The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-17

| In the winter Of lS+S-i9 William T.
| Hamilton. n moro Familiarity kno yn
| az "Rill" Hamilton. was In camp with
I a PARTY of IRE. trappcrs In small
basin in the Pryor mountains. This
was In u section of country after
ward set apart FOR tho Crow Indians
| IN the southern part OF what liz now
Montana. In those DAVIS II was fire.
aucnted only by the Indians.
The party had been trapping the
previous fall on the various streams
from Wind river TO Pryor creek, and
Mhen the streams fro2c up the several
bands OF trnppers In that section came
together Tor the purposes Of protec-
ton. Here the essentials of the noun
taineer-- grass, water. fuel and game
were abundant, The party planned to
stay In this camp until spring and
then trap back along the stream 10
market at Green River.
Return Safely.
shortly after the trappers had gone
into camp. five or the number were
sent to Green River for ammunition
and supplies. These men were cx-
ON Christmas day they had not re-
turned and fear was felt that they had
encountered an Indian war party. In
thcS afternoon OF this day the look :
outs from IA prominent butte dis
covered seven men coming rapidly
across the plains toward camp with
six pack animals. Tho lookouts sig
raled to camp that n party was coming,
evidently white men. but whether
composed Of the absent comrades the
watchers were unable to ascertain.
All doubts. however. soon set aside
ms the party came riding into camp,
and the well filled packs were evil
dcnces OF n safe journey for the sup
plies. The seven men in the party was
composed OF the five trnppers and two
gentlemen from New York who had
come out to spend the winter with the
trappers In camp.
Tsndsrfsst Arrive.
The reason the trappers were over
due was because Of the delay back Mt
Green River accustomed by these men
getting their outfit together They
had arrived at Green River the same
day the trappers reached there and
had brought II letter from some whole
sale merchants In the east TO Francis
Bosey. stating that they wanted to
spend the winter with some reliable
trapperx and have IA chance to study
the life and habits OF the mountain
GERS.
The camp selected by the trappers
Wan adyantagsously situated to ward
OF possible attacks from the Indians
ana to discover the approach Of any
hostile party.
set in. 1t showed for three days.
about ~ inches OF snow falling. but
on the 30th Of the month II had
cleared up and the trappers organized
a hunt for the benefit OF the guests.
and at the same time replenish the
supply Of meat. Five OF the .rappers
and the New York men saddlcd up for
the hunt. Those who remained In
camp cleared away the snow from
around the lodges and prepared buff
falo meat for pemmcan.
The hunters came across some deer
and antelope about Il mile from camp.
shot n, them, but were advised llot
to do so since buffalo and elk were not
far distant, and shooting would prob
ably alarm them. They proceeded
about half a mile from the ridge and
discovered a small band OF buffalo
browsing. crouching around the sum
NIT Of the ridge the men and one OF
the trappers were motioned to fol
low up a small draw 80 al to get the
advantage of a flank fire. When all
were In place they fired close together
and had the satisfaction Of seeing two
fat cows fall down and another
wounded. The rest OF the band STAN
peded. Four of the trarpers were
mounted on their choicest runners and
we're sent among them. Each selected
a fat COW and giving chase soon
brought her down. As this gave the
trappers all the meat they wanted.
two OF the trappers remained to carry
the choice parts TO cam, and The rest
Of the party went after other game.
Sight Mr.. eruin.
They had not gone far when they
came across the track OF the bears
which they had discovered previously.
Following them for Il mile or more the
trappers found their course ran down
canyon toward n cotton wood grove.
AZ it was not possible to take the
horses down. they were lett with one
man In charge and the rest OF the
trappsrs advanced down the canyon to
the grove. The men advanced about
two-thirds Of the distance through the
grove. when 1t was discovered that the
snow was trodden down at the upper
end Of large fallen tree. which was
evidences that there was the bear den.
Reuss Thorn With Shot.
Aften consulting Il moment 1t was
determined to fire one shot from
pistol at what was thought to be the
bear den in order to stir them up and
drive them out. II possible. toward the
men on the knoll, az 1t was the desire
OF the trappers to give these men a
! shot at the bears. No sooner was
the pistol fired than out came three