, 1891-01-31
A NOTED SCOUT.
Frank Grouard of Fort Mckinney
Is Here.
He Was First to Hear of the Custer
Massacre.
Valuable Scouting Service in the
Late Indian War.

Frank Grouard, the noted government
scout, is in the city. Mr.. Grouard has
probably had more experience with In
dams and more desperate adventures with
them in late years than any man in the
West lie has been in the service of the
government as a scout, located at Fort
Mckinney, since 1876, and probably un-
derstsnds the Indians and the Indian
character better than any man in the
United States service.
Mr.. Grouard was born in the Sandwich
Islands but came to Montana with his
parents when a small boy. His youth was
passed among the Indians and he learned
a number of the dialects and became
thoroughly acquainted with Indian Gus
toms. Physically he is a powerful man.
dark featured, with sharp, clear eyes, and
able and willing to face any exposure or
danger IN the line OF duty.
Grouard was with Gen. Crook in the
Sioux campaign of &c, and was the first
OF the command to learn OF the Custer
massacre. He was up in the Big Horn
mountains scouting, seventy miles from
the battle ground, when he saw a signal
fire, consisting of three fires in a row,
which is the Indian way of telegraphing a
victory over the troops. Grouard told
Gen, Crook hat the indians had gained a
victory, but no one would believe him, so
be made the seventy mile ride in seven
hours, and he wa the first mar to see the
fatal Custer battle ground. arriving there
at IL O'Clock 10 the evening on the same
day of the battle. He rode back the same
night, and was the first one to bring the
news OF the awful massacre.
Grouard was with the troops during the
late trouble at Pine Ridge and was the
scout detailed by Gen. Miles to bring in
the information in regard to the plans OF
the hostiles. He understands the Sioux
language, and. knowing the chiefs person
ally, was able to mix with them and learn
their plans, He was sent to the hostile
camp by Gen. Miles to find out the In
dians' complaints. The Indians. accord.
ahk " Ah eNohSAhthAat "NEt nhClt lhNy
either had to starve or fight, and they
would rather die fighting than staIve to
death. Mr.. Grouard is OF the opinion
that the trouble is over and that if the
Indians have fair treatment from the
agents, no trouble will again arise. He
thinks the Sioux Indians are anxious to
become civilized and be like white
men. but they are smart and know when
they are being robbed and will not
stand bad treatment. He gathered from
the Indians the story Of the last victim
of the Custer massacre. He was an Off
Ger who wa mounted on a fast horse, and
was followed from the battlefield by the
Indians for several miles. Thinking he
was about to be captured he blew out his
brains with his revolver. Some of the
indians who were in pursuit told Grouard
that had the man ridden a short distuuet
further they would have given up the
chase, as their horses were almost played
out.
This is Grouard's second visit to Chey.
enne. He was here in 1877. He will re
main in the city a few DAYS, when he vii
return to his post at Fort Mckinney. Mr.
Grouard is an extremely modest man, ant
is very difident upon the subject OF hi.
adventures among the Indians.