The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-21

of seasons trapping. enough in quantity
and quality TO make a handsome invest
ment. Prcpe.iing the rude vessel down
the stream TO its confluence he can unload
bis entire stock into some Missouri river
boat bound for ST. Louis-all this, OF
course, contingent upon his success OF
eYading detection, the risk of which Is not
considered great.
Big Muddy creek Is the farthest Eastern
stream at all popular with the smugglers.
Its head-waters are not far from a post OF
the Canadian military patrol, but that fact
does not seem to affect the smugglers'
work in the least. On the American side,
opposite that post, aud for some distance
east and great distance west OF it, Is the
Montau, an Indian reservation. Poplar
river is the next stream 10 the west which
offers the sniugglers any facilities. 1t
skirts wooded and billy region just this
side the line, which has been gwen The
stimulating name OF Whisky Buttes."
and which has been the hiding-place and
refuge of great many men beside SNUG
glers. 1t Is the smuggiers' harbor and port
of safety in case OF storm. Farther west Is
the White Mud river, running into French
mans creek, and forming considerable
stream before crossing the line. 1t is only
in late years that the river has been much
patronized by men in charge OF contraband
goods, but az the fur supply recedes
further west and is followed, tae Western
streams are brought into greater requisi-
ton.
About four years ago party of Canadian
hunters attacked an equal number OF
Americans not far from Fort Walsh and
near the headquarters of the White Mud
river. The Americans had cargo OF
skins which had been trapped during the
season. Taey refused TO surrender the
peIts and were attacked in consequence.
They succeeded in beating off their assail-
ants, but two of the defending party were
killed. The Canadians suffered loss, but
the extent of it is not known. The affair
was brought to the attention of the British
government. but the men who had been
killed in the attack were friendless and
unknown and nothing came of IL.
Less than year later a party OF United
States revenue officers, VINO, for wonder,
were out looking for smugglers. got over
the line without knowing it, and attempted
to arrest some Canadians whom they found
in charge of a lot OF pelts. The Canadians
resisted arrest and shots were exchanged.
Lieutenant McRae of the American party
was wounded in the f1eshy part OF the leg.
A discovery OF the facts and explanations
and apologies prevented greater execution.
A regular pitched battle occurred in the
summer of 1888, between an American
party and some Engishmen who were
hunting III Canada and had crossed the
line in the ardor of the chase. A party of
Americans, mainly New Workers, were
camped near the line. The battle WAS pre-
cipitated by an Irishman, accompanying
one of the Americans, who fired at the
Englishmen rs they advanced. The English
men. taking the shot as declaration of
hostilities, returned volley. The Ameri-
cans responded in spirited way, but it is
an evidence of the average quality of North
western hunting parties that nobody on
either side was hurt The Englishmen
possession of the field.