Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-07-13
Four Flathead Indians Made
Remarkable Pilgrimage East

appeared, most of them very inaccu-
rate. Some of the writer's put flowery
oratory into the mouths of the Indians.
studding quotations with lines from
the Bible. But despite the absurdities
Of some Of the published articles about
the Indians and their quest for reli-
gion, the publicity did serve a purpose
in that 1t resulted in several missions
to the Indians of the northwest.
Accounts of Trip
In the flood Of publicity about this
famous pilgrimage. there were few
accurate, first-hand accounts that
reached the public, and among these
were the articles published by Bishop
Rosati Of st. Louis, and George Catlin,
the artist.
The four Indians who reached St
Louis represented two tribes, the Flat
heads and the NeZ Perez groups, who
had received their first information
about Christianity from Canadian In
dams. A large party Of Indians started
the journey, the group travelling as far
as Council Bluffs in the company OF
white traders and trappers. This was
the most dangerous portion of the trip
and there most Of the Indians turned
back, while the four emissaries TO Gov
ernor Clark continued on to st. Louis.
Clark was Indian superintendent OF the
do well do SOfC4AANAs
Governor Clark turned the Indians
over to Bishop Joseph RoSati, repre-
sentative of the Roman Catholic church
on the frontier, and the bishop prom
ised that priests would be sent TO the
northwest as soon as they could make
the journey from Europe.
The Indians arrived in st. Louis In
the autumn of 1881 and on Dec. 81 Of
that year Bishop Rosat1 published the
following account Of their pilgrimage
in Catholic journal published at
Lyons, France
Story Of Journey
Some three months ago four In
dams, who live on the other side Of
the Rocky mountains, near the Column
bia river, arrived in St. Louis After
visiting General Clark, who in his
celebrated travels had seen the nation
to which they belong and had been
well received by them. they came to
see our church and appeared to be ex-
ceedingly pleased with 1t. Unfortunate
ly, there was no one who understood
their language. Some time afterward
two Of them fell dangerously ILL., was
then absent from st. Louis. Two of our
priests visited them and the poor In
dams seemed delighted with their
visit. They made signs Of the cross and
other signs which appeared to have
some relation to baptism. The sacra
ment was administered to them; they
gave expression to their satisfaction. 4
A little cross was presented to them;
hey took 1t with eagerness, kissed it +
and it could be taken from
hem only after their death. It was
,ruly distressing that they could not
De spoken to- Their remains were car
led to the church for the funeral,
which was conducted with all the
Catholic ceremonies. The other two at
ended and acted with great propriety
They have returned to their country
I'VE have since learned from a
Canadian, who has crossed the coun-
~ which they inhabit, that they be-
ong to the nation of Tetes-Plates
Flatheads), which, as with another
allied the Pieds-Noirs (Blackfeet)
Catholic religion from two Indians
Vho had been in Canada, and who
lad related what they had seen, Civ
ng descriptions Of the beautiful cere-
Monies Of Catholic worship and telling
hem that 1t was also the religion Of
he whites They have retained what
hey could of it, and have learned to
make the sign of the cross and to
ray. These nations have not yet been
OrrupJed by intercourse With others,
heir manners and customs are simple,
nd they are very numerous. We have
the liveliest desire not to let
ass such a good occasion. DR. Conda-
line has offered himself TO 60 TO
hem next spring with another. In the
leantime we shall obtain information
a what they have been told, and the
leans Of travel :"
Priests From Europe
It is a matter of record that
lurchmen who had already had deal
Igs with American Indians west Of
le Mississippi were reluctant 70 make
le Journey into the wild northwest
save sotIls They knew from bitter
rperience that they might lose their
alps TO some Indian brave not IN