The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-04-03


while the driver was eating supper.
The trial was held at Blackfoot and
he was taken to the house of correc-
tion at Detroit, where he remained
until his death. The ranchers on
Antelope creek never had peace in
the possession of their stock until
this partnership was broken up.
Madison owned little pinto mare
that he called Calico. He said she
could out run anything in the country
and wanted to know if We had any
race horses. l told him that we now
and then did little in that line l
, also told him about the indians going
to hold their big races down the
creek and he said he would be there
with both feet. So bidding them good
bye we moseyed back to our camp and
found large bear in possession. We
charged him, full tilt, but he showed
fight and we were forced to shoot
him to get rid of troublesome
neighbor. He was monster, but
very poor, as is the case with all bear
at this time of the year.
We now decided to explore the
country to see if it would pay us to
trap in that section another winter.
| did not like to take all of our pack
horses along but finally agreed to do
so. / knew that II Marsh and Madi-
son were not horse thieves themselves,
that they at least stood in with the
horse theft outfit and we might ex-
pect visit any night from them, so
early next morning we hit the trail,
straight through the mountains onto
the head waters of Alder creek.
Here we saw a great abundance Of
copper float, also galena. From here
we travelled to the head of Lost river
and down that stream to Thousand
Springs valley. We saw few sign
of beaver and otter, but not enough
to justify us in staying to traA for
them. Leaving Lost river we crossed
over a low pass Double Springs
pass), onto the Pahsimari. A dozen
small creeks emptied into the main
creek, before it in turn flowed into
the Salmon river.
There was small. amount of
beaver sign in every creek, but not
enough to suit US. Leaving the Pahsi-
mari we Travelled to the head of Little
ICst river. I;ere We also struck
few beaver sign and a small! adven-
ture.
After we went into CAM for the
II: hi we saw camp fire about a
mile above Us on the crsex We lid
no start fire for fear pf The indians.
so after eating a cold smack we went
on foot to see what we could see.
We sneaked up to within 20 yards
of their fire. There were three white
men in the camp and we layed there
about an hour listening to them talk.
We soon found that they were part
of an organized gang of horse thieves.
They would steal a bunch of horses
in Montana and drive them to Marsh
and Madison's on Antelope. Here
they would either exchange them or
after resting up bit would travel
on to Oregon where they would sell
them, then steal another bunch in
Oregon and drive them by Antelope
to Montana and repeat the operation.
l do not say that Marsh and Madison
stole horses, but it might look that
way to man up tree. Right here
we decided to guard our horses every
night while in this country. After
to these men until we were
tired. we returned to camp. Next
morning shortly after leaving camp
and while we we're crossing wide
stretch of swampy ground (old Gus
Colson's ranch) we saw a man look
ing after some lost cattle. He said
his name was McTucker. He was
a very talkative chap and came from
Snake river. He showed us a |
short cut to Big Lost river through
Pass creek canyon. He said that the
indians did not bother him, so we
bid him good bye and I hope that he
found his cattle, for he was the most
genial, whole-souled fellow that had
seen for many moons.
Uncle Mack Appears
Editors note. This was James
who conducted a butcher
business at Blackfoot for many years,
and made a trip through the Lost
river country In 1878. He was the
lirst school trustee in Blackfoot. and
'or about twenty years gave much OF
his time and attention to the school.
At Christmas time he sent oranges
by the box to supply them all, and
{ there was no money to pay
,eachers' salaries, he paid them out