Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-12-04
COULTER'S FALLS.*

iiio lsaiilpo" ttaao S.thAAS W ~
named. If even this water power was not
in such high-toned company it would be
considered enough in itself, to warrant the
future of town. But we are so bouti-
fully supplied with water falls and cata-
racts that we hardly appreciate one OF less
pretension than Black Eagle. That man
Golfer. for whom "Colter's Falls are nam
ed had wonderful career in the wild
west. He was with the Lewis and Clarke
expedition and afterwards suddenly turn
ed up with the party of hardy fur traders
sent out by John j. Astor. In Irving's Gas
toria" we find an interesting account of
Golfers adventures.
When he fell in with the Astor outfit he
had just made one of those vast internal
voyages so characteristic of this fearless
class of men, He had come from the head
waters os the Missouri to St. Louis, a dis
tance of 800 miles, in thirty days. With
the hardihood of regular trapper, Golfer
had cast himself loose from the party of
Lewis and Clarke in the wilderness. He
finally fell in with another trapper, like
himself, named Potts and they agreed to
keep together. One night they had set
their traps on branch Of the Missouri
called jefferson Fork. Early next
morning they ascended the river
in canoe to examine their traps
The banks on each side were high and
perpendicular, and cast a shade over the
stream. As they We're softly padding
along, they heard the tramping of many
feet upon the banks. Golfer Immediately
gave the alarm "Indians!' and was for in
stant retreat. His companion scoffed at
the idea and said he wasn't afraid of buf-
faloes. They had not gone much further
when frightful whoops and yells burst
forth from each side of the river, and
several hundred Indians appeared on
either bank and signalled the unfortunate
trappers to come on shore. They were
obliged to comply. Before they could
alight from their canoe, savage seized
the rife belonging to Potts. Golfer sprang
on shore, Wrested the weapon from the
hands of the Indian, and restored it to his
companion, who was still in the canoe.
and at once pushed out into the stream
There was the sharp twang of bow and
Potts cried out that he was wounded Col
ter urged him to come on shore and sub
nit, as his only chance for life; but the
other knew there was no prospect for
mercy and therefor determined to die
game. Leveling his rife, he shot one of
the savages dead on the spot. The next
moment he fell himself, pierced with in
Vulnerable arrows. The savages next
turned their attention to Golfer. The lat
ter, who understood their language over
heard them consulting as to the best
method of despatching him, SO as to de-
rive the greatest amusement out Of his
death. Some were for setting him as a |
target upon which to try their skill Fin
ally, the chief Of the tribe seized Col
ter by the shoulder and demanded if he |
could run fast. He was then lead by the |
chief into the prairie about 400 yards in |
advance OF the savages and then after
being stripped naked was turned loose to |
save himself if he could. A horrible war
whoop was the warning 10 him that the |
whole pack Of blood hounds were after
him. Golfer didn't run. He flew. He /
had six miles of prairie to traverse before
bo I'll
He would have sold out his chances for
life very cheap about that time. Think Of
it; several hundred fiends after him at fnll
cry. The plain abounded with prickIy
pear which terribly wounded his naked
feet. He did not even dare to look around
for fear Of losing a step. When he had
bounded over about half the distance
across the plain the sound of pursuit grew
fainter and he ventured to turn his head.
The main body of his pursuers were far
behind, but several Of the fastest runners
were scattered in the advance, One fleet
footed warrior armed with spear was
not more than a hundred yards behind I
him. Inspired with new hope, Golfer re-
doubled his exertions to such an extent ,
that blood gushed from his mouth and
nostrils and streamed down his breast. /
glance behind discovered the warrior
within twenty yards of him ready to
launch his spear Stopping short he
turned round and spread out his arms.
The savage, confounded by this sudden ],
action, attempted to stop and hurl his ).
spear, but fell in the very act. His spear
tuck in the ground, and the shaft broke
n his hand. Golfer plucked up the point >