The sun., 1898-01-23

virtually annlhllated Two powerful tribes OF
Indians. the Mandans and the Riccarees. Tho
number of deaths in these two tribes, including
the losses suffered by the Sioux and Blackfeet,
was computed at 100000; only twenty.seven
Mandans were left to tell tho tale. The facts
were recited to Audubon by a Mr.. Chardon:
EARLY in the month Of July, 1887. tho steamer
Assiniboin arrived at Fort Clark with many
cases Of smallpox on board. Mr. Chardon having
young son on the boat went thirty miles to
meet her, and took his son away. Tho pestilence,
however. had many victims on tho steamboat,
and was destined to find many moro among
the helpless tribes Of the wilderness. An Indian
stole tho blanket OF one Of the steamboat watch
men (who lay at the point of DEATH II not already
dead). wrapped himself in 1t. and carried 1t of,
unaware of the disease lurking in it that WAS TO
cost him his life and that of many of his tribe
thousands, indeed. Mr.. Chardon offered q re-
ward Immediately for the blanket. as we'll as a
new one In its ste ad. and promised that no pun.
ishment should be inflicted. But the robber was
II great chief; through shame, or some other
motivGi motive ne , never came forward, and before
nnd wHs 9st OF inc RlGoGrses
prairies. hunting buffaloes and saving meat for
the winter. Mr.. Chardon despatched an express
TO acquaint them all OF the awful calamity, en-
joining them to keep far on for that death would
await them IN their villages. They sent word. in
return. The danger to them. poor things, seemed
reasons existed for which this was an excuse.
Mr.. Chardon sent the man back again and told
them heir crop was nothing compared to their
lives; but Indians are Indians. and In spite OF
all cntrcaties they moved en- 9IdsSe to confront
the awful catastrophe that was about To fol-
thought tho whites had saved the Ricca-
sre rses Shd put the plague on them alone they
said, that the whites had II preventive medicine
which lie whites would not give them. Again
and again It was explained to them that This
Was not The case, but all to no purpose; tho
smallpox had takon such hold upon The moor
Indians anu in such malignant form that they
died ottentimes hin the rising ana the setting
Of the, days sun. They died by hundreds daiyi
their bodies were thrown down beneath tho
high blutr, and soon produced a stencil beyond
description. Men shot their wives and ~. .larcn.
and afterward driving several balls in thair
guns. would place the muzzle in their mouths
and touching nc, trigger with their feet blow
l'tc that a party of Mandan chiefs. wrought 10
fury by the rayages OF the disease among their
Whsn oSe MSah b@d Bosn nun @ Sy
! hawk. few in by the open door. and sal. painting
nnd wsri out on the white !lan' . arm lOr more
clustered about him and asked what the b ri
came TO him for, After moments thought no
told them that the bird had been sent by tho
white men. his friends TO see il il was IrnG that
the Mandans had killed him, and that il had 10
return with the answer as soon as possible 10
added that he had told the dove TO say that no
Mandans were his friends and would never XIII
him but would do all they could for him. The
superstitious red men believed this story dc.
Voutly; thcnceforLh they looked on Mr., ChUrdOn
as ono OF the sons OF the Great Spirit, and be-
ieyed that he alone could hclp them. Little.
was OF the most yirulent type. so that within a
few hours after death the bodies wero "a mus. ot
Of tee hS sne accom-, given Sy
the upper Missouri In 1887 was not much exag-
gerated Is evident from the contemDoraneons
who computes At 10000 the Ioss Of life In thAt
quarter at the timss