The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-12-27

ed to Prince Rupert and fourteen as
sociates all Of the land on the Hudson
bay and on streams tributary to it with
full power to sell and govern. Their
system embraced q governor, chief fac
tors, or principal traders, and general
regulations deemed essential for the
peace and safety Of property. They is
sued currency and were m0narchs Of
the country. The land was known as
Rupert's Land and their possessions ex-
tended up the Red river to Lake Trav-
erse, until cut short by the establish
ment Of the international boundary.
A rival company WIS organized in 1883
at Montreal, and this company fought
its way into the Hudson bay territory
and organized the breeds SO far as pos
sible. to contend against the old COM
pany, but the massacre of the settlers
In 1916 brought so much adverse criti-
cism upon them that they were finally
consolidated with the Hudson Bay COM
pany, which continued to accupy the
country till about 1876.
The discharged employees Of these two
companies, with the assistance Of
American capitalists organized an
other company called the Column
bla, which had trading posts all through
North Dakota and Minnesota, with
headquarters at Lake Traverse. Other
independent traders came in, Recontre
establishing posts on the James river,
ana In 1841 Commodore Kittson arrived
at Pembina with four Red river carts
loaded with goods and commenced lay
ing the Foundation for his colossal for
tune. In 1912 he was Joined by Joseph
Rolette. Trade was developed to such
an extent that in 1851 q port Of entry
was established at Pembina, and
Charles Cavalier was appointed collec-
tor Of customs and took up his resi-.
dence at Pembina, where he still re-
sides, and is the oldest settler in North
Dakota Of pure white blood. The Red
river carts were mounted by Capt.
Henry in 1902.
In 1853 a military post was estab-
hshed at Fort Abercrombie. It was
occupied but one year, when Secretary
Of War Floyd, rs q part Of his plan TO
despou the North and prepare the
South for rebellion, dismantled The
fort. sold the buildings for a song and
withdrew the troops, but It was re-
built in 1861 and maintained until after
the construction Of the Northern Pa
cific railroad made it Of no further
use. The dead were then removed to
Fort Lincoln, and that in turn aban-
doned. Fort Lincoln, near Bismarck.
and Seward, near Jamestown, were In
cidents OF the Northern Pacific con-
stWction, as Totten, Ransom and other
forts were Of the Indian war Of 1852
Abercr0mbie afforded place Of refuge
to the settlers Of North Dakota during
the Indian war as Yankton did in South
Dakota.
Resulting from the purchase Of the
Louisiana tract in 1903, an expedition
was Immediately started out to ex-
plore the Missouri portion Of our new
possessions. The lower portions Of
the Missouri river were in possession
OF the Sioux, and most Of the North
ern part was occupied by the Man
dams, Arrickarees and Gros Ventres.
They were then powerful tribes. The
Sioux were given to the use Of intoxi-
eating liquors, but the Mandans were
the original prohibitionists, and boy
cotted even those who offered them
Intoxicating liquors. They depended
largely upon corn for their subsist-
ence. They had few arms, and en-
deavored to tire out the antelope BY
running them down with relays Of
ponies. The buffalo were principally
killed BY chasing them over high
bluffs, where It was hoped they would
become crippled or drowned. The
bear was monarch Of Ill he surveyed;
there was no Indian who dared his
Fight to DISPUTE, The Roata which than