Great Falls weekly tribune., 1895-01-04
BUFFALO CHIEF.
After Many Years the Monarch of the
Plains Met His Death.


In the early sixties the emigrants
crossing the plains for the gold fields Of
Montana saw or were regaled with de-
scriptions Of giant buffalo that at
tracted far more than ordinary attention.
This monarch was first seen in the Platte
river valley in the spring OF GA by d
party Of emigrants headed by Capt
Bridger. after whom the bridger route
through the Wind river country was
named, 1t was described as being as
large as two ordinary sized buffalo and
NAL in the herd of several thousand
Many of the Indians knew of this "Buf
falo Chief" as they called him, and
many efforts were made on their part to
capture him. but they always resulted in
failure for their ponies were not swift
enough to overtake him. When the
great herd started to run, no mate,
where the "Butfalo Chief was at the
time, he would soou be ia the lead r.ioting
the herd 10 the direction of safety. After
again in the fall 'GG IN the Yellowstone
valley by party Of prospectors from
Emigraut gulch. They ut once made up
their minds to get the ''chief.' and being
well mounted gave hitn d chase for three
or four miles. but in that short dis ance
ne so far Outran them that they gave up
the chase. Two years later the tide of
emigration was SO great that the govern
ment began the construct On of forts on
the plains and at this sign Of civilization
the buffalo moved northWard and evi-
IDENTIFY the chief went with them, for
the next seen of him was in the Judith
basin by the party of prospectors who
located the COpperopolis mines, though
they made no effort to capture him. His
presence in this section was we'll knowr
to the Indians and 1t was common tall
among the Bloods Blackfeet and Peigans
that some day they would capture him
and they finally made good their boast
In the spring Of 10 there was a band O
Peigans in camp on the Sun river abou
mile from its mouth. One bright
morning they were surprised TO see tha
the whole country across the Missouri
river. where the city of Great Falls nov
stands, was black with buffalo and al
heading toward the river at poin
where the Riverside park is located.
was buffalo hunt of the Crows an,
about fifty braves were in pursuit, bu
among the many thousands in the her
they had seen the "chief and were afte
him especially, but as usual he was ia
in the lead and out of harms way as ia
as the pursuers were concerned, thoug
there was foe in front that he did no
look for. AS the herd was dscerned tn
Peigans mounted their ponies and Wer
at the river as the animals plungedsin t
make the crossing. Amid the band on
of the Peigans saw the "chief' and ar
nounced it with a yell that was take
up by his fellow braves 1t was easy t
distinguish him from the others for b
waded the river as though it had been
brook. He was noble specimen as b
stepped on shore on the opposite sid
and though he had stood race OF te
or fifteen miles with the Crows benin
him he shook himself and looked defian
He did not antlci pate his fate. In fror
of him were the Peigans with fres
horses and bended bows and pointed a
rows. eager and excited, to accomplis
his death. The chase was short on
for in fifteen minutes the 'butfalo chic
lay dead on the plains near where II
Great Northern round house now stand
The skin of the great monarch WI
tanned by the Indians and sold to wei