davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
Early Day StocEmen Hired Wofers to Extermnae Buffalo
Wolves A. j. Jordan Pioneer Woer Tells Of Their Habits

hunger again brought them to a bunch
Of cattle or horses. Then the killing
and gorging would be repeated. They
never returned to q former XIII they
preferred their meat warm and fresh.
Early In the spring the females IN
whelD would leave the packs with their
mates to search for likely places 70
den and bring forth their young. When
the den was selected and until the pups
were old enough to follow their mother,
her mate would never be Tar afield.
When the pupS were able to eat meat
the mother wolf would take a supply
to them. As they grew older, q XII
would be made as near the den as
possible and the pups would be taken
there to have their fill. BY the time
the pups were three months old, the
mother would take her young with
her and teach them to forage for them
selves. On more than one occasion
have come upon mother wolf max
ing her kill; with a swift lunge she
ham-strings her victim and the next
instant she Is tearing at the throat.
She drives the other cattle away while
the pups gorge themselves with warm
meat. If there were washoub cut near
the kill where she could hide her pups,
she would secrete them there during
the day. This would go on for a month
or more: then she would ham-string a
fat COW or steer and let the pups fin
ish the killing, practically eating the
victim alive. At six months the pups
leave their mother and soon join the
packs. It takes q lot Of meat to raise
a litter to maturity. They are always
hungry The packs kill on an average
Of every three days.
It can readily be understood what the
stoclImen we're up against. They hired
men 10 combat the evil and did every
thing they could to encourage indie
pendent WOlfers. Those working in |
would make camp in
likely location many miles from a
cattle ranch. They made a business /
If their work and worked hard to make |
It pay. It was an interesting life to
cad, it also had its hardships, winter
olizzards and such. 1t was not pleasant /
10 return to camp In severe storm, af-
Ter being away all day taking care OF
raps and poison bats, to find the tents
blown down, If not torn to pieces. NOT
vas It very conducive TO kind thoughts
lpon arriving at camp to learn that q
friendly group of Indians had paid the
amp visit and after devouring all i
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
Want Hail Insurance
ON Winter Grain Crop

While the growing season had just
started already % or 80 applications for
hail insurance policies have been sent
in by farmers to the office of State
Hail Commissioner f. X. Bowman. The
applicants are all growers OF winter
wheat In some Of the counties this
grain Is already eight or 10 inches tall
In favored localities.
Hail insurance Is taken out only after
the grain has begun to reach q height
indicating crop would be destroyed II
subjected TO hall
Spring wheat has not as yet reached
a stage where IL becomes necessary to
insure It, However. Mr.. Bowman said,
If June rains arrive in due season and
the spring wheat begins to shoot up,
there win be a heavy demand for hail
insurance.
While grain and mustard crops are
damaged by hail to q greater or less
extent every year, the state hail system
operates 10 protect many farmers every
season.
Probabilities at present are that the
grain crops win be better this year than
for q long time. and II 1t turns out
that way, there win be q greater volume
of state hail insurance issued than
for the past three OK four years
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
(By ARTHUR J. JORDAN


Wolves are Just big overgrOwn
dogs" said q coyote trapper TO the
writer 3 few weeks ago. Maybe they
are, bat 1 never saw anything In q
big grey lo'fer that would suggest an
eveE~gr0wn dog. If this trapper had
arrived Ia eastern Montana Is years
before, when the wolves were plenti-
full and followed wolfing rs an IN
dependent trMppeK, he would NOT
nave thought OF the big plains wolf
IS q big ovcr-gr0wn dog. Having been
an independent weller more than 40
years ago, the writer naturally has
had many interesting experiences
with natures Wild things.
The big plains or buffalo wolves had
preyed upon the buffalo herds for un-
known ages. They had developed
shoulder, neck and jaw muscles that
enabled them to pull down Q buffalo
whenever they were hungry. When the
cattle herds were trailed into Montana
from the south, and after the ruth
less slaughter of the buffalo by the btd-
falo hunters, the wolves hung upon the
fllInixs OF the cattle herds and their
depredations caused the cattlemen
much grief Some readers may Won
der, when game at that time was IN
such profusion, everywhere, why the
wolves did not prey upon game. The
fact Is, they were too big and lubberly
20 catch a deer, antelope or mountain
sheep, unless they came upon one
fast in a snowdrift or qlagmire. Yet
they were active in making their kill.
I have seen them take down q large
steer with incredible speed.
The early plainsmen called the grey
wolf, q buffalo wolf. and when the
Texas cowboys came up over the cattle
trails from the Rio Grande, they call
ed q wolf lo'fer, which Is the Span
ish word for wolf. It is spelled "lobo."
During the fall Of each year the
wolves gathered In packs, 35 being the
largest number Of any one pack that I
have seen, and that was in the sum-
mer Of 1896 on the head OF Big Dry
creek. Each pack travelled certain
route, a sort Of circuit, always reap
pearing on an average Of 10 days not
far from where they had passed be-
fore. When they became hungry, they
pulled down a fat COW or steer, and II
the pack was Of large size, more than
one critter was devoured. With their
hunger appeased, they leisurely con-
tinued on their way until the pangs OF |
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
BONNEVILLE WAS
EARLY EXP. ORER
WASHINGTON IRVING WAS FIRST
AUTHOR TO WRITE ABOUT
ARMY EXPLORER
(By ALBERT J. PARTOLL.l


Momtanans have 3 special interest
ia Capt. B. 1. Z. Bonneville, the noted
eraYeker In the west whose recently
discovered letters Of 1883 and 1895 tell
Of his adventures. Prior to finding
the letters the chief source Of infor-
nation on Bonneville was the pub
Hslacd account by Washington Irving,
who knew Bonneville and had ac-
cess 20 some of his writings. Irving, to
inject col0r and completeness, bOr-
r0wed facts from other sources, and
BY sc doing presented q readable mar
rative as early as I843.
Bonneville's activities in Montana
seem TO have been limited to a short
visit to the Yellowstone country, as he
states, that Il may say have actually
visited only the heart Of the Rocky
mountains, or in other words the head
waters Of the Yellow Stone, the Platte,
the Colorado Of the west and the Col
umbla. His reference to the Columbia
was the Lewis fork of that stream He
also states in his letter Of July, 1888,
that he hoped to visit the K0Otenai,
which is in the Montana of today. His
ambition in this respect was never real
lied, due TO repeated encounters with
the Blackfeet Indians, who regarded
him as an intruder
His letter Of Sept. 80, 1885, saws that
his contemplated visit to the northern
branches Of the Columbia and into the
present Canada was never realized.
However, information gathered by Bon
neville OF the waterway system OF Mon
tana was useful in making his man.
which was one Of the earlier ones to
correctly represent the courses Of GER
tain streams
When Capt. John Mullan was OBJ
serving the Beaverhead country Of
hHNa1foF1n
a creek named after Bonneville, Of
which he says:
This creek, as told by our guide, Is
known as Bonneville creek. It was
here where a party OF Blackfeet, IN
1885, seized upon the goods belonging
TO 3 portion of the expedition under
Captain (now ColOnel) Bonneville. Of
the army, then trapping In the noun
5ains, and strewed over the prairie what |
they did not carry off. It is known
among the Flatheads and Nez Perces
Indians as the spot where Colonel Bon
neville's expedition was robbed"
Bonneville's contribution to the de- I
gelopment OF the west was in the form /
ot q literary message of the real nature /
the Rocky mountains, which he clear |
y showed was not desert as many
thought Irving, by his pen, sent Bon
nevllle's account far and wide In his
book OF the captains adventures but /
seems TO have omitted q most note
worthy fact IN that Bonneville was one
q the early advocates Of possessing
Oregon
The letter of 1888 deems the time
Tor taking Oregon as a possession Of !
ihe United States TO have arrived and
recommends immediate action. Due
70 apparent loss to the knowledge Of
man Tor time Of his letters, Bonne-
vile'S suggestion was unheeded.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

In Montana history Robert Mel
drum Is entitled 10 q place aznomg
early fur traders, when beaver peAfs
were a standard OF currency and the
white man was the intruder ia the
Indians western domain. Robert nzez-
drum was for many years associated
with the American Fur company anti
An assistant Of Alexander CuIbnsxsan
IN the fur trade Of the upper hzls-
souri,. He Is said TO have come west
with the noted expedition Of Captain
Bonneville ia 1892 and 70 have taken
up residence among the Grow indians
shortly after. His knowledge ef hfa
adopted people rendered him Of great
assistance In dealing between them
and the whites.
Among anecdotes about Meldrum
which may be regarded as having q
basis Of truth, Is one recorded in q
paper written IN 1866 by John M
Browne. OF himself, Browne says:
"A somewhat protracted residence
among the Blackfeet tribe Of Indians
and an extensive observation OF men
and manners as they appear in the
wilder parts Of the Rocky mountains
and British America have enabled the
writer to give some facts which may
not prove wholly uninteresting
Browne was personally acquainted
with Meldrun, whom he calls Meldrann,
and in his paper mentions him IN con-
nection with Indian ideas Of magic.
Attributing powers Of magic to Inc
dividuals by Indians, who regarded
Adeldrum highly because Of q Jest that
came out right, is told by Browne, who
says:
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
Story of Robert Meldrurn,
Early Montana Fur Trader

man In the employ Of the American
Fur company, found himself suddenly
elevated to high rank as q seer BY 8
foolish or petulant remark. He was
engaged IN making q rude press for
baling furs and had got q heavy lever
In position. A large party of Grow In-
dams who were ct hand, considering
his press a marvel Of mechanical In
genuity, we're very inquisitive as to its
uses. Meldram, with an assumption OF
severity, told them the machine was
snow to fan until il reached the end
of the cord that dangIed from the lever
and reached within q yard Of the
ground.
"The fame Of 50 potent medicine
spread rapidly through the Grow ma
ton. The machine was visited by hun
dTedS and the fan of snow anN0lgly
looked for by the entire tribe. To the
awe of every Indian, and the astonish-
ment Of the few trappers then at the
mouth Of the Yellowstone, the snow
actually reached the end Of the rope
and did not during the winter attain
any greater depth. MeIdram found
greatness thrust upon him. He had
lived for more than 40 years among the
Crows and when knew him was much
consulted as a medicine man.
His chief charms, or amulets, we're
q large bulls eye silver watch and
a copy of Ayers Family Almanac In
which was displayed the human body.
encircIed by the signs Of the zodiac.
Meldrum was 8 noted figure In his
day and the incident related by Browne
is a somewhat unknown chapter Of the
career of a man who lived In this region
a century ago.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

wolf to her young, to the long-drawn
mournful bowling, which is the wolf
call for the gathering together Of the
pack. The strangest call would be
heard by rider when approaching tor
ward the vicinity OF g wolf den. It
was long sharp call, warning from
the male wolf 10 his mate. 1t would
be answered by the mother wolf, and IL
the rider came In sight near the den
the warning would be impregnated with
menace. The mother wolf would not
answer that warning, knowing that
danger was near.
The cowboys enjoyed the sport of rop-
Ing wolves. An ordinary COW pony could
easily overtake wolf In short run,
after that the quarry would out-diS-
lance the rider. A wolf Is like buf-
falo; it has a gait all its own and can
keep It up for 20 miles or more. The
the Montana and Wyoming plains,
are now almost extinct. The few that
are left stay In the mountains where
they prey on the slow moving elk. The
grey wolves in captivity are pitiful
specimens compared with their wild
proRenitors Raised IN pen they become
stunted They do not have the shoul-
der, neck and jaw muscles, neither DC
they know anything about the long
QIAWA A2ACAhuSA&QAy W0AA ~Aet4A "a eA4AsNA
wild ancestors big 1ubberly brutes
that could not survive the white mans
advancing civilization.
About is years ago, there was 9
three-footed wolf ranging near the
town of Jordan. She had been caught
In q trap, lost one Of her front feet,
but she was causing the small ranch
ers much grief, for she preyeo on the
milk cows calves and the gentle yearl-
inRs. She became an educated pest.
For three years she eluded all traps
poisoned bats and the hunters rifles;
then one day "Bill" Cherry, while rid
ing toward the town came upon the
old lo1er near Smoky Butte. Bill had
for many years followed independent
wolfing. Forty years ago he was con-
sidered the best trapper in eastern
Montana. at this time he was about
so years old but the spirit OF former
years was stiII strong within his breast
he took down his rope and gave chase.
Bill was riding q good mount and
soon came within throwing distance.
He was Just about 70 cast his rope when
the horse fell IN the heavy sagebruSh-
Bill regained his feet, bleeding from a
number of cuts and bruises about the
face and hands, and rem0Rnting, con-
tluued the chase and soon had his
quarry. He took off the peIt and rode
proudly into town A number OF the
townfolks who were living there then
win probably remember this incident
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
EXPANSION OF cCC

Expansion OF CCC operations IN Mon
tana has been announced by William
RuffcoTn, newly appointed state relief
administrator. Fourteen new camps ere
to be located In Montana, bringing the
total number In the state to a. This
win require the enrolment OF 1880
additional men. Location Of the new
camps has not been determined, nor
as the proportion Of Montana men who
win be enrolled In them been announc-.
ed. 1t is probable, however, that the
state win be permitted as many enroll
lees as can be certified from destitute
families. New CCC regulations effec-
tive June is increase the age limit from
rs to rs years and the maximum term
of service in the camps from IL to 10
months.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

they could hold, had made off with
most Of the rest. That would neces-
state a long hard ride to the nearest
COW ranch for more supplies. An In
dian Is like a wolf, always hungry. The
Piegan Blackfeet and Grow Indians
were the worst offenders.
The hired trappers at the stock
ranches led a much easier life; during
rough weather they never went far
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

from the ranch; they always had a
warm bunk house to return to after
a days ride; their wages were paid
whether they caught 10 or 100 wolves
during the year. Yet I have known
few hired wolfers that were very
successful In their work.
A wolf employs various calls for COM
municating with his kind from the
yodeling coddling cali Of the mother
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
RTRAL RFHARTr,rrATToN

Financed by the Montana Rural Re-
Mobilization corporation, which obtain
ed q federal cash grant for the purpose,
six farm families from submarginal dry
land farm areas in Phillips county,
have been established on an expert
mental rehabilitation project on the
Tom Johnson farm four miles north OF
Malta. The settlers are given q month
ly cash advance for the purchase of
food and clothing. Purchase of ma
chinery and other equipment viii be
financed by the rehabilitation coxp0r-
alton. The farm units are leased On 8
to buy the tract from the government
on q longtime payment contract. The
government agrees to purchase his sub
marginal holdings.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

To take food co an inaccessible sec
ton &C the Clearwater country where
forest fire Is raging forest service at-
th0rfktes utilized M atFplane and oTop-
ped burlap bags Of provisions 20 the
fire fighters.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
NRA Activities
in Treasure State
By Our Helena Corresponaert)
HOUSING PROGRARH

The Montana office OF the Federal
Housing administration at Helena has
received 100 applications for mutually
insured mortgage loans totaling $780,
600, according to Barclay Craighead,
state director. The housing admin
istration insured loans are based on the
low cost, monthly payment plan and
apply to new home construction. the
purchase Of existing home structures
and 20 the refinancing Of the old type
of mortgages standing against resi-
dence properties.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
NEW PWA REGULATIONS

Under the new PWA wOrk-relie1 pro-
gram, it has been announced at the
Montana office OF that organization In
Helena, the government grants 45 per
cent of the project total and loans the
remaining s. percent at percent M
terest The loan and grant basis for
merry was 70 percent loan at percent
and 80 percent grant. Wages on Mon
tana PWA projects win be determined
in accordance with local wage condi-
tons. The maximum hours Of work
for manual labor win be eight hours q
day and 100 hours q month. For Cleric
cal and other nOn-manual work en-
ployes the maximum viii be eight hours
q day and a total of 40 hours week.
Preference will be given to persons from
the public relief rolls, and at least 30
percent Of all those employed on q
works project win be taken from relief
rolls, except at the specific auth0riza-
ton Of the works progress adntnistra-
ton. It is also stated that only one
member of family group may be en-
ployed ON the wrks program except as
specifically authorized.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
HOME OWNERS LOAN

e. O. Carruth, state manager Of the
Home Owners Loan corporation, has
announced the establishment in Nom
tana Of five servicing districts to handle
collections. investigations and similar
business for the corporation. The new
district headquarters offices and those
in charge Of them. Butte, Thomas
Gravey, MiSsoula, Earl ScOyille, Bill
ing. e. l.. Murphy and HaYre, E. @.
Bennett. The state Headquarters office
at Great Falls win handle service prob
lens for the Great Falls district under
the direction of Arthur Williams, as
sistaHt state manager.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

Engineers OF the federal department
OF public roads are preparing TO begin
a survey of q proposed new highway
Ia Glacier park from the Avalanche
creek region to Bolton along the shores
OF Lake MCDONALD
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
aI PwA pR0IRr,Ts

In Montana nearly three years ago,
Montana has received loans and grants
from the federal government for
81 public works projects, ranging from
sewer or water systems In small munt-
cipalities to large dams and imposing
public buildings. Announcement 10
this effect was made with the retire
ment Of d. w. McKinnon as PWA en-
gineer for Montana to become chief en-
gineer for the state highway commits
sion. The projects, now either COM
pleted. under construction or their bids
advertised involve total expenditure
OF more than $40. 1000, Coo v. Fl. Walsh,
who served as an examining engineer
under McKinnon Is now acting director
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

Meetings 60 demand repeal Of the
unemployed insurance act are being
held throughout Northern Ireland.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
Motorists who know these
facts will save money:

Motor oils refined by the usual
methods have some oiliness and film
strength, but they may form carbon
and sludge, which lead to expensive
motor repairs.
Other oils may form almost no
carbon and sludge, but are so over
refined that they are robbed of Oili-
ness and film strength they need to
prevent motor wear.
Germ Processed Oil is refined to
eliminate carbon and sludge trou-
bles and then the Germ Process
adds extra OilfNess and 2 to 4 times
more film strength than any straight
mineral oil, as tests on the Thinker
machine have proved.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08
Only the oil sOitb the ''Hidden Quart sUiIJ
stay up in your motor and cut dO'On
this starting sUeGr!

Here are Ebe f@cEs: Oils not
Germ ProcesSed drain back into the
crankcase when your motor is idle:
Bearings, PistOns and cylinders are
dry when you start. Even in warm
weather your motor makes at least
a thousand revolutions before the
quickest flowing oil can reach ali
parts. Bare metal grinds againstbare
metal-destructive wear occurs.
COnoco Germ Processed Oil cuts
down this costly starting wearl The
patented Germ Process-adding
concentrated oily essence TO highly
refined oil-makes it penetrate and
combine with metal surfaces. That
penetrative film, forming the ''Hid-
den Quart, becomes part of the
metal itself and never drains away.
Hundreds of dry-crankcase runs
have proved the "EIidden Quart
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-06-08

Intoxicating value. Cars using Germ
Processed Oil were driven IS to75
miles with the crankcase empty but
without motor damage!
Germ Processed Oilprotectsyour
motor another way. Ali cars built
since 1881 have greatly increased
presSures and must have oil of extra
high film strength for safe lubrica-
ZION. Straight mineral oils have no
more film strength than they had
10 years ago-some have less!*
Conoco Germ PROGRESSED Oil, with
2 10 4 times tbe film strength of min
eraI oils, gives modern motors the
fabrication they need.
Only Conoco Germ Processed
Oil gives full motor protection
when you start, while you drive.
You will cut motor wear if you
use i'll
Evening star., 1935-12-18
A. A. U. BASKETERS
MUST HAVE CARDS
Members Warned Against 0ppos-
ing Tossers Without Them-Six
Facing Pro Label.
T TNLEss amateur basket ball players

I TNLESS amateur basket ball players
have A. A. U. registration cards
and refuse to play with or against
those courtmen without such cards,
they will be in danger Of losing their
registered amateur standing, accord
ing to Joseph Aronoff, registration
chairman of the local A. A. U.
New cards. good until May /, viii
be available to team managers at the
Boys Club by the end of the week and
from that time it will devolve upon
managers to ascertain the eligibility OF
all members Of an opposing team
Only one transfer will be permitted a
player up Until January Is, after
which he may not change from one
team to another.
Unless six players can prove to the
committee that they have not beer
professionals nor competed against
such, amateur ranks will remain de-
pleted of Norwood Sothoron, Johnny
Bozek, Gene Aug1Sterfer, Brew, Chalk
ley and Holland, barred by the District
of Columbia Union last night. The
first four played this Fall with the
Maryland A. C. eleven while Brew
Chalkley and Holland were members
Of the Renroc A. C.