Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-01-17

day, or night-whichever it might be-
as he had some scrupleS about servinl
as a barbecue.
When they camped that night, he still
was dubious as to his fate. These wer'
Blood Indians, who had earned theii
distinctive name from other tribes wht
recognized their cruelty. The next nor
ing, however, saw them nee more OF
their way to the fort. At a distance from
there, the party halted and a courier wa
dispatched with the demand for ransom
are Ransomed
Then followed an indecisive hour
which ended happily at the appearance
of George Steel coming to their rescue
with the amour Of goods required TO,
their exchange. So terminated Largenti
second encounter with Indians.
AT another time an indian tried tx
take his horse away from him. He refused
to give it up. Wounded by an arrow, HI
changed his mind and saw the Indiar
ride away on it. He hoped he would
have the opportunity to kill that Indian
but this privilege was not granted him
as some one else acted in his stead latel
and the horse thief was slain.
While Mr.. Largent was down the river
either at the mouth of the Milk or the
Musselshell river, his friend Mitchell
who came up the Missouri with him or
the Spread Eagle, which arrived at For
Benton, according to Vol. l Of the Mon
tana Historical society's Reports. on JUNE
20, 1862, became homesick and decided
to seize the first chance that offered x
go down the river. 1t was not long be
fore that chance came. A party of miners
returning from Canada with a large
amount Of gold, built themselves a boat
at Fort Benton n started for 1.-THE
States" Mitchell asked to go with then
and his request was granted.
This was the party that stopped al
Fort Pierre and were there warned tt
beware OF Indians. The advice was not
needed with the result that all were
Observation-Disclosures with the rest. There
was a woman on the boa and some chill
dren. The gold had been concealed under
the flooring. 1t was found by the In
dams or some one else for the particulars
of the massacre were never known. II
has even boon claimed 1t was not Indians
but white men who were the murderers
This might we'll be, occurring a. 1t did III
the lawless period Of our history. The
miners made no secret Of the gold they
carried with them. Under the circum
stances, it is surprising they ever reached
Fort Benton with it.
DleS WIN SttIcL
Another man killed about this time
was the partner of John Lepley and al
knowledge of the rich mine he is said tx
have located died with him. No one has
since discovered it, although diligen'
search has been made for 1t. Mr.. Leplel
always believed what his partner tolc
him regarding the mine.
Rich gold mines were fOund in Mon
tana, yet still richer ones were reported
from Alberta n British Columbia ane
gold is a lure few men can withstand
John Largent, together with Joh Wren
hearing Of these northern discoveries
started for British Columbia via thu
Edmonton route. On reaching the Sas
katchewan they found themselves with
III money or horses, for h indians
had relieved them of their horses, ant
the honey the two men probably spen
on the way north.
For one season Largent mined there
then returned to Fort Benton, which
must at that time have taken on thu
semblance Of a town. In 1862, according
to Mr.. Largent's letter to Robert Vaughn
there was nothing there but the fort
In the meantime Montana became q ter
ritory; settlers were rushing in, n For
Benton was Its main distributing point
In 1867, Mr.. Largent established him
self on Sun river, where he opened
store and a hotel for those travelin,
between the capital-then Virginia City
and Fort Benton. Eight years later h
sold to George Steel. although he re
served his homestead on which stoot
the first building In u River. At tn
time of the sale. Sun River was a promis
ing town with roseate dreams OF be
coming the commercial center of tina
rich agricultural section.
.IOhn IQrppnf and John Hpalpv b1lilt
1t is said, the first Sun river bridge. Thi
also was sold to Steel.
Johns Town
1t will be seen from the foregoing tina
Mr.. Largent was, for q number OF year
and until his death, one Of the mos
prominent settlers in the Sun River val
ley. 1t was fitting that his name shout,
have been given to the little villag
across the river from Great Falls, no,
known as West Great Falls.
The little town consisting Of restau
rant, store, postoffice-where E. B.. Larg
ent was postmaster-and n or tw
other buildings. has grown rapidly, hav
ing now the aspect Of a city. In som
manner the memory Of it's founder shoul,
be kept alive.
l am indebted to the files Of the SUI
River Sun, now in the Historical librar
at Helena, and to Then and Now" b
Robert Vaughn, for the facts containe'
in this article. In some minor particu
lars, these authorities do not agree. Flo
instance, the Sun gives Mr.. Largent'
birthplace as Illinois, while Mr.. Vaughn
states he was a native OF Virginia.
To be certain on the subject, / con
suited former Supt. s. D. Largent OF tn
Great Falls schools. who is a cousin O
John Largent. He said he was not sure
but thought the latter was born in Hi
nOis.
In his letter to Vaughn, Mr.. Largen
says he was 30 days in reaching For
Benton and seems doubtful whether tn
boat took him up the river, or hi tn
boat. From this we are led to infer tina
during low water steamboats,. like kee
boats. had TO be cordelled.
Habit Is a cable: we weave a thread O
II every dau and OF last un capn1