Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-02-02
RiUul Fur Traders Visited
Alder Gulch 1913 Years Auo

+ edly came upon Vanderburgh and his
party. This was their last encounter.
Near Site of Ennis
On Oct. II the Rocky Mountain Fur
| Co.'S party started up the Madison to
trap on the headwaters of that stream
Vanderburgh did not move until Oct.
II. when he went down the Madison
about IS miles. This would place him
in the vicinity of the present town of
Ennis. The next day, he crossed over
in northwest direction 10 miles and
encamped on little stream, most likely
on what is now Alder creek Thus 81
years before the gold stampede, these
fur traders trod the sands of what was
70 become famous as one of the world S
richest bonanzas. But they were seek
ing furS, not gold
Descending Alder gulch to the iunc-
ton of the Sinking Water (now Ruby
river, the party became aware of the
presence of Indians W. A Ferris and a
few others were sent to reconnoiter and
found the remains of freshly-b butch
cred buffalo. This discovery was re-
ported to Vanderburgh, who set out
with six others Of the party, heading
up the river. After travelling about
three miles they found a fire still burn
ing, buffalo just killed, and fresh
tracks OF Indians. From the small
number of tracks, and from the fact
that buffalo were grazing all about,
they concluded there must be only six
or eight Indians.
! The little party Of fur-seekers there
fore pushed on another three miles
toward the only dense clump of timber
In the vicinity. This would take them
nearly to the present town of Sheri-
dan. As they crossed a gully toward
the clump of trees, the Indians opened
fire.
.Vanderburgh's horse was shot under
him. He disengaged himself and cried:
Don't run. boys!"
Ferris and a hunter named r. c.
Nelson turned their horses and vaulted
the ditch, Ferris receiving at the same
time a wound in the shoulder.
was thrown from his horse, which ran
| away, rtderless. Pillon was almost in
stantly slain. Nelson was about to rush
back to Vanderburgh's aid when his
horse received two shots in the neck
| and Nelson was compelled to flee to
save his own life. AS the Indians closed
in on Vanderburgh he killed the near
est with shot from his rifle, and was
raising his pistol to fire again when he
received a volley in the back, and fell
dead.
When the survivors returned to the
camp at the junction Of Alder creek
and the Ruby river. they packed ur
|
Prairie. But at the Beaver Head rock
they saw a large smoke. Fearing the
presence of more hostile Indians, they
returned toward the Jefferson an6
camped in a grove of cottonwoods
Here restless night was spent in a
fortified camp. The next day a recon.
noitering party found to their relief
the Indians at Beaver Head rock were
friendly Flatheads and Pend d'Oreilles
On Oct. II a burial party was sem
back to the scene Of the attack. They
found and buried Pillon, but could MOI
find Vanderburgh. Ferris sent somt
Flathead Indians to the place. prom.
ising them reward II they could fine
the remains Of the lamented leader
They found his bones, which had beer
stripped Of flesh and thrown into thu
river. They buried these on q margir
Of the river.
| The date and circumstances Of Van.
derburHhs death are confirmed in tn,
records Of the American Fur Co. In {
letter from Pierre Choteau to JOIN
Jacob Aston.