The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-01-28

OEN MAOUlhE, MOntanaS most
noted early-day theatrical i'm
preSSariO, put on a show at Fort
4 Custer IN the Little Big Horn in
March. 1880, which resulted in
One of the biggest horse stealing ex-
petitions by Indians that section of
Montana had ever known, and a clash
between United States troops and the
killed nj a number wounded. Incl
dentally, the show, which started on
scheduled time, was interrupted by the
excitement which broke out just at
the critical period when POcahOntaS
was pleading for the life of Capt. John
Smith.
Mcguire had gone to Fort Custer
to present a drama with the amateur
talent which the post afforded, and it
was plentiful there as at most of the
other early-day isolated military can
tOnmentS. There was a large barracks
building which was used as a theater,
there were many aspiring amateur
interesting theatrical programs were
put on there.
Fort Custer at the time was garri-
soned by Troops c, M, G, and I of the
Second cavalry with the headquarters
detachment and band under the COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. A. G. Bracket and
companies B, c, F. and H of the Elev.s
tllGll ul1dllG1y u1NOC GlIC IO1llllllA1o VI
Lieut.. Col. j.. P. Buell., also command
ing the post. In addition there were
at the post 200 quartermaster depart.
ment employees, clerks, packers and
teamsters. Many of the government
contractors were also making winter
headquarters there which added about
IS more to the population. The near
est town was Miles City, 120 miles
distant by wagon road down the val
leys OF the Big Horn and Yellowstone
rivers.
Real Indians for "Mob Scenes"
In selecting the show Mcguire was
impelled to choose Capt. John Smith
because, with a camp of Crow Indians
under Chief Plenty Coos located only
a short distance from the post. he was
offered the opportunity of getting real
ever scenes there were in the play
which required the presence of a large
number If Indians. The more Indians,
in the play, the better the show, accord:
ing to Maguire's view.
John himself played Capt; John
Smith, and the part of P~ocahontas was
taken by Mrs. Collins, wife OF one OF
the army officers.
Mcguire went to see Plenty Coos and
arranged with the chief to have a num-
Der Of his braves available for various
scenes in the presentation. Rehearsals
went forward rapidly and the night
of the show arrived.
Show Interrupted
The curtain went up n everything
went smoothly until the moment when
Pocahontas was pleading for he life
Of Capt. John Smith. At that instant
a painting Crow Indian medicine mar
dashed into the door at the end of the
building and shouted something which
caused all of the braves in the show
to stampede. They were all out OF the
room in no time.
Piegan Indians Invade Camp
The post chief scout translated to
Mcguire and the other members OF the
company and to those Of the audience
who had not already left to see what
was the matter ate That the ne indian . hand nag az
Piegan Indians had I'll off the Grow
indian horses, about 100 head, and
left Plenty Coos and his braves afoot.
In an instant every bugler in the
post was sounding boots and saddles
and there were scores Of lanterns fly.
men hurried to and fro in the dark
ness. The guards were doubled and
there was all kinds Of excitement. No
effort was made to follow the Indian
horse thieves that night. but early the
next morning Capt. John Mi with
troop M and 10 Crow Indians crossed
the Little Big Horn and took up the
trail. They returned that evening, how
ever, and reported they had lost It.
The following morning troop G un-
der Lieut.. J. n. Coale, 10 Grow In
dams, q pack train in command Of the
camp quartermaster, E. M. Locke, aft.
EDWARDS and for many years q resident
Of Great Falls, took up the trail and
followed it to the Tongue river. They
were accompanied by Nick Gilman, at
that time Fort Clusters chief scout. At
the Tongue river they met and camped
with troop E Of the Second cavalry
which had been summoned from Fort