The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-17
Experiences Of Trappers
During Pioneer Days IN
Southern Part of Montana
New Workers, Looking for Excitement Discover
Plenty When They Join "Bilr Hamilton,
Famous Hunter Of the State

bears with terrible groWls. Another
pistol shot In unison put the bears to
flight and they rushed for the upper
end of the grove beyond which tho
New York men were atatloneo,
+, The trappers followed in pursuit und
soon heard several shots In close sue
cession pesirious Of learning the re-
suits OF these shots the trappers rushed
out OF the brush and there not so feet
from the rocks where tho two men had
been stationed. bear badly wounaed
was rolling and tossing In the snow.
The other bear had got off about q
hundred yards and was hit and was
now coming back 10 take vengeance.
The New York men had forgotten to
reload their guns and two Of the trap
per hurried to them and offered their
guns. They were soon able to place
their enemies hors dc combat. The
tnppera quickly had the hides
stripped. returned to the horses and
Ii to In the afternoon.
made way to camp. which was reached
Prepare for Surprise.
This was the season when experi-
enced trappers laid in their spring and
fall supplies. for when the trapping
season begins they have enough to do
, looking after their traps and horses
and keeping an eye out for Indians.
That night the trv,ppers had u council.
Being we'll acquainted with Indian tao
| tics. they agreed that Ii any Indians
were In the country and heard any
shots during the day, they would like
~ pay visit that night. Therefore
with duo preparations for u night raid,
the trappers rolled In their blanletp
for nights rest. 1t was bright.
frosty. starllt night. About 1 O'Clock
the growing OF the dogs startled the
trappers. but on looking about nothing
could be seen. The horses In the corral
were quiet. no tho men returned once
more to their blankets. About 2:SO
the dogs rushed to the corral, giving
mouth and h~-trrrprrs were nj once
Ia pursuit. Seven Indians were dis.
covered trying 10 get at the horses.
Az the trappers approached the In
dinns scattered and bent n haaty no.
treat but not soon enough to escape
the bullets from the trappcrs' guns.
Two OF them We're mortally wounded
and the dogs soon had them by the
throat. The trappers chased the other
Indians some distance and then re.
turned to camp. Two or the mountain
GERS had received arrow wounds-
Russell. n wound In the cheek, and Nell
son. one In the thigh
Upon arrival at the camp the tran
rers held another council. 1t was de-
eided that none OF these fndinns
sEenlC escape 70 bear the news OF the
iocntion Of the camp. for then /. was
almost certain visit would be laid
by n largo force. close lookout was
Kept until morning and Mt daybrcak
Ten tihppers with the two quests
started on the trail Of the Indiana.
About quarter Of mile from the
camp, considerable blood on the trail
OF one OF the Indians was discovered.
IL was plain that he nad received n
Dad wound during the fight the prev
ions night and could not have gone
much farther. A shart lookout was
then kept, for an Indian. like coyote.
will fight when cornernd, and many
Il brave white man has been kiilAd
bf rash approach to an Indian 80 ,.aAr
expired as 10 be unable to walk.
short distance forward was found
the tracks OF the other four Indians
CO n.ng from the right and Joining
the tran of the one wounded. They
followed the ridge where the snow was
not so deer, IL was broad daylight
by this time, the snow about a foot
deep, the mounts in prime condition, SO
az TO enable the trappcrs to press on
az IA rapid gait. After going on about n
mile the traprers came upon a spring
flowing into Pryor creek. The Indians
had left the ridge and turned down the
branch The trail was seen to enter a
patch OF willow which the mouptaineera
cifcied. and found four tracks coming
out at the lower end of the willow
grove. They had gone ON, leaving the
wounded one behind, probably expect
ing TO return for him after they had
signaIled their band.
Red Killed by Own Arrow.
II was agreed 10 get the Indian with
out shooting, II possible. az the noise
might be heard by the four Indians
ahead and warn them that they were
pursued. Two men dismounted and
went into the willows. In about five
minutes IA rustling was heard, then an
imprecation, when all was still. In 4
Few minutes the men made their ap-
pearance. carrying a war bonnet, fancy
blanket. pipe. and bow and arrows.
The Indian had been discovered, as ex-
peeted. with bows and arrows fitted for
use, when the men had sprung upon
him before he could Use his weapon
and put him to sleep with his own ar
row.
BY this time the SUN was shining In
all its glory. But the tlappers, how
ever, We're thinking Of something else
than scenery. Self preservation Ia said
to be the first law Of nature. 1t 80
extremely necessary that the remaininR
four Indians be sent to their happy
hunting grounds lest they tell their ex-
perience in the main war party.
Accordingly, the trappers were soon