Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-03-25

ing intelligence of the encounters at Sal
mon river and the Clearwater. after which
Joseph rallied his forces and kept on east
ward. Once through the Lolo pass, he
would be In Montana. In what direction
from there would he shape his route was
the all-absorbing question.
Volunteers were called for to avert the
threatened invasion, and many focked to
the ~colors; but it was reported that few
responded to roll call at the time appointed
for leaving the city. Joseph had turned
south, and Helena's "altars and fires" were
not endangered. Let the soldiers do the
lighting" reasoned the majority. THAT Is
their business"
Exciting Chapter of History
How the army of the United States
finally defeated this band of Indians is
one of the most exciting chapters In our
history. 1t made little difference to whom
Joseph surrendered, whether to General
Howard or to General Miles,; the main
point Is that in the estimation OF most who
have taken the trouble to inform themselves
on the subject, Chief Joseph had shown
the best generalship of the age, and had
1t not been for the women and children
i who accompanied him, he would undoubt-
eddy have escaped to Canada. -,
1t may be asked, What had Chief
Joseph done to merit such u reputation 2"
A brew sketch Of the war and its cause
will answer this. The whole trouble arose
from the refusal Of Joseph to submit to
the : encroachment Of the whites on his
domain. Like Chariot, be steadfastly re-
fused to cede lands to the government that
had belonged to his people from time I'M
memorial, and this he did In obedience to
his fathers commands. The elder Joseph
said, always remember that your father
never sold his country. You must stop
| your ears whenever you are asked to sign
a treaty selling your home. A few years
more, and white men will be all around
| you. They have their eyes on this land.
My son, never forget my dying words.
| This country holds your fathers body.
Never sell the bones of your father and
your mother" Chief Joseph literally
fought For the green graves of his sires."
Other Causes of the War
But there were other causes for the war.
Superstition gave the Indians courage to
undertake the strife. Certain OF their num-
they would go east, all the dead Indians
would rise to join them, and together they
| would drive the white men from the c0un-
try. Religion also contributed Its share
towards bringing about the conflict. 1t
was the day when Indian agencies were
handed over TO the different religious or
| CARNATIONS. This caused jealousy between
the missionaries of the Protestant churches,
and also trouble between Professionals and
Catholics. The Indians did not understand
\ why those who professed to worship the
same God should be at enmity with one
another.
Delegate Stephen S. Fem, In a speech
made in congress-, claimed that Monteith.
the Nez Perce agent, was tine primary
cause of every drop Of blood and OF every
dollars destruction Of property in
the course of the Nez Perez war"
1t is not believed that the first outrages
committed were due to the commands of
Chief Joseph; but he knew these called for
reprisals, and to these he would not sub
NIT. After the war was once under way,
there was nothing to do but fight 1t out.
Following the battle at White Bird can
yon, he and his people crossed the Salmon
river on skin RATS attached to either side
of swimming horses, to the surprise OF
General Howard, and started northeast to-
ward the Clearwater. On this river there
was another engagement. 1t was not a
decisive battle, and Joseph and his fol
lowers were soon on the Lolo trail.
The wounded from the battle OF the Big
Hole were taken to Helena. OF these were
General Gibbon and Lieutenant Woodruff.
General Gibbon stayed for a few days at
the hot springs, and Lieutenant Woodruff
at a hotel. | knew the latter, as he had
been our guest In Ohio, and my brother,
Wright Edgerton, was what Ia known as
Lieutenant Woodrun's cadet, having fol-
lowed him at West Point. A party Of us
called on Mr.. Woodruff the evening he ar
rived. We found him in excellent spirits,
and 1t might have been thought he had
taken part in nothing more serious than
an athletic contest. The next day he Wis
tied tn hot springs. Mrs. Gibbons and
her daughters had Joined the general, who
seemed In a more serious frame of mind
than his subordlnates, as beftted his years.
Joseph Visits Yellowstone
While our officers were being wined and