Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-22

T HE recent death of @. L. Con.
rad, one of the pioneers of
Northern Montana, and one
of its best known and highly
respected citizens, recalled many inter-
sstlng stories in which he was the CEN
tral figure. He was a member of the
convention which framed the Constitu-
ton Of the State, he founded the town
in which his beautiful home was built,
he was the president Of the town site
company and of the bank, had large
interests in many important business
enterprises, but never aspired to public
office.
One Of his friends, speaking of the
dead man, said: He was one of the
coolest men in the face of danger that
ever knew. He was also one of the
best Indian traders that ever came to
this country. He had great power
over the Indians, and made them do
as he wished. He was a member of
Moseby's band, which became famous
In the Civil War for its daring, al
though he was only sixteen years old
when he Joined the command.
II remember" said one of his old
friends, zone time, when he was one of
a small party sent to the Blackfoot
Reservation to arrest an Indian boy
who had been charged with killing a
calf belonging to the Conrad Company.
There was at least five thousand war
riors camped at the place. We found
the boy, and neither he nor his father
denied that We had the right person
Just as l had put the boy on horse
and was binding him there the father
raised his rife, levelled it at my head
and said something 1 could not under
stand. The leader of our party
whipped out his six shooter and was
about to shoot the Indian who was
aiming at me. Another Indian gave
q warwhoop, and in q moment we
were surrounded by a thousand war
riors, nearly all of whom were armed.
Things looked pretty serious for us,
and If Healy, our leader, had shot we
would have been wiped off the face of
the earth. But Mr.. Conrad grabbed
his gun and compelled him to put it
up, told the Indians that the boy
would not be harmed if they allowed
him to go with us; that he would be
tried at Benton for killing the calf,
and that, even If he were found guilty,
lie would be returned safe and well.
And if you kill u.s. he said. the sol
diers will come and kill you all. Make
the father of the boy put down his
rifle and We will promise not to hurt
the boy The rifle was taken from
the angry father but the crowd would
not make room for us to ride away.
Conrad, after parleying with them for
quite awhile in vain, told us to draw
our guns, but not to shoot until we
had to. Then he told the Indians that
the first man who touched the horses
reins he would kill instantly, and that
lf they gave us any trouble we would
kill the boy, even If We had all to be
killed in return. After moments
hesitation they began to give way as
we advanced. When we We're clear
of them We put up our guns, and We're
thankful that through the courage and
good Management of Mr.. Conrad we
had escaped with our lives. The boy
got two years in the penitentiary, and
returned to his tribe a better man,
having learned trade in prison"
Another friend told story of how
Mr.. Conrad had been taught a lesson
In hospitality by an Indian. "Conrad
used to have a cabin near his place of
business" said the story teller, "where
he allowed the Indians to put up
when they came to trade. One day an
| oIJ Tn r,;1
famous hunter, came with an un-
usually fine lot of skins and furs, and
Conrad, being anxious to make n good
trade, told the old man to make him
self and his family at home in the
cabin, which they did. The next day
| the Indians wares We're examined,
and trade, highly satisfactory to
the white man, was consummated.
But Tail Feather was so well pleased
with the cabin and its comforts that
he told his host that he would stay
several weeks. Conrad limited that
other Indians might come and re-
quire the place, but the old Indian
would not take q hint, and finally had
to be told that he must move on.
81 will go,' said the crafty old man,
but you have taught me a lesson.
Next year, when [ come with a load
of skins, l will trade when am ready
to return home, and not when | ar
rive. I have learned that you like me
better before than after the trade
Mr.. Conrad said that Tail Feather
had taught him good lesson in polite
ness as well rs in Indian business
matters" New York Tribune.
SAILOR GIRLS ADVENTURES.
A singular story of the sea was told