Glacier County chief., 1940-11-29
o Gold at Ophir-::
Other Men Secured Charters Adjacent
by
BY WILCHEY

ny "ALShL1
The confluence of the Missouri
and Marias rivers, about 10 miles
from Fort Benton, was the dark
and bloody ground of Montana
for nearly 100 years. In the heart
of the BlackfOot country, from the
time of Lewis and Clark for nearly
60 years il was given over to the
dominion of the noble red man,
and many were the bloody con-
| tests between the warlike tribe and
others more pacific.
Few trappers invaded the region I'M
iii tha American Fur company, whose
maIn post was Fort Union, on the
Missouri. at the mouth of the Yellow
stone river. determined to contest
with the Hudson Bay company for
the traffic in the fine furS and skins
noducCd there with a natural outlet
70 the trade capital of St. Louis, in
the broad waters of the Missouri river
Whic the Hudson Bay company at
this period controlled the trade of
the whole region and held 1t with an
IRON hand. it had only a single per-
maneut establishment in the whole
country now Montana, and this was
known as F'lathead Post, south of
| Fath, ad lake and somewhere near
the town of Ravalli.
THIS was not a large post and the
hrs secured were taken to their main
posts down the Columbia river. The
| history OF that company from the
grant Of its charter to the governor
and company of England trading into
the Hudson bay. on May 2. 1870, until
its consolidation with the Northwest
Fur company. during which period 1t
held almost complete sovereignty over
the whole country. would make many
Volumes and already is the groundwork
Of many interesting books.
It's records. carefully preserved in
London, are invaluable, and some day,
It is hoped. will be opened to the
historian,
American Company
In 1881, the American Fur COM
pany, with the backing of the Chou
;eaus in st. Louis, decided to throw
out force of trappers- and traders
into this region from Fort Union and
1--WE them support from some station
nearer the mountains. It sent James
Kipp with some keel boats and pro-
vision and Indian goods to select its
ste. He chose the mouth OF the
Marias at its confluence with the Mis-
souri, river. and here erected his
stockade, Fort Piegan.
While the Hudson Bay company
controlled the region and the. traffic
With the Indians. on this INVASION OF
is country by opposing interests. It
now sought to align the tribes against
the new company, and in no small
manner succeeded.
Fort Piegan, surrounded by high
bluffs along both rivers. proved a poor
ocatiOn. as it was particularly vul-
nerable to attack. and the next year
the company determined on new To-
cation about six miles up the Marias
river and here the new fort was built
and named Fort Mckenzie. The COM
panty was successful in interesting the
indians and 1t carried on lucrative
trade there for some years.
Historical Events
Two interesting events occurred there
the NJ st year, in 1888. The Visit OF
Maximi!ian and a bloody Indian battle.
Maximi.!an, Prince Of Wied. and liT-
ing at COblenZ, was, of q scientific tuSn
Of mind, much interested in iiat,ifal
history and this trip to America had
been undertaken for the purpose OF
Studying the American aborigine. He
brought a talented artist by the name
Of Bodmar with him to portray the
scenery and the natives Of the cotln-
Try. Maximilian was born In 1892 and
50 wa over SO years Of age at the time
Of hi visit He had nearly 20 years
before explored South America and
heard Of the battle of Waterloo while
IN the wilds of brazil. He was a SOL
der In the ranks at the battle of Jena
and the music of the ASsinniboine war
tiorS at Fort Mckenzie recalled 20
him the songs of the Russian soldiers
nearly 30 years before. He arrived at
Boston July 4. 1882, and spent two
years In this country. He accepted the
hospitality of the American Fur COM
pany anSalefs.Sh.,L Louis ApLil 10; 1888,
On the steamer Yellowstone, the first
Steamer to pillow the waters of the Mis-
souri,, but at Fort Pierre was trans
fe.ed 10 the sister ship Assinniboine
sAd proceeded to Fort Union, where
pc arrived June "a.
Macmillan studied the flora and
fauna and Bodmar was kept busy por-
uayng the features Of the region and
advantage was taken of a short stop
a. Fort Clark near the Mandan vii
ages above Bismarck, in this work.
To Fort Mckenzie
After two weeks spent at Fort Union
AeSander Culbertson, In charge. to
Proceed on the keel boats bound for
FoN Mckenzie, and here he and Bod
so.i arrived about August 10. On the
t ~ OF that month a band of about
W Piegan Indians was camped Just
uSlde the stockade and they were at
scsed by a band Of about $500 As
Mniboines. and a bloody battle en-
Teu which ragged with varying success
Gay. At first the inmates Of the