Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-01-20
MM II u1I1v1H011 E11uI and Horse Thieves IN CmhMm Northern Montana INA
w OHH 5000 Ago. Mr rnmgS Seven SkngR Redskins VIZ
j With SunvA He Forced Conpmmonn Rifle Point to- Attempt to XIII TwoM e Similarly j

afterwards related on good authority that
Cantrell had led In the pursuit Of them
and placed the rope around the neck OF
every last one. In addition to that, 10
or 10 of the desperadoes were shot In
fights that preceded their capture n a
few died before they could be decntly
hanged. Just how many met violent
deaths in central and northern Montana
during that campaign will never be
known, for "Floppin" Bill and his asso-
ciates kept no books on their operations
and they were never made OF record in
any court in the land.
"FIoppin" Bill Never Told
One Of the most interesting stories
told about "Floppin" Bill happened sew
eral years before his historic drive
against the horse thieves and rustlers.
1t has never been given wide circulation
because of the fact that the name of the
other principal In the incident has never
been revealed. "Floppin" Bill himself
never told the story. 1t was told by the
other man to some of his most intimate
friends, but his confidence was respected
and his identity never revealed. Suffice
1t to say, however, that he later became
prominent in Montana and was appoint
ed by President Grover Cleveland 70 q
rather high official position.
Bill and his companion were camping
together on the north side of the Mis-
eouri river near the Little Rockies. One
1ay they crossed a trail which Bill iden-
yiied as that Of a party OF Blackfeet In
dians driving of about so horses. The
trail was two days old and Bill insisted
on following and recapturing the horses.
His companion demurred, but Bill was
adamant, admitting that although they
were greatly outnumbered they had
nothing to fear as one white man was
-~~I g.. - I@.@- ILL.,
prevailed and the two took the trail and
followed it to the Missouri river. The
Indians had crossed in the n-eighborhood
of the mouth of the Musselshell, and the
two white men followed them across.
Neither Of the men had a pound Of
grub of any kin and were living on
antelope meat and sleeping in their sad
die blankets. Both men were practically
exhausted after swimming their horses
across the Missouri. When they reached
the opposite shore they drew lots to see
who would go in search of antelope and
the task fell to Bill. He killed two
fawns After feasting n resting their
horses for five or six hours they again
took up the trail, which, 1t now became
apparent. was leading them to the yell
lowstone country In that section inhab-
tied by the River Crows. Presumably
the Blackfeet intended trading the
lloWo tiSii PoiicS ioA ALQidil AldlutllS.
Thieves Travelled Lessurely
The horse thieves were travelling leis-
urely, having 40 fear of pursuit when
once across the Missouri. The second
night after the pursuers had crossed the
Missouri. "Floppin" Bill climbed Red
Butte and from the top saw the Indians.
several miles beyond, drive their horses
down onto the head Of Buffalo creek and
prepare to spend the night.
Their feeling Of security was indicated
by the fact that they placed no guard
roun the camp. They hurriedly erect
ed brush wickiups and one by one rolled