Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-12-25
~ ELNO

BY ELMO
One night In the late fan Of 1862
Nathaniel p. LangfOrd, Cornelius
BRAY and Patrick DOugherty, while
trembling for their own safety in
a tight spot, gave sincere thanks
for their foresight in keeping their
powder dry The three had come 70
Montana during the summer with
the expedition of Capt. James l..
Fisk. When the expedition reached
Prickly Pear canyon, following the
MuIIan road to Walla Walla,
number of the party had remained
behind, attracted by the posslDiIity
of fortunes in gold. As winter APP
preached many were destitute.
Winter sustenance was serious
urobIem. Among the INDECENT were
Langford and his two companions.
The three heard that some miners
were doing well in a small creek valley
in Pixies Peak gulch, 90 miles away
through the mountains. With sadole
horse each and a single pack animal
for the effects of three men, they
started for the g1llch, where they hoped
to find workable ground or to get en-
While still in the canyon, about two
miles from the summit, Brays morse
gave out. There was nothing 10 90 put
surroundings.
Dangerous Camp Site
There was no feed for the horses.
The CANYON was narrow and there was
no chance to get off the trail for
Secluded camp. Rowing bands OF IN
dams freuuented the route and snoulo
such a band happen to come along
the three white men would De IN ser
ions danger. Dusk brought falling snow,
uresaging a night Of discomfort, even
If safety had been assured.
A clump of bushes at the top Of
small knoll offered the best shelter
in the vicinity. The horses were picket
ed nearby. with all four of the ropes
tied to a single pin, to facilitate one
man control in case of trouble. Blankets
were spread and Dougherty was oe-
tailed as guard until mionlght.
When Langford was aroused as renei
five inches of new-fallen snow atop
his blankets. Dougherty,. chill
through. lost no time in slipping lnCo
the warm spot thus left to him.
About 8 a, m. the horses became rest
less because of lack OF feed. IN tne
evening the men had gathered a Supply
of small fallen pines, ana LangIoro
proceeded to build an immense Dordlre
The flames lighted up the canyon ana
gave a lurid luminence to the snow
clad pines. Black smoke from the ourn-
ing pitch rolled in clouds through the
snow-filled air.
Since all had benefited from at least
few hours Of rest, and the dlsapieo
horse was able to travel again, Lang
ford reused his partners with a view
to getting on the trail as early as pos
sihie No sooner had the men awakened
than a counterfeit neigh Of a morse
sounded from below camp, 70 De an
sWered from above. Neither came from
the direction Of the horses. 1t was an
Indian signal and reply.
Indians Attack
Iangford made for the picket pin
and gathered in the horses. His COM
panions sprang to their guns. From be-
hind a willow thicket thundered 40 or
more Blackfeet Indians, their h1deous-
" painted faces grotesque in the light
Of the bonfire. Each buck carried
gun in his right hand and handled
his horse with the left. All carried
well-filled ouivers with bows and ar
rows Behind them, hazed by few
outriders, came half a hundred horses,
stolen from a party OF miners campeo
at Deer Lodge on their way to the
mines at Bannack.
The horses were driven hurTiedly
past the camp and the Indians lined
lp for an attack believing that the
Of the fire would be easy prey.
Langford and his companions shift
ed their horses into position to serve
as breastworks, and stood with guns
aimed at the Indians not 20 yards
away.
Surprised that his braves hesitated,
the chief of the Indian party began
haranguing his crew to the attack.
They objected in strong terms. Lang
ford learned later they told the chief
their guns we're wet and the caps use
less. The attack seemed inevitable
when the Indians dropped their guns
and unslung their bows and arrows
Our guns were dry" records Lang
ford, "and we knew that they were
good for "a shots and the revolvers in
our belts for as many more"
Satisfied by now that attack would
mean death for several Of the band,
the bulk of the Indians slipped away
down the canyon, only to reappear di-
rectly at point above the camp, plac-
ing the besieged white men between
two threats.
1--WE wheeled our four horses into a
hollow square" says Langford, "and, I
standing in the center, presented our
guns at each assaulting party AS our
horses were the booty they most wished |
to obtain, they we're now restrained lest /
they should kill them instead of us"
pense, the chief after consulting his |
lieutenants, dispersed his party.
Thankful for the snow which had
disabled the Indian guns, Langford and |
his companions saddled up and hurried !
over the mountains Near the head Of /
the canyon they found two jaded horses
left behind by the Indians A short I
time later at Bannack they delivered
one of the animals to its owner, DR..
Click, who declared these Indians had
stolen seven horses from him, and this
was the first one ever returned
Finding the gIIlch at Pixies Peak
fully manned, the trio had remained
but q short time before going on to
Bannack, then and for year to come
the most important placer camp east
Of the continental divide.
GLIDER CLUB
Headed by Vincent Hanna Of Big
Timber and Sherman Day Of Miles