The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-24

Romans induction into office he called all
the chiefs together and explained to them
how the whites punished wrong doing. He
told them that his people had police who
brought the bad whites before Judge,
who inflicted punishment for their otFenses.
He also told them that II an Indian killed
OF robbed white man he would have to "a
before white mans court to be tried. He
then suggested that the Flatheads establish
. court, select jpdae, and that all Indians
who acted badly towards members Of thei1
own tribe he tried by their own people.
After many poE:w fhs. Mathsadf 81:
dorsed the proposition. selected Chief Aeneas
as the judge and for a number Of years
this plan has been in successful operation,
with most excellent results.
OF course, in tribe as large as the Flat
heads, there were sure to be some bad men,
just as there are among their civilized
brothers. These Indians would not work.
but were continuously up to all sorts of
deviltry. particularly when under the infiu-
ence of liquor, which was furnished by the
white men. At first their i'll will found
vent among their own people, and the In
dian court punished them. After awhile
these bad Indians, virtually driven by their
evil deeds from companionship with the
large majority OF their tribe, banded to-
Rether and kept of the reservation most of
the time; and woe -betide the lonely trav-
eler who met them ON the highway-he was
killed, robbed and his body left prey for
the wild beasts. This section of Montana,
40 is we'll known. is very rich in minerals,
and in consequence prospectors are more
or less frequently met searching for the
precious metal. About three years ago it
began to be noticed that man would start
out from Missoula on q prospecting trip in
the vicinity of the Flathead reserve, and
nothing more would be heard of him. An
investigation was started by the sheriff Of
proved that the bad Indians of the Flat
head, Kootenai and Nez Perces tribes, who
roamed between the Flathead reserve and
the Bfltish possessions. were in
conspiracy to murder and rob
alt the whites found in isolated places.
Of the Law was Flathead named Philip,
who had killed and robbed q prospector
named Rombaugh. The crime was proved
ON him and he was sent to the penitentiary
for life. Shortly afterwards the body Of
an unknown man was found on tho banks
of the Kootenai river. through the confess
sion Of another Flathead named Antonio.
Later the bodies of two other prospectors
were found. and it was afterwards discov-
cred that they were the victims Of Lala-See
and Pierre Paul, two of tho Indians to be
hanged.
Early last summer Sheriff Houston de-
termined to take the field with large posse
and endeavor to capture these murderers.
II was an undertaking which not only in
tvOlved the expenditure of large amount
ct money. but was also dangerous one.
Missoula county ia as large as the state OF
y! New York, and IL covered BY number Of
he wanted, from what friendly Indians had
told him. go the first call he made was upon
Chief Aeneas, with demand 70 surrender
the outlaws. At this time none of the mur-
derers were upon the reserve, and the chief
two of the outlaws were on their way to the
British possessions, Houston divided up his
posse into small detachments and took the
trail. After many days of hard riding and
great hardships he came up with the fugi-
tives. Lala-See and Pierre Paul. just
morning. and when within a few
miles of tho British line. The
Indians had declared that they would never
surrender, but the shsriL, creeping up on
them. suddenly covered them with his own
Winchester. backed by half a dozen in
taken entirely by surprise, yielded. Hous-
ton then sent them under the escort of
strong guard to Missoula, while he kept the
field looking for Antley and Pascale. He
finally heard they were on the reservation,
and going there, Chief Aeneas. after par-
too were taken to Missoula for trial.
Antley vas first put ON trial. and it was |
proved that in August, 1887. he had am
bushed three prospectors, Ben Tompkine,
Dan Mcdonald. and Bill Suley. and buried |
their bodies. He was not alone in this job, |
vere Afterwards captured and lynehsd. |
AnklaVsa trial ln1t0d week and He0ul&e6 in /