The state-line herald. (North Lemmon, Adams County, N.D.) 1907-1912, 1909-05-28

timber on the east bank of the Mis-.
souri,, opposite the mouth of Crane
River, IN what is now Walwortt
County, South Dakota They pitched d
their tepCes near the hostile camp anG
at once entered into negotiations fof
the rescue of the captives. White
Lodge wa not disposed to give them
up absolutely refused to do so upon
any terms: but the boys We're persist
ent. offered to trade their horses and
other property for them, and after
much parleying, bullying, and Jockey
ing, With threats of bringing their
people, the Tetons, and soldiers to
destroy White Lodge and his band.
they succeeded in purchasing the cap
tives, trading for them everything
they possessed except two guns and
their tepec.
The weather was severe. 1t was
about the 20th of November. snow
was falling, and the captives We're
brought out to them literally naked.
White Lodge himself had never con-
sented to the trade, but the majority
of his warriors took the responsible
ity in their own hands, against his
will, and the old man threatened to
undertake the recovery of his capt
ives. The boys pitched their little te-
pee on the river bank a mile or two
below the hostile camp, wrapped the
captives in their blankets, and them
selves tramped around the tepee in
the storm to keep from freezing, and
to guard their captives from the
threatened attack of White Lodge.
The next morning they traded one
of their guns to anktonais, who
had Joined the party, for his horse, to
which they lashed one end of an ar
rangement of poles carrying sort of
basket upon which the children could
ride (the other end of the poles drag
ging on the ground, and started
down the river for the Ianktonais
camp. Mrs. Dul.y was lame, having
been shot in the foot. and had to ride
the horse. Mrs. Wright was strong
and able to walk, but had no shoes,
Martin Charger took the moccasins
from his own feet and gave them TO
her. As they We're making their way
Il la ~ INFli+n I Alf
few warriors, came down to carry his
threat into execution.
The rear guard was placed under
command of Swift Bird, and he made
the most of a display of two guns in
the party. Marching as rapidly as
they could, parleying and arguing
with the cid chief, they finally bluffed
him off, and got safely away with the
captives.
The Yanktonais, for the boys last
remaining gun, traded them an old
cart and harness, fed them, and gave
them a supply of food to last them
until Fort Pierre was reached. The
children were packed into the cart, Mrs.
Duly continued to ride the pony, and
the remainder of the party walked,
dividing into squads who assisted the
pony by pushing the cart along. In
this way in two days they reached
Fort Pierre, where with great diff
Guilty they crossed the freezing river
and were kindly received by their
own people, and the trader. Charles
+. Primeau. the Ind ian trader,
dressed the captives as we'll as he
could from lis rough stock of goods,
and after short rest they We're taken
to Fort Randall by Louis La Plant
and Frederick Dupree, two well-known
frontiersmen.
Probably there is not in history
another circumstance similar to this,
where young, untutored savages, who
fluence, at such sacrifice of effort and
of property. and with real hardship,
SO eXerted themselves through senti-
ments of humanity. Martin Charger
and his heroic comrades should al
ways be held in veneration by the
people of South Dakota. They We're
true heroes, and their brave and gen
erous deed should be properly com
memorated.