Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-12-11
A G0lD-SEEM0MG EXPEDITION ON THE BIG HORN REGION
THAT Failed: HOSTILE INDIANS WE'RE ON wARPATH

ton grave in which they deposited
their last shell. Lanyards were fastened
to the cap. A wagon, bolts, and some
chains were also placed and a head
board planted. Subsequently it was
ascertained that the curiosity of some
Indians, on the testimony of a Chey-
enne who had been in the fighting,
had cost the life of one Indian, and
six, including two squaws, were wound
ed.
The train moved forward with a little
party of men on each flank and an
advance and rear guard. Several hum
dred Cheyennes, fresh from their agen-
cy, had joined the Uncapapa Sioux
and made their boasts they would ride
over the train. Arriving opposite the
grove, the Cheyennes came out in line.
They each wore a white shirt. They
came charging. The TANKS and rear
guard came in with the exception Of
five men. Sweeney had a damned shell,
and was forced to retire. The remain
ing four would drop on n knee, fire,
jump up, run a few steps toward the
Cheyennes, drop and fire again with
such audacity that the Indians swung
around to the left in front of the train.
The names of these four men are pre-
served and are Nell ellis, Irving Hop
kins, Ton Rea and French" Pete.
Bean Fires Last Shot
The Indians, occupying a coulee
about $50 yards in the real of the
train, poured in a CALLING fire. A force
of 40 men charged it and the Indians
fled, one Sioux being killed. This
charge ended the battle. The Indians
were seen riding back to the camp
where the last shell had been buried.
Jack Bean performed another feat that
stands out in relief against the back
ground of the engagement. Two In
dams came out on a point near the
old camp. Taking a rest one of them
fired at the train, the bullet striking
the ground under a horse in the corral
Bean returned the fire, using a long
range rifle, a 100 grain Sharp's, and
one of the Indians dropped dead. The
distance was declared to have been
nearly a mile. That wa the last shot
fired in Indian warfare by the expedi-
ton.
Reaching Beauvais creek, a party OF
Crows greeted the expedition and made
a gala night of it at the sight of the
Sioux scalps and other trophies in pos
session of the expedition. Later &C
counts given by the Sioux indicate thai
about 100 warriors had been killed, but
the whites had secured only ii scalps
The Uncapapas engaged in the con-
fictS were believed to have come from
Fort Peck for many pieces of floul
sacks we're found bearing the Durf1e
and Peck mark. Besides the Chey-
ennes, some Ogalallas also joined then
in the last fight of the expedition.
Expedition Found No Gold
Reaching the Yellowstone river The
expedition disbanded. 1t had been
complete failure SO far as the discovery
of gold was concerned. Credit wa.
given to Captain Grounds for the man
ner in which he commanded the ex.
petition, bringing it through without
the loss of a man, with the exception
of Yates. The experiences encountered
were but the f%orerunners Of that san.
culinary conflict fought on the bank:
of the Little Big Horn two years latel
when General George A. Custer anC
his gallant men went down into the
grim valley of death at the hands 0.
a determined confederation Of thu
Sioux and C~heyennes, but who latel
under the expeditions conducted by
General Nelson A. Miles from For
Keogh at the mouth of the Tongue