Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-02-24

them have died from smallpox-Several
chiefs among them. They swear ven
geance against all whites as they say
smallpox was brought here by the
whites
Tuesday, 8-Four more died today
-two-thirds of the village are sick.
To-day I gave six pounds OF epson
salts in doses to men, women and
children The smallpox has broken out
at the little Mandan village. Three
died yesterday: two chiefs.
"wednesday, 9-Seven more died to-
day.
FRIDAY, 11-Sent old Charbonneau
up to the eros Ventres with some to-
bacco and a bagful of good talk, as
yesterday they sent very severe
threat to me- Mandans all crossed to
other side of the river to encamp-
leaving all that were sick in the VIII
lage. / kept no account OF the dead,
as they die so fast that is impossible.
sunday ,l3-Several reports from the
Gros VentreS that they are bent ON
the destruction of us all. AS yet do
not place much confidence in what
report says Charbonneau will bring
us straight news. The Mandan are
dying or 10 every day. An old fellow
who has lost the whole family TO the
number Of IA harrangued all day that
it was time to kill the whites.
Mandans Were Angry
Monday, -Charbonneau arrived
last night All the reports from the
Gros Ventures appear to be without
foundation. However, I will be on my
guard. The White Cows, Mandan
chief, came early this morning and
appeared to be very angry, telling me
that had better clear out with all
the whites, that if we did not they
would exterminate us all. I told them
that we would not leave the place
that we we're ready for them at all
times. The Rees are making medicine
for their sickness The principal chief
of the Mandans died today. The Wolf
chief from the little village, came /
naked TO the fort with his gun cooked |
to kill us. We stopped him.
Wednesday. 16-AAGac- ETAOR1SH
his wife and child threatened us today. /
We are beset by enemies on all sides,
to be shot every minute.
Thursday, 17-Where the disease
will end know not. We are badly
as we are threatened to be
murdered by the Indians every instant.
However, we are all determined and
for the worst. A young Rec
has for several days been lurking
around the fort with his gun cooked
for opportunity to kin me, but
not finding a good chance this morn
ng he came, full intent. He sit himself
Town in front of the fort gate and
waited q few minutes for me to go
)ut. In the meantime, one of my men,
! Dutchman, John elmer. stepped out
md sat himself down along side of
he Indian. After sitting a few min
ties, he got up and came into the
ort. He only made five PAGES when
he Indian shot him IN the backbone n
md killed him instantaneously. He
made off Immediately. We pursued
lin, shooting at him. but without eff
ect. He got as far as the little river
where one Of his brothers is inferred.
IN arriving there he made q stop
nd hollered to us that that was the
lace he wanted to die. Garreau APP
IN IS PAGES of him and shot.
The mother Of the Indian we shot
anne to the fort crying saying that
he wanted to die also and wished me
D XIII her. GarTeau stepped up, and
nth his tomahawk would have made
hort work Of the old woman but was
reverted.
Friday. ls-Only an occasional glass
gTog keeps me alive as am wor-
led almost to death by the Indians
nd whites, the latter threaten to leave
Saturday. -Charbonneau and his
amily started for the eros Ventres
Ist night, being afraid to trust him
IF In the daytime. A Mandan and II
Is wife killed themselves yesterday, II
OF 70 ouEdive their relations who were
cad. I was in hopes that the disease
as almost at an end but they are
wing or 3 and 10 every day. and new II
ASes daily. :. The disease broke out
the fort six days ago II
Sunday 20-Three more died today III
the village The wife Of young ii
-andan that caught the disease was
lffertng from pain and her husband III
oked at her and said, When you was ii
Jung you were handsome, you are III
W ugly and are going to leave me. III
Ut no. win go with you He took III
s gun and shot her dead and with III
5 knife Kipped open his own belly. III
NO wQ@xE1@ f9nMN kfflAd Themselves To- II