The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-07
THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CAUGHT MAPPING.
How the United States Lost the Only Remaining Herd of Buffalo.

Recently the Canadian Government, by a striking coup d'etat, secured the greatest herd of bison in captivity, and by returning them to an immense pre- served tract in their native haunts on the plains of the great West have ar rested natural extinction with such complete success that within few years they anticipate possessing a huge herd of these animals. The story of how this deal was consummated, says writer in the December Wide World Magazine, and how the United States lost a great opportunity of be- coming possessed of one of the finest animal attractions in the world, con- stitute an interesting romance.
 When the slaughter was at its height, some thirty years ago, Flat head Indian, known as Walking Coy Alberta, and as result of his buff falo- hunt secured about twenty prime beasts, which he sold to another half breed Indian of his tribe for two thou sand dollars. Michael Pablo, the new owner of the animals, is a shrewd Realizing that the bison in it's natur- al, state would soon become a thing of the, past, he turned them loose up- on the Indian reservation in Montana, leaving them to wander and roam of their own free will over an area of SOIIl6 HIIy SAudIG Dy lIGt11S them in this manner, and protecting them against destruction, he conclud- ed that they would propagate freely, since the conditions were highly con- ducive to such a result.
 When the United States Government took the bison under it's protective wing it could not acquire Pablo's herd, as it was the private property of an individual, and the Flathead was at liberty to deal with his animals just as he felt disposed. He himself was under the protection of the Govern ment, but that did not apply to his stock, and so he felt perfectly secure
 But one day Pablo received disquiet- ing news. He was informed that the Limited States Government had decid- ed at an OppOrtune moment to throw the Indian reservation open to settle ment. When that happened, what was he to do with his herd? He declined was to the authorities, hurried to Washington and expressed his readi- ness to sell. The Government offer ed to relieve him of his stock at SIS per head. Pablo refused hotly and laughed at the parsimonious offer.
 At this juncture things took sud- den turn in his favor. MT. Howard nadian Parks, had heard about Pab- los wonderful herd and was cogni- zant of the American negotiations. He forthwith hastened to Ravalli to open negotiations with the Indian for their acquisition. It was a delicate task, as Pablo, who could not speak word of English, viewed the Eng ish-speak- ing race with extreme suspicion, heightened by the treatment he had received from the American authori- ties. The pourparlers were very ted ious, as the Indian was still in treaty with the United States Government, but the deal was clinched in three months, when MT. Douglas offered to take the whole herd of six hundred head at least, at $2O0 apiece, making, $120,000 for the whole consignment. The bar gain was struck and Pablo signed a contract undertaking to hand the an- imals safe and sound to MT. Howard at the point of shipment. Pablo chuckled with delight for he had accu- mulated wealth suddenly, an6his fore sight in buying up Walking Coyotes twenty buffalo, nearly thirty years be- fore. had paid him handsomely: To- day Pablo is reckoned' a veritable Croesus. among Indians.