Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-01-13
(By MRS. NJ. f. PLAssMANN)

ruO COURTRIGHT. a member OF
MI the first Montana territorial legis-
lvl lature, representing with others'
jefferson county, and whom re-
call as a large. rather stout person, had
a thrilling experience on the Yellow
stone, the story of which was told IN the
Montana Post of June 4, 1860.
MIR. Courtright was then acting as
agent for the Missouri River and ROCKY
Mountain Wagon Road company ana, IN
the pursuit of his duties had gone to
Yellowstone canyon. Two Terry poats
were to be taken down the river, n 10
the crossing Of Clark's fork, and the other
TO the Bozeman crossing at the Big horn
river.
On this journey he was accompanied
nv four men-one of these being Colonel
Smith of the 14th Wisconsin. The others
were D. Shrike. J. Donnelly, and a mixed
blood named Nj. Bowyer. Nothing event.
full happened on the down trip. the
boats were placed OF the rivers,
made ready for the convenience OF the
expected emigrants. Most rivers then
were forded and in the early part OF the
season during high water, this was ire
uuently a dangerous undertaking. me
ferries would expedite travel, while bring
ing in a desirable profit to those VINO In
stalled them.
A large influx of settlers into Montana
was expected by the new Bozeman trail
that year, Notwithstanding the Indian
menace. and the Wagon company wished
TO be prepared for 1t. Mr.. Courtright
performed his part of the service; every
thing was in readiness for the spring
campaign: but the emigrants failed TO
materialize.
Provisions Give Out
After some days of waiting, the provi-
sions Of the party gave out, making 1t
4.~o~o+iva that tlnv chOf11d rpflIrn for
another supply. With this purpose in
view, they took the backward trail along
the Bridger route. All went we'll until,
on the ninth of June, they were attacked
at the junction of the Bridger and Boze-
man roads by 100 Sioux
At first the Indians professed to be
friendly. They rode up to where the
white men were, ~dismounted, and prob
ably there was great shaking of hands
and cultural "Hows' to put the little
COMPANY of its guard. The chief of the
band recognized Bower as a playmate
of his childhood, and told the latter he
was sorry for him, which display OF feel
ing did not serve to render the white
men less apprehensive.
At first the horses were driven out of
range, and then the indian began the
attack by killing Colonel Smith and
wounding Bower. The others were
dazed, not seeming TO know what to do,
and undoubtedly all would have been
killed If Bowyer had not called Run for
the brushl 1t is the only chance to save
your lives" Mechanically they obeyed,
and once in partial concealment kept
right on running. Mr.. COPYRIGHT said
he never thought for a moment that he
could escape. While not wounded, his
coat was torn by bullets in several places
and 1t was almost miraculous that he re-
ceived no injury.
1t is not strange that he was powerless
to act until aroused by Bowyer's shout,
Let the reader fancy the position OF
these men-but four of them remaining
after the killing of Colonel Smith, the
targets of 100 Sioux, filling the air with
their startling war whoops. COPYRIGHT
was the last to enter the brush, and fol-
SO hours the four men ran without STOP
ping, and at length reached the Snow
mountains.
Bower Plays Out
Here Bowyer, who was wounded in the
hip, could no longer keep up with the
party. The only wonder is that he could
have covered the distance he did. He
fortitude and good judgment.
Mr.. COPYRIGHT said he was about tx
discharge his revolver at the Indians
when Bowyer told him net to do so, fol
If one Of them was killed the other In.
dams would certainly keep on their trai
until the four were captured or slain.
When 1t was discovered that Bowyel
was unable to go on with the rest of thu
party, they decided to leave him, bu'
they gave hin a gun and plenty of am