service he be-
came trader Of the Canadian Indians,
and amassed comfortable share of
wealth, which he invested in Govern
ment lands, and for several years de-
voted himself to farming and cattle rails.
ing. He first met Louis Rlel at Pembina,
treaty with the Canadian Government.
Being convinced of the justice Of Rieps
claims, on behalf of the Metis, he
pledged his life and fortune to the cause.
When the treaty of '69 was broken, Riel
took possession of Fort Garry, which he
held until the spring OF 1870. Dumont
redeemed his pledge, and was the ablest
supporter that Rlel called to his aid.
When the last rebellion broke out
Riel again summoned DumOnt to his
side, who quickly responded, and was
placed In command Of $50 men. He
proved his skill as soldier by success
fHlly holding BatOche against the at
tack Of 1000 volunteers, and bears on
his person scars made by the bullets of
the enemy on that occasion. The rebel
lion was q failure, Riel was hanged,
and DumOnt escaping, became polit-
icsl outlaw. He was aDprehended by
the United States Government authOri-
ties at Fort Assiniboine, but the Depart
ment Of State at Washington ordered
his immediate release. By the act
Of amnesty he Is now restored to his
full citizenship and prominence In the
great northwest.