Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-04-08
WiIkinson's Death Removes Last Survivor of
Volunteers Who Fought i'm Battle of Big Hole
NJ FDwARD B. REYNOLDS


last trips to the Big Hole
~ battle-ground was on an Au-
gust day, 1884, when he, Andrea
Garcia, a Montana pioneer from
Rivulet. and the writer made the
journey at the time of the conven-
fion of Montana Pioneers in Ana
conda. At that time he described
the scene of the battle and ex-
changed "reminiscences with Gar
cia. Wilkinson, last survivor of the
volunteers who fought under Gen.
John Gibbon in the Battle OF the Big
Hole Aug. g. 1877, died in Missoula in
March 1889. at the age Of 80. Garcia,
although not a participant IN the bat
tie. was married to a Nez Perez woman
who was with Chief Joseph at the
time and consequently he is well in
formed on the Indian side OF the ques-
ton.
The trip to the battle ground was
made with Clinton Cell, prominent An
aconda business man who AIDED IN
PLAYING host to the pioneers. Enroute
through the Big Hole basin the Two
pioneers pointed out the changes mace
SlIlCC bIlt Edl4y 0oJo VI @s~~~-e-
recalled numerous incidents III WHICH
they participated. 49,,
At one spot near French gulch, VIII
yinson recalled seeing hundreds OF an
telope in the early s80's He told also
of having seen three coyotes kill an
antelope by relaying. The coyotes
placed themselves at three points OF
8 triangle, each one taking. up the chase
of the antelope and passing 1t OF TO
tIe other COYOTE until the antelope
was finally exhausted and caught. Will
kinson used the story as an tlustra-
ton of a statement In which he claimed
the coyote is one of the most cunning
of wild animals.
An Abundance of Game
Both Garcia and Wilkinson recalled
the abundance of game in the Big Hole
basin in the early days. There were
especially large numbers OF antelope,
ducks and moose. Fish were also to be
found in tremendously large numbers.
Before the game laws came into effect,
Wilkinson recalled, the pioneers USED
to take out two and three wagonloaoss
of fish caught through the use OF
dynamite
It was also recalled by the two men
that the Indians frequently divided
into groups and relayed the antelope
in A manner similar to that of the
coyotes. After they had run them down,
they killed them with clubs. Wllkln-
son said that both he and Joe Blod-
gett, one of the scouts In the battle OF
the Big Hole have run antelope down
themselves in that manner. Wilkinson
also recalled bay horse called Ante
lope Bill" which he had in the early
DAYS. Despite the swiftneSS Of an ante
lone, Wilkinson said, this horse was
able to run one down in a straightaway.
wilkinson also said that he did not
recall ever seeing coyotes IN the Big
Hole basin until 1t had been settled by
cows and sheep. Wolves were there but
ton" declared wilkinson. Wolves
ranged from two to is in a pack.
On arriving at the Big Hole battle
grounds. Garcia stated that the In
dams had cursed the place. He said
that he found lance head In the early
DAYS shortly after the battle and the
Indian women In his party wouldn't
permit him to take 1t. They claimed
II he did the spirit Of the Indian who
had owned the lance would return and
miss his weapon. In that case bad luck
would dog Garcia's footsteps. Garcia
said that in recent years he returned
and took the lancehead, which Is now
among his collection Of Indian relics.
Recalls Long Ride
Wilkinson recalled the long and ar
duous journey by horseback at the time
Of the battle. He compared it with his
Journey to the battlefield in Cells
automobile and declared that one would
have to start darn sight earlier" to
make the trip in the old days Where
it took General Gibbon and his COM
mand several days to reach the battle
field IN 1877, Wilkinson retraced his
Journey in a few hours.
In discussing the battle, Wilkinson
disputed the Justice of Chief Josephs
statement that the soldiers murdered
women and children. No women or
children were Intentionally shot, Will
kinson declared He explained the death
of the women and children by saying
that they took up weapons and joined
In the fight. In the dim light Of the !
early dawn, and amid the excitement
of the charge, 1t was impossible to dis
Germ which were women, children or
warriors
In conjunction with this, Gen. o. o.
Howard In an article written by him
self, tells Of Gibbon describing the bat
tie scene:
'He pointed to where women, dur
ing the battle, with their little ones In
their arms, had waded into the deep
water to avoid the firing; and he told
me how 1t touched his heart when two
or three extended their babies toward
him, and looked as pleasant and visit
full as they could for his protection;
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