The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-10-12

representations as WE'LL Major Cul
bertson Jared little better at tn
hands of Sir George.
Sir George engaged a mackinay
boat from Culbertson at the rate o
dollar foot, but upon Culbertson'
attempt to take advantage of ST
Georges necessities the latter refus
ed to take the mackinaw and bull
one for himself. Failing to realiz,
what he esteemed a fair price fol
his wagons and surplus stores from
the American Fur company, Sit
George caused three wagons, twenty
carts, the harness for all, and &
large quantity of provisions and
other stores to be heaped together
on the bank of the river and burned
The iron was afterwards all collected
and thrown into the stream, except
what was given in presents.
The winter of 1855 and 1856 was
passed by Sir George at Fort Berth
old, portion of his party descend
ing by river and the remainder by
land. The land party had some diff
ficulty with the Hunkpapa or Black
feet Sioux, on the Little Missouri.
The trading post there had been adj
vised of the visit of Sir George and
extortionate prices ordered to be
charged for everything sold him. This
soon became apparent to Sir George
and his purchases were accordingly
very meager. He even took up his
lodgings for the winter in one of
the earth lodges of the Indians in
that locality. The next spring he
returned to the east.
Sir George was, in 1854, about
forty-five years of age, of medium
height but rather stout, bald head,
short side whiskers, a good walker
but poor horseman, a good shot from
a rest, but rather Indifferent offhand.
He was very fond of hunting and was
very successful in the pursuit. He
rarely, if ever, went unattended, his
party usually comprising seven men.
He never loaded his own gun, but
after firing passed it to an attend
ant, who gave him another ready
charged. He drank sparingly, TAX
ing only toddy after breakfast. After
breaking camp in the spring he rare
ly laid over day until he went into
winter quarters, but he generally
started late in the morning, moved
leisurely, hunting as he went, and
camped early in the afternoon. He
had very little difficulty with the
Indians, never an engagement. Bost-
wick says he never heard that the
Indians complained of Sir Georges
destruction of game.
Travelling Bed Room
Sir George was provided with
wagon of very peculiar de-
sign. 1t appeared like an ordinary
open box-spring wagon, but by put
ting cranks on four points near the
corners and turning all at once top
was lifted into view out of the bed,
which converted it into a comfort
able carriage or bedroom, as might
De desired. Sir George had rather
he appearance of an unsociable man
)ut when addressed courteously al
ways giving a courteous reply, and
lpon subjects that interested him
night be easily drawn into animated
His men rather res
,ected than loved him, but none ever
lad occasion to complain of injustice
nd when their conduct gave him sat
sfaction it was his pleasure to re-
yard them beyond the terms of his
greement. His generous disposition
5 illustrated by the following anec-
otes:
He once purchased a horse from
oe Merrival, for which he paid the
ull price asked, viz, $3.50. Having
ccasion to ride the horse soon after,
pom his return from a few hours
xcursion, he sent for Merrival and
aid: 81 have tried the horse bought
rom you and find him worth more
han you ask. Here is one hundred
ol1ars more, which makes the cost ,
carer his true value"
At Fort Union, when parting from
i'm, Bostwick desired to purchase a
art, harness and few other sup ]
lies. Sir George said he would sell /
lem to him at fair valuation, and |
ot only gave Bostwick all he asked 7
ut added so many articles that he z
i'd not called for that Bostwick be- +
Lme alarmed and told the stewrd a
at he hadn't money to pay for so i
UGH. The steward went to Sir q
gorge and received the orders: "Let b
m have the goods and charge him n
relye dollars" and that was all he
ould receive from Bostwick for q
operty to the value of several hum q
ed dollars. a
Here is the place to give an ac- t;
ant of the attempts at extortion. O
Fort Laramie, Sir George had an fl
reement with Bissonette to supply is
J party with cattle for beef at $40 81
head. Sir George paid this price G
promptly and readily that it oc- 81
rred to Bissonette to try to prac-
Q little extortfon Sir George M
S wealthy and would hardly COM it
lin if he had to pay little more gt
: his beef, and so he raised the o,
ce to $50 head, but the result
8 Sir George promptly ceased to %,
al with him and would not buy pr
other head at any price. VIC
--o-------- ia
Bumrfr. CroDs Near WifgaII -,