Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-03-11
How Light of Eagles Plume" and
His White School Master JOurneyed
to Black Eagle Falls in Early Days

So it was that Umatilla, chief of the
Cascades, was well pleased 10 see the young
chief Light of the Eagles Plume attend
the white masters school. With great
dignity he made the master understand
that he wished Benjamin taught that which
would best fit him TO become a truly great
and noble chief and rule his people wisely
for not many years did the old Chief Una
tilla have 10 live.
TIL white schoolmaSter and benjamin
became great friends. The first time the
Indian boys attention WAS called to the
letter "A he said ii was a fox trap, which
caused his white teacher to smile. One OF
7 the text books used az that time was one
telling Of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
and in il was a description of a nest of
wonderful black eagles found, and so
named ut Black Eagle Falls. on the Mis-
souri, in Montana.
The description so fired the imagination
of young BENJAMIN that he begged his
white teacher to undertake a trip with him
to get the plumes of the black eagle. The
old chief was willing. since the boys
heart was set upon IL. Eagerly Benjamin
made plans for the trip-the black eagles
plumes-rare indeed, were fitting adorn-
ment for a chief. "One for you, father.
one for me, and one for Boston tilicum'
This name for the white mastery" said
BenjaInin. and he continued earnestly.
You will always wear yours, father ?"
Always said the old chief grayely. And
= 800 80 N0aA bAh IiVAhA1tt int
young chief.
There was to be vacation in the school
that fall and in the beautiful month of
October the Yankee schoolmaster and Ben
1amin set forth on their Journey TO Black
Eagle Falls,
Under the skillful guidance Of the young
Indian sthey made the head waters OF the
Columbia. packing the light canoe across
10 the Jefferson river and thence sailing
Town TO Missouri to Black Eagle Falls.
There Wprp pQ VG NJ crpb haoufv fhof for
many hours at Il time the white master
was content to lie on his back and dream
as the canoe glided through scenes of sur
passing loneliness. The young Indian
Greek god propelling a wondrous boat
through enchanted waters. so regal was
his bearing. 50 inspired his countenance.
The two fell in with various Indian
tribes-doubtless they met up with the
war-like Nez Perez and the kindly Flat
heads. but always the unmistakabie rank
OF Light of the Eagles Plume" and the
kindly manner of the white master, won
them good treatment
The white man was greatly impressed
with the country he saw and knew that
Montana would be a great state some day.
lie stood for long hours on the present
site of Great Falls and visioned a. fine
city with immense water power.
Benjamin was greatly excited upon find
ing the location of the black eagIess nest
90 Idd htNtl iitu III II l46Ni> thu
Clark hook. The majestic birds were there
and rose slowly as the young Indian
climbed to the nest. Eagerly he sought
and found-just three plumes in the black
eagles nest.
The return trip was made without mis-
hap and the old Chief Umatilla was happy
in his sons happiness and the success of
the trip, and each wore the plumes of the
black eagle.
Soon after this trip was a great cere-
monial Observation-Disclosures called. The
aged chief took this occasion to also cele-
hrate the marriage of his son. ''Ligh Of
the Eagles Plume to the young Indian
of the feast as Umatilla was closing a
speech to his people, a Young Indian ran
swiftly and with a piercing cry fell at the
old chiefs feet. 1t was his own son. Ben
1amin. Benjamin was smitten with the
plague and nothing could be done that
would save his life.
The grief of Umatilla at the death of his
son was beyond expression. For a day
ana a night he absented himself In the
forest. Upon his return he requested the
burial of Light of the Eagles Plume to
be like that of the white mans. The grave
was made ready and the body lowered.
Then the stately old Umatilla broke the
silence. He said, MY light has zone out
the sun does not shine for me-my heart
is dead-I shall 20 dow into the grave
with my SONNY body shall be covered
with his" So saying he sank slowly to
the ground. Life had fed; he was indeed
dead of a broken heart.
And today In a lonely spot on the banks
of the Columbia lie the bones of Umatilla
Eagles Plume" both wearing In death the
nllmes of the black eagle secured from
Black Eagle Falls near the present citv of
Great Falls.