New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-15
A TRAGIC EPISODE.
THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DEATH.
EX-GOVERNOR HAusrns WESTERN rxPERIENcr

life through which he has not passed. Although he
has amassed largo wealth, his garb habit and man
are still those of the plain, everyday business
man. He is president Of the First National Bank Of
Helena and there is live enterprise In the Terri
tory in which he is not in some way Interested Tho
Governor has had experiences that full OF
excitement ami danger as any that have been blazoncd
in history He was in a reminiscent mood during
recent visit this city, and fcll into conversation
with Tribune reporter about an exploration he made
of the Yellowstone region in 1868. Among other
things he said
There were fifteen Of who started out from
Dannock City in April 1853, who encountered during
the ensuing three months such perils, loss OF hlc'
wounds and prvaiionS l never want TO sec or Know
again. Jim stuart elected our captain am We
signed our word of honor TO obey all his orders
These were the twelve men: James stuart, cyrus d.
Watkins, John Vanderbilt. James y. York. Richard
McCanerty, James IianNhuTst. Drewycr Cnaerwooo'
Henry A. Eel. William Roach, y. sterno BiaRc'
George ii. Smith. Henry r. Gcery EphIalm hoStwich
George Ives and myself Seems to me Ives didn't
Sign because he overlook us the day after we started
but he was agreed. Our object was to explore inc
country drained By tho Yellowstone for the discovery
pf gold mines and town sites. orr exploration last
ed from April o to Juno %, during which period wo
rode COO miles, the last 1C0 miles without tents or
rhange of clothes. Why. when we got back looked
for all the world like wild of the woods, and
so did the other survvOTs-fOr we left some OF orr
number dead In the wilderness.
1t was nearly the LIST OF June. We had travelled
steadily until had reached the Yellowstone. We
had camped at Otter Creek. opposite Bear River ana
were going on down the river when We came on IN
dian signs II was an hour before shutdown. while
We were rest ting in camp that heard several guns
fred in a cottonwood clump across the rVcr, anu
presently saw about thirty Indians fordnS across
they were running and yelling How-d'ye-do" anu
"Upsar-o ka' the latter cry indicating that thcy were
Crows. We had our horses all tied up and every
man ready for emergencies by the time they got
among US You sec, they began AT
once struggle 10 get possession OF our
horses and properly without an actual fight Nc'her
side wanted TO shoot first in other wo'ds There were
big chief and two little ones. Stuart gave the Dig
ono piece Of tobacco and they sat dow to smoke
The big fellow told us 10 look out for things or VIC
vould lose them For several hours. r. fact during
the whole time stuart was smoking and talking Win
the chiefs thcsc constant struggle ana excite
mcnt IN the camp-the Young bucks taking iof'Dic
possession Of orr horses and blankets, and our men by
superior strength retailing them, and In many III
stances handling them without gloves Icy throwing
them Violently TO the ground; upon which the indians
would become perfectly frantic with rage drawing
their guns bows and knives, pointing TO their Chief
and making signs that upon a signal from him they
intended taking our scalps.
Several times they fired their guns leach one was
e,mcd with doublebamclled shot gun sawed of short
and also with a bow and quvcr of arrows within SIX
inches Of our mems heads and would draw their bows
back TO the arrOwheads placing them directly against
the mems breasts. This state of things continued Tor
several hours, and until some of our mems anger began
to get the best Of them, particularly Watkins ana
Bostwick who had been in Indian fights before, and
were not disposed 10 wait any longer before beginning
the fray, which they and in fact all OF us, bcilcVed
would have to begin sooner Or later Finally one Oh
The Indians fired his gun close over Wathinss head
who had Just said that he did not intend to wall LOT
orders any longer and almost simultaneously with the
Indians firing Watkins went for his revolver, but,
fortunately an Indian standing directly behind him,
quickly threw buffalo robe over his head ana caspcl
IL about his body and This only cXasperated
watkins and when released by the other men, VINO
Instantly rushed I'm and slung the Indian OF he swOre
be would wait longer and several other OF inc mon
seemed TO agree with him. and were upon the eve OF
beginning the fight when al this juncture | ran up 10
the captain and excitcdy told him that unless some
thing was done Immediately thc shooting would Desh
without order or concert of action lie told me 10 tell
our men to keep cool and wait til he began the night
or gave orders 10 begin. And turning 10 the chcl nc
told him in a pcremptory tone TO order his men to
come out from among the horses and tents ana Keep
Quiet Tho chief, who instantly saw that crisis had
come signallcd his men TO drop their guns lior both
parties were in the attitude Of hatie which 'ey Uu
ard qu!ecd down and gathered around the camp nic'
)ur men also cooled down. and began preparing Tor
the night As the chief kept close watch on our
cantains movements he thought best not to give his
orders to the men direct but quietly told me that at
daylight We would sadGlc our riding horses Hr9' ana
get them ready, and then If the Indians attempted W
take possession Of pack or pack horses We wouid
turn loose on them, kill many as we could, anu lhoh
mount our horses ard strike into the mountains toward
Fort Benton thus getting good start on them before
those who escaped could get TO and arouse the main
camp which he had learned was across the river, only
somc twenty miles away.
During the three or four hours that the chiefs had
been talking and smoking with our captain they were
apparently perfectly Indifferent TO what was going on
between their men and ours acting though the row
was a thousand miles away. Ana in this littic game
our leader stood them OIL appearing himself as Ut
terly unconcerned they possibly could
Daylight was anxously awaited by the little band
of white men. None of us slept Wink The lhdahS
wandered about all night trying 10 steal whatever
they could lay their hand Al daybreak thu party
began to pack up, when Captain Stuart performed an
act of cool self possession and bravery 1t fixed him
forever in the hearts and admiration OF his Iile Dand
aud to It, in my opinion they owed their lives ara
know that from that hour the very men VINO, the DAY
before had been complaining OF what they had be
Iieved To be his tn:idty, looked upon hlm as nero
Of undoubtcd courage longer did hey question his
"nerves or policy. At daylight about a m. VIC all
quietly began ssddlne horses, in accordance WIN
the orders % the evening before; but, unfortunately
for the programme the Indians focily IIcVeniea our
even brldIng horse. Seeing his plan thwarci, Our
leader instantly formed new one, without manlicS'nS
Any surprise or in any way showing any evidence OF
BENG diSconccue,.
Passing close by me, he said in an underone; Tell
The boys there's going to be troubc-to be ready Keep
a close watch and do do and for their lives not
10 fire until my gun goes OFF, With this he
vent 10 work In the most unconccrned and Indifferent
way Imaginable, III his pipe and moved
sround giving directions here and tEero
about packing breakfast, etc., intespcrs-
ing the directions with his dry, witty remarks; doing
nothing to excite even suspicious as to what his
plans were In the meantime Lad passed his words
around and the Indians evidently concluding they had
things all their way were changing their lara's
from their horses 10 ours and quariclllng with one an
other about choice of horses etc. a quarter Of an
hour probably passed in this way, our men initiating
the captains example near as they could pcpat
Ing for breakfast collecting our blankets, etc, ana