Montana oil and mining journal., 1940-11-02
BY WmCHEY

The passing panorama of his
tory in Montana has depicted
some strange characters who were
actors on the stage Of our frontier
drama, but there have been few
who have left more of an appeal
to peoples interest from the view
pOint of romance than Louis Riel,
called "the John Brown of the
Half-breeds," once president of
the republic Of Manitoba, who
made war on the Dominion gov
ernment, was defeated by British
troops and was hanged at Regina
Sept. Is, 1885.
Louis Riel spent many years in
Montana after he had been eXileo
from Canada, following his first re-
volt against the Dominion government,
and there are men still living in this
state who knew him well. The late
Alex G. Botkin of Helena, one-time
lieutenant governor Of Montana, left
an interesting account of his recollec-
tions of Riel, which follows in part:
I'm September, 1882, while I was
making a canvass Of Montana in an
effort to convince the people that they
needed my services in congress, /
visited Fort Benton. While I was
there a figure appeared in my room
that was quite sufficient in itself to
fix my attention and excite my inter-
est. It was that of man OF magnifi-
cent stature, feet in height, with
broad shoulders, slightly rounded, and
finely proportioned throughout he
had brown hair reaching to his neck
and a full beard of the same color
His complexion was fair and there was
nothing in his appearance save prom
inent cheekbones to suggest Indian
blood. There was a notable dignity IN
his carriage, and he had courtliness
of manner that we are in the habit
of regarding as characteristic OF the
French.
Spoke Correct English
my interest in the caller was in
creased when he gave me his name.
I had read of the uprising of the
Metis or half breeds in Winnipeg IN
1870, and was not a little impressed
to find myself in the presence Of the
ex-president of the republic Of Mani
toba Louis Riel
Addressing me in correct English.
which he pronounced with slight
French accent, he made known the
purpose Of his call. This was to secure
my official aid Il was then United
States marshaD in prosecuting traders
who were selling liquor to the half
breeds AS I had not been educated
I'D to the practice which may be
called eclectic enforcement Of the
laws-that is to say the custom OF
furnishing some officers and protect
Ing others in a monopoly Of law
I encouraged him to procure
the necessary evidence and promised
my cooperation.
after my return home I received
several letters from him written with
admirable precision in a hand that
was almost feminine in its fineness
Nothing came of this for the reason,
among others, that the half-breeds
were not Indians in charge Of an agent
or superintendent, and that the sale
Of liquor to them was scarcely within
the purview of the laws of the United
States However, the incident possibly
possesses some significance IN show
ing the care that Riel exhibited in
guarding the welfare of his people.
He was himself man of exemplary
habits and intensely religious.
Teaching On Sun River
my next interview with him oc-
Cured, as nearly as ] can fix the
time, in the spring of 1884. He was
then, as he had been for some time
previous. teaching an Indian school /
that was conducted under the auspices |
Of a Catholic mission on Sun river. |
He had made the journey to Helena |
In cart, and upon his arrival went |