Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-06-28

necessary to seek new grazing grounds
at the mouth of Tongue river. Sir
George passed the winter with g part
OF his men in the rude quarters at
the latter place, the remainder VIM
tering at the fort. Sir George caused
to be built for his own use small
log building, into which he also adj
mitted his favorite horse, Steel Trap,
a thoroughbred Kentucky horse, grey,
tan, but Of light build.
During the winter each man was
required to gather 125 pounds of cot
tonwood bark as forage for the ami
mails but Sir George fed his favorite
horse on cornmeal.
Fought with Indians
During the winter the Piegans ran
off q Of their horses. They were fol-
lowed by II mounted men some go
miles but without success as a heavy
snowstorm completely obliterated the
trail The Bloods made a subsequent
attempt when the horses were in the
corral, three effecting an entrance, but
the noise made by them In removing
the pickets reused the men and Sir
Georges cook fired, wounding Major
Culbertson's brother-in-law, Big Plume,
who was one of the marauding party,
whereupon the Indians fled, without
securing any horses. They we're fol-
lowed some 30 miles through a deep
snow but the animals Of the pursuing
party began to give out and pursuit
was discontinued.
The next spring, about March l. 1885,
Sir George assembled Tongue river to
the first canyon and then crossed to
Rosebud and there met the Crows,
traded with the Indians for q fresh
supply Of horses, following down the
Rosebud river a short distance, turned
off into the Black Hills, and returned
by a circuitous route to his post on
Tongue river. Here he built two large
wooden flatboats In which portion
Of his party descended the Yellow
stone to Fort Union, while Sir George
himself, with the remainder and the
wagons and carts, crossed to the same
point overland, hunting as he went.
During the winter that he was camped
on Tongue river, Sir George lost one
Of his men by death. His comrades
to bury him In his clothes
for want Of lumber, but Sir George
caused the bed of one Of his wagons
TO be taken to pieces and q coffin
made from the material, which he
lined with cloth from his stores. His
kindness Of heart is further shown
by his writing to the relatives OF the
deceased offering to bring home the
remains, If they desired. The man was |
buried near the mouth Of Tongue river, |
the grave being enclosed In a mauso-
cum of logs The wagon from which |
The bed was taken for the coffin was
doned. At this camp Sir George dis
charged q number OF his men ON ac-
count Of the expiration Of their terms
Of employment, among whom we're
Bridger and Bostwick.
Quarress with CuIbertson
Arrived at the mouth Of the yellow
stone, Sir George camped for a time
and was visited by Colonel Vaughn
md Major Culbertson. The former de-
handed what business Sir George had
n the country, to which Sir George
-eplied that it was none Of his BUSH
hess. Vaughn then demanded to see
lis authority for his presence in the
indian country and was shown the
Of the superintendent Of In
Ian affairs at st. Louis. Vaughn did
lot forgive the Indifferent reception
# Sir George and wrote several COM
claiming letters to his superior making
ome Misrepresentation as wellD
A6ajor Culbertson Jared little better
4 the hands Of Sir George.
Sir George engaged g mackinaw boat