Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-11-27
EMPLOYEES GAVE
THEIR LOYALTY
TO Big FUR co.

TO Big FUR co.
REG BEATTY's WRITINGS SHOW
HOW HUDSONs LAY MEN
ESTEEMED COMPANY
The hold the Hudsons Bay %.
gained over its employees did not
weaken after they entered other &C.
equations. Once Hudson's Bay men,
they were always Hudson's Bay men,
and under the discipline OF that
powerful company. they acquired re-
markable executive ability. II they had
1t In them.
Reg Beatty states in his Memories
Of 1885" that he had been a clerk Of
the company for IL years, when he
decided to leave its employ and make
. home for himself and his family
After long search he found what he
wanted, in the Carrot river valley.
near the town Of Melfort, some $50
miles from Fl. Qu'Appelle. Here he
seems to have continued fur trading
but one may infer, from his seeking a
homestead on fertile soil. that he also
engaged in agriculture. His trading
was done with the Indians, and to
reach them ahead Of competitors, 1t
was necessary often to travel by dog
sled or on snowshoes.
Made Indian Friends
Some knowledge of the Cree Ian
guage enabled him to make friends
with few Of the Indians, but others
resented having a white settler on
their hunting ground, and twice Mr..
Beatty was warned that he must leave.
This was in 1885, when Riel's followers
were endeavoring to incite the Indian
tribes of the northwest to unite in a
common effort to expel the whites,
and regain the country that was once
theirs.
One day in March a young Indian
arrived at the Beatty home, with the
information that in fight at Duck
lake, the Indians were victorious, and
had killed many whites. This was the
report, and the Indian had been dis
patched to Beatty to learn the truth
Of the matter. Living long distance
from white neighbors, Beatty was not
in a position to verify or deny the re-
port, but the news, If true, was Of
grave importance. and he. accom-
panied by the young Indian, started
on horseback for the nearest traders
station to gain reliable information.
Arriving there everything about the
place showed that its former &C.
cupants had left in hurry. While the
two were noting with apprehension
this fact, the door Of the building
opened, and an Indian in full war
paint, thrust his head out. One glance
was sufficient for Beatty's companion,
who fled, leaving Beatty to make the
best he could Of the situation.
AS a Hudson's Bay man, he knew
how to deal with Indians, and ap-
preaching the house he threw open
the door to find 1t tenanted by the
Indian who had made the spectac-
ular appearance. and his squaw.
Beatty tried to talk with them, but
they maintained stubborn silence.
He saw they were out OF provisions,
and asked them to come to his house.
This they refused to do. He wasted no
time in persuasion, but picking up
their bedding, loaded 1t on his horse,
and started home telling them to
follow, which they did after short
time.
They stayed at Beatty's house over
night, and then were willing to talk.
The Indian verified the Duck lake re-
port, but both he and his wife claimed
the whites started it, and that the
first Indian shot was brother of his.
He was on his way to join Eiel, and
avenge his brothers death.
Here was war upon us with a
vengeance" writes Beatty, land an
o1,nSf vDrtcNnar
-which?" Then who but Hudson's
Bay man would have formulated such
a plan as this! ION thinking the
matter over, I told Mr.. Indian he
must stay at the house until my re-
turn, putting him on his honor to
take care of my vile and little chill
dren, and this they faithfully prom
ised"
Heard Wild Rumors
The next morning Beatty set out
for Carrot river. When he arrived
there he heard the widest rumors
that Fort Carleton had been burnt,
and what settlers had not been
massacred were Fastening to Prince
Albert. A fort was being erected at
Carrot river, but after looking it over,
Beatty concluded it would not be a
safe place to bring his family. No
provisions had been made for a water
supply, and there were neither bas-
tons nor lookouts.
He told Captain Myers of the In
dian he was entertaining, and asked
what disposal he should make Of him.
Captain Myers said Beatty could use
his own judgment in the matter, but
If the Indian came near Carrot river,
he would be shot.
On reaching home Beatty learned
that his guest had behaved In a credit
able manner, and he thought 1t worth
while to persuade the Indian to re-
nounce his vindictive plan, and re-
turn with his wife to his camp at
Nut lake. Beatty told him his life was
not safe in the part of the country
where he then was, as the settlers
were up in arms and would shoot any
Indian on sight. The Indians wife
seconding Beatty's efforts, they were
together successful in curbing his
Warlike spirit. He took their advice,