The Bismarck tribune., 1919-09-23
PIONEERS TALK
OYER 0LD5TIMES
WITHGEN. SCOTT
Former Chief of Staff Holds In
formal Reception Here
r. Last Night
TELL TALES OF INDIANS
One Man Who Knew. Old Soldier
When He Was Second Lieu
tenant Very Happy


General Hugh L. Scott, retired, who
made a flying visit to Bismarck to
meet friends here, left this morning
for the Standing Rock Indian reserva-
tion.
Last night, General Scott, who was
stationed at the old Fort Abraham
Lincoln, on the west bank Of the Mis-
souri, river forty years ago, met a few
Of the men who now live here and
knew the former chief Of staff when
he was a lieutenant. They with Cen
eral Scott are all white haired now.
but that did not prevent them FROM
>recounting some of the experiences
they all went through in those earlv
days when Bismarck was hardly more
than a general store and the inhabic-
ants Of the country were mainly 1ndl-
ans.
One man related how General Scott.
then lieutenant, taught school at
the post. The pupils were all children
Of soldiers and officers stationed at
old Fort Abraham Lincoln and Lieuts
Scott was the only teacher.
"In those days." said one Of the OLD
timers, "the kids were more interested
in having battles with the Indian boyA
then they were in obtaining an eduaa- 90
ton. even though their teacher was
to become one of the best known and
beloved officers in the army and final
Ily become chief Of staff.
FIGHT SHAM BATTLE
II remember distinctly and so does
the General. when the kids obtained a
number of old rifles, ~some black pow
der that we had out on some canvas
to dry and went out a mile from the
fort to fight the. Indian boys. Tie
rifles were all loaded when the Indians
were seen. The white boys fired sew
eral yolleys and the little red boys re-
turned the fire with g fusilade Of ar
rows. .n.t a"a
"The reports of the guns were heard
at the fort and we soldiers thought
that it was another Indian uprising.
The older Indians thought the same
way. Both sides mounted their horses
and galloped to where the fight be-
tween the boys was taking place. Hap
pily no material damage had bech
done and the Indians took their
children to their tepees while we
brought our kids back to the fort"
Other pioneers among those present
had similar tales Of those frontiers
DAYS and General Scott remembered
nearly all of them very yividly. The
old soldier seemed very pleased to meet
the mem who had lived through those
exciting times with him. They all be-
lieye that General Scott is the finest
soldier that ever wore uniform AMI
were delighted with the opportunity to
once again renew acquaintance.
General Scott. now retired from
active service in the army after an OK
tremely successful career, represents
the Indian commissioner and is max
ing tour of inspection Of the various
Indian reservations in the northwest.
Being acquainted with many Of the
older chiefs and able to converse with
them in their own language, for Gen
eral Scott is very fluent in the different
languages of the Indians Of this Sec
ton of the country, the general is able
to find out from the redmen directly
whether their affairs are being
handled in a satisfactory manner aud
if they desire anything they do not
now have.
ENJOYED VISIT HERE
II have enjoyed my trip out here
very much,' said General Scott last
night, "and 1t has been pleasure to
meet these men who lived here whel
l was a younger officer. Those we're
stirring days and we all have had
wonderful experiences in living
through them"
Being no longer connected In an Of
fetal capacity with the army, General
Scott could not SAY what would be
done with Fort Lincoln, but 1t Is
known that he is favorably inclined
toward having this army post reopenetl
and used for the army air service as a
flying field. Having once held the
highest position in the peace time ns-
my, it IS felt that if General Scott
speaks favorably of Fort Lincoln as an
aviation post his advice lwill carry 4
large amount Of weight with the au'
thorities at Washington.