Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-08-01

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as all white men were annthema 20
the old Sioux chief and he WAS not
only capable, but usually anxious, TO
carry cut murderous designs against
the paIefaees. But the late Col. G. n.
(BiIll Norris one Of hGontana's best
known Indian fighters and = scout for
many peril0us expedition. turned the
trick and got away without even q
scratch. He had = few companions
with him, IL In true, but their num-
Der was not sufficient 20 have avoided
death had Sitting Bun signaIed his
warriors to start working on the visE-
tors.
Norris made the expedition to the
Indian camp fully conscious OF the
risk involved. II am sure" he once
wrote, that no Indian was SO much
feared by the whites over a long
period of years in the northwest as
Sitting Bull And 1t seems strange, IN
way, too, for he was no warrior
himself. But he had the faculty for
attracting big and loyal followings Of
Sioux braves who we're always willing
TO start any fight that he suggested. /"
Named Deputy Collector
In the spring Of 1881 Norris was
at Fort Benton and Just before the
ice went out he built mackinaw boat
to use for trade down the river with
Indians or white men at the wood
yards which we're scattered along to
supply the steamers with fuel. A few
days before he was ready to start,
Thomas A. Cummings was appointed
collector of customs for Montana and
Idaho and asked Norris to take the
position Of deputy under him. He
wanted Norris to make his headquar-
tiers at Wolf Point to watch the SNUG
Cling that was going on back and forth
across the Canadian line Norris ac-
cepted the offer and set out down the
river, trading for furs as he went.
Arriving at Wolf Point, he found
tWo-room cabin suitable for an Of
flee, traded fllrs for it and took pos
session.
Wolf Point and the place known as
Poplar River were both administration
points for the Poplar River Indian
agency, being 20 miles apart. Wolf
Point was the subagency for the AS
sinniboines At Poplar River there
were some government troops. That
summer, however, things were quiet
and excitement was lacking.
In the fall, however, trouble threat
ened. Major nges, who was in charge
Of the troops at Fort Benton, came
down to Poplar River to take charge |
Of the soldiers there on orders from |
the department commander at Min |
neapolis, who sent word that some Of
the Sioux, who had been hostile ever
since the Custer fight, were to come |
In there and surrender. These includ-
ed a couple Of hundred lodges of
Yanktonais Sioux, In camp directly |
across the river from the agency, and |
also Sitting Bulls camp, so miles above
Poplar River at the mouth Of Milk
river. 1t seemed, however, that Sitting !
Bull had no such intentions, and as I
he was friendly with the Yanktonais,
his Indians kept coming down to visit
them opposite the agency, so that
they could keep informed on the
Of the troops. Sitting Bull
was at that time as hostile to the
whites as he had ever been. A white
man who went near his camp was
careless with his life.
AS the weeks went by and the Sioux
did not surrender, General Terry, In
Minneapolis, grew impatient. He sent
orders to Major nges to call council
of the Sioux and tell them that If
they did not surrender at once, troops
In sufficient number to force them
TO do so would be sent to Montana.
Fighting Predicted
Tension gripped the atmosphere and
eastern papers began to visualize fur
ther fighting with the Montana In
dams. It had been but a few years
since the Custer fight, the Big Hole
battle and the battle OF the Bears
Paw, where Chief Joseph surrendered.
A repetition Of some Of these ARRAYS
was anticipated.
The Chicago Times sent out Col
Charles s. Diehl, veteran reporter, TO
watch proceedings. Diehl arrived at
Wolf Point and took up quarters with
Norris, who had a warm, comfortable
place to live and work. They had
Sioux woman, relative OF Sitting
Bun, as cook.
Diehl. after few days, began to
hunger for news. He wanted some
hing to happen. Finally he suggested
/ visit to Sitting Bulls camp. Know
ng the danger involved, Norris de-
hurried, but Diehl finally became so
that the colonel agreed TO
accompany him. Il
First they went to Poplar River to
zee Major Iges. The major and Diehl
we're old friends and the officer said
ie would lend hand In the project. I
lie made this proposition:
"You two fellows take BIZ Allison
he government Sioux interpreter, and 8
70 on down to see Sitting Bull. Tel 6
i'm from me that we are going 70 I
ssue rations to the Yanktonais across &
he river, and that If he and hts
,and will come on down to the Xank- {
onais camp, I win give his people
atoms, too"
That sounded all right to Norris and !
)iehl and the major made things even I
,etter by providing a light sleigh and a
team Of mules, together with SOL I
lier who was a good mule skinner. 4
accompanying them was the Sioux '
voman, Sitting Bulls relative.
II realized fully that we might not .
ONE back" Norris later said. I'VE t