Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-05-11

the grand things Of nature. He cultivat-
ed truth, independence, self-reliance
He has lofty thoughts and generous Inn
pulses. He is true to his friends and
true to the Flag Of his Country"
Here's ~how company Of 20 trap
pers divided the work of collecting furs
among hostile Indians: Everything was
held In common, which means that the
value Of all fIlrs trapped was equally
divided. All the men could not trap,
for a picket had to be constantly on
duty. A guard remained with the
horses during the day. During the
night the horses were corralled. One
man had to take care of camp, and
generally two men acted as SINNERS
and caretakers Of all the furs brought
in. The remainder set traps, and all
kept a sharp lookout for Indians. No
shooting was allowed while setting
traps, as shot meant Indians, at which
signal all were on the alert"
Discipline under fire: In an Indian
fight In 1845 the main secret OF the
trapperS' success was in making every
shot count in the first volley. This be-
wildered the Indians, and before they
could collect their thoughts we rushed
in among them There was no
question that our outfit was the most
effective fighting body Of trappers on
the plains. It contained men who,
firmly believe, would have been able to
command an army. It is q question in
my mind If any soldiers Of any nation
were as well drilled in the use of rifles
and pistols as this body Of trappers
The horses also we're drilled to stand
fire and to be quick in evolutions
''Trappers in those days were obliged
to always contend against overwhelm-
ing numbers, but they never hesitated,
and it was always fight to win, for
defeat meant death"
After describing hilarious scenes at
the rendezvous, Hamilton said: ut
must not be thought that trappers are
an idle set while at the rendezvous The
reverse Is true. Many of them are con-
stantly dressing bucl1skin, and their
mode of dressing it is far superior to-
that Of the Indian, as the skin when
prepared by the trappers win not
stretch or shrink when wet. Others
are hunting deer to keep the camp
supplied with meat, or putting arms
and traps in perfect condition. Most
trappers make their own buckskin
clothes, although there were tailors
at many Of the rendezvous"
The trappers' workshop: eff people
In the states could see this camp" q
trapper remarked to Hamilton, with
the immense number of beaver stretch
ed on hoops and hanging on every
available limb, they would go wild.
When return home and tell them
about it, they win not believe me.
Neither win they believe an account Of
the life Of the trappers who appear to
be perfectly at home In a country that
none Of them has ever heard of or
seen"
Again: THE fur season was now over
and we took advantage Of the oppor-
tunity to explore the country, remains
ing here two weeks. The two
weeks passed very pleasantly. Our time
was spent in exploring, hunting and
fishing"
BY 1870 wilderness men had discover
I'd every major feature OF the noun
kains and were equipped to become re-
liable guides for the government Eek
pl0rers" who were soon to enter thel
west Hamilton. comparing the trap
peers 10 great explorers Of the past.
wrote
II came 10 the conclusion that the
American nation might well be proud
u hen n0untaineers. who feariessly ex~
naa tRs1 umAu0wn wilderness, en-
a0un1exing and overcoming untold dia-
Ilrnlkies and dangers By the mere foroa