Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-07-31
~ w ~ - Along MHoujR wr Lived Pmom Lmsm n
WN VA n00 / ,n0n0AT& Early DW dSmmY omgM n From East nv
N - in Search of AdwntneFU nd it and Death "
i at Hands of Indians Nu MOUTH OF MuaShMR wrm 1906; Were Slain in heir Cabins Il

gether. The pilot of the former boat
noticed that there were Indians in
the woods on the south bank. These
came in view and proceeded to give
evidence OF their peaceful intentions
by ostentatiously burying their hatch
cts. This done, they signed that they
would like to be taken on board.
CulbertsOn On Board
Among the passengers were Alexander
Culbertson and his Indian wife. Both
Of these warned the captain against
needing the protestations OF the Sioux.
They said it was a war party that
meant mischief. Mrs. Culbertson, a
Blood Indian, knew well the ways of
the Sioux, who were deadly enemies of
her people.
Captain La Barge only partially
needed this advice by tying up at a
sandbar in the river and at a safe dis
lance from the shore. He then dis
patched a yawl with seven men to in
tervieW the Indians. These crowded
down to the shore. one throwing out a
log on the river bank to indicate where
a landing should be made.
The crew was met with a great show
of friendliness and much hand-shak-
ing. The pilot, who was watching them
through a glass, saw an Indian reach
back over his shoulder for an arrow,
and Immediately the pilots gun woke
the. echoes from the bluffs. This was
the signal for an interchange Of shots,
as another Indian ran the body of
the stroke oarsman through with q
spear, The steersman leaped from the
boat, and hidden by it managed to
swim back to the Robert Campbell,
taking the boat with him. Mean
while, around the front of the steam
boat, a barricade had been built of
boxes and sacks of flour, and behind
it was ensconced every mar who could
handle a gun, and we may safely say
every head va below the top of the
b%aYricade. These opened fire, streW-
ing the bank with dead Indians, and
in this execution were aided by men
on the Shreveport.
Guns Turned On Ponies
Guns were then turned on the ponies.
Whenever an Indian reached them and
attempted to mount, he was killed.
One. Indian, painted to represent a
skeleton, rode down to the river where
he brandished defiantly a lance hung
with scalps. He furnished an excellent
mark for the white men, and soon fell
riddled with bullets, for the log records
of this incident, Both Indian and
pony went down as if struck by light
ming"
An Indian crawling down shore man.
aged to get in range of the pilots and
opened fire at them. They located his
position and silenced him with their
first return fire.
OF the men in the yawl, three were
said he vas just able to walk when
The boat reached st. Louis. This fight
occurred July Z, some distance below
the mouth of the Yellowstone, about
two months after leaving for Fort Ben
ton. The river must have been un-
usually low at that season, as it was
Campbell did not continue its pro-
there Is no record that 1t ever reached
there. either that year or later. The
Shreveport, on the contrary, made the
entire trip IN 1862, and reached Cow
island in 1863. Undoubtedly the Robert
OHiAApOCII, IL, UClUII6cu W LIldt CLASS
OF boats untitled for the upper river,
yet attempted 1t. Captain La Barge
would have taken it at least to Cow
island If 1t were possible.
Transfers Its Cargo
Instead. 1t tied up below Fort Union,
sending It's freight to that point on the
Shreveport, requiring two trips to carry
1t. there.
Non OF the passengers or crew OF
the Campbell dared to land, because
OF the Indians. A similar condition
prevailed at Fort Union. Its inmates
feared to venture much beyond the
stockade for hunting or other purposes
From the Shreveport and friendly In
dams or from trAppers they had
learned Of the battle OF the boats, and
It was reported at the fort that %
Indians were killed and Al wounded
This, the log book hopes, is true.
The day Of the battle the hunter
OF the Shreveport started out at break
OF day to bring in game, if any was
to be found in that vicinity. He man.
aged to kill something and was con-
tinuing the hunt when he ran across
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