The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-03-08

By DR.. THOMAS b. MARQUIS

BY DIR. THOMAS B. MARQUIS
As far back as historical knowledge
goes, Indians making up the present
Flathead tribe and their ances-
tors occupied the section of Montana
they now occupy, with a broad area
in addition all around their present
reservation. 1t has been pointed out
by other writer's, but it is well to re-
peat here hat the name, "Flathead,"
was our term thrust upon them. 1t
was known that some Indians on the
extreme western coast artificially
formed the heads of their babies to
flatncss on forehead OF 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 hat no whites ever have
claimed to have seen any such practice
among them. The name they use for
themselves is Selfish, OF Selfish.
Although the whites gradually n
croached upon lands claimed and oc-
cupied by these so-called Flatheads-
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 a 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 un-
friendly toward them-is indicated by
h present condition that about IS per
cent of the tribal agency roll is COM
posed of people having a white blood
mixture of varying degrees, from al
m~ost-Indian 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, a 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
thew discovered a band of about 200
Piegan Blackfeet warriors i'll their vic
inity That seemed too MANY for the
nrnober of FIGHTING men in the Flat
haod comn co thew entered upon an
affor+ tn teen neace with the Black
feet.
R;o E,o,e the chief. and Bear Track,
s,,hcbief went afoot to where the en-
env warriors were preparing for battle.
After some indications of failure, their
nronosal was accepted and the enemy
chiefs Joined them in a friendly cere-
monia1 smoke. R,t while the smoking
ceremony was in progress there was
one vo,1ng Blackfeet warrior who could
not resist the temptation to do some
thing hold He slvlv stole Black Eagles
how from it's culver. The chief did not
misc If until after he had returned to
his neonle Then he went back to ask
for its return to him.. This request was
construed bv the Blackfeet
"Yo,,r asking for the return of YOUR
how Is considered bv us as a declara-
tion Of war. so vou have broken the
neace-nine vow"
They at once attacked Big Eagle
soon killed him. and Bear Track re-
ceived some arrow Wounds as he made
his escane. A general battle ensued.
Several were wounded. but there were
few or no deaths in result, The Flat
heads sent colriers to inform their
main tribe. Other Flathead warriors
came R,lt bv that time the Blackfeet
had left the vicinity and could not be
found for a resumption of the battle.
About 1899 or 1910, a party of Black