Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-03-02

I fering of the reward brought about
desired results. The Indians Of that
region have name for the site Of that
battle. They call that locality 'Kulia,
which closely resembles their word
for the Kanaka people.
The Bannacks and the F1atheads, all
though they were of different stock
origins, were at all times on friendly
terms as neighboring tribes. On one
occasion, though, there came nearness
to rupture that might have developed
into permanent enmity. The incident
occurred during the early days Of SIT
Hall, on the Snake river, In Tdak# ~
big band of FIatheads had their camp
then just northeast of Fort Hall. A big
band Of Bannacks came up and set
their camp near by. AS was the usual
custom with Indians having friendly
tribal relations, there was much horse
trading and other swappings between
the two tribes. They attended each
others dances and flirted with each
others girls. They had competitive
games, all of the contests being car
ried through with entire good nature.
After several dayas of this combined
cordial association, the Bannack band
moved on. About IS miles away they
stopped for a headquarters hunting
encampfnent.
A few days after the Bannacks had
gone, there was a night raid on thel
Flathead pony herds and many Of their
fleet mounts were taken. It seemed GER
tain that the Bannacks were the raid
ers. Steps were taken TO retaliate and
about 200 F1athead warriors entered
upon the retaliatory move. Travelling
by night, for concealment, they found
the Bannack camp. Soon after day
light one morning, and after the Ban-
nacks had turned all Of their horse
herds out for the day, the Flathead
warriors swooped upon the herds and
started about 800 horses on the run
toward the F7athead home center.
The Bannacks were surprised, but
as soon as their warriors could get |
ready they fastened out to fight the
horsethieves. They were yet more sur
prised when they learned that the enc
mics were the same Flatheads they
had been visiting recently. In the con-
flict six OF the Bannacks were killed. /
One Of the six was the Bannack CHIEF,
named Louis, who had been reared as
a Flathead and had married into the
Bannack tribe. Somehow or other-per-
haps through result Of the killing OF
Chief Louis hostilities came TO q pause
"a conference ensued.
Explanations were made that started
q new theory as to the origin Of the
trouble. The new theory was investi- |
gated fully. It became established as
q fact. It then was learned that the
entire case was one Of mistaken foun-
dalton. Trails were found and followed. /
These showed to the complete satisfac-
ton Of both tribes that the series Of
events so misleading and embarrassing |
TO the two friendly tribes had its be-
ginning IN band OF Grows, who had
been the initial raiders on the Flathead
camp.
The Flathead country was traversed
by the old-time Blackfeet tribes In their
search for horses On one occasion
they got as far west as the present
Sand Point, Idaho, and attacked q
camp Of Kalispells. Three on four Of
the invaders were killed and the re-
manner driven away. On another oc-
casion they reached the same vicinity
but were discovered and retreated with
out accomplishing their designs. Those
two incidents date back to about 1890
more than 100 years ago.
The Flatheads, ia their turn, often
invaded the Blackfeet country. Their
movements over the mountains east
ward were for obtaining buffalo meat
and skins, not horses The Blackfeef
resisted them, Of course, when an en-
counter was made. The FIatheads cub
tivated friendly relations with this
Grows. who ever were on terms OF en-
nifty with the Blnekfeot, 70 it came
aboot taak much al tlae buffalo hunt