The Fort Peck press., 1936-04-09

Hamilton, scout, trapper, In
M dian fighter is credited a
w one of the most able Indian
sign takers of his day. Th'
first stepping stones for early settle
ments were laid for the pioneers by
f%orerunners in the huge adventure O.
quelling the west. knowledge of Indian
sign language was a necessity in max
ing contacts with the natives. Uncle
Bill" had a wide knowledge of the sigr
language and through the many years
of its usage, he became an authority
on it.
Sixty Years a Trapper
Hamilton's book, my Sixty Years on
Forest and Stream for Oct. %, 1905, the
following article was published:
Away out in Montana, on the flanks
of the Rocky mountains, lives the only
survivor known to us of the old race
of free trappers, the men who perhaps
more than any other class contributed
to make this country what it is today.
born in 1922, on the plains in 1912,
trapper, Indian fighter, sign talker,
scout and guide so long as there were
fur, wild Indians, buffalo, Indian fight
ing, and a country not all cut up by
roads and fences as it is today. It
seems curious to think of a man still
living who was contemporary with old
Bill Williams, Jim Baker, Carson,
Bridger and a dozen other men whose
names, until within a few years, were
household words throughout the west.
In the hurry of immigration and OF
business these men have been largely
forgotten, and have ceased to be talked
about by the dWellers in that vast re-
gion which lies west of the Missouri.
FUhnIf maniac Ct111 live in C1r1n1n hnORC,
which tell the history of the early west,
but their personalities are remembered
by but the few.
wv. t. Hamilton is n of these men.
He is 83 years old, and from the time
he was 20, spent his whole life on the
plains and in the mountains of the
west. He was a skilled trapper, an
thority on Indian and GUS
toms, and has long been acknowledged
the most expert sign talker on the
plains"
Urged to Write Sign Language
my friends have got me into the
worst jackpot I was ever in," Uncle
Bill remarked in 1905 to A. j. Bryant,
editor of the Tri-County News, Co
lumbus, Montana. They have asked
me to write the Indian sign language,
and I have consented and am engaged
at the task at the present time. When
this work is finished I will have all of
young America and Canada anxious to
learn the sign language. 1t is some
thing new, and the human family is
hungry for something original"
uncle Bill was entertained in the
car of Thomas E. Ryan shortly
again urged to record his know
of the Indian sign language. OF
party rendered him by Mr.. Ryan
Uncle Bill" had the following to say:
my friends, with a few exceptions,
envy my entertainment received at the
hands of Thomas F. Ryan, Thomas H.
Carter and General Beattie, at 1915
served, each with a different set of
nigh grade china. All cutlery and COB
for wine were solid silver. The
Gar of Russia, Emperor William, or
King Edward were never so royalty en-
5ertained. To call the different names
If the fine courses nonplussed me
except champagne.
Hon. Thomas H. Carter and Mr..
Ryan take a great interest in my
the Indian sign language, and
emarked that it is a most essential
hing and of great Importance; that
t should be accomplished at all costs
or the benefit of generations to come" t
In the Tri-County News for Sept. i
/, 1905, appears the first of a series 6
4 LILO AOOOOAAD - ~ oASA1 1oA1
LESSON ONE II
l. The following signs are made with fin
ers held in the same position, viz: Three
myers placed in palm of right hand. first q
niger and thumb spread wide apart. !
2. Bring right hand to breast, bring it up !
chin-'Enough." I
3. Throw back of hand over, back down.
I understand" .
lches with a chuck-"Do you understand" y
5. Bring hand up to right ear. ITO hear" S
6. Bring hand 4 inches above forehead, !.
hand down to f~orehead-"Hat." l.
7. Hold left hand in front IS inches palm e
OWN, move right hand, back down, under "
# with a sweeping motion forward, arms v
ngth-'Going to war; p
w. t. HAMILTON. e
LESSON w Il
l. Three fingers placed in palm of right =
md, first finger and thumb spread apart. h
2. Put hand down to calf of leg on right h
de. bring thumb and finger up to thigh W
or pants" ~
3. Stoop down, bring thumb and index h.
nger from toe to heel-"Blackfoot Indians" !,
4. Hold right hand in front opposite face, !,
I'D fingers down like claws of an eagle IL
fingers Ito indicate rain) then three -
1gers in palm of right hand, thumb and ~
spread, bring them four inches above a.
rehead, bring them down to the forehead fl
lat" rainbow" or water hat"
S. Move palm of hand in front of a person =,
ice, then three fingers in palm of right ~,
thumb and index fingers spread, bring y,
nd up to right ear, index pointing to front u,
do you hear?' ~
g.. Fingers and thumb same position; bring ~
nd to right shoulder, finger and thumb u,
read, move down to hip-"Coat' or shirt" 81
z. Bring both hands, one each side of head, +t
fingers vertical, palms to the rear, lean N
nd k and bring down to. shoulder ri
Woman" en-
;. Place three fingers of both hands in
Inns, thumbs and index fingers spread,
~ fiji