Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-01-24

way between the two forts, known as the
Tobacco station. because Of a luxuriant
growth Of wild mullen. Kelly while
walking abOut the camp came upon
Huffman, who, with a scar on his fore
head from an injury received on the way
and somewhat gaunt from the long trip
attracted the notice of the scout. Huff
man was relieving his feet by wearing
some felt slippers and Kelly inquired
kindly, Haven't you any boots?"
Among the packers, Kelly and "Big
Jack" Conley, a brother of Frank Conley
former warden Of the state penitentiary
were frequently partners. Both were stall
wart Quilt men around six feet tall and
bOth had the business down to the fine
points. There was a bunch of mules at
Fort Keogh which used to u together
These included WarbaRs, which was "Yel'
lowstone" Kelly's saddle mule and Scotty
a little Spanish mule OF great intelli-
gence. which ono rolled down a hun.
dred foot declivity without harm, tuck
ing his legs up under him as he fell as
though he knew the chief danger was
Of breaking a leg.
"Catfish Sandy"
Once q character about Miles City
called Catfish Sandy" as he caught fish
for q livelihood, ventured out into the
Little Missouri country. A bunch OF
oiOuh, d party Oh AdIlht 1uuldllS WIG
had been north OF the Missouri drying
meat and looking for horses to steal
came upon Sandy on their way back tc
the reservation. The fisherman managed
to escape them and get back to Miles
City.
Mules were packed that night at the
fort and Kelly with Sergeant Douglas and
Sergeant, afterwards Major Dick Glover
got under way at once, the preparations
a{% ~~1I- 41~-- AD v{~INr,- -
photographers shack. The Indians were
located in the breaks of the Little Mis-
souri,. Coming rather suddenly on the
Kelly had a great liking for a Sioux
and Glover followed his example, but
Douglas not needing the warning was
killed instantly by a volley from the
Indians who, however, did not stay to
press their advantage, but scattered and
hurried back to the reservation.
episode, MIR. Huffman went with Yellow
scout named Fire Crow who served at
the post. At m time a small detach-
ment of soldiers were coming over the
stage route from DeadwOOd when the
feet OF a corporal were frozen in a storm.
Finding a shack on the way, the soldiers
made the corporal comfortable at the
place and hurried on to Miles City. Fire
Crow volunteered to go back for the
man and he brought him safely in. a
distance OF 90 miles.
Scouting for Sioux
Some time after the Catfish Sandy"
episode, Mr.. Huffman went with Yellow
stone Kelly and jeff Phillips, a boss
packer. on a scouting expedition to see
If any Sioux bands mad slipped over in
the Crow country looking for horses to
steal. They went up the Rosebud and
then across to the Little Horn INC then
followed the Bridger trail to the yell
lowstone about is miles west OF the pres
ent city OF Billings. They crossed the
river and followed down for some dis
lance n then struck further north to
Smoky Butte and the Big Dry country
between the lower Yellowstone and the
4issouri, finally returning to Fort Keogh
after a trip Of 400 miles or more through
|disaRreeable March weather.
On this trip a constant lookout was
kept for 'lariat" parties OF Indians but
except for a few horses which had strayed
away from parties who had been through
earlier. no roaming Indians were found.
Constant vigilance was kept, however,
and the party kept away from every cedar
thicket or place OF possible Indian con-
cealment.
After General Miles left Fort Keogh
in November, 1880, Kelly was only a
occasional visitor to the Yellowstone
country. Among the pioneer residents
OF the Yellowstone valley, Kelly is not
remembered 8 are such characters as
Billy Hamilton, Liver Eating johnson
and Buffalo Bill who stayed In the IL
try to their deaths. Kelly also did not
make himself conspicuous after the man
ner OF some OF the more picturesque
scouts who In real ability were not the
equal OF Kelly.
At the time OF the arrival OF the body
OF Kelly in Billings where 1T was placed
In a vault until the last resting place is
decided upon In the spring. several men
who knew Yellowstone Kelly in the early
days came to view the body, clad in q
captains uniform Of the Spanish war
volunteers. and with an officers sword
at his side.
Lewis Peterson Of Silesia said that he
knew Kelly when General Miles, about
1870. had gone north OF the Missouri to
stop the raids OF Sitting Bulls band
across h line from Canada.
Admired Nez Perces
Peterson was then serving In the Sew
enth cavalry n saw Kelly frequently