The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-20
set out afoot for Fort Benton.
0TndianciD

AlNAAASs
Just about a half an hour after his
departure, the alarm, "Indians!" went
forth and every man seized his rifle and
ammunition, prepared for another battle.
The Sioux were plainly visible on their
gallOping ponies rounding the top of a
rise not far from the settlements rise
over which the Fort Benton trail passed,
n to the crest Of which the Frenchman
was climbing totally unconscious of the
peril which confronted him. He was in
full view Of the whites below; and these
sought by shouting to warn him Of the
impending danger. However, unhearing
and u~nheeding he plodded on his way.
Unsuccessful in their attempts to warn
the man, and discerning the deliberate
preparations of the Sioux to kill him, the
white men stood a few minutes in doubt.
Then, as though by common impulse,
they leveled their guns and opened fire
upon the Frenchman. They believed that
his destruction was inevitable, and it
was thought better that a friendly hand
should speed the bolt and thus deprive
the Sioux of their expected triumph.
A Miraculous Escape
The bullets ratified round the French
man like hail, but he seemed to bear a
charmed life, and he continued steadily
on up the hill. Presently he came face
to face with the waiting reds. They
dashed upon him and a Sioux warrior
struck the man across the face with the
fiat side of a sabre. This seemed to
rouse the Frenchman from his stupor.
With a tremendous bound he cleared the
throng and leaped down the steep hill
side. The Indians, surprised, o. after
him, but he seemed unusually fleet of
foot and they could not overtake him on
the slope. BY this time, the whites took
advantage Of the situation which had
lured many of the iou close to the set
Element, and they opened up a hot fire
upon the reds. This checked the Sioux
and the frantic, breathless Frenchman
was enabled to reach the town in safety.
Hopes Fade
During the summer of 1870, the Mon
tana Hide 81 Fur company closed its
doors and one by one the other traders
and the woodlands left the scene OF
vanished hopes. In August, Colonel Glen
DENIM found himself alone with a few
employees and his establishment. Mus
selshell City, as a town, had ceased to
exist, and Fort Benton proceeded to pros
per just the same as though no effort
had been made to deter her progress
However, Colonel C~lendennin was a mar
of great determination. He proposed tC
remain at his fort at the mouth of the
Musselshell and he here rebuilt a strong
fortified post. Fort four years he re.
manned r~esolutely in this dangerous re-
gion with a garrison Of from five to eight
men. He traded with the Indians anC
conducted a woodward.
Fort Sheridan
Volumes could be written about TIT
narrow escapes and experiences at For
Sheridan as Colonel Clendennin called
his post. There were some further TRACE
dies, as well. During the winter Of 1870
| IL Colonel Clendennin vel to Fort Eli
/ as post trader n during his absence h
left Tom Bogy in charge Of the post a
the mouth Of the Musselshell. About thu
} first Of January, Bogy sent an old noun
tainman named John Ross across the rive
to procure an ash pole to be used as
wagon reach The man was aCcOmDanie,
l by Charles Mcknight. Young McKnigh
!, had just come up the river from b east
!. Night came and the men failed to return
to h post. Early the following morn