Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-30

for any other purpose. Hunger gnawec
at his vitals. His people were weak
from lack Of sufficient food The things
for which he once grasped had receded
far from him. He found himself
championing a lost cause.
There was no hope that he could
regain his former position as the lead
er of a great confederation of hostile
Indians. Whatever promise came with
the rising OF the sun in the morning
faded with the descent of the stellar
orb behind the western hills in the
warm glow of eventide. Look where
he would, he found nothing but DESC
lation. Gazing In contemplation at his
people he saw that the fighting spirit
and power had gone from them. Hun
ger drove him to make final decision.
He would surrender and give himself
and his people up to the authority of
the white man But he would have
one more parley with the Canadian
mounted police.
Perhaps, as a last resort, some con-
cession would be made to him, some
offer extended whereby he might in a
measure secure that more coveted rec
ignition that he believed he was en-
titled to because of his experience and
rank among his own people. 1t was the
the old story. Rations; no recogni-
ton; no invitation; no concern exer-
cised whether he remain or depart. If
he remained, rations. If he went, he
took the entire responsibility. Per-
haps some one would go with him and
his people back to the states and make
some representations for him in his
decision that he would give up.
1t was in July, 1881, that letter
written by Jean Louis Legare to Major
Brotherton arrived at Fort Buford
According to the record 1t was written
at Wood Mountain valley on July IL.
Another reference to the letter indi-
Gates that it was written at point
not far north Of Fort Buford. A cor
respondent of the Pioneer Press, sta
toned at the fort at the time, made
a copy Of the letter and included the
context in special dispatch to his
paper
Chiefs Wanted Presents
Dear Major" was the salutation,
Il am en- route with Sitting Bull -Four
Horns, in all six chiefs, about 20 fam
lies with 200 people The Indians wish
10 have some half breeds come out
with provisions. I send a good man
with this letter. He will tell you all
about it. Can you send them full ra-
lions to let them know how you feed
them at Buford2 I have provisions
Tor two or three days only. Send in
! hurry as they may make trouble or
urn back. Each chief expects from
you a little present, such as tobacco,
;pirits, etc. I have promised that
much, If not more. Send them some
hing, even If charged to me. I wish
7ou would direct every man at the
'ort not to pay any more attention to
sitting Bull than to any other Indian
or the first day and let me bring
hem to the front Of your office my
elf. If there is anything wrong I win
,otify you at once. They have very
ew ponies and guns and come from
ou' Appelle nearly starved. The In
ian / send with my man Ambrose |
1eIasle is one Of the best know.
emain your obedient servant, Jean
iouis Legare."
It was on Thursday night that the
ourier arrived at Fort Buford. Early |
"a the following morning Major
3rotherton started out six army wag-
rs with ample supplies and an escort
"a officer was placed in charge by |
eason Of Legare's request, although |
everal asked for the privilege Of ac-
onpanying the caravan.
Hearing, however, that an effort was
lkelv TO be made to defect Sitting
mi from his direct route and take
i'm TO Poplar creek, and desiring to
void the consequent delay OF his sub
souent arrival at the fort. Capt. Wal
= clifford was ordered to proceed
M meet the party and conduct 1t TO
~ fort by the shortest route.
the correspondent had preceded the
,agons 10 the Sitting Bull camp. His
orrnment written after his arrival Is
1terestHng as tending to throw some