The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-03-28

and presented 1t to the old factor with
a bow, accompanied by most pleas
ant smile.
Mr.. Campbell's hand visibly trembled
as he took the mysterious paper from
the governors hand; but, unfolding the
document, smile of amused expression
Lit up his noble old brow.
The governor saw he recognized his
handwriting and that the purport of
the paper came back freshly to his
memory.
''Mr. Campbell" he continued, ad-
dressing the old man, II consider that
that paper should be passed around
the table as guide to the gentlemen
now my guests, in case they are ever
called upon to issue a similar one, un-
der similar circumstances. But, first of
all, as a preface, please give us the
story of your residence at Hazleton."
Mr.. Campbell smiled, tapped the edge
of his plate with the paper he held in
his hand, and, adjusting himself more
comfortably in his chair, gave us the
following retrospect:
I'm the year 1912 I was sent by the
company to the post of Hazleton on the
Skeena river, with orders to close it up
and withdraw quietly out of the coun-
| try. The Indians had become SO trou-
| blesome and threatening that the com
pany's property and the lives of their
| employees were in danger. The trade
| of that particular post had become so
small that it did not warrant the keep
| ing up of the station any longer, es-
pecially under the existing circum-
stances. l arrived there SO late in the
fall that 1 decided Seeing there was
yet quite quantity of provisions) to
pass the winter and retreat in the
spring. At that season of the year the
Indians would be scattered about the
interior, hunting, and there would be
less danger of our being molested.
| Whereas, then, on my arrival, they
were congregated about the post, and
would have, no doubt, resented our
leaving, even with our own property.
| Sowing, no doubt, to my being a
stranger among them, they were not
quite SO saucy and independent as they
were said to have been under my pred
ecessor, and things went somewhat
smoothly. l had plenty of opportuni-
ties, by noticing small things, to see
that the chief was thorough scoun-
drel. Still, he behaved toward me
personally with the greatest respect,
which left nothing to be desired.
son New Years day, after they had
had the usual feast, and, no doubt, felt,
as white man does, in better humor
after good dinner, the chief said to
me:
! Give me paper saying you lived
here this winter, and found me great
and good chief, and l will keep it, and
leave it with my children after I am
gone
Il therefore," continued Mr.. Camp
bell, "to humor the fellow, sat down
and wrote the paper now in my hands,
and underscored the strong points with
red ink.
'Hazelton was abandoned in the
| spring of 1s43, and thus remained till
the present time, as you have informed
me-" said Mr.. Campbell, bowling to the
| governor.
| The paper was now passed around
the table, and when it reached the au-
thor of this sketch he read the follow
ing:
1.-The bearer, 'Suck-Ah-So.' the chief of the
Hazelton Indians, / find to be thief, scoundral
and liar, and it's only fear for his person that
keeps him from higher crimes.
| ROBERT CAMPBELL,
| Factor II. B. Co"
When the paper was handed back to
| the man from whom it originated, the
governor said:
''Ill now tell you, Mr.. Campbell, how
the paper came into my hands. In 1891
| that is, last year-the board, or,
rather, l should say, at the council
held at Norway house, my advisers ad-
vocated the reopening of the Skeena
country, and, after due consideration,
| it was decided to do so. Mr.. McFar-
/ lain, of Great Slave lake fame, was hit