The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-01-26
BRAVED
WRATH OF SIOUX
MONTANA PIONEER MEMBER OF
MCKNIGHT EXPEDITION
TO ALDER GULCH.
Caravan of $50 Men and 100 Wagons
Kept Under Army Discipline Dur
ing Progress Through Territory Of
Sitting Bull; Many Massacred on
Same Route Following Year.

In the rush in the early sixties to
reach Alder gulch from the beaten
immigrant track that led through
southern Wyoming there were many
holder spirits who were eager to run
the risk Of Indian ambush in new
paths through the wilderness in the
hope thereby of shortening their
journey by a few weeks or even a
few days. At the same time that
John Bozeman, after whom the city
of Bozeman was named, was at Fort
Laramie trying to organize a train
to take a cutoff route east of the
Big Horn mountains, a trader at this
post by the name of Mcknight was
organizing a caravan to go north
westward through the Wind River
country west of the Big Horn noun
tains, thereby penetrating the heart
of the wild region where Red Cloud
and Sitting Bull reigned over 10000
or 10000 Sioux.
Mcknight was confident that his
route offered great advantages owe
all others and he issued a call for
500 determined men to join him with
100 wagons.
Vaughn Among First to Respond.
Among the first to respond to this
appeal was Robert Vaughn, who.
though past the age of 80, is still liv-
ing at Great Falls. Vaughn spoke
for himself and four others. Out OF
the scores that passed through Lara.
mie that day bound for the new gold
diggings 20 joined the Mcknight
train. This company of close to loo
men pulled out about a quarter OF a
mile in the direction they we're tc
travel and established camp.
"This camp var a kind of 'refin'
cry" said Mr.. Vaughn recently, ir
recounting his pioneering expert
ences. Here one and all might con
slider the perils and privations likely
to be encountered. The faint-heart
ed ones took the safer route by wa!
of the South Pass. However, in {
few days we had $50 men and mor'
than 100 wagons. We were awar'
that We were going to travel through
several hundred miles of untroddel
wilderness infested by Sioux, SO
was necessary for us to be vel
armed and organized. Before start
ing We took a vote and selected
captain and two li%eutenants. and
committee of three to examine ever
one and see II he was prepared wit
guns and sufficient ammunition. an
il his outfit was substantial enoug
/, to make the trip.
Depended Great Deal on Guide.
IA paper was drawn in which we
inserted a provision that we were
stand by and defend each other q
all hazards; to this we all signed GU
names. We realized that it was
perilous undertaking. but we presse
onward. We depended a great des
on our guide. He was reared i
Canada and had been in the emplo
of the Hudson's Bay company. HI
: tact and courage. on ore than on
Z occasion. resulted in the avoidanC
of trouble with hostile Indians.
"Roll was called every evening
Each man had to be on guard fC
four consecutive hours during tn
night. To form the camp the fir'
wagon had to make a circle until
faced the hindmost one, and eac
one followed. forming thus a stool
AIDE, the horses being driven past tt
inside hind wheel of the wagon
front: after unhitching the tongr
was thrown over the wheel and res
ed on the axle. At night all II
horses and tents were on the insi(
and the sentinels were on the on
side.
Indians Taken UnaWares.
when the Sioux came to o,
camp they would go from n tel
to another in a sullen name wit