The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-12-28


 of hewn logs bullet proof It took uI
 so much space that not more thar twenty or twenty-five Indians could
 get in at a time. A shelf under the
 counter held number of loaded re-
 volvers 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 into
 the warehouses where the liquor was
 kept, and where the robes and furs were to be 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 pos
 sble profit from it was quite an art. To one gallon of alcohol five gallons of
 water was added which made it rath- CT weak and insipid, but still capable of making one drunk if imbibed in suf- tcient quantity, say a couple of quarts. But it had no especial flavor and did not burn, which latter sensation the Indians regarded as absolute proof that the spirits were good. To provide this quality several ounces of extract of red
  mixture, and oil of Bourbon was put in to give it whiskey flavor. Then burnt sugar was added to make it a dark, Whiskey color, along with the juice of half pound of tobacco for general ef- fleets, and the stuff was ready to trade. Every Indian who purchased any of it was obliged to drink it on the spot from the measure or bring some sort of receptacle, a keg or kettle, in which to carry it home. A good head and tail buffalo robe purchased a quart less valuable robes in proportion. A good wolf hide was valued at pint, a beav- i CT skin the same. Antelope and deer skins were worth drink each. Prime buffalo robes in those days were worth seven dollars each, so alcohol really sold for about one hundred and forty dollars a gallon It was sold somewhat cheaper to the whites. In one of Trlpp's old memorandum books of the times, Louis Chappelle, an employe, is charged with "one gallon of alcohol, sixty dollars" He always insisted, when making a purchase that fresh can should be opened so as to insure his getting it pure. A gallon measure ollt-llllld lull ul NdltI was always ct hand, and while Louis was taking a drink, the shrewd trader filled this with the freshly opened alcohol, and the old man carried it off rejoicing that he had got the pure stuff.
 The Indians generally came to trade in the daytime, in groups of from four or five to fifty and were quiet and po- lite until they had swallowed a few drinks. When they became violent they were forced out of the room and the heavy door was locked. More than any one else they had a grudge against Tripp, because several years before he had been a government scout, and was the one who led Colonel Bakers forces when he annihiated eighty lodges of their kindred One night some one knocked on the trade room door, and as usual one of the traders threw it open, standing to one side as he did so, with drawn and cooked revolver, ready for any treachery. A lone Indian entered, threw robe and keg over the counter and demanded some whiskey. Tripp measured it out and lifting the keg up on the counter, found himself looking down the muzzle of q revolver The Indian had drawn it so quickly that none of the traders could prevent him, and they dared not shoot for fear that before he fell, he would press the trigger and kill their partner.
 White man." said the Indian in his own language, which all understood | your time has come. You led the sol [ diers who murdered my wife and chil- dren, and I'm going to kill you"
 Well, my friend" Tripp replied, never moving, but looking the Indian straight in the eyes, If you have made up your mind to this, I suppose you will have your way. But let us talk about it a little; take a drink first, though, and then perhaps l can show you how mistaken you are.'
 The Indian couldn't refuse this of- fer to get a cupful of whiskey for noth- ing, and while he was drinking it a dozen or fifteen more redskins were admitted. They saw his keg standing on the counter and insisted that he should treat, which he refused to do All of them were more or less drunk and some of them suddenly fired a gun. At the flash every one began to shoot he lamp went out, and for a few mo- nents pandemonium reigned. Some now or other the door had slammed 'ast shut, and such was the pressure of he mob toward it that for some time he foremost, who were trying to get put, couldn't open it, and all the while hey kept up the shooting. After they lid get it open, they ran out in an in- tant leaving the robes and furs they ,, lad brought to trade. in their panic. During the excitement the traders had III lain behind the counter, never firing shot, and they remained there for ome little time after the Indians fled. Finally one of them got up, closed the oor, and lit the lamp. The light re- ealed five dead and dying Indians on he floor. The traders did not always get out f row so easily as this. It was here |, hat Spearson met his death. One day 4 he door flew open and an Indian poked < is gun in, swinging it to the right and [ aft in search of victim. !, Look out." some one shouted to = pearson, who was standing by the fire 4 lace, Look out, he's going to shoot.' s "Oh l guess not" he replied, as he arted for the door" ''I'll take the = Id luke away from him."
 Just then the Indian saw him and o