Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-10-03


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 viewpoint Of ro-
nance than Louis Riel. called the
John Brown Of the Half Breeds"
once president Of the republic Of
Manitoba, who made war on the
dominion government, was defeat
ed by British troops and was
hanged at Regina Sept. Is, 1885.
Louis Riel spent many years in Mon
tana after he had been exiled from
Canada, following his first revolt
against the dominion government. The
late Alex C. Botkin OF Helena, one
time lieutenant governor OF Montana,
has left an interesting account of his
recollections of Riel, which follows in
part:
In September, 1882, while I was
making canvass of Montana in an
effort to convince the people that they
needed my services in congress, I
visited Fort Benton. While l was there
figure appeared in my room that was
quite sufficient in itself to fix my
attention and excite my interest. 1t
was that OF man OF magnificent
stature, 6 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 complex
ion was fair and there was nothing
in his appearance save prominent
cheek bones TO suggest Indian blood.
There was notable dignity in his
carriage, and he had courtlineSs of
manner that we are in the habit OF
regarding as characteristic of the
French.
Fought Liquor Traffic
My interest in the caller was in
creased when he gave me his name.
had read OF the uprising of the Metis
or half-breeds in Winnipeg in 1870,
and was not little impressed to find
myself in the presence of the eX-
president of the republic of Manitoba,
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 II was then United
States marshall in prosecuting traders
who were selling liquor to the half
breeds. l encouraged him TO procure
the necessary evidence and promised
my cooperation.
After my return home l received
several letters from him written with
admirable precision in a hand that
was almost feminine in its fineneSs
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
showing the care that Riel exhibited
in guarding the welfare of his people
He was himself a man of exemplary
habits and intensely religious
Taught Indian School
My next interview with him &C.
CURED, as nearly as l can fix thu
time, in the spring of 1884. He wa.
previous, teaching an Indian schoo
pieces OF a Catholic mission on Sur
River He had made the journey Il
Helena in cart, and upon his ar
OF the city. With him were his wifi
ance of a tull-blooded Indian woman
and she could not read or write, bu
it was touching to observe the COURT.
her, and held and caressed the littl
one
Another member of the parry wa.
none other than Gabriel DumonJ late,
the commander of RielS army in tn,
Saskatchewan rebellion, who 50 wol
the admiration of the Canadian sol
diers by his skill and daring in tina
insurrection that if they did not CON
nive at his escape, they were at leas
glad when he was spared the tate ina