Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-07-26

4 new angle to the battle of the Big
Hole has been given by Chief Peo-PeO-
Thalkt, nephew of Chief Joseph who
led the Neg Perces in that historic en-
sagement with General Gibbon on the
North Fork of the Big Hole river in
August of 1877. and later fought Cen
eral Miles in the Bear Paws.
Chief PEG. who as a lad OF 81 years,
participated in the fight, went over the
Big Hole battle ground recently and
pointed out the points of interest. He
was accompanied by Many Wounds. an
interpreter. and Black Eagle.
Chief PEG said that Chief Joseph had
not expected to be attacked in Montana;
that he n the other head men of the
tribe had been misled by Looking Glass,
a loud-mouthed chieftain, who boosted
of knowing the big men of Montana .
Looking Glass said that when the Nez
Perces got into Montana they need fear
no attack, as the soldiers were after them
only to persuade them to return to their
| reservation.
THE Nez P~erces,' said PEG, wanted to
go to the buffalo grounds before return
ing, and they thought that If the troops
did come after them 1t would serve to
emphasize their protest to Washington
against more of their lands in Wallowa
valley being arbitrarily taken from them.
No Scouts Out
With this in mind the Nez Perces
had NO scouts out when they were In
camp on the North Fork, and they were
busily cutting lodge poles for their ira
vols, and taking their time about it,
PEG said that when Joseph crossed the
Lolo n Montana they could have en-
gagged a handful of soldiers from Fort
Missoula and cleaned them up, but as
they did not wish to spill any blood they
evaded the troops n proceeded on their
way.
The old indian continued that Joseph
had none of his warriors on guard when
they were encamped on the North Fork,
and for that reason Gibbons command
was able to crawl SO close to their viii
lage that the occasional cry of a papoose
could be heard, and when the soldiers
started firing many women and children
were wounded.
The Indian veteran and his compan
ions all cursed Looking Glass and said
all the Nez Perces wished that h had
been killed before the tribe started Its
Montana journey. Looking Glass fell In
the battle Of the Bear Paw mountains
when Chief Joseph surrendered to Gen.
eral Miles.
The old brave said that after Joseph
had driven the soldiers back into the
clump Of timber on the raise where the
monument stands, his warriors coulo
have assembled the hill back of where
the soldiers were e~ntrenched and sur
rounded them, but there was nothing tc
accomplish by wiping out Gibbons men
and Joseph decided to get out Of the
country as quickly as possible.
Fishing No Good
Old PEG was somewhat disguised with
fishing in the North Fork. He had anglec
all forenoon and caught nothing by the
attacks of "skeeters." Fishing him nC
good" he exclaimed. Long time ago
when buffalo run and Nez Perez e
through here for buffalo country heal
good fishing. Squaw catch plenty
The indians under the guidance o
Alonzo Victor Lewis of Seattle, notee
sculptor, and l.. v. McWhorter Of Yak
ina, western historical writer, who Il
gathering data for the STORY of the Ne.
Perez are erecting a marker for Chic
Joseph on the battle ground.