Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-12-13


mia.
object more than hymeneal enjoy
ments," Trade, in other words, would
be bettered by having a native wife.
A war party returned to camp one
day bringing three white mems scalps.
In accordance with the custom scalp
dance was held. His wife told him she
wished to join in the dance.
mo" he replied, these scalps be-
long to my people; my heart is crying
for their death: you must not rejoice
when my heart cries; you must not
dance when mourn"
He supposed that settled it, but soon
two men came, like Jobs comforters,
and said: "Your wife is the best dancer
In the party; she outdances them all"
Taking his battle-ax he went to the
party and struck my disobedient wife
a heavy blow In the head with 1t,
which dropped her as if q ball had
pierced her heart"
Begins His Collection of Wives
He retired to his tent and said to
his two companions: You had better
prepare to hold onto your own scalps,
since you have taken so much inter-
est in a celebration over those Of your
murdered brethren" Their cOunte-
nances turned ashy pale" he assures
us. The Indians started to the tent
with cries of Kill hinl Burn htm!"
But the chief interfered. The trader
was justified, he informed the nfuri-
ated braves. when your wives dis
obey your commands, you kill them"
he reminded them. "That thing dis
obeyed her husband. She had no ears.
He killed her and he did right"
That settled it. Presently, the chief
went to Beckwourth and after COM
mending his course, said: II have an
other daughter, who is younger than
she was. She is more beautiful, she
has good sense and good ears. You
may have her in place OF the bad
one"
Beckwourth, not to be outdone IN
politeneSs, accepted the younger sister.
'T now possess one that many war
rior would have performed deeds OF
bloody yalor to obtain; for said he,
it is a high honor to get the daughter
Of a great chief to wife
During the night, while and my
wife were quietly reposing, some per-
son crawled into our tent, sobbing
most bitterly. Angry at the intrusion,
I asked who was there.
me, answered a voice which rec
oqnized as that of my other wife,
whom everyone had supposed dead.
After lying outside the lodge senseless
for hours she had recovered and
her way to my tent"
He ordered her to go away She re-
fused to leave.
IT was q fool not to harken to my
husbands words, but now have good |
sense and viii always harken TO your |
words" So there was happy family |
.eUnion.
II now had two wives" said Beck |
,urth, and here he thought he had
,etter put in q word or so to prove I
hat his heart was still true to Eliza:
II was risking my life for gold that
might return one day with plenty
20 share with her I tenderly loved.
dy body was among the Indians but
ny mind was far away from them
nd their bloody deeds"
AS a trader Beckwourth frequently
lad occasion TO help his trapper. While
nth the Crows in 1884 the band cap
ured party Of whites led by Thomas
fitzpatrick, as guide ON hunting ex-
edition. The party was composed Of
captain Stuart, an English officer who
Iad served under wellington at Water
90; DR.. Benjamin Harrison, son Of
he first President Harrison; Col.
;haries A. warfield, a MFR. Brotherton,
nd several other gentlemen.
ubduing q Proud Britisher
Beckwourth was then working for
he American Fur Co., and only
HANGED to be with the warriors. Fitz-
atrick appealed to him to extricate
hem from the precarious position.
had many relatives by
marriage among the Indians and told
hem TO mount a horse and take a
rhite up behind. Meanwhile. he gath
red the horses and goods belonging
} the captives. His relatives acquiesced-
The other whites did as directed
at Captain Stuart, arrogantly declar-
liz that he would not get on behind j
nv numbering, thieving, red rascal
sfllsed TO mount Colonel Warfield 1
nd DR.. Harrison informed him that {