The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-17
OLD MRS. NINEPlPES
She Vainly Sought to Defraud One of
Her Creditors.
BUT SHE FINALLY YIELDED
Chief Chariot Prevailed Upon Her
and After Consultation the
Money Was Reluctantly
Turned Over.
BUT SHE FINALLY YIELDEI

Missoula, Jan. Is. - Yesterdays
Standard gave some of the incidents
of the payment of the Bitter Root
Flatheads of the proceeds of the sale
of their old reservation, that went to
show that the Indian is honest in his
business transactions, despite his repu-
tation to the contrary. AS a matter of
fact there was but one instance in
which an Indian sought to defraud
his creditors. In all other cases, the
red men seemed anxious to find the
men whom they owed and to square
their debts as soon as possible. The
single Indian who sought to evade the
payment of a just debt was a woman,
the Widow Ninepipes. She was among
those who received large sums and she
wanted to hold on to all she got. She
did not deny her debt, but she stated
emphatically that she would not pay
1t and gave only woman's reason for
her refusal.
1t appears that several years ago a
half-breed. Baptiste Matt, sold a ranch
to a son of Widow Ninepipes, for
which the widow agreed to pay $500
when she received the payment for her
Bitter Root land. Matt turned the ac-
count over to Alex Dow, who conducts
the store at Arlee, and Widow Nine
pipes agreed to make the payment to
him. But when she received her money
on Monday evening she wanted to keep
IL all. Mr.. Dow was in a quandry.
His money was in sight, but he couldn't
touch it and he very much needed the
$500.
Persuasion and threats and argu-
ments counted for nought. The widow
made her statement and would say no
more. Her ultimatum had gone forth
and she proposed to abide by it. She
sat glum and sullen and held on to
her money.
At last, as a final resort, Mr.. Dow
sent for Chariot, the venerable Bitter
Root chief, and asked him to use his
influence with the woman, who is of
his tribe. Under ordinary circumstances
| Chariot is the last man in the world
ITO look to for aid. He is grouty, ugly
and suspicious usually but he had just
received his portion of the cash and
was in good humor He consented as
readily as was consistent with his dig
nifty as chief and was conducted to
where Widow Ninepipes remained OBJ
durate and sullen. The nature of his
| errand was soon made known and the
widow weakened a little for the first
time. She said she would pay 5000, but
no more. This was not what was
wanted and the old chief knew it, so
he asked that Mr.. Dow's agent, Widow
Ninepipes, an interpreter and himself
be taken to private room where they
could be quiet and alone.
This request was granted and the
queer company passed into an inner
room, where the Indians seated them
selves on the floor and talked heap
medicine" After they had discussed
the situation fully, Chariot assumed
a digni1ed pose and spoke, in part, as
follows:
Woman, / am chief of your tribe.
The honor of the tribe rests with me.
l am held for your honesty and l am
blamed if you do not pay your debts.
You owe this money. You must pay
ii. l am an old man. Soon l must
die. l cannot die with the burden of
your debt upon me. l am your chief
and l say you must pay the money"
This produced the desired effect. The
widow yielded and produced her
money. Then followed an interesting
scene. The woman's money, S1,5O0 in
all, was poured out upon the floor all
in gold and silver. over ii bent the
old woman, so years of age, her wrin-
killed. face twitching with anxiety lest
she lose some of her hoard and her
hands stretched forward as If to save
the treasure. Near her were the others
watching the count, which progressed
slowly 1t was like wringing blood
from the crone, but she paid. Old
Chariot affected indifference but his
satisfaction was i'll concealed.