The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-05-02


! that of John Golfer, is more tina
twice-told tale. Trappers an
fur traders, pioneers and the earl
press have recounted it, and it ha
been admirably rendered in verse b
John Neihardt, the western poet, an
nephew of the founder of the tow
of Neihart. This versified narration
is now issued as text book for us
| in schools. Yet, Notwithstanding al
this publicity, comparatively few wht
live in Montana are familiar with on,
of the most interesting episodes O
frontier days.
Nothing is known of the early life
of Glass, except that he was born il
Pennsylvania, drifted west, and be
came a trapper. In 1924 he was
commonly referred to as "Old Glass
although his story really opens il
1923. He had taken part in the
Leayenworth campaign and was
ed the Henry party that was going
to the Yellowstone.
They followed up the Grand river,
their way often DISTRACTED by thick
cts of wild plum trees, and such
other shrubs and trees as are native
to that part of the country. Like
trappers, they carried few supplies,
depending upon the game killed for
their living. Glass, being an ex-
cellent hunter, was sent ahead to act
in the capacity of provider for the
party.
Near evening of their fifth days
journey, as Glass broke through a
thick growth of underbrush into an
open space, he was startled at see
ing a large grizzly, or white bear"
as they were then called, lying close
to him on the sand. Being "the fe-
male of the species" and with hun
CRY cubs anxious for meal time, she
did not lie long, but sprang at the
hunter, and tearing a piece of flesh
from his body, threw it to her cubs.
Taken utterly unawares and over
powered by the ferocious animal,
Glass could do nothing to defend
but lay there helpless while
the bear mangled him fearfully, I'M
til some other hunters came to the
spot attracted by his cries, and kill
ing the bear and her cubs, saved his
life.
But was he destined to live? That
seemed doubtful; for how could any
one survive such frightful wounds as
he had received? He was unable to
move, and was delirious at times.
His case was desperate, and the party
could not afford to be delayed long
by the disability of one of its mem
bers, from any cause. Yet these men
we're not willing to abandon their
altogether. BY the promise
Of a reward, two of their number
agreed to stay with Glass until his
recovery or death, when they could
rejoin the party.
Faithful to their promise for five
lays, the two did what they could to
help Glass. At the end of that time,
seeing he was apparently no better,
Ind that he refused to die, they left
lin, taking with them his weapons, |
ind whatever else he had. Alone in
he wilderness; helpless from his
Wounds; without shelter or food;
by wild animals and
wilder men, Glass did not die.
In some manner he painfully
ound his way to the margin of the
tream, and there, subsisting on the
Wild cherries and buffalo berries
within his reach, he slowly regained |
lis strength to the extent that he
ould move away from there.
During all this time his heart had
,een filled with bitterness because
# his abandonment, and he only
raved life that he might be reveng-
d on those two men. At first he
ould not walk; he crawled along the
in the direction of Fort
liowa on the Missouri, hundred
niles away. Berries or roots must
ave been his sole food, until he
HANGED on a buffalo calf the wolves
Iad killed, and partially devoured.
fe drove away the wolves, but how
e did this weaponless, and in his
state, is not easy to under
tand. From the calf he made
earty meal, that greatly strengthen
d him, and taking what he could
AIRY with him Of the remainder OF
he meat, continued his journey, FUR
her stimulated by thoughts of the
unishment he would administer 10
is treacherous companions, and SO
length reached Fort Kiowa.
Learning there that a boat was
bout to leave for the Yellowstone
e was only too glad to join its crew
n approaching a Mandan village J
lass, to save time, decided to cut
cross a bend in the river to Triton
,rt, post built by James Kip that
as constantly harassed by the Arl- I