The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-08-27

had last seen Custer when the Sioux
Indians started the final drive that
extcrminated the little band. He told
how he had mingled with the Sioux
for several days and later escaped TO
give the first news to the world oil
the killing Of Clusters party.
The Topeka papers gave the AFFAIR
considerable publicity. The attention
of the heads Of the Historical Society
was attracted. They invited the ia
nous Indian" to speak at several OF
the sOciety's meetings and finally they
planned patriotic civic parade in his
honor Curly" was urged to march
at the head of the procession.
This honor he declined, as he did
not have his costume with him and
a complete costume was brought forth
from the archives Of the society. All
Topeka stood on the streets and
watched the sole survivor Of the Gus
ter party" lead the procession.
Lessee OF 10000 Acres.
Some one mentioned that the socie-
TVS art gallery lacked a likeness OF
Curly" and he was taken to one OF
Topekas leading photographers A
portrait Of unusual size and expense
was prepared and mounted in heavy
gilt frame. With due ceremony the
photograph was to be hung by the
side of others whose memories are
dear 10 the Historical Society mem
bcrs,
Soon it became known among To-
pekans that "CurIcy" also was presi-
dent of the Yellowstone Ranch Com
pany Of Butte and lessee Of about TO-
900 acres Of grazing land in Montana.
He told about a town that he also
owned, several motor cars and had
more than 100000 head of sheep graz
ing on the range. To a few he let it
be known he also was government
land agent" He said the ranch was
to be thrown open to settlers on July
10 by the government and he prob
ably would be heavy loser.
The sympathy Of many Topekans
are easily aroused. ThereupOn the
Indian" told them he would sell them
filing papers on the land for $l2j an
acre. After the government had con-
Quoted its sale he would buy back
the land for $40 an acre, he said, A
little Formally Of securing a filing
contract was all that was necessary,
. Curly" said. lie sold the filing fees
for $32 a section and did land-otfice
business. according to Mr.. Robertson.
Even the Topeka government land
agent purchased fling contract, Mr..
Robertson said. and the extent OF
"CurIys" operations probably never
will be known for those who fell for
the scheme are not anxious to attract
additional publicity Contracts were
signed, one after another until Cur
ly" is known to have collected $1,000,
and then he disappeared.
known rs Mcintosh.
Several days elapsed before the rude
awakening came. Suddenly Topekans
realized they had been victims in a
scheme that has been operated in at
least six other states during the last
five years, supposedly by the same
man Members Of the Historical So
ciety made guarded comments Of the
Indian" and the likeness Of Curly"
the Grow" was forever barred from
the sOciety's gallery,
Curly the Grow is also known to
the federal authorities as Ben Mcln-
tosh. The real Indian is on the Crow
reservation in Montana. 1t is record
ed in historical works that he can
neither read nor write. Mcintosh is
known to have been impersonating
Curly the Grow" for about six years.
He Is first known to have taken the
part of Clusters scout in wild West
show
Mr. Robertson said Mcintosh was ar
rested in st. Louis two years ago by
state officials for conducting scheme
to deiraud His glib tongue and per-
suasIye manner led the arresting Off
Ger to believe he really was Curly
the Crow" Mcintosh is said to have
induced the officer to purchase two
railways tickets to Montana to inves-
tigato the Indians" ranch and to
l,.,.o oroo,od ,,,bor tho train gtoDDed