Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-12-30

/ sented the government In six critical
! years IN dealings with them, and mar
/ ried a squaW TO whom he was de-
( Votedly attached.
! He was an adviser Of steptoe and
/ Wright IN the Indian wars and he as
7 sisted in locating the route OF the
T Northern Pacific railroad. He travelled
extensively, keeping an accurate ac-
! count Of his routes and adventures
! with the same accuracy and detail
with which he related the daily hap
/ penings at Fort Owen.
In December, 1887 word reached
him OF the sO-called Mormon war in
Utah. He notes In his journal, under
date Of Dec %, 1857: They say that
Brigham Young has declared martial
law in Utah territory, that a printed
copy Of his proclamation was brought
to Beaverhead this fan and that 90
United States wagons loaded with sup
plies had been captured and all burned
By q party of Mormons."
Subsequent items concern not only
the Mormon war but also the happen
ings at the fort Dec. 81 "Palchina, a
Fiathead Indian, arrived. Victor, the
head chief, with a few lodges Is camped
IN Hell Gate Ronde fearing 70 come
up having heard that Nez Perces we're
here with the smallpox. Many of the
NeZ Perce Indians have died this sum-
mer and fall. having contracted the
disease among the Crows on the Mis-
souri,"
Mid Winter in 1888
Jan. !. 1853, was described rather
interestingly: The old year is gone
and so far the winter has been un-
usually mild. No snow whatever. Grass
Is fine and the stock doing well. For
our New Years dinner we had a very
nice roast Of beef trimmed with Sundry
vegetables, all Of which was nicely
clothed with rich plum pudding and
a few mince pies from our Christmas
strange resurrection Of a very mysteri-
GUS cache Of sundry bottles Of brandy
and whisky. all Of which made a very
handsome accompaniment for the many
good things during the day"
On the eighth, Palchtna the Flat
head. evidently decided that the fort
was safe as far as infection from small
pox was concerned, for he moved
his camp up from Hell Gate, at the
present city Of Missoula. This day was
an important one In the life Of Owen,
for he and two partners Of his signed
marriage contracts with their Indian
wives and, in the absence Of any per-
son duly authorized TO perform the
marriage ceremony, did 1t themselves
in the presence Of witnesses. Owen ex-
plains his action with the following
words: Il had been living pleasantly
with my old wife since the fan Of 1919
and In case Of accident I should feel
much hurt II had not properly pro-
yided for her according TO law
On Jan. a. he voiced again his ap-
Drehension Of the Mormons: Il had
leaving in day or two
for St. Louis via Fort Benton TO make
my long desired visit home once more.
This Is the fourth time I have been
when on the eve Of car
rying out my good intentions. Things
from the Mormon quarter are rather
have had all my property carefully
nvoiced, also the property Of the en- {
oloyes. In case Of loss by a Mormon
mob. when proper care has been taken
% secure property, the government may
AXE a favorable view Of claims Of
persons properly In the. Indian country
who may have sustained such loss
here. From all appearances there must
De an open rupture between the United
States government and the Mormon
clan"
Chicken House Raided
On the goth Owen was perturbed by
some unknown animal that entered the
chicken house and killed 10 puIlets
and ROSTERS. This was somewhat Of
been imported from Salt Lake City,
and should they all be killed, the fort
must go without eggs until such time
IS 1t was safe to go again to Salt Lake
City, the stronghold Of the Mormons.
owen set trap, but the animal, what
ever 1t was, escaped. However, II did
lot return again.
On the 23d, among other happen
ngs occurs another item concerning I
he Mormon war: "Mr. Burr arrived !
lere accompanied by Mr.. Fickltn and !
Dr.. Atkinson. Mr.. r. is the accredited
Iuartermaster agent from the head
quarters Of the army now at Bridger.
lie bears a letter of introduction TO
ne from Colonel Cummings, the pres
mt governor Of Utah. He also brought
ne copy Of Brigham Young's procla-
nation Of martial law"
Ficklfn was an army officer from !.
Fort Bridger, base Of the United States 2
rmy operations against the Mormons. :
lis expedition to Fort Owen was for
he purpose Of buying horSes-a vain :
earch, for Owen noted under date
lead Of Jan. 20: "dr. Ficklin failed
n the object OF his vigit which was =
or the purchase Of stock" !
Smallpox, as wen as the Mormon =
care, troubled Owen. Under the same
late that he records the failure Of
'icklin, he says that the NeZ Perce :,
indians were still dying from smallpox. =