Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-07-25

IL wasn't United States troops which
back In the last century--it was th'
wrecker Of the red mans food supply
the professional hunter. He moved Ia
on the Indians rightfuI hunting
ground, slaughtered buffalo want0nly
and by the million, and pauperizeS
the natives 100 percent. In the earl,
days when this noble animal roamet
In countless millions over 'sThe Grea;
American Desert" the Indian had nj
need TO depend upon the "Greai
Father" at Washington for food and
raiment, for it was the buffalo, chiefly
which furnished him both.
Nearly every part OF the buffalo was
utilized, and very little went to waste
In an Indian camp. There was a wide
variety Of ways Of dressing the ami.
NAL, depending upon the use TO which
it was 10 be put; but the hide Itself
furnished the red man with a lodge
and covering to sleep upon; some OF
his weapons Of war, chiefly the shield
which was made from the very thick
tough hide In the buffalo's neck; bull
boats" for crossing streams; material
for his saddle; halters for his ponies:
hair for ornamental purposes.
In the days when great herds Of
these animals roamed the western
country only the choicest portions
were used, such as the tongue, hump
ribs and tenderioin; but when the
herds began to be decimated by the
ruthless white hide hunter, every part
Of the flesh found ready use. Even the
intestines were often eaten raw dur
ing the process of butchering and cut
ting UP.
Old-time hunters and trappers all
agree that the flesh of the buffalo
especially that Of a young COW or a
calf, was an ideal meat, some even
asserting that civilized beef was no
comparison.
Preparing Buffalo Meat
"Jerked buffalo" was one of the
most common of foods in the old
plains days. It was cut into very thin
strips and hung up in the open air to
dry. The pure plains atmosphere was
such that the meat cured quickly and
would keep indefinitely when thus
prepared. Another article of food made
by the Indians from the flesh of the
buffalo was pemmican. The thin strips
of meat were dried until hard and
crisp, after which they were pulver-
lied and mixed with certain amount
of buffalo fat or tallow. This prep
aration was then packed into skin
bags, sealed tightly and stored away
for future use. 1t Is said to have been
one of the most nutritious Of foods.
In spite of the fact that the plains
country was practically treeless, ex-
cept along the banks Of streams, the
plainsman of the old days had no
difficulty in procuring plenty OF fuel
with which to prepare his meals. The
dried dung Of the buffalo, commonly
called buffalo chips" made most
excellent substitute for wood, and
burned readily, with a hot, smokeless
flame, and everywhere throughout the
buffalo country was found in great
quantities, and was always handy.
Although the buffalo was not con-
sidered dangerous, ordinarily, when
wounded this ponderous brute made
q most formidable antagonist, and
would turn against its pursuer and
often disembowel the horse and kill
The rider. Buffalo hunting from horse
back was considered the peer Of all
sports in the seventies. This was the
usual Indian method Of slaughter. The
vision of the animal was not keen,
and it depended upon its sense OF
smell to warn it that enemies were
near. When great herds OF these huge
animals were stampeded, they turned
aside for nothing, but rushed madly
along needless of anything, often TO
heir own destruction.
The Indian method of hunting was
generally by what was known as
surround" The attack was made un-
Ter carefully prepared methods and
attended with solemn ceremonial pro-
,eedings prior to the onslaught. These
were scenes Of the Wild
sst and most exciting disorder. The
buffalo was a difficult animal to XIII
1t the most, and unless a bullet or
arrow reached the heart, the game
vas sometimes able to escape.
sstin Hunting" Got Them
But it was by the "stil hunting
method that the American bison was
practically exterminated. AS the name
suggests. the hunter approached his
Iuarry stealthily, under as mucn cover
IS possible, a convenient coulee or
avine often serving to allow the |
layer to approach within very short !
distance of herd. The gun in gen.
raj use among these hide hunters
vas the old Sharps rifle Of AS and
so caliber, shooting from 30 to l25
rains of powder and from $50 to
90 grains Of lead. After getting into
good place of concealment, the work
I destruction would begin. The hunter
you'd lay his ammunition on the
round in front Of him. and COM
hence with the nearest animals. The
eport Of the gun seldom alarmed
hem. as long as the shooter remained
ut of sight, it was just about as easy
s shooting cattle in pasture. When
wounded animal fell, the others
vould regard their fallen companion
4 apparent wonderment, and, smell
ng the blood they would gather about
he stricken buffalo, often gortng and
cooking at it, but not understanding
IS predicament, apparently thinking
had merely lain down to rest.