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

By DIX. THOMAS D. MAhNOAS
AS far back ms historical knowledge
goes, Indians making up the present
Rlaahead tribe ard their ances-
tors occupied the section o. Montana
they now occupy, with 3 broad area
IN addition all around their present
reservation. Kt has been pointed out
By ether writers, but il is wen 20 re-
peat here that the name, @Ffathead,"
was eur term thrust upon them. It
was known that some Indians on the
extreme western coast artificlaIly
formed the heads Of their babies to
fEatness on forehead or at the side.
Our earliest explorers or trappers in
the Rocky mountain country supposed
these Indians Just west of the divide
were Of that same tribal stock, so they
were called ''Flatheads," and the name
stuck TO them. But they say they never
practiced the infant head flattening,
and It is true that no whites ever have
claimed to have seen any such practice
among them. The name they use for
themselves is Selfish, or Selfish.
Although the whites gradually en-
croached upon lands claimed and oc-
cupied by these so-called F1atheads-
and although these natives often ex-
pressed themselves as being wronged
on that account-they never made any
tribal warfare against the whites There
were but few minor difficulties, these
arising from mutual horse Stealings or
from other sources of conflict between
persons or between small groups Of
the two races.
The fact that the Flatheads were
specially friendly to whites-Or not I'M
friendly toward them-is indicated by
the present condition that about IS per
cent Of the tribal agency roll is COM
posed Of people having white blood
mixture Of varying degrees, from al
most-Tndian to almost-white; and sew
eral Of them so nearly white as to be
readily mistaken for white people.
The earliest authentic record Of In
dian warfare in which the Flatheads
were engaged fixes that event about
the year 1900, few years before the
advent Of Lewis and Clark. About $50
Flatheads were encamped in the Big
hole valley. They were families on a
general hunting expedition and were
led by Big Eagle as their chief. One day
they discovered a band of about 200
Piegan Blaclfeet warriors in their VIC
unity. That seemed too many for the
number of fighting men in the Flat
head camp, so they entered upon an
effort to keep peace with the Black
feet.
Big Eagle, the chief, and Bear Track,
subchief, went afoot to where the en-
envy warriors were preparing for battle. |
After some indications of failure, their |
proposal was accepted, and the enemy
chiefs joined them in a friendly cere-
monial smoke. But while the smoking |
ceremony was in progress there was
one young Blackfeet warrior who could
not resist the temptation to do some
thing bold He slyly stole Black Eagles
bow from its CULVER The chief did not
miss it until after he had returned to
his people. Then he went back to ask
for its return to him. This request was
construed by the Blackfeet response:
your asking for the return Of your
bow is considered by us as a declara-
ton Of war, so you have broken the
peace-pipe VOW"
They at once attacked Big Eagle
soon killed him, and Bear Track re-
ceived some arrow wounds as he made
his escape. A general battle ensued.
Several were wounded, but there were
few or no deaths in result. The Flat
heads sent couriers to inform their
main tribe. Other F1athead warriors
came. But by that time the Blackfeet
had left the vicinity and could not be
found for resumption Of the battle.
About 1889 or 1910, party of Black
feet surprised the Flathead main camp
in the Bitter Root valley. The raiders
got away with large band Of horses.
Pursuit was made, some personal harm
was inflicted and received, but the
Blackfeet kept on going-with the sto-
len animals. The Flatheads, the Nez
Perces and other Indians Of that sec
ton of the country had many horses.
They got them from the abundant sup
ply in the California segment Of what
then was Mexico This condition rem
dered the Flatheads and neighboring
tribes Just west of the main range sub
Jet to raidings by other tribes just to
the east Of the main range, the object
OF the forays being for obtaining horses.
The Blackfeet in particular were per- !
slstent In such activities This may have ,
been due partly to their natural energy,
but it was due mainly to the fact that
white men fur traders we're among the
Blackfeet very early, so these Indians
got guns and ammunition before fire
arms traders became established among
the tribes on the Pacific side Of the
Rocky mountains.
Some Pend dOreille Indians, blood
relatives Of the FIatheads, had battle