Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-06-02
DEATH TAKES
CAT TIE QUEEN
Of MONTANA
Mrs. Nat Collins of Te-
ton County Dies at age
of II Years.
Crossed Plains by Wag-
on rain When But IS.
Years of Age.
Special to The Tribune.

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Choteau, June Mrs. Ma
Collins, n, for many year.
known as the Cattle Queen Of
Montana" and one of the most
widely known pioneers Of the
state, died at her home here
last Saturday morning as the
result of a general breakdown
due to the infirmities of old
age.
She was buried Sunday morning in
the cemetery here. the Rev H. F.
church conducting the services il the
presence of a large coneonrse OF
friends, many Of whom had known Mrs.
was called. for nearly 40 years.
Borne BY Old Time Friends.
The pail bearers, all old time friends
Of the Collins family, were George F.
Miller, A. G. Burbank. Henry Redcliffe.
E. J. Osgood. J. r. Young and J. W.
Ward. ALI of them had known Mrs.
Collins during the nearly half century
that she and her husband. who died
eight years ago had been engaged in
the cattle business in the Bellview
of Teton county.
Mrs Collins is survived by dau2h-
ter. Mrs. Carrie Collins Salmond. wife
Of Frank Salmond ranchman of this
place, and by brother. Chan Smith.
If Browning Mrs. Collins was me.n-
,er of the Society of Montana Pioneers
and was the author of book, The
Cattle Queen" which was narrative
IF her own life and adventures upon
he plains Of Montana. Six months ago
;he proved up on a homestead under
Ter second right.
Crossed the Plains in 1859.
Mrs. Collins. whose maiden name
vas Elizabeth Smith, crossed the plains
With her parents to Denver in 1889.
;he was at that time u years of age.
n 1852 she accompanied her parents
O Montana by mule train. The trip
vas made through Wyoming and was
only after many hard |
hips and incidents which Mrs. Collins
vas fond of relating -.= |
When the train was only five days /
Mt of Denver it stopped to allow a |
herd of buffalo to pass. !
When the animals were gone it was !
that they had been driven
Y Indian hunters. who Immediately !
ave UP the chase to visit the wagon
rain.
The emigrants. wishing to be as
riendly as possible. offered the In
ians food. That was the first and
My time, Mrs. Collins afterwards said
lat she ever saw Indians seat their
luaws about the fire and allow them
/, be served first Then the men
aated themselves and the squaws
aited upon them. The Indians fol-
wed along with the wagon train for
lree days but finally left it.
Served as Train Scout.
Mrs. Collins. because of her ability
J horsewoman and her keen eye
ght and hearing, was appointed a
ember of the force of scouts which
lch day covered the advance and the s
anks OF the wagon train for signs Of
dians and game. Indians were en-
untered OH the Rig Horn river but
we no trouble. The manner in which |
e Indians crossed the river with their
miles and their belongings was de-
iIueu w MTS. 1OtHnS.
Papooses, tents and other belongings
the. tribes were thrown into buf-
10 robes in which holes for breathing
q been cut and the robes were then
avn taut with buckskin thongs. Sew
q! or the men mounted their horses.
ok the ends of the strings in their
'uths and thus forded the river. In
IN squaws and larger children clung
the sides of the robe canoes and
re drawn across the stream. n
one day Mrs. Collins was cutting @,
AK from buffalo when she heard 4
rash in the bushes and looked up to !" "
grizzly bear coming toward her. 81
jumped into the wagon and the o.
II TOOK the meat in his mouth and III
'ceeded down the river. +.
Married In Helena, 1874. az az
n 1874 Mrs. Collins was married to &C
collins In Helena. With drove
cattle and horses, she and her hus- BIT
10 crossed the plains and settled in M
son county on the Hay Coulee ranch. CT
niles north Of Choteau and still til
ned BY Mrs. Collins at the time of bu
death. ' o ~
lor many years Mrs. Collins took We
act1ve part in the conduct and man I
ment Of the ranch. The cattle were CT
ZEN to Helena for shipment and she pc
ays accompanied her husband on the va
=: fordins the Missouri river with ex
peer herd near where the Great Of
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