Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-06
A THRILLING INCIDENT.
FATHER De SMET AND THE MUIR
DER OF YOUNG M'kENzlE.

Shot-His Successful FIght-A Chapter
In the History of Early Navigation of
the Upper Missouri.
The following description of an exciting
event, which, at the time, excited wide spread
attention, forms an interesting chapter In
Capt. E. w. Gould's work on 1.-THE Naviga-
ton Of Western Waters:
Perhaps no river in the Valley of the Mis-
sissippi has been the scene of so many thrill
ing events, Indian fights, steamboat wrecks,
hairbreadth escapes and perils from naviga-
ton as has the Missouri.
Previous to the discovery of gold in Mon
tana the American Fur company and its con-
temporaries and predecessors in the fur trade
monopolized about all the traffic there was
above Sioux City, commencing soon after
the introduction of steam, in 1919, with one
boat per annum. adding another from time
to time as their trade extended UP the river.
The arrival or departure from st. Louis Of
"mountan boat created about as much ex-
element and curiosity at that time as did
that of a Pevonge or Mackinaw boat loaded
with skins and peltries at an earlier date
While the Indians were at peace with each
other, the steamboats, annual trip was looked
forward to by them with pleasure and great
anxiety, as it was their source of supplies,
and of them Indians are always short.
ACTORS IN THE TRAGEDY.
The Rev Father De Smet, for many years
q missionary and general manager Of Catho-
lie missions among the Indians Of the north
west, was not unfrequently a passenger on
these pioneer boats.
The black gown which he always wore in
the presence of Indians inspired in them
great generation, as the representative Of
the Great Spirit. His amiable and suave
manner always assured them, as 1t did every
one else, that no evil could befall them in his
presence, and he was, when known to be
near, a constant check upon their habits Of
dissipation, quarrels and hostilities.
No matter how fierce the feuds between
different tribes, he went fearlessly from one
to the other to allay any commotion or fight
and was always respected.
The writer saw this practically illustrated
while lying at the mouth of Milk river, some
200 miles below Fort Benton, in 1884.
At that time the Sioux Indians were at
war with the United States and with many
tribes of Indians Their country bordered
the Missouri river for many miles and navi-
cation was not considered very safe. Boats
were occasionally fired into when running
close to shore, and when lying up at
night always kept picket guard, and the
pilot was protected by shields OF boiler
iron when under way. This was a very low
water year and we were two months getting
to the mouth of Milk river, where we were
obliged to store our cargo. While lying there
a tragic event occurred, through which, had
1t not been for the presence of Father De
Smet, the steamer Nellie Rogers and prob
ably some Of her crew would have been sacri-
feed for the cruel and unprovoked murder of
young Mckenzie, the son OF prominent mer-
chant of St Louis, whom many St. Louisans
win remember as a very estimable gentle
man. He at one time was an Indian trader
on the Upper Missouri.
He had married a squaw, Indian fashion,
and raised family of half breeds, part Of
which he took to the states and educated
This young man, then about 80 years old had
returned to his tribe, the Crows married
and was living at Fort Peck, acting, perhaps,
In the capacity of interpreter. He, with his
wife and one young child, together with q
large number of Indians of both sexes and Of
all ages, had encamped on the bank opposite
where the boat was discharging. They all
had access TO the boat and were constantly
passing to and fro.
But as the bar on the boat had been closed
by Mr.. Chouteaus order, who had the boat
allowed. There had been on board as pas
senger all the way from ST. Louis Mr.
Clark, formerly from Philadelphia, a quiet,
gentlemanly man Of education, who for the
previous ten or twelve years had been living
among the Indians-principally at Fort Ben
ton
THE MURDER AND FLIGHT.
After the boat had been lying there severa
hours Mckenzie came on board with other,
and stepped into the cabin and Just as he got
abreast Of the stove in the hall, Clark stepped
out of his state room, which was one of the
finest rooms IN the cabin, with pistol in hand
and without word from either of them, In
stantly fired and Mckenzie fell, shot through
the heart.
His wife was one of the first who rushed or
board, with many of her kindred and friends
and the excitement soon became intense-or
the part Of the Indians, for the sudden death
of prominent member of their tribe; on tn,
part Of the passengers and crew, for fear o.
summary vengeance from the Indians, wht
were entirely masters OF the situation Tn,
fires were out, and, of course, no steam coult
be had to move the boat for some hours
Father De Smet and his black gown SCENE,
about all that stood between an outrage,
body Of fighting Indians, and the Nellie Rog
ers, her passengers and crew, until CLAIR
could be disposed Of While he was feariss
and Indifferent, It was evident there was n
safety as long as he remained ON board
Ponies were secured from the traders at For
Peck, twelve miles distant, but who had com,
to sec ''the steamboat" Clark, with two Of
three others, who were anxious to get to For
Benton, started with very little preparation
and very little delay, and stood mot upoI
the order Of their going" And until they
were well out of the Crow country It wa
thought no grass would grow under theil
horses feet
Before the Indians had gotten over thef
surprise and CONSERVATION, Clark, whom
none of them knew personally, had gotten be
yond the reach of their fastest horses ans
through the influence of Father de Smet
1t Is probable they never pursued him. ''Tou
Doris" young man from st. Louis, boun,
for the gold mines at Helena, then Just be
ginning to attract attention, was one o
Clarks travelling companions during tina
John Gnpin race. Subsequently 1t wa
learned that no halt was made until Fort Ben
ton was reached, and the distance, 200 miles
covered inside of three days.
As there was no law and but little justic
In that country then, no investigation wa
over made, and no cause ever assigned TO
the sudden taking of of Mr.. Kensie.
It was believed an old grudgs existed tina
was to be settled In that way whenever tn
parties met. It was afterwards said b,
Clark that he was the author of several simI
lar tragedies previous to the one at the moutl
Of Milk river, although his appearance wa
anything but that Of q murderer or an out
law. His subsequent history have nevs
heard.-St. Louis Republic.
Irritable Old Gentleman Gin cheap restau
rant)-Waiter, here, instead of the vegetable
I ordered, you have brought me a bowl o
soup. Now, where are the vegetablesr
Waiter-In the Philadelphia Press