The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-12-28
LIQUOR LOS RUIN
EFFECTs WROUGHT ny WHISk
TRADE IN THE NORTHWEST.
Big Profits Are Made i'm the Tranc-
Great Mortality AmOng Sava8es
Due to This Cause-Risk Taken ~
the Men Who Exchange the Bev-
erage for Eurs-Indiens wanted
the COncoction Thst Burns-Calf
shirts Tragic DeAth.

Long before the Louisiana purchase be
fore the memorable expedition OF Lewis
and Clarke the Hudson Bay company had
established it's posts on the Saskatchewan
river at the foot of the Canadian Rockies,
says the Chicago Inter Ocean. From there
the trappers and traders of the great cor
pOratiOn made annual excursions south to
the headwaters of the Missouri river, and
even to the Yellowstone. all Of which they
pronounced British territory. When, In 1892,
the American Fur company built some forts
on the Upper Missouri, the older concern
at once sent several expeditions of Blackfeet
warriors to demolish the forts and murder
the intruders. But these forays resulted so
d!sastrously, hundreds of the Indians being
killed by the cannon of the Long Knives,
that the field was abandoned.
Both of these great companies traded
liquor to the Indians but with such re-
strictions that it did them no harm. Only
the great chiefs could obtain it. and that
at rare intervals. These in turn did not
give 1t to their warriors but drank 1T
among themselves, enved and admired by
all the tribe, who gathered to watch with
absorbing interest the antics OF their leaders
as the powerful spirits elouded their brains.
On the American side this condition of
affairs was not destined to last In the
early COS independent traders, whose sole
stock of goods consisted of liquor. began
to divide the Indian trade. and soon forced
the great fur company to wind up it's at
fairs Then began the whisk trade am ong
the Indians Of the Northwest which was
appalling in its effects upon the simple red
men; 1t ruined them physically and morally
thousands of them died from the effects Of
their drunken quarrels
At this time all the country In Montana
between the Missouri river and the Canadian
line was an Indian reservation, and the
government prescribed severe penalties for
any one found trading liquor upon such
iahd, or even having II in his possession in
the Indian country. In looking about for
place to carry their business beyond
the reach Of the United States marshals.
the whisky traders determined to invade
Hudson Bay company territory. Accord
ingiy, during the years 1901. '72-7S, they
quilt forts on the st. Marys Belly and Old
Mans rivers. named Whoopup, Standoff
ana FIT. Trip. where they carried on an
immense Ind,sn trade with the Blackfeet and Blood
Indians The Hudson Bay company was
powerless to deal with these traders, and
saw with dismay its annual take of robes
ana 1urs dwfndle to almost nothing.
IL seems surprising that few men could
nave gone into wild country, built forts
ana carried on a successful trade with a
horde Of Indians. who were constantly on
the watch to take their lives, and who, when
IrenZied with whisky were uncomfortable
put this is just what the whisky traders
did and they accomplished their ends be-
cause they were as brave a set Of men as
ever lived. 1t was in the fall of 1870 that
Joe Trip. l.. Spearson and several others
arrived at the st. Mary's river, a short
distance above it's junction with the BELLY
river. Their wagons were heavily loaded
with liquor for the winters trade, news
which quickly spread among the Indians
far and near Several of the redskins had
heen allowed to come into the camp and had
.endeavored to buy quantity Of the much
priced fire water, but the traders refused
TO sell drop until they mad built a fort
Enraged at this. and thirsting for the LIQUOR
the Indians began siege Of the place and
the traders were obliged to work with rife
In one hand and AK or saw in the other
It did not take long to build the fort,
Wnlcn, Tor obvious reasons they named the
stand OFF, 1t was long row of log cabins
matched with dirt and having many loop
ws o SeYd up be hsh9 one
could not see through them from the ground,
very necessary precaution. Adjoining the
living quarters were the stables and cor
ral also built solidly of logs. Here the
horses and bulls we're locked up safe from
proving Indians and their bullets. The
traderoOm was q small apartment about Is
feet square, with a fireplace at one end.
high counter, as high ones shoulders
extended from wall to wall across the CEN
ter OF the room, and was made of hewn logs
bullet proof. 1t took up so much space
that not more than 20 or 25 Indians could
get in at one time. shelf under the
counter held number of loaded revolvers
and rifles within easy reach Of the traders
At the end Of the room opposite the fire.
place. but behind the counter. a doorless
opening led to the warehouses; where the
liquor was kept, and where the robes and
furs were stored. When the last touches
had been done on the fort lot Of LIQUOR
was mixed and the Indians informed that
they could come and trade. The mixing of
the liquor SO as to get the largest possible
profit from it was quite art. To one
gallon Of alcohol five gallons of water was
added, which made 1t rather weak and in
sipid, but still capable of making one drunk
If imbibed in sufficient quantity, say
couple Of quarts.
But 1t had no special flavor and did not
burn. which latter sensation the Indians re-
garded as absolute proof that the spirIts
were good. To provide this quality several
ounces of extract of red pepper were added
Bourbon was put in to give 1t awhsky flavor.
Then burnt sugar was added to make it a
dark. whisky color, along with the Juice of
half pound OF tobacco for general effect.
and the stuff was ready to trade Every
Indian who purchased any of it was obliged
TO drink it the spot from the measure
or bring some sort of receptacle. a keg or
kettle, in which to carry 1t home. A good
head and tail buffalo robe purchased
quart; less valuable robes in proportion. A
sood Won hide was valued at pint, a
beaver skin the same. Antelope and door
skins were worth a drink each. Prime
bunalo robes in those days wer worth 81
each, so alcohol really sold for about $40 |
gallon 1t was sold somewhat cheaper to |
the whites.
One night some one knocked on the trado
room door. and as usual one of the tradero
threw 1t open. standing to one side as he I
did so. with drawn and cooked revolver
ready for any treachery. lone Indian an.
tered. threw a robe and key over the coun. |
ter. and demanded some whisky Trim
1t out, and, lifting the keg nm m |
the counter, found himself looking dour
the muzzle Of revolver. The Indian had
drawn 1t SO quickly that none of the traders
couio prevent him, and they dared not shoot
ior fear that before he fell he would press
the tr1agsr and kill their partner.
Whlte man." said the Indian In his own
language. Which all understood, your time
has come .Yoa led the soldiers who m,r-
to kill you e"i"s
Well my friend Trip replied nev.,
moving, but looking the Indian sfra;vht IN
.ne eyes you nave n.sde up your mind
10 TINS. suppose you win have your way.
But let us talk about 1t little: take a
urink nrst' though. and then Perhaps I can
show you how mistaken you are,
The Indian couldn't refuse this ofr..
Z cupful of whisky for nothing. and Ss
he was driking 1t a dozen or fifteen NH.
redskins were admitted. They saw NJ. To-
on the counter and insist al thot
ne should treat, which he refused tn Do
All OF them were more or less drunE .r1
some of them suddenly fired a gun A. ths
nasn every one began to shoot, the Iamn
went out, and for q few moments nandar
nOnfum reigned Somehow or ,+he. -