The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-09-04
DID NOT FIRE A SHOT
Why Thousands of Indians Melt
ed Away Before Forty Men.
A STORY OF PIONEER DAYS.
Captain McCabe Knew the Sioux Bet
er Than They Knew Themselves, and
the Indians Knew the Captains Men
Were Dead Shots and Scalp Takers.

the Indians Knew the Captains Men
Were Dead Shots and Scalp Takers.
In the pioneer days to reach Mon.
tana from Cheyenne, in Wyoming. re-
quired roundabout journey that in
volved a double crossing of the Rocky
mountains, with change of base at
Salt Lake City. The United States
government brought about a better
trail through the Gallatin valley along
the course of the Gunpowder river,
reaching around the base of the noun
tains In curvilnear form, which
avoided the heights Of the Rockies. To
protect this route from marauding In
dians three forts were built-Reno,
Phil Kearny and G. F. Smith.
In 1866 the murderous Sioux from
the Yellowstone valley pursued a san
culinary course up through the Gallatin
valley and into Montana. 1t was
marked by rapine and plumber. They
besieged Fort Reno and killed many
Of its garrison. They environed Fort
Phil Kearny and wiped from the face
of the earth every human being whose
walls 1t failed to protect. Then they
surrounded Fort G. F. Smith. where
200 soldiers found themselves sur
rounded by more than thousand
death seeking Indians. Escape seemed
impossible. A courier got word of this
condition of affairs to General Han
cock, who was then stationed at st.
Paul. and he sent a messenger to the
governor of Montana at Bozeman.
The chief executive Of the territory
of Montana at that time was Green
Clay Smith. He had been member
of congress from Kentucky, but Pres
ident Lincoln made him territorial gov
ernor Of Montana. He was seated on
the porch of his residence in Bozeman
when Hancock's message was handed
to him. To visitor he said:
"What in the name of heaven can
do? Fort G. F. Smith Is $50 miles
away. The country between here and
there is filed with Sioux Indians. Our
militia force consists Of exactly 427
men. Not man of them could reach
Fort G. f. Smith alive. am absolute
ly powerless. However. will send
for Colonel Howie."
At that time Colonel Neil Howie was
| United States marshal for the territory
Of Montana.
1t was to this man that Governor
Smith addressed himself. handing him
General Hancock's dispatch and say
| ing: Colonel, we can't do anything for
those poor devils in Fort G. +. Smith.
! Am ! not right?'
NO" said Colonel Howie quietly,
and with the gentle voice Of woman.
"There is no trouble about that. gov
ernor. We can arrange that matter
and still leave the Montana frontier
protected. will need some picked
men and a good leader for them.
think Captain McCabe is best fitted for
this undertaking. will find him."
McCabe was another gentle voiced
man, with blue eyes. He didn't make
much noise. He acted He said to
the governor: ooh. yes; it is easy
enough But I'll need forty Of the best
men | can select. You can keep the
rest of your volunteer force here"
Governor Smith looked at him in
amazement So did the visitor from
the fort They both thought he was
either insane or a braggart. Governor
Smith said to him. How in the name
of heaven do you expect to raise the
siege Of Fort c. F. Smith with forty
men when you know that 1t is sur
rounded by more than 1000 blood
thirsty Indians and that the country
between here and ther, is covered with
thousands more Of murderous SiouxT
Said McCabe quietly: "Why. gov
ernor. 1t is easy enough. The Indians
know us and know that we know
them better than they know them
selves. You folks from the east have
an idea that what you call Indian
atrocities are simply unmeaning exhi
bitions Of brutality; that scalping. for
Instance, Is simply form of torture.
In that you are mistaken. The Indian
believes that no man can go to the
happy hunting ground-heaven we call
it-who has been deprived of his hair.
! Thci" motive in scalping victim is to
| cnr ont fiendish hatred to its utmost
by preventing him from having a hap
py hereafter. Therefore to deprive an
Indian Of his scalp is to rob him Of his
hope Of happy hereafter. My men
pever kill an Indian without scalping
him, and the Indians know that. The
forty men | will select for this expedi-
tion are unerring in their aim with
the rife. They can shoot sixteen shots
In sixteen seconds, and every ball
means a dead Indian, and every dead
Indian means a scalp. and every scalp
means warrior deprived eternally Of
chance Of ever reaching the happy
hunting ground. My forty men will
walk from here to Fort c. r. Smith
without firing a shot"
Incredible" said Governor Smith.
''True." said Captain McCabe.
What was the result?
Forty men walked the 250 miles from
----.e=a ~ svli :. =. smith. inuzans