The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-07-25
EARLY TRAVEL
IN STATE HARD,
HISTORIAN SAYS
Alexander Henry, Explorer.
Solved Problem Of Trans
pcrtatiOn Quickly
STOPPED HERE IN 1901
Indian TravOix, Canoes and
Hcrses Used BY Trader
During Stay

Grand Forks, N. D., July %. -tF)
Difficulties Of early travel in the
Northwest and how they were solved
by the earliest pioneers is discussed
by DR.. q. g. Libby. head of the his
tory department at North Dakota
University in the following article.
II is the eighth Of series which he
is writing for the Associated Press
Dakota.
Tht article follows:
The journal of Alexander Henry Is
full Of interest 10 those who car.
To learn Of the earliest pioneer life
m,nutcst detail the story Of his
contact with proving bands Of Sioux.
more ideas of his allies and friends.
the Chippewa Indians. than from
most Of the memoirs and travels Of
that time.
One Of the most interesting things
he tells us is how he and his men
Travelled by land and water, in their
journeys to and from their numerous
trading posts. The Indians usually
used birch bark canoe in travelling
on the streams and lakes of their
country. Henry found himself in need
of boats without having the ncces-
.sary material from which to construct
hem
He tells us how he met this diff
ficulty and made canoes in IA prairie
country. May l6, 1901. VI sent off
the canoes with the remaining prop
crty. the summer men, etc, for Pan
bian river and dispatched to the
Forks (Assiniboinc and Red) two men
IN two skin canoes loaded with bags
Of pemmican, ten in each 600
Pounds). These canoes are made by
constructing frame with willows,
nearly in the shape of a canoe, and
stretching one, or sometimes two, raw
buffalo hides over this frame, ac-
cordlng to the required size; If two,
they are cut square at the shoulders
and scwcd together with sinews. The
sides are then brought over the
largest willow, which serves as the
gunnel, and dashed fast with leather
cords. The hair is generally on the
INSIDE. These canoes will carry great
loads, but it is necessary to unload
them at least once Il day and dry
them in the sun or over the fire:
otherwise they would soon sink. They
are only fit for drifting down the
current.
Travelled on Horseback
Henry's usual method of travel
was on horseback and he records with
satisfaction that neither the KY COM
pany nor the Hudsons Bay company
owned horses. In the winter when
there was much snow he Travelled on
snowshoes. On long journeys he
used a dog sled. He writes: II had
light cariolc, drawn by four strong
dogs, and my men each train with
three dogs for our baggage and pro-
Visions"
The usual vehicle for loads was
the twO-wheeled cart each drawn by
an OK or horse. The well-known
kcd River cart was not at that time
made at his post. He says: "Most
men go again for meat with small
carts, the wheels Of which are each
Of one solid piece, sawed off the
ends Of trees whose diameter is three
tect.s Those carriages we find much
more convenient and advantageous
than It is to lead horses, the coun-
try being SO smooth and level thar
We can use them in every direction
The next year (l802) he speaks o.
a new cart that his men are using
"They (the whcels) are about four
feet high and perfectly straight; the
spokcs are perpendicular. without the
least bending outward tdishlngJ and
only four to each wheel. These carts
carry about five pieces t5OO lbs.J
ard arc drawn by one horse
On another occasion ne speaks O,
train Of carts, horses, men ane
dogs nearly mile in length. IN.
travoix appears as part of thi.
train. 1t consisted Of two long pole.
dashed to the sides of a horse, then
ends dragging on the ground for .
considerable distance behind. Behlne
the horse, across the space between
the poles, is slung hide or blanke
or net of rawhide, which is uses
to support any load desired. Henry
says of this travoix michel Lang
lois, who is master Of the band. nov
comes on leading q horse that draws
tfavflle nicely covered with new
painted tent, under which his daugh
ter and Mrs. Cameron lie at full
length, very sick"