Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-05-30

explain for them the things they
wished made known.
On one such occasion Sherburne was
present when big Snake" had been
arrested by the soldiers and was being
tried for leaving the Indian reserva-
ton against orders There were SOL
diers present, and as this innocent In
dian threw back the robe he had
around him to show that he was UNI
armed, soldier standing near mis-
understanding the significance Of his
move, and thinking it for the purpose
of drawing gun or knife, struck the
Indian over the head with the butt Of
his gun and killed him instantly.
It was at Ponca that the government
revoked Sherburne's license because Of
a plot of INSCRIPTIONS men to seize
his store, and he moved back to Ar
kansas City. He not only took his
wife and children, but his home also,
which he moved IS miles across coun-
try, quite an undertaking in those days.
While Sherburne was at Ponca on the
eventful day Of the opening Of the
strip" he took his family in buggy
and drove to Whiteagle station and
waited until the time was right to
pull upon the strip" He and his fam
lily sat in the buggy on the Ponca City
townsite and watched until they could
see the line in the distance, dimly and
indistinct at first, then nearer and
more clearly, until they saw men on
horseback, others in two-wheeled carts, I
and others in buckboards drawn by
mules. They came In every conceivable
contraption that would carry them and
all were racing for this chance to To-
cate q homestead or a town lot Sher-
burne and his family saw the first
stakes driven to establish the town
that is now Ponca City. They saw
tent village spring UP in one after
noon, and then a nice little city spread
put over the level prairie.
While at Ponca, Sherburne drove up
% the Chekaska river one spring to
meet the conquered band Of Nez Perez
Indians, who made the famous retreat
rom their home land through Mon
ana.
liked the Nex Perez
Sherburne traded with these Indians
md learned to like them He traded
With them on credit and never made 1
! written charge against one of them.
10 far as he knew he was paid in full
or all they received. Each Indian kept
lis own account and saved Sherburne /
he trouble Of bookkeeping. When they
eft their camping ground to return to
heir home In the west. Chief Joseph !
ave Sherburne one OF his finest head
resses, made Of eagle feathers. This
olorful chief also gave him q pair of
tirrups which Jusepn's wife had made !
or him for his campaign. Sherburne {
lrized these gifts highly. More than |
0 years later, Tom Hin, one Of the |
title band of Indians, visited Sher- {
urne at his home In Montana.
The next move by Sherburne was 9
outh to the Pawnee agency, where he I
rent into business with 4. M. Finney. {
was at Pawnee that the youngest
aughter, Theodosia, was born. His
Djourn in this last mentioned place
as Of short duration. he began TO
sel the urge TO move again to the 8
rontier He recalled the stories Of the
reat west and especially Montana, Y
bid to him by a friend, Miss Helen i
Clarke. Miss Clarke had come from b
le Treasure state. She was q Black a
'et Indian and the government had
scured her services as an alloting q
gent TO come among the Poncas TO I
Iduce them 20 accept their land in q
'veralty. After Miss Clarke had sue v
seded Ia this sne returned TO the Y
cEne Of the Blnckfeek. Later Sher-