The Irish standard., 1900-06-09

a speech.
The weather was suspicious. Tie
typical August weather in that region
is peculiarly pleasant during the long
twilight A large crowd assembled on
the square to hear Meagher. 1t was
composed largely of his native country
men and Missourians, the latter at that
date making up perhaps one-half of the
population OF the territory and face
tiously dubbed "the left wing OF Prices
army"
The speech, although fine one, was
somewhat of disappointment to por
ton of the audience, being conserva-
tive in tone for one who had just
emerged from the civil conflict The
general proclaimed with great force and
earnestness, but in elegant, musical Ian
guage, that the war was over, and that
the people OF the South should be al
lowed to resume their former relations
to the federal government The SOL
diers on both sides had shown great en-
durance and courage and made record
for gallantry and soldierly qualities I'm
excelled, if indeed equaled, by any peo-
pie on the earth" He regarded the
famous rebel leader, Stonewall Jackson,
as the greatest military genius devel-
oped by the conflict, but the entire ma
ton, North and South, he said, had
gained i1npershable .renown, had
reached high standard among the mil
itary nations of the world renowned for
martial spirit, vigor, courage, strength
and proves.
During the winter OF 1866 was min
ing and operating quartz mill in the
vicinity OF Virginia City, when some
business matter called me over to Hell
ena. This place had become more pop
ulous than Virginia City. Here l met
Governor Meagher, who was there
looking after the governmental affairs
Of the territory We we're detained
there for a fortnight by extremely cold
weather and deep snow. AS we both
were travelling on horseback, by agree
journey in company, a young Missouri
an out on his first legs in search OF fame
and fortune making up party of three
General Meagher possessed well-de-
fncd uniailing vein of humor-to de-
scribe it in miners phraseology, a vein
rich with the precious metals, disasso-
ciated with any OF the baser sort-and
to this vein it was his habit frequently
to resort, whether in ordinary CONVEX
sation, public speaking or literary work
AS we travelled along he kept us en-
livencd and entertained with his anus
ing "reminiscences of the globe-encirc.
ling localities where fortune had cast
him while being transported from his
native land to the penal colony, in his
escape to California and his subsequent
life in the United States.
We selected the route leading up the
Missouri river as affording a more ex-
tensive view, as we'll as more pictur-
esque mountain scenery The first night
we sought refuge from terrific blizzard
in the ranch OF Colonel A. ]. Vaughn
on Indian Creek, the colonel being an
old acquaintance of mine, who had been
resident Of the territory for ten years,
first as the agent of the Blaclfeet Indi-
ans, the agency being on the Sun FLYER,
forty miles above Fort Benton. He
had also been agent Of the Sioux and
other tribes living between Fort Ben
ton and Fort Pierre during President
Pierces administration. He had lived
constantly with the Indians for many
years, accommodating himself to many
OF their manners and custom OF living.
He was singular man, although
unique in character, who had followed
the star OF empire westward from old
Petersburg, Va, his native town. In
early life he had been member OF the
house of burgcsses of his native state.
Migrating to Missouri, he took up his
residence at St. Joseph, and afterward
represented that district in the state sell
ate. He was subsequently appointed
agent for the Sioux, and his long SER
vice in that capacity gave him thor
ough acquaintance with the Indian
character. 1t was his custom to spend
the winters with the Indians, making a
trip to St. Louis or Washington during
the spring months to obtain instruc-
tons from the department of Indian
affairs.
In 1858 Colonel Vaughn established
all agency for the Blackleet on the Sun
river, forty miles above Fort Benton
ans, undertook the troublesome task OF
teaching them how to farm, taking
along good supply of farming imple-
ments and work animals for the pur-
pose. At this time Colonel Vaughn was
Sc, but he had the cheerful and lively
spirits OF man OF 40 and head as
clear and lucid as the mountain atmos-
pl,ere surrounding him. He had &C
cun1ulatcd a vast fund of anecdotes and
adventures, in his narration Of which
General Meagher seemed greatly
amused and entertained, keeping us up
until midnight.
Tie Yellowstone Park had not then
been discovered by white men, but Col
onel Vaughn had been informed Of il