The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-05-04

panions, typical of Montana's early
day boon friendships.
But each came to love the same
ebon-eyed Indian maid.
Like most inhabitants of Montana
during the early '8Os, Osborne and
Scott had heard the call of that will
o-wisp of fortune in their native mid
dle-western villages. They had an
swered. But like some others, their
only reward, ultimately, had been
death and disgrace.
Scott and Osborne cemeted the
foundation of their companionship in
a mining camp early in the spring of
1881. They had "wintered" at a trad
ing post in the Deer Lodge valley,
awaiting the opening of spring when
NOW freshets would carry g~old-bearing
sands through miners sluice boxes.
During the long winter when crystal
flakes enshrouded the land with q
whitened robe that almost completely
hid the few and pitiful structures
boastfully erected by man in the almost
virgin wilderness, Osborne and Scott
learned to like each others ways.
During frequent hunting trips that
winter they had followed the trail of
deer apd elk. Each exalted in his
friends kill and success.
Beside the roaring fireplace of their
log-sod cabin, when the weird wailing
winds moaned during winter nights,
they laid their plans for the coming
campaign in search of gold.
When spring broke the winters icy
grip, the two divided their packs and
struck the prospector's trail. They 10
Gated a mountain claim. They had fair
success.
Osborne and Scott weighed the gold
in their buckskin pokes when the first
front of autumn glazed the earth and
made the crystal clear waters in the
creek that supplied their sluice box
sharp with ice spikes.
They decided they had enough to live
through another winter. Their take"
had not been great. But, as Osborne
told his friend, it'll keep our belts
notehed out"
The two friends had little trouble in
deciding where they would spend the
winter. From companions at the Deer
Lodge valley trading post the season
before, they had heard of the advan-
tages the Marias river afforded.
There the winter was mild, they were
told. Snowfall was less than in the
mountains. Spring came earlier.
The two travelled in easy stages from
their claim to the river. At Healy's
Crossing they purchased their supplies.
Several miles away they located a site
for the cabin.
Timber was scarce but the deep-soil
bottom lands made easy diggin'." They
hastily threw up a one room sod hovel,
arranged their few belongings. Their
quarters were completed before win
ter settled firmly IN the territory.
For the first time in several months,
the men found themselves with leisure
time. And a new diversion was offer
ed.
Nearby was camped a small tribe OF
Indians. The chiefs daughter was OF
comely figure and cheerful disposition.
When she had overcome her first
shyness toward the two white men, she
welcomed their association-and in
creasing attentions.
In the beginning neither Osborne nor
Scott thought the affair would become
serious. Together they visited the
camp each day and sought the company
of the Indian girl. Their walks with
her were c%ongenial affairs, each man
sharing the girls attention.
Scott made the first break in the
routine.
One morning he feigned illness when
Osborne suggested they forego their
usual visit to the Indian village and try
their luck afield hunting. After Os-
borne had gone, Scott hurried to the
camp.
The Indian girl was surprised to see
him come alone. Woman-like she did
not question him about his companion.
Scott offered no explanation for his
absent friend.
Their walk took them farther from
the tent village than usual. Soon they
had crossed the high ridge Of rolling
hills that swelled away from the river.
Unnoticed, the hours passed swiftly.
When they realized the passage Of
time, the first shades Of evening were
falling and spreading from the undu-
lating ridges. .:, "
Suddenly, not far OH, they heard