The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-10-15

the denial of representation in the
dominion parliament, the number of
government employees in the member
ship Of the northwest council, the
a~utocratic powers of the governor,
and the management Of public lands.
Riel Again Made Leader
When Louis Riel left Montana and
went among these Disconnected peo-
pie in 1884, in compliance with an
invitation that had been extended to
him, it is conceded by the most pro-
minent Canadian historians, that he
spoke with great moderation, and ad-
vised only pacific measures Of re-
dress. His bill of rights which he
caused to be drafted called for the
following:
First-the division of the northwest terri
tory; secOnd-the half breeds to receive the
same. grants and other advantages Of those
In Manitoba; third-patents to be issued at
once to cOlOnists in possession of lands;
fourth-the sale of half a million acres Of
land, the proceeds to be applied to the es-
tablishment or schools and hospitals and
the supplying Of the poorer half breeds
with seed and grain and farming imple-
ments; nfth-the reservation Of 100 town
ships Of swamp land for distribution am
Ong the children Of the half-breeds during
the ensuing 100 years.; sixth-a grant Of
III AcdbL P1,OOO III AAu VI du AubbAbuLAOu " BG
conducted by the nuns in each half-breed
settlement; ~seventh-mOre liberal prOvis-
ions for the Indians.
It can be plainly seen from these pro-
visions of his bill Of rights that Riel, for
the most part avoided demands Of a poll
teal character, and that he shrewdly de-
ferred his project for a half-breed republic.
His petition was forwarded to Ottawa, and
there it was c-OntemptuOusly thrown aside.
Then Riel, encouraged, it is said, by the
report that England was about to become
engaged in a war with Russia, assumed a
more aggressive attitude. 1t was at this
time that he proclaimed himself "The Lib
orator. and established insurrectionary
headquarters at BatOuche.
DumOnt Is Commander OF Rebels
As was true in the Manitoba insurree-
ton, Riel displayed a genuine talent as
q leader ola rebellion. He promptly took
all the necessary and efficient measures
to provide a commissariat for his army
Of insurgents. He selected strategieal
points for the occupancy Of his forces, and
in this he manifested excellent judgment. Ii
the person OF Gabriel DumOnt, he chose Z
man of rare natural gifts as his military
commander to conduct the active opera
ton Of the rebellion.
At this time, many or the northern trlDe'
and nations OF full blood Indians, sClll II
a spirit OF bitter resentment against Ch'
whites were, through their chiefs and wa
leaders, ever watchful for an opportunity
to avenge the wrongs that had been perpe
trated against them. 1t was then, not a
all surprising to find many 1un Dl0O'
bands Joining forces with Riel in the up
rising. The more important OF these wa
Big Bear, leader Of the Crees, whose rea
purpose was to unite the tribes or tn
Northwest against the whites. These In
dams were responsible for many depreda
lions that were enacted in connection Wit
the rebellion.
Chief Big Bear Mnssacres whites
It is doubtful whether a history OF tn
engagements between the rebel forces an
The government would be Of interest. How
n yer, justice requires the statement tins
: Rel cannot be directly held responsible 70
the massacre which took place at tro
Lake. This was purely the work OF 81
e Bear and his warriors VINO later at1aGhs
Fort Pitt. While it may be true that ri.
and his leaders stirred up the saVages I
o 20 o. the Warp8th, RteIs men az no Ch
e. held command Of the Indian forces VINE
\ were fighting against the government
= the same time.
v There was one most important facte
lr which, Riel apparently overlooked When |
e planned the insurrection OF 1854 Inc Sal
tadian Pacific railroad, aitnougn hoy
that time completed, was OF great assis
- ance to the government In 1orWarolI
. troops from Ottawa to reinforce the NorI
west Mounted Police a,
The Nets and their allies fought va
great gallantry throughout the reDenlo
hut they were nabIe to cope with q tram
srmv. In this connection, It is InteresrlI
to note that one OF the heroes o. sHe : 3.
OF the great novelist who mas caused tne :
ternatfng smiles and tears Of millions
DeoDle the world over. Captain Dtckel
was IN command OF Fort Pitt at the tn
Big Bear and hiR band attacked the POI
demanding all the stores and ammunlu'
that the fort contained. Despite the "a
that he had but a small force OF men, -
tain Dickens refused to comply Win ~
REQUEST. He destroyed the storSs ana a.
mnnitiOn, and escaped down the river
an old scOw, which was almost as na1at
Ions an undertaking as II would nave De
: to have faced the indians IN battle.
Montana Man W&s with Riel
There is also an American MOntans
who was familiar with every detail Of {
Riel rebellion from Riel's point OF vie
Harry Rash, one OF the characters OF {
old borderland, although born in the .
tied States and white, fought with LOI
Riel in the famous rebellion. He Ferv
under Gabriel DunOnt, at a time when p.
OF Riels army waR cornered near Fort =
and was there cut 70 pieces by the Britt
sOldiery. Rash, with Dumont and so
other fugitfveg, managed 70 escape TO
United States after the disastrous def
land went to BeaTerhead county where
made hiz home. Rash said Of his exp
iences:
Riel and nis Purpose
II do not know why ] joined Riel
force Of rebels, I suppose st was 50
the spirit Of adventure that every b