The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-01-09
Culver AVENGED.

nearly all the Indians had left the vi
cfnity of our little trading post on the
Missouri to pass the summer back on
the prairie and along the foothills Of
the mountains. We had shipped all
our furs and robes on the last down
steamer and now there was absolute
~ nothing for us to do but kill time
as best we could Until another seasons
trade should begin. Situations whine
trade should begin. Situated as we
We're some 300 miles from the nearest
town, our post was not a very likely
place in summer, and our only neigh
Dor was a saloon man who had built
a place fifty yards above us. But with
him we had little to 10. He was a
surly. unkempt fellow, and there was
generally hanging about his place a
set of men who came and went mys-
teriously, whom we more than sus-
pected were members OF gang of
horse thieves and road agents that
used to ply their trade along the Vel
lowstone and Missouri rivers.
My partner had gone East with our
shipment of furs to dispose Of them
anu OI(Cl lCS1 SlOSA VI SOoOos sAAu
was alone except for the company
of good father, broad and liberal
minded. priest, whom had persuaded
to stay with me until my partner
should return. The bishop of Sas-
katchawan had sent him south the
preceding year to minister to part
of his flock, the plains Crees,' who were
in our vicinity.
One drowsy afternoon in June the
father and 1 sat out in the shade OF
the overhanging roof smoking and fan
ming ourselves, for it was hot day
In tie saloon just above us poker
game was going on, revealed to out
siders by the subdued hum of voices
and the ceaseless rattle of chips. AS
said, most Of the Indians had gone out
on the summers hunt, but two or
three families were still with us, ana
presently a young man named Culver
came along with his wife and sat
down by the father in the grateful
shade. During many years passed
with the Indians on the plains, l
think it was the handsomest couple l
ever saw. The woman, much lighter
colored than many Spanish woman,
had a singularly graceful figure. and
her features We're we'll nigh faultless.
Her eyes were exceptionally large and
brilliant. full of expression, and were
shaded by long. sweeping lashes. Her
hair, neatly braided, hung in two mas
sive strands almost to the ground.
Culver would have served an artist for
a model. of Apollo What liked best
about him was the broad, high brow
;;nd square-cut chin, which even in a
savage denotes keen intelligence
united with force Of character.
This couple, Culver and his wife,
Pai-o-tah. had been married a little
more than year. They were as yet
us deeply in love with each other as
ever. On the hunt or in the camp,
working or resting, they were insep-
arabic. Culver thought there was
nothing good enough for his beautf-
full wife. All the robes he secured, all
the beaver and otter he caught, We're
traded for fine blankets, soft and
briglt-colored dresses and for jewelry
with which 10 adorn Pai-o-tah. He
wanted nothing for himself except
a little tobacco and few cartridges
for his rife. The couple sat with us
half an hour or more talking with the
father about affairs in their own far
northern home.
Riel, he who later created the Cana
dian rebellion, had lately been among
the Indians urging them to return
home and wrest their ancestral lands
from the relocated usurpers, and
Culver was anxious to get the fathers
opinion of the matter. The good man
plainly told him that it was vision
airy scheme, and could not possibly
succeed. He explained that the In
dams not only would have to fight the
Canadians. but that if necessary ships
would bring thousands of soldiers
from across the salt water, ten white
men for every Indian and half-breed in
the Northwest. All this talk of war
had little interest for Pai-o-tah. and
finally she slipped her hand in Quiv-
ers and coaXed him to so home.
Happy, innocent Children" said the
father as we watched them go up the
trail hand in hand. mot a care OF a
sorrow to mar their daily lives"
AS they were passing the saloon a
big ruttlan stepped out of the doorway,
aimed his revolver at them, and. call
ing out to some one within. BILL, see
me drop that - 1njun." fired. With a
cry of pain poor Culver fell to the
ground, Pai-o-tah dropped her robe
and knelt over him, and with a coarse
laugh the man who fired the shot turn
ell and went back into the saloon.
The father and l fastened over to
the PROSTATE Indian. He was still
conscious, but his face had assumed a
yellowish hue. and he said family, II
am shot in the back. Have pity and
carry me to my LODGE" BY this time
one or two Indians had come over
from the camp near by, and together
we gently lifted the wounded man,
and, carrying him home carefully, laid
him on his couch. Sure enough, the
bullet had entered his back on the
left side and torn it's way through the
kidneys. There was no hope for him.
Leaving the father to attend the poor
fellow and give him and the heart.
broken pai.o-tah such consolation ms
was n his power, went hack to the
post and wrote q note to the command
ing officer of troop of United States
cavalry camped some six miles above
us. telling him of the cold-blooded
murder which had been committed,
and asking him to arrest the murderer.
Hastily sealing the message, I slipped
quietly around TO the Indian camp and
gave it to a young man who happened
to have his horse staked near by,
charging him to go with all haste and
deliver the note to the captain. When
l returned to the lodge found Culver
was sinking rapidly. He was suffering
intensely, but never complained, and
slowly and distinctly instructed his
people as to the disposition of his
property. Then the good father began