Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-02-14

A cousin of Mrs. Clarke, one Ne
tus-che-o, is credited with plotting
Clarkes death. Bad blood was engen-
dered when Ne-tus-che-o and some
other Piegans stole a band of Major
Clarke's horses. Clark and his son,
Horace, caught up with the band. Ne
tus-che-o was riding Horace'S favor
tie horse and the latter, incensed by
the Indians effrontery, advanced, took
the pony from him and dashed him
across the face with his whip, at the
same time calling him dog.
Ne-tus-che-O Didn't Forget
This was a fighting word to the IN
dams and they gathered around the
youth, ready to take him apart. Cooler
heads, however, averted the crisis. Then
Major Clarke did his bit toward in
curing Ne-tus-che-o's lifelong enmity
by putting a frigid glare on him and
calling him IAN old woman" another
high-caliber insult. Clarke and his
son then rode off with the horses.
Ne-tus-che-o later professed to have
buried the Ratchet but he secretly
thirsted for revenge. In August, 1869, in
company with several other Indians,
he visited Clarke's home and in an en-
suing engagement Clarke was killed
and Horace dangerously wounded.
It was Clarke's death that touched
off the fireworks. His assassins were
demanded of the Piegans by the United
States. They refused to comply and a
disultory guerilla warfare ragged be-
tween the two nations. In September,
1869, the superintendent of Indian af-
fairs for Montana reported to the
commissioner of Indian affairs that
other outrages had been committed by
Indians supposed to be Blackfeet in
the vicinity Of Helena" These matters
were referred to the division COM
mander who decided that when the
long, northern winter began and the
Indians were unable to travel, he would |
dispatch troops from Fort Ellis or Fort
Shaw to crush them.
Thus it was that on Jan. 10, 1870, a
column composed Of troops F, G, H and
L, Second cavalry and detachment
of some SIS mounted infantry COM
manded by Colonel Baker, departed
from Fort Shaw to attack Mountain
Chief. The aforementioned massacre re-
suited on the Marias.
Baker Loved Liquor
A word, now, about this Colonel
Baker. BY all accounts he had no bust
ness being in command Of military
expedition or anything else.
He had, apparently, monumental
thirst and was never reluctant to slake
IT, During this abortive trek across
country In search of the Blackeet he
was deep in his cups, historians re-
late, and when he arrived that winter
night before the smallpox camp of
the Blackfeet he didn't know or care
whose camp it was. According to James
willard Schultz and other authorities,
his scouts tried to disuade him from
the camp, trying vatnly to
convince him it wasn't that of Noun
tain Chief. But he paid them no heed.
Indians, to him, we're Indians, regard
less Of age or condition Of health.
At the head Of this camp was the
aged Heavy Runner, a man who had
been unswervingly friendly to the
whites. The old man heard the adj
vance Of the military and went out
% greet the troops. He was alone. High
above his head he held his credentials
attesting his loyalty to the government.
he was marmed. But private raised
his gun and shot him through the
leart.
This touched OFF the attack. The ]
soldiers fell upon the camp. After the ,
slaughter Of the innocents indeciston
prevailed as to whether to proceed to
Mountain Chiefs camp But the COM
handing officer was In no condition
% decide and none of his subordinates ]
Wished to assume the responsibility Of ,
1recipitating a second attack. The !
loldiers bivouaced for the night. When |
hey finally reached Mountain Chiefs
amp he and his followers had fled. I
Mountain Chief, last hereditary chief |
# the Blacldeet, died at his home {
N the reservation and was buried in !
he cemetery at Browning following |
uneral services at the Church Of the
little Flower. {
Mountain Chief, blind and confined
O his home for some years but other !
wise in good health, died suddenly (
fter complaining of having difficulty
n breathing. He had been about his q
yard shortly before and succumbed 4