Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-10-29

General Garfield, later, the admission
that Chariot had not signed the treaty.
The original document on file at Wash
ington did not bear the old mans mark.
Garfield's explanation of the publica-
ton Of the treaty as having been signed
by Chariot was that he deemed 1t best
to proceed as if Chariot had signed,
as he felt that Chariot when he saw
the work progressing, would conclude
to join with the "other chiefs and
keep the tribe unbroken. 1t showed
how little Garfield knew Chariot.
Vest and Maginnis were much i'm
pressed by the honesty and dignity OF
Chariot. Their report expresses re-
greet that Garfield committed the act
of Misrepresentation, as it had wronged
the chief and had doubly embittered
him, especially as the act of the de-
partment had placed Arlee, whom Char
lot characterized as a Renegade Ne2
Perez at the head of the tribe. The
commissioners talked earnestly with
Chariot, urging him to accept the terms
of the treaty and promised to do all
they could to see that he was treated
right. But the old man was too bitter
and Sore at heart.
In 1884, Major Roman took Chariot
and five of his sub-chiefs to Washing
ton for conference with the president
and the secretary of the interior. There
were further promises made to Chariot
If he would consent to the removal
But he would not yield. He was told
that he might remain in the Bitter
Root as long as he was friendly with
the whites-this he had always been;
he had saved them from dire disaster
on more than one occasion. The ex-
petition returned with no better result
than a clearer understanding on Char
lots part. He had learned that Major
Roman was his friend and when, a year
later, there was a distribution of sup
plies to the Bitter Root band, he soft
ened considerably. Wagons, horses
and plows were also issued and an at
tempt was made, through Romans in
fluence, to give the Indians a chance
to make good on their located lands.
And SO time wore on. The Indians
we're not successful farmers and theil
condition became ~deplorable. General
Darlington was sent in 1891 to try tc
induce Chariot to move. Arlee haC
died and conditions were such that II
was felt that the old chief might al
last consent. And this hope, it proved
well founded. Chariot talked with Maj.
or Roman. He also called In some O!
his Bitter Root friends. He consulted
with Amos Buck and with the father
OF Dave Whaley, who gave this &C.
count of Charlot's speech after the ole
chief had reached his decision:
II will go-I and my children. MY
young men are becoming bad; they
have no place to hunt. My women are
hungry. For their sake / will go.
do not want the land you promise.
do not believe your promises. All
want is enough ground for my grave
We will go over there"
Immediately the arrangements wert
made. Charlot's last march Vas begun
In the afternoon of the. next day, Oc-
tober II, 1891, he reached the new home
Of his people in the Jocko. Major
Roman had fastened ahead and was a
the agency to greet the old chief, whose
people, also, received him with proper
demonstration. Mrs. Roman, who wit
messed the reception, gives this accoun
of the end of the march from the Bit
ter Root.
1T was a unique and, to some minds
pathetic spectacle, when Chariot ane
his band of Indians marched to thei
future home, the Jocko reservation
Their coming had been heralded ant
many of the reservation Indians hac
gathe ed at the agency TO give then
welcome. When within a mile of the
agency the advancing Indians spread
out in a broad column. The young mer
of the number kept constantly dis
charging their firearms, while a few
of the number mounted on fleet ponies
arrayed in fantastic Indian parapher.
MALTA, with long blankets partially
draping the forms of the warriors ane
steeds, rode back and forth in front O.
the advancing caravan, shouting ane
firing their guns until they neared thu
church, when a large banner of TIT
Sacred Hearts of Mary and Jesus wa
erected on a tall pole. Near the sacred
emblem stood a valiant soldier Of Jesu
Christ, Rev. Phi. Canistrelli, S. j. Will
outstretched hands the good prizes
blessed and welcomed the forlorn