The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-11-20

heSioentS OF biillnES- WeIe PfS-
pared to resist an Indian attack In
1887 when q small band of Crows,
under leadership Of the medicine
man, Sw0rdbearer, or Wraps-Up-
His-Tail, as he was called earlier,
went ON q rampage. Billings, at
that time q frontier town Of 1000
population, seethed with excitement,
ening moves of the Indians. Set
tiers brought their families to town
and preparations were made. to
defend the city. The towns COM
pany Of militia, under Captain Le-
Roy, held daily drills.
Veteran Indian fighters, among them
"Uncle Billy" Hamilton and Liver
scene ready to take a few scalps. After
they had read sign," however, they
did much to allay the fears Of the cit
liens, for it became apparent to them
that, although settlers in remote re-
gions might suffer, there wa little
ment troops which eventually took the
field made short work of Swordbearer
and his followers.
SWordbearer was a young Indian, %
or "a years old at the time and prob
ably, according to the best authorities,
only part Grow. He received his name
from the fact that ne always carried aI1aed
WlGu Ilul oil O4o A4o SASNSAA wv
which he had found. S~wordbearer's
ambition to become a powerful medi-
cine man was given marked impetus
during 1886 by q series of happenings
which seemed to bear out his claims
Of supernatural power. He thereupon
assumed the role of an Indian messiah.
Sioux Encourage Crows
This step followed the killing by
lightning Of some cattle on the range,
and the occurrence of storms of un-
usual violence, all Of which he had pre-
dicted. These things the Indians &C
cepted as proof Of his possession Of
unusually potent medicine" They
brought him considerable fame among
the tribesmen. He also led several small
Piegans with considerable success.
Then, in 1887, many Sioux braves Wis.
tied the Crows and spread discomfort
among their hosts. Swordbearer was g
ready convert to their preachings OF
hostility against the white man, and
went through some of their tortuous
ceremonies.
The first actual outbreak came after
6r wSTaoea Returned ai1 from m an s''e Expedition
against the Piegans, during which they
stole 60 horses from their enemies.
They gathered at the agency with q
number of other braves to celebrate
their success and Grow indian Agent
Williamson ordered their arrest on a
charge of horse stealing. The Indians
then attacked the agency. The agents
office was riddled with bullets. The
young bucks also fired upon the suit
ler's tent when he refused to sell them
ammunition. One Indian pointed a gun
at the interpreter, then raised it and
fired into the air.
First Outbreaks Mere Bravado
At that time the Indians made no
real effort to kill anyone. and it vas
later said their attack upon the agency
was made more in a spirit Of bravado
than with the intent of doing any
actual harm. The bucks, led by Sword
bearer, retired to the outskirts of the
agency settlement and continued their
celebration, having obtained ammuni-
ton from the stores.
A scout was dispatched to Fort Gus
ter to report the trouble and four
troops Of cavalry were sent to the
agency. The Indians Gained down and
in a few days three of the troops re-
turned to the fort, the other remain
ing on guard. The opportunity to Gre
ate additional discomfort waS too good
to be overlooked by Swordbearer, how
ever, and he and his followers in a
camp on Rotten Grass creek held daily
ghost dances and other warlike pow
ows The younger Indians became
greatly excited. The older ones coun-
seled moderation. At the agency the