The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-07-15

and had been roaming practically
unrestrained over the entire territory
These sayages were the very ones,
who a little later ambushed and de-
stroyed General Clusters command on
the Little Big Horn river AT this
time General Curtis was in command
of the western division of the United
States Army with headquarters at St
Louis. He had sent Col. Darlington
with a full regiment out on this trail
with instructions to build three forts,
the first of which was to be known as
Fort Philcarney. These forts were
to guard a route into Montana which
Curtis recommended on account of
the abundance of water and grass
which was to be found in the sec
tion travelled Darlington and his
men were also expected to improve
the trail at various points and to sub
due the hostile Indians. Dow's out
fit was the first loaded train to at
tempt the Journey. Dow and his par
~ arriving at the proposed sight OF
Fort Philcarney on a Wednesday night
found that Darlington and his regi-
ment at this point. and quite to their
astonshment, learned that he had not
commenced even this first fort, and
had no idea of venturing further into
the hostile region He reported the
Indians as active enough. so that his
men could not go into the woods TO
cut timber. They told OF party OF
fur traders. all being killed, but a few
miles away the previous week. DOW
had with him eight teamsters and
cook and others had Joined his tram
until there was an aggregate OF rs
wagons. Dow's men were all just out
of the regular army and spelling for
an Indian fight. Each had a re-
peating rifle and an abundance of am
unition. Mr.. Dow thought best how
ever to await the arrival of other over
land wagon teams which were soon
expected The first of these arrived
on Saturday evening 1t proved to
be a government expedition of from
rs to 100 men with Col. Sawyer OF
Sioux City, Iowa in command. Saw
yer, who had been over the route not
many months previous had con-
tract with the government to build
road through what was known as
BoZemans Cutt Off from Fort Phil
carney on the Platte River across the
Little Big Horn and through to Boze-
man, Mont. Taking Dow's and Saw
yer's trains together they made an
of SO wagons and l44 men
resolute and fully armed. 1t was de-
termined to set out Monday after a
meeting In which the perils OF the
Journey were fully discussed and in
" hich the most thorough arrange
nents were made and each man to be
1t all times, rifle in hand.
Indians were in sight all the time
md on the second day out a party OF
20 mounted on western ponies made
IN attempt to stampede the cattle
while they were unyoked and grazing
It the noon hour. The war-hoop OF
he Indians was answered by rifle fire
rom the wagon men, the leading In
Ian pony being shot down. This
the other ponies and the In
Iians turned and made their escape |
O the Mountain side where the bal |
nee of the party, appearing to num-
Der a thousand or more were awaiting |
hem. This seemed to teach the
iavages a needed lesson and while |
hey were oft times near by they did
Tot make an attack again during the
.ntire journey. 1t should be noted
hat the Dow-Sawyer party passed, at
he Little Big Horn, over the exact |
pot where the Custer massacre oc-
urred a few years later. They found |
he Big Horn river too high to ford
md Mr.. Dow nearly lost his life in |
hp attpmnt that was made to get the |
,arty across. They finally found up
he river a half-breed Indian who was
operating a rough kind of ferry and
arranged with him to take their wag- |
ms across. paying him $4,000 for
he service. During tho journey
which occupied four months they had
me drive of 35 miles without water