Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-04-09

returned in the fall, and this he did
not forget TO do.
These Indians held a war dance on
the outskirts Of this village. ans In
xlbed all the people to come ard viav
e. Practically all OF the women-and
There were very few at that date b
Lne village, were invited.
A New Dance
The drums sounded and the WAY
dance was on The ladies enmassa were
"a attendance, and after awhile when
ne excitement was at its height &
/ warrior who had been sitting with his
robe around him jumped up threw off
MS robe and commenced TO dance
around the ring-clad in nothing blIt
sunshine. There was q sudden exit Of
all the women folks.
The following day the entire tribe
mounted and rode toward the buffalo
country, ana old not make their re-
appearance in this village until late In
November
Their ponies were loaded with buff
Ialo meat, and some Of this meat had
been put into the paunch OF killed
buffalo, sewed with thongs, spiced with
camas and wild berries It was con-
sidered q delicacy, although an oc-
casional hair could be found.
Chief Joseph gave to the captain OF
the fire department several packages
Of the delectable buffalo meat and his
friends afterward joined him In de-
jeIner a la fourchette.
Three years afterward this captain
OF the fire department and all avail
able men were up in arms to oppose
the invasion of Chief Joseph through
this territory. However, Joseph did not
enter this valley but through the
Bitter Root valley he and his warriors
Travelled.
Joseph told the settlers there that
ne did not want to harm a single one
He had told his men not to steal, nor
murder-that he wished to go through
the country without shedding blood,
for the people OF the. territory had al
ways been his friends.
General Gibbons intercepted him in
the Big Hole, and Joseph, although
surprised, escaped with his Squaws and
their children and many Of his men.
He was not captured until he reached |
the border of Canada.
Soon after the departure of the Nez |
Perce, party consisting of about is |
persons Of the town made arrange
ments to make trip to the Yellow |
stone park. 1t was necessary at that |
date to make the visit on horseback
With pack horse to carry what bed
ding one needed, and sufficient pro-
visions as used in camping out. The
route Travelled was down the Boulder
river, thence up the Madison until the
park could be entered.
The trip commenced the first Of
August and it usually took at least 80
days to make it, camping out at night,
cooking ones grub, and killing suf-
ficient game enroute to supply the
needs of all. Mountain grouse were
plentiful and it was an easy thing to
kill deer or antelope. At that time,
no roads led to the park, and the whole
country was uninhabited
The Yellowstone park was in a state
Of nature just as it has been for ages
past It's wonders had become known
to very few white persons. Game was
not plentiful at that time within its
boundaries. The fishing was all one
could wish, but the trout were not
what Montanans had been accustomed
10 eat. An act Of congress introduced
BY William H Clagett, who was then
she delegate from this territory, caused
.he park to be named the Yellowstone.
The old hunters and trappers called it
Steamboat Springs
On the return of the pilgrims" of
his trip their journey led them