Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-09-05
PREVENT FOREST fires !

west and headed for the Mandan
country to learn the source of the
story which had been brought back
by their father. They reached their
destination and we're Hospitality re-
ceived.
They arrived at a time when the
Mandans we're expecting a visit from
what the La Verendryes said were the
Horse" Indians These, the Mandans
stated, were a nomadic race who, they
believed, could guide the explorers to
the salt water After waiting for
month, the La Verendryes started out
with Mandan guides in search Of these
nomads. Instead of finding them. they
encountered the Crows, who could do
nothing other than repeat the story
that the Mandans had told. They were
sent farther west with Crow guides
to what were called the Bow" In
dams, one Of the Sioux tribes.
Upon arrival at the Bow camp. 1t
was learned that the Bows were pre-
pairing to go to war with the Snake
tribe. They claimed to know nothing
Of the western sea, but suggested that
the Frenchmen accompany them on
their punitive expedition, where from
Snake prisoners or other western tribes
they might learn something Of the
much sought for passage.
The route thus followed by the La
Verendryes led them, possibly, due
west from the Mandan villages which
are known to have been located on
present location of the North and |
South Dakota state line, crossing the |
Little Missouri at point not far
from the site Of Marmath, N. D.,
through the bad lands of Fallon and |
Garter counties, Montana, to the |
Powder river country. They proceeded
up this stream to its source in the |
foothills of the Big Horn mountains
in Wyoming.
The Shining Mountains"
Here It, was, on Jan. /, 1743 that |
a snow-capped mountain range doomed
up before them, the peaks in the far
distance scintillating before them in
the bright sunshine, like so many
diamonds. Thus they were named by
these Frenchmen, 1.-The Shining
Mountains" as they have been known
to poets and In Indian legends to
this day. For the first time, the white
race, through the eyes Of the La YER
endryeS, was looking upon the great
range of the Rocky mountains. There
has been much discussion as to what
particular section of the Rockies these
La Verendryes discovered, but his
torians now apparently are agreed
that the mountains which met the
vision Of these Frenchmen constituted
the Big Horn range, about 100 miles
east of Yellowstone national park. At
that time, these explorers and their
red guides must have been near the
northeastern boundary Of Wyoming.
In passing, it might be stated that
there was no battle at this time be-
tween the Bows and the Snakes, the
latter having heard through their
scouts Of the host that was at their
Bows had left their women and chill
dren in a camp further east from
where they had expected to fight. A
rumor came to the Bow camp that the
Snakes had attacked this camp and
The Bows In a riot rushed pen nell
pack to find that their people had not
been molested.
Buried Leaden Plate
The La Verendryes then left their
hosts without having secured their
desired information concerning the
pass to the sea. 1t is stated that they
journeyed south and then east into
what is now South Dakota. Here they
'ound the camp Of the Choke Cherry !
Indians, tribe Of the Sioux or Da-
rota family. The explorers were then [
lot far from the site Of the present !
.ity Of Pierre. They had succeeded 7
n carrying the tricolor Of France far I
her west than it had ever before J
Town. With q vague idea Of the i'm
1ortance Of their achievement, and
lpon q little rise, they proceeded to
their discovery. They 1
,uried leaden plate engraved with
he arms Of their king, and erected
,ver it a cairn Of stones. Early in the .
pring Of l744 the La Verendryes
tarted on their homeward journey, {
eturning to Montreal after a trip :
which consumed several months.
In honor Of their achievements. the &