The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-05
Missoula Pioneer Fought
Way Across Piains After. Il
Civil War; ;ggq
HERO OF BIG HOLE
BATTLE IN MONTANA
Led Volunteer Forces Against
Chief Joseph and hvad-
ing Reds. va5

Fading away like old landmarks, the
pioneers of Montana are being called
one by one. and soon only history viii
remain to tell the stories OF those
courageous men who hlazed the first
trails OF civilization into the far west.
The latest to leave was Major John
b. Catlin. who died in Missoula Mon
day night after q brief illness. at the
age of 30 years. Few other pioneers
stood out more wildly az characteris-
tic OF the men who crossed the plains
In the early days and fought their way
to firm foothold In the rugged west.
Major Catlin was a fighter. Evil
deQce OF this Is shown far back IN his
life when he entered the army as Il
youth and through his bravery was
promoted to captain of his company.
That he was a man Of action Is further
shown by the fact that he started west
into Montana when the danger from
Indians was worst. Yet he fought his
way to Montana in a way that will
long be remembered by those who have
read the accounts Of his trip.
Must Go TO History.
But the Major Catlin whom the most
of us knew, as he sat placidly in his
Missoula home. was not the vigorous
youth who made that memorable trip
across the plains with Nelson Story
and others of his caliber So we can
only 60 back to the stories he often
told to get picture Of the youth who
fought side by side with seasoned
plainsmen and who later took upon
himself the burden of protecting and
leading the small handful Of settlers
who We're struggling to keep their
homes and farms from the ravishing
redmen.
Started - Farmer.
Major Catln liked to tell of the days
following the war when he attempted
farming in the Hoosier state and how
after three years of dangerous action
blowing seemed too simple. In 1866,
with a young friend ne started for the
Far West" The two went to Ne
l,raska City and there hired themselves
out as bullwhackers in wagon train
bound for Montana Territory. They
stuck with this outfit until 1t. reached
Fort Laramie. Wyo. There, having ac-
quired mule team and a pair OF
saddle horses. the two pioneers Joined
Nelson Story one OF the founders OF
Bozeman, who was taking u herd OF
Texas cattle to the Gallatin with a
wagon train of supplies for a grocery
store he was going to open.
Attacked by Hostile Reds.
On the road north the party was
attacked by a band of hostile Sioux
Threl. men were wounded and some OF
Story'S cattle were stolen. Catlin ant
the others, after fighting off the In
dams. went on the warpath them
selves, surprised the hostiles and re.
covered the stock. Later they were
commanded by troops at Fort Phi
Kearney to camp at the post unit
Indian dangers had passed. but they
didn't want to wait and so slipped
away by night into hostile country
They were attacked three times, bn,
always beat off the Indians. B!
travelling at night and camping b!
day the party managed to reach Bozc
man safely.
Catlin proceeded westward to tn
Bitter Root valley, and there remained
demonstrating near Hamilton.
Another story il told that viii caus
Major Catlih to be long remembers.
by Montanans. 1t is the account O
the battle OF the Big Hole and tn
part 50 bravely played by Major Catlil