The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-01-06
HI KNEW THE NOBLE RED MAN.

HI KNEW THE NOBLE RED MAN.
The Death at Big Stone Of an Aged
Indian Trader.
Oliver Martel, pioneer, Indian trader
and early resident, died at his home at
Big Stone of heart trouble, in his
eightyseventh year. He was BORN No.
vember 6, 1918, in Three Rivers, Que
bee, and went Il Green Bay, Wis. in
1885, where he stopped about a year,
n then went to numbering at Grand
Rapids. A good share of the early
part of his life was spent in rafting
and trading with the Chippewa Indi-
ans. as a raftsman he was a skillful
pilot, and made trips to st. Louis and
occasionally as far as New Orleans.
His occupation as an Indian trader in
those early days among the wild
tribes supplied him with an inexhaust-
ible fund of "reminiscences Of wild
scenes and thrilling adventures. On
n occasion he went to a place near
where Prairie du Chen now is, with
two other Frenchmen, to trade with
the Indians. Their negotiations were
interrupted by a quarrel between two
Indians, Of whom stabbed the 9th
er, killing him instantly. The mur-
derer attempted to escape, but was
caught by the relatives of the MUIR
dered man and brought back to be
killed. The Indian custom permitted
a murderer's life to be purchased by
gifts to the relatives of the murdered
man, and the traders undertook to
stop further bloodshed by Offering to
buy off the angry relatives. They Of
fered thirty dollars to appease the de-
mands of Indian justice, and the rela-
tives were divided as to accepting the
proposition. While the matter was
under discussion an Indian who was
, opposed to it suddenly plunged his
knife into the captive to settle the
matter, and an old Indian clinched
the argument by splitting the captive's
skull with a tomahawk.
In 1856 Mr.. Martell, having then ac-
cumulated a little capital, came to
Minnesota, and with a partner, n st.
German, built a sawmill at Water
vile, starting the settlement there.
The panic of 1857 ensued and they
I, were unable to dispose of their lumber
to advantage, and the investment
| proved disastrous. pr. Martell moved
to the Lower Agency = 1859 and be-
! gan operating a ferry across the Min
nesota river. This was his business
| at The time of the Indian outbreak in
1862 On that day, after hearing OF
the beginning Of the massacre, he
bravely stayed by his ferry until a
number of women and children who
| miles distant, were gotten across, and
then started for the fort. On the way
he met Capt. Harsh and his squad Of
soldiers, and advised the captain not
to approach the river near the ferry,
as the opportunities for ambush were
too good.
After reaching the fort Mr.. Martell
and another man, one La Croix. who
had just brought his family into the
fort, took their horses and went out
on a scouting expedition. About four
miles from the agency they found three
dead bodies of neighbors, still warm
and bleeding, and they returned to the
fort, where they assisted in it's defense
when it "a attacked, Aug. q and %.
After the fort was relieved by Gen.
Sibley, Mr.. Martell went to Faribault,
| MINI, having lost everything. He re-
! NAMED there until 1871, when he came
| to Big Stone lake and took a claim
comprising part of the Ian don which
Big Stone city now stands.
In 1873 he was appointed a member
of the first board Of county commits
sioners of Grant county, S. D., which
board organized but never did any
further business. In 1878 another set
of commissioners was appointed,
and Grant county was fully organized.
Mr.. Martell was hen appointed county
treasurer. During the previous sum-.
mer, 1877, he had visited the Black
Hills on a prospecting tour.
In 1898, when 80 years old, he went
to Alberta, Canada, and took a home
stead. and since that time has spent
most of his time there.
About three months ago., having
proved up on his claim, he returned to
Big Stone, where his invalid wife had
been residing with a married daugh.
ter. Since his return he had been
confined to the house 4 grew weak
err and weaker until the end. His flu
neral occurred under the rites of the
Catholic church, in which faith he was
reared.