The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-05-22
HOW EDWARD ROSE, OUTLAW, AND POWER
AMONG THE CROW INDIANS, HELPED THE
FUR TRADERS 1N DIFFICULT TIES WITH REDS

Aricaras. These entered upon tht
campaign, with the expectation Of
plundering the villages.
Indians were always uncertain
allies, and this instance was no ex-
ception to the rule. They fought
we'll at first, but discouraged by the
bravery of the Aricaras, decided ii
was safer to invade the corn fields
of the enemy. AT one time it was
feared they might transfer their al
legiance to the besieged.
Rose, during this campaign, was
a member of Ashleys' company,
with the rank of ensign. After it
became evident that the Aricaras
were pretty we'll subdued, he was
sent into the villages to learn whe-
Their they were sincere in the de-
sire for peace they had expressed.
Rose reported that they were anx-
ious to come to terms with the
whites, and acting IN this infor-
nation, Colonel Leavenworth pre-
pared a treaty, which the Indians
were willing to sign, but which did
not meet with the approval of Pill
cher or Vanderburgh, who held
that this leniency on the part of
the whites, would be looked upon
by the Indians, allies and van
pushed alike, as an evidence of
weakness.
By the terms of the treaty the
Indians were required to return to
General Ashley, what they had
taken from him. This they did not
do, and it became necessary to
force their compliance. Col. Leav-
enworth was reluctant to do this,
and postponed his attack until the
following day. Rose told him the
Indians were planning to leave
their villages, and if the attack was
postponed there would be no at
tack. as the villages would be
empty.
Colonel Leavenworth. like Ash
thought he understood the sit
uation, and was uninfluenced by
the information Rose gave him.
The next morning it was discover
ed that the Indians had escaped
during the night, and again proof
was given of the trustworthiness of
the interpreter.
That Colonel Leavenworth val
ued Roses services highly is
evinced by his report to General
He says that Rose was
he only one who could be persuad-
ed to go into the Aricara villages,
md that he went into them several
Further, Colonel Leaven-
states, Il have since heard
is not a man of good character.
Everything he told us, however,
vas fully corroborated."
The records of the military ex-
petition of 1925 show that Rose
-endered valuable assistance on
many occasions. The Indians liked
lin. When the Aricaras were
lbout to attack the Ashley party,
first warned Rose, who was
With it, to save himself. In a civ
lized community he was held to-
,e a criminal; among the Crows
lie was regarded as a hero, or he
not have been made a chief.
Instead of seeking to be re-
on the ract that had out
.wed him, he was uniformly will
ny to help the white men who en-
him, and they all bear testi-
nony in his favor. The Crows,
lso, with whom he was allied,
we're indebted to him for aid. Once,
yhen the Blackfeet, or more likely,
he Grosventres of the Prairie, in
AIDED the Crow country, there was +,
fierce battle waged, in which the :
were victors, and the !
rows about to retreat, when Rose +
on the scene. :
The Blackfeet had strongly in
-enched themselves on a hill from
hitch the Crows were unable to
islodge them. Rose goaded the
rows to action by accusing them
{ being towards. He then him
IF led the charge that put the
lemy to flight, and won the day
,r his followers.
One story makes Roses death as
oectacular as his life was event
Il, but whether it is true or not
as never been proven. According
this he, and a band of Crows,
ere attacked by Aricaras. These
.ey were able to hold off for al
ne, and until in a final effort to
i've them into the open, the Ari-