The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-01-25
1. G. Dawes, Rhame, Has Do.
mated Property to State
Historical Society

Rich in historical associations Of
Dakota frontier days, Fort Dilts, To-
Gated on the northern part Of Bow
man county about 10 miles east of
Marmarth, Is to be preserved as a
state park.
It was at Fort Dilts that Captain
James L. Fisk. leading an expedition
through the state In 1854, took refuge
from hostile Sioux Indians who had
already killed some members Of the
party.
L. G. Dawes, Rhame, has donated
to the North Dakota historical society
q tract of land 826 acres in area, and
this land, the site of Fort Dilts, has
been designated as state park by the
society. Plans are being made for
dedication ceremonies next summer.
Captain Fisk led several expeditions
through the state to provide suitable
routes for immigrants and miners to
the gold fields Of the Rocky Noun
tains and the West Coast, and to
mark and establish passable highways
of travel.
The fort Is named after jefferson
Dilts, head scout of the 1854 expedi-
ton. He was killed in an attack by
the Sioux Indians and was buried un-
der the sod wall at the north side Of
the fort.
Captain Fisk was appointed by the
secretary OF war to lead the first ex-
petition through the state. This ex-
petition, for which the secretary of
war furnished 5000 as government
aid, left for Fort Abercrombie in
Richland county, traversing the state
diagonally to Fort Union in 1862.
Bottineau Was Guide
Pierre Bottineau, for whom Bottin-
eau county is named, acted as guide
for this expedition, and the party
came through safely to Walla Walla
Washington territory.
In 1863 a similar expedition was
carried out successfully. This second
expedition started from st. Cloud
Mimi, and was aided with $4,000
congressional appropriation.
Russell Reid, superintendent Of the
North Dakota Historical society, term
ed the next expedition, in 1864. as the
| AA4O0V CSCAl6 do A04 40 4NOA VA A@0A
kota history Is concerned.
The rendezvous for the expedition
was at Fort Ridgley. Mimi, and start
ed July Is, 1864, travelling overland to
Fort Rice, which then was being built.
The train contained 81 wagons and
500 head Of cattle. Fort Rice was on
the outskirts of the village by that
name in Morton county, and is pre-
served by the Historical Society as a
state park.
At Fort Rice Captain Fisk was given
an escort of so men by Colonel Dill,
the officer in charge. The party fol-
lowed westward along the trail of
General Sully, but finding it veered
too far north for their purpose, aban-
doned 1t and continued up the valley
Of the Cannonball.
Trouble at Deep Greek
The journey was uneventful until
the party reached the head waters Of
Deep Greek, a small tributary Of the
Little Missouri river in Slope county.
In crossing this creek one Of the
wagons overturned and a number OF
men were detailed to help right 1t
while the rest of the party continued
on their way. This small party was
attacked by the Sioux and all were
killed.
Just before this episode one of the
teamsters had been discovered to be
thief and as q punishment he had
been tied and forced to walk behind
the wagon, which subsequently over
turned. He was captured alive and
burned at the stake by the Indians.
On learning of the overturned wag-
on, group of men came promptly to
the aid Of those marooned, but arrived
too late. In the slxirmish with the In
dams eight men were killed. The
head scout, Dilts, received mortal
wounds. A 12-pound Howitzer proved