davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

Wiiunjon to represent his tribe, the
Indian agreeing to go provided ne
might select another warrior OF MS
own tribe to accompany him. Permls--
sion was granted and the party set
out from Fort Union, at the mouth OF
the Yellowstone, in mackinaw boat.
While descending the river, Wijm-
ion and the other AssinniboineS began
keeping a record of the white mems
habitations that they passed along the
river bank. They did this because they
had been told that the white men In
their country were as thick as grams
of sand along the river. The Indians
did not believe it and they wished 10
be able to report by actual count the
number of white mems houses they
saw on the trip.
At first they cut a notch for each
house on the side of WiIunjons long
medicine pipe. The cabins were scarce
during the early stages of the trip, put
as they descended the stream the
number of houses they saw increased
and their pipe stem became filled with
marks. They determined to put the
remainder on war club, which soon
was also filled up. At length while
the boat was moored one day, W1Jun-
ion stepped ashore and cut small
LIEG 0OWnt HNCAA4A5 tAAO SeeA a. ~@ASAN
and his companion sat down and with
much labor copied the notches from
the pipe and war club onto the long
pole. also adding a notch for every
house they passed on the shore.
The stick was soon filled, and then
other sticks were cut and ornamented
with notches. Finally they came within
sight of st. Louis, which was then a
town Of $1,000 inhabitants. The two
Assinniboines held a consultation and
decided to throw their sticks and
notches into the river.
Took In Sights
George Catlin, the famous artist, who
painted many pictures in Montana In
1882 and 1888, was at St. Louis when
the Indians arrived and he painted
their pictures. When he posed for his
portrait, Wijunjon wore a beautiful
and striking costume. His leggings and
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

Of the Missouri is a mystic basin
among extinct volcanic craters at the
summit Of the Rockies. close to the
boundary line between Montana and
Idaho. In the extreme southeastern
point OF Beayerhead county, not many
miles west of the western boundary
line OF the Yellowstone national park.
The first trickle OF water. which,
augmented by springs and other
streams in its journey down through
the mountains towards the more ma
iestic waters Of the Missouri, emerges
from a hole in the Rocky mountains
5000 feet above sea level.
Rivulet Gains Strength
At this point the rivulet is but two
feet in width and but two inches IN
depth but It gathers strength as It
winds its course down through the
Alaska BASIN through Culvers canyon,
through the Red Rock lakes and on
and on down through the Beaverhead.
the jefferson. the Missouri and finally
the Mississippi 70 the sea, a distance
Of 4.22l miles. constituting in all the
longest river channel in the world,
eclipsing the Nile with It's 300 miles
and the great Amazon with its 1000
miles OF distance. In its long journey
70 the sea the Missouri, which certain
writer's claim Is the main stream Of
which the upper Mississippi Is merely
a tributary, has an average descent OF
10 inches to the mile.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

that only a handful escaped. AS the
number Of Indians decreased. the
whites closed In on them at short
range and finished off those who were
left and the wounded The testimony
at the hearing in Helena was TO the
effect that after the chief. Little
Mountain, had been killed his prin-
cipal wife was outraged by several Of
the whites and then shot and left for
dead. She recovered, however. The
head Of the chief was hacked off and
stuck on a pole in the middle OF the
camp.
Some OF the men in the party were
whisky traders. who traded whisky to
the Indians for wolf pelts and fur.
The party was said to have fortified
themselves for the attack by drink
ing much Of their whisky. The wit
nesses said they behaved like demons.
other Side Of the Story
The seven or eight white men who
we're captured nearly two years later
three by the mounted police in
Canada and four or five on this side
OF the line at the request Of the Can
adian authorities-told different
story. They declared that they fol-
lowed this band Of Crees from Fort
Benton to recover their stolen horses
and that when they approached the
camp to claim their property, they
we're attacked and merely defended
themselves in the fight that followed.
They admitted, however, having pur-
sued some of the Indians and shot
them down after the fight to teach
them a lesson.
The witnesses at Helena testified
that Little Mountains band had not
been near Fort Benton and had none
OF the stolen horses; that these In
dians were entirely innocent and had
had no trouble Of any kind with the
whites.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

The earliest Montana frontier
had its Jokes. One Of the most
famous yarns with a humorous
tinge Of the old fur trading days
of Che thirties, which had also a
pathetic touch, was that of a
Montana chief Of the AssinnibOines
whose name was WijunjOn, The
Pigeons Egg Head, who in 1881
was taken from the Yellowstone
river to Washington by Major San
ford, the Indian agent, and re-
turned TO his people two years
later.
Wiiunion was a brave and powerful
Assinniboine warrior, young, hand
some and graceful He had fought
many a battle and won many laurel!
for his valor. Numerous scalps from
Sioux enemies he had overcome
adorned his costume and war bonnet
His father was chief of the Assinni-
bOine nation.
Delegate Of Tribe
In the winter Of 1881 it was decided
by the government to have delega-
ton of Indians from the upper MIS-
souri, river sent to Washington for
conference, and Major Sanford selected
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
Cavalry Saved
Whites I'm F ort

were traditional enemies OF the Crows
band Of so Sioux appeared on Nov 2.
The Crows proceeded 70 raid the Sioux
camp The Sioux forted up on q bar
In the river. They gave the Crows a
stiff fight. The Crows lost one war
rior but took five Sioux scalps After
beSieging the Sioux for three days the
Grows returned to the fort and staged
war dance under the walls OF the
stockade. This convinced the Sioux
that the white men had abetted the
Crow attack.
The Crows knew the Sioux would
Immediately seek reinforcements and
return for revenge, so they started in
haste for their own country on the yell
loWstone. The Sioux overlook them on
the Musselshel The Crows lost -
scalps and 300 horses. The Sioux lost
IS warriors.
The Sioux had tasted blood. and
wanted more. They returned to Fort
Peck to avenge themselves for the
white mems supposed alliance with the
Crows They surrounded the fort and
kept up a siege for six hours Still re-
membering that bull train the white
men did not attempt a battle. With
their long-range rifles they merely kept
the Sioux beyond bullet range.
Sitting Bull. that strutting, four
flushing Sioux medicine man-chief. led
the Sioux at Fort Peck Always the
show-off while others did the fighting.
he executed some fancy riding on a
fine black stallion. He wore gorgeous
war bonnet, but he took care to stay
beyond the range Of the rifles in the
fort
Only one white man was killed In
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

was about to depart, Wijunjon made
his appearance on deck In the full
dress costume of a colonel in the
American army. He had in Washing
ton exchanged his beautiful native
costume for the military uniform,
which was presented to him by the
president. It was broadcloth of the
finest blue, trimmed with lace of gold.
On his shoulders we're mounted two
immense epaulettes.
Chief Gasped for Air
"His neck was almost strangled with
a shining black stock, and his feet
were pinioned in pair Of waterproof
boots with high heels, which made
him step Like a yoked hog. On his
head was q high-croWned beaver hat
with a broad silver lace band, sur
mounted by a huge red feather two
feet high. His coat collar, stiff with
lace, came higher up than his ears,
and over it flowed his long braids,
stuck up In rolls with plenty of red
paint. A large silver medal was suS-
pended from his neck by blue ribbon,
and across his right shoulder passed
q wide belt, supporting at his side a
broadsword. On his hands he had
drawn a pair Of white kid gloves, and
he carried in one hand a blue UNI
brella and in the other a large fan"
whistles Yankee Doodle
Clad in this costume the Indian
chief was Lmping painfully up and
down the deck, whistling Yankee
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

shirt were of mountain goat skin, rich
ly garniShed with quilts of porcupineS
and fringed with scalp locks taken
from his enemies heads. Over these
floated his long hair in braids that
fell nearly to the ground. His head was
decked with war eagles plumeS. His
robe was of the skin of the young
buffalo bull, richly garnished and EN-
blazoned with the battles of his life.
His CULVER and bow case were Of otter
skin, and his shield of a buffalo bulls
neck.
Wijunjon was by common consent
the highest chief In the party, and he
was foremost on all occasions. In
washington he shook the presidents
hand and was an object of much in
terest to the ladies of the capital, who
gave him considerable attention. He
saw all the sights of Washington and
was taken to New York, Philadelphia
and other cities, seeing their forts,
guns, balloons, steamships and hun
dreds of other subjects of interest. As
tonished at first, Wijunjon gradually
grew accustomed to all the wonders Of
the white man and finally took every
thing as matter Of course.
Catlin, who had seen him on his
way to the capital, was also in st.
Louis when the party returned there
on their way west, and the artist &C
companied them on their way up the
river on the Yellowstone, the first
steamer to ascend the Missouri to the
mouth of the Yellowstone river. The
following account of Wijunjon on his
way back to his tribe is given by
Catlin:
Through the politeness of Pierre
Chouteau, of the American Fur Co.,
was admitted Cthe only passenger be-
sides Major Sanford and his Indians)
to a passage on the steamboat, and
when I had embarked and the boat
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

we're thought to be from the north.
The wolfers, set afoot. went to Fort
Benton to secure more horses and
started north In pursuit Of the thieves
They Travelled for several days with
out sighting any Indians. but on
reaching the Canadian line they ran
onto a camp of Crees near Farwell's
trading post in the Cypress Hills.
They came in sight of the camp in
the evening. The Indians proved to
be Canadian Crees, headed by Chief
Little Mountain.
The Indian camp was in sight OF the
trading post, run by an Indian trader
OF the name Of Abe Farwell. His wife
was an Indian woman, Crow Mary.
At the fort were a number of half
breeds and frontier characters, in
Guiding j. M. Armour, Club Foot Tony
and a Cree halfbreed known as Alexis
de la Bompard.
According to these witnesses. who
claim to have seen the whole pro-
ceedings, the white men. upon their
arrival in sight Of the camp, conceal
ed themselves In q somewhat deep "a
vine, where they spent the night
Fight Started at Dawn
At dawn they stationed themselves
to the best advantage, and as sooR
as the Indians were awake and began
leaving their lodges to go TO a nearby
creek for water, they began picking
off the Crees with their rifles. The
witnesses stated that the whites had
so disposed themselves that they COM
manded every approach to the Cree
camp. The Indians, hearing the shoot
ing. ran out from their lodges and
were shot down as fast as they APP
peared. Neither women nor children
were spared, and the witnesses stated
that the slaughter was sickentng.
There we're 40 lodges, containing up
ward Of 200 Indians, and it was said
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
Coyotes Find Hunters
Hide in Each RdUine
To Make Life TOugh

Since the close Of the special
bounty season on adult coyotes
Feb. II, the game Department.
books show 5000 of the prowling
predators have been taken-an all
time high in concentrated coyote
hunting in Montana.
With 5000 as its goal the state
fish and game department last De-
cember announced a special 50
bounty on all adult coyotes taken.
Hunters went into the field and in
two months topped the limit.
State Fish and Game Warden
James A. Weaver said the concen-
trated kill rated high as compared
with the kill during the entire past
year when something like 1900
were taken.
The special bounty was offered
because Of a heavy increase in
coyote population during the past
few years.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
Ford Ends Diversion
Of HiqIlICGU MOneY

James H. Rowe. president Of Nom
tanans, Inc. said I'VE feel certain the
vetoed bill, instead of diverting money
from the highway fund. would have
borrowed" In commenting on the
failure Of Gov. Sam c. Ford to approve
the measure for an advertise Montana
campaign.
Governor Ford, in his veto message,
expressed his disapproyal OF a plan
which he said would divert money
needed for construction, maintenance
and repair Of highways from the high
way fund.
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
CROWS FAILED TO ESCAPE SIOUX
AND LOST SCALPS AND
HORSES

BY ELMO
It would have been comparatively
easy TO disperse that band OF
troublesome River Crows. There
were ESQ of them, but the 10 white
men had the protection Of the
stOckade at Fort Peck, and their
rifles were lOng-range weapons A
few warriors killed or wounded
would have sent those thieving In
dams hustling away.
But the respite would have been
only temporary. And, too, there was
that wagon train Of Garrison AND
Baird's, on the way to the fort. II the
Crows we're dispersed they might wipe
out the train. Then they would be
back in force, and the siege might be
disastrous.
The small crew at Fort Peck would
have been bothered but little by the
Indians II it had not been for the
steamer Alabama The Alabama had
left st. Louis near the end of the navi-
cation season. trying to make Fort
Benton with a load Of goods for Viz
GINA City. The Alabama reached Fort
Peck october IS. and low water forced
the discharge of the cargo there. K.
Biedler was at the fort, and the cap
tain trusted the cargo TO his keeping.
Want Rich Pickings
The Crows had been camped for sew
eral days below the Fort Peck landing.
Since the 10 white men there had but
little in the way Of supplies and few
cattle for winter meat, the Indians had
not been bothersome. But when they
saw the Alabama's cargo transferred
to the fort, they believed the pickmgs
rich.
Biedler refused them presents. Thiev-
cry, begging and any other mischief
they could devise was used TO annoy
the white men. As q last resort they
Knocked chinking from between the
logs Of the stockade and began shoot
ing arrows at the cattle.
When the situation had continued
for several days, and the patience Of
Biedler and the others was at the
breaking point relief came from an
unexpected source. The Sioux were far
from allies Of the white men, but they
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22

the Siege. Before the Crows hurried
away, Edgar Sears, a trapper. was re-
turning to the fort after an absence
OF two months. He ran into the In
dams near the fort and lost his scalp.
The white men were relieved TO see
the Sioux lift their siege and hurry
off in the direction Of their winter
camping country.
Biedler looked around TO see what
had inspired the Sioux hegira. OFF to
the west he saw a welcome sight
"Hyar they come boysl An they got
troops with en-"
Before sunset the little band Of de-
tenders welcomed into the fort the bull
team freighters and a detachment OF
cavalry commanded by Lieutenants
Newman and Townsend
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
MISSOURI RIVER
SOURCE IS BASIN
IN OLD VOLCANO
STARTS As RIvULET IN BEAVER
HEAD COUNTY But SOON
GAINS POWER
Rv C. 7. S.

BY c. T. s.
When Lewis and Clark in their ex-
plorations of the northwest in the
early days OF the 18th century, fol-
lowed up the course OF the Missouri
river to the summit Of the Rocky
mountains, they confidently believed
they had reached the utmost source
Of that mighty river. If this was one
Of their aims they failed in this par
ticular for, as subsequent investiga-
tions have disclosed. their travels had
led them up one Of the smaller
branches Of the headwaters OF the
Missouri to a point many miles west
and north Of the actual utmost source
OF the river
Investigations Of more recent years
have brought out that the real source
Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-03-22
1873 Indian Massacre Brought About
Strained Relations With Canadians

The Cypress Hills massacre of
1873 in which a number of Indian
men, women and children were
killed, brought about strained re-
latiOns between the Canadian gov
eminent, in whose territory the
sanguinary conflict took place, and
Montana Territory officials. The
Canadian government made every
effort 70 extradite five men, in
GLIDING e. j. Deveraux, an early
day resident of Browning who died
some 20 years ago, whom the gov
eminent charged with responsible
ity for the Cypress Hills affair,
but extraditiOn was refused, after
a hearing at Helena, and the men
were released.
For a number Of years previous Il
the Cypress Hills fight the Indians
and white men had waged war or
each other, and the sympathy OF
Montanans, who had suffered griev-
ously at the hands of the redskins
was all with the white men in this
fight and there was great rejoicing
when the territorial authorities re-
fused to turn them over TO the Ca
madam government to be tried foi
murder.
Devereaux, who had come to Mon
tana in the early sixties, and had beer
engaged in the border fur trade. aft
erwards settled on the Blackfeet res
ervation, went into the cattle business
and became a man OF property and In
fluence.
Story Of the Fight
The details leading up to the STAY
ing of the Indians are as follows:
A party of wolfers, numbering near
" a dozen men, we're headed for Fort
Benton in the early summer Of 1873
after a winter campaign after wolf
hides. At Eagle Creek, in the Bear
Paw mountain district, their horses
were stolen by party Of Indians, who
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
Sports Roundup

Ann Arbor up Aggressive all times and deadly from the
foul line Notre Danes basketball overwhelmed University
of Michigan squad the second half here FRIDAY night and led
through the last 10 minutes register 1910 triumph The Irish
made 10 of 10 free throws Michigan made only eight of H.
Nev York up Thirty records acre broken or equal
had hand in registering II Of them according he official re-
cords released here
New York -AP- Running into little opposition, Sam Angot
undpued possession the world lightweight championship
Friday night BY giving Lew Jenkins artistic l5round acng in
Madison Square Garden Ango weighed 5S -; Jenkins 1873
Mani 4P- Ffees to5-poch sBnfeys all flash around the
qEtrirq-faa Tropical Park Track the feature event Of the
card opening Forida's zgiuter horse racing season
Tulsa -AP- Charley Greene. University Of Iusas AlMs
our Valley tackle said FRIDAY that he had withdrawn from the
North South ASar football game be played Montgomery
Ala Dec p Greene said he had decided risk injury
which would keep him out Of the Tusa-Texas Tech sun Bowl
game at FL Paso Tex New Years DAY.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
Roosevelt Reserves
Willis News

Willis, Mich, Dec. 2O-Mr. and
Mrs \. Hitmer. Cherry Hill.
were Sunday visitors OF Mr..
and Mrs. Ray Meyers and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Barned and
family, Ypsilanti, were dinner
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Ormoud
Minick Wednesday evening
Mr.. and Mrs. WILDER Sherman
and son Harold were in Detroit
Saturday.
Mrs. Cora Ballard, who is quite
i'll, is at the home OF her nephew,
Lee Bunton and family.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. E. Jones attend
ed the funeral OF George Quirk,
Belleyille, Sunday afternoon.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sylvester Lenord
and children. Ellen, Robin and
Robert. Milan. were guests OF Mr..
and Mrs. Tom Colts Saturday eve
ming.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kenneth Royal and
family and Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
Seile. Ann Arbor. were Sunday
guests Of Mr.. and Mrs. Will Royal.
Mr.. and Mrs. Wesley Stetler,
son Jerry spent Saturday and Sun
day visiting in Royal Oak and De
troit
Mrs. Gertrude Minick, Paint
Greek. spent Friday evening with
Mrs. Tom Colts and Mrs. Joe
Akalis.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Daily and
daughter Mary, Ann Arbor, visit
cd their parents. Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles Daily Sunday.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20

Ann Arbor High gained it's 27th
dual swimming victory az the eX-
pense OF Ypsilanti High School Fri
day scoring 81 points TO Ypsilanti's
80.
II was the third loss for the
Warriors. who had bowed before
F0rdson and Monroe, both Glass y
schools.
Lawrence Koppin ace distance
swimmer for Ypsilanti, shattered
the pool record OF 2:22S, set by
himself earlier this year In the
200 yard free style. lie covered
the distance in 2:lS.
Individual results were:
50 yard free style-Fjrst, Ernst.
CAA). second, Rogers, -(AA), third
Norton (Y). Time. :25.7. -
100 yard breast stroke-First,
Kessler (AA). second, Willer (AA),
third. Cosgrove CY). Time I.14c.
200 yard free style-First Kop-
pin CY). second, Born (AA), third.
Heath (AA). Time: 2.1s.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
Ann Arbor High School Tank
Men Defeat Ypsilanti Team

100 yard backstr0ke-First. tie
between Laird (AAl and Smith
Cy). third Lewis CAA). Time:
1854
loo yard free style-First Ernst
(AA1, second, Roger (AA), third
Hit AD. Time: ISL
Individual medley-First, Briggs
(Y). second Chubb (AA), third.
Kessler tAA). Time: 1:51.
Diying-First. Cummings VJ,
second, Hedlesky (AA), third Sch
midi. (AA).
Medley Relay-Won by Ypsilanti
(Smith Briggs, Koppin). Time
1885.
Free style relay-Won by Ann
Arbor Heath, Born, Chubb, Hoyt).
Time. 1882
Final score-Ypsilanti SO, Ann
Arbor 81
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
Rough Rider Reserves Take
Blue And White by "a to Is

The Lincoln second stringers sut-
fered their first setback of the sea
son and Roosevelt won their third
game when the Blue and White
bowed before the Rough Riders "a
Is.
John Goldsberry claimed high
point honors for the game, tallying
y points from five field goals and
two tree throws while Earl Bobicz's
five points led the Lincoln scoring.
inraIn Ra..rx,..
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
PARENTS TO PAY

Battle Creek. Mich, Dec. 20-iNS
While construction OF Sl9S.O0O
addition to Urbandale School pro-
crosses. parents Of the 2S0 children
affected will have TO pay cost II
transporting the pupils to other
Battle Creek institutions, school
officials said today.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
LABOR SEES ISSUES

Detroit, Dec. 2O-INS-OrganiZed
labor. which received q virtual
death-blow in countries under Hit
ler's rule, today we're wreaking
retribution on the Axis powers, &C
cording TO George Adde's, secretary
treasurer OF the UAW-CIO.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
GAIN UPSET

Windsor. Ont, Dec. 20-INS -
After surging from behind 70 force
the game into overtime. the Toledo
Babcocks today were credited with
5-iupset over the powerful Wind
sor Spitfre hockey club.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-20
RALLY BRINGS VICTORY

Kalamazoo, Mich, Dec. 20-lNS
A late second half rally today
was held accountable for Western
Michigans 60-4s basketball victory
over Calvin college.