The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-09-25
"Crow" Davis, Indian Trader, Squaw Man, Guardian OF Tribe
in It's Official Dealings. Fell victimized Initiate to Rednen's
Lodge in Belief Ordeal Would Assure Him Sheriff Candidacy

George F. "Crow" Davis, n of
south Central MOntana's early-day
Indian traders, trappers and scouts,
member of the Crow tribe by
adoption, married a Crow Indian
woman, became the father of sew
efal children, achieved control of a
large tract of Indian land and ire
mendous power and influence with
the Crows over a period of years,
and all without attracting undue
attention. But when he became a
member of the Independent Order
of Red Men at Billings, the initia-
ton brought him notOriety through
the whole Yellowstone country in
the space Of a few weeks.
The ridiculous ordealS through which
he was put and through which he went
with the utmost solemnity and SINGER.
he had withstood all tests successfully
to become a full-fledged member OF
the society was the richest joke Of the
season through that whole region.
Davis was a natural born wind
TANNER" a tall talker with a valiant
disregard for the truth when it came
to relating stories of his adventures
with the Indians, bears and mountain
lions. Following the general practice of
squaw men of that period he obtained
extra allotmentS of Indian land for his
children until ne held, as proxy for
them, a large tract on the Clark's Fork
of the Yellowstone just across the river
from where the town of Laurel is now
located.
Useful Go-Between
He spoke the Grow language flu
emily and was equally handy with Eng
lish which rolled off his tongue loud
and fast. With a flair for oratory
opinions upon everything and a ready
willingness to express them, he be-
came useful to both Indians and the
whites.
Davis had influence with the Crows
When the government wanted to buy
more Grow Indian land south of the
Yellowstone river to satisfy increaS-
ing demands of settlers, Davis acted
as an interpreter and also used his
powers of persuasion upon the In
dians in behalf of the government.
When trouble arose over a Crow In
dian lease in 1885. Davis went to the
reservation with the government Off
Gals investigating the matter and hac
much to do with the negotiations of 8
new lease and a satisfactory settle.
ment of the dispute.
Indian Shrug Was Davis Grafton
Several times when Grow chiefs went
to washington to see the Great White
Father about rations. lands and annui-
ties or to discuss other matters rela.
tive to the treatment of the Indians
and their general welfare, Davis went
with them as interpreter. When a Grow
chief draWled "Saaphe," Davis WoulC
make a speech on his behalf that would
put to shame the address of a cham
Der of commerce president extending
the privileges OF the city to a lot Of
convention delegates.
If a chief shrugged his shoulders anG
said "caweek," the interpreter would
launch forth into a recital of the woes
Of the Indian which would not only
win admiration for his oratorical abil.
tty. but sympathy and benefit for hi.
constituents.
After Yellowstone county was organ.
lied Crow Davis was stung by the pc.
htical bee. He wanted to be sheriff
Billings town jokers encouraged hin
IN his ambition and added fuel to the
flames of his desire.
He Joined the Lodge
Friends were sent to tell him that
members of the Independent Order OF
vas a lodge in Billings, had great po-
Itical: influence and that no Candidate
for office could hope to be successful
without their support, to gain which
OF course, 1t would be necessary to join
the lodge.
he applleQ Tor membership.
Warned that the initiation was
strenuous. n that could be endured
only by "he men," Davis was told by
his friends that if he wished to tackle
It, to leave it to them and they would
obtain favorable action upon his appli-
cation and use their influence to have
him "let down" as easily as possible
in the ordeals which would follow.
He swelled up his chest and told
them to lead me to it," They did.
His initiation was the principal or
der of business at several meetings Of
the lodge. He was given cocktails Of
tobasco sauce, he was plastered with
sticky flypaper, he sat for hours upor
q cake Of ice. Lodge room ordealS were
varied with others which sent him
forth into the town upon ridiculous
errands and peculiar attire. He en-
dured it all with an Indian stoicisn
which but added to the ingenuity o.
the lodge members who cudgeled theil
brains to invent new forms of torture
Their resources and imagination e
hausted, the lodge men finally de-
clared the initiation finished and Davis
q full-fledged member of the indie
pendent Order of Red Men.
But when the political convention
vas held. another nan was nominated
for sheriff.
In the course Of time Davis Indiar
Free Design 6r Livlng
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