Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-07-18

fury and he swore that either he or
a Deschamps should die for it. He
dared any one Of them TO fight.
Indian Saves Life
The Deschamps ignored the chal-
lenge, but one Of them tried to kin
Gardepied. He was prevented from
shooting the aggrieved hafbreed
through an open window only by the
interference Of an Indian.
A conspiracy was now Matched by
Gardepied, the two sons-in-law OF
Jack Rem, and Lafferrier to kill old
man Deschamps and his eldest son,
Francois The double assassination was
( to take place in the room in Fort
Union occupied by Lafferrier and Lar
penteur, one of the principal clerks OF
the fort, who several times in later
years was its active head. Larpenteur,
however, writing In his journal, pub
| lished many years later under the
title of Forty Years a Trader on the
! Upper Missouri" denies all knowledge
of the conspiracy.
| A rifle barrel was placed in the
chimney corner and Lafferrier put his
dirk under his pillow for Gardepied,
who was to open the attack.
Choice of Peace or War
Francois, who was about q years
old, was interpreter for Fort Union
and ate breakfast at the fort In the
clerks dining room. 1t was the GUS
tom of Francois and his father to
chat with Lafferrier and Larpenteur
in their room after breakfast. On the
morning fixed by the conspirators,
Gardepied and his associates encoun-
tered the two Deschamps in the room
while Larpenteur was away for .
walk
After the exchange Of few pleas
antries, Gardepied rose and addressed
the old man.
"Deschamps," he said, 81 want to-
know now whether you win make
peace or war with me; you have often
attempted my life, and I find 1t nee
essary to ask you this question-now.
What is your answer"
II win never make peace with you
as long as there Is drop OF blood In
my veins" replied DeschampS.
Old Man Struck Down
Some blood was quickly let out Of
his veins" writes Larpenteur, for
Gardepied Immediately seized the rifle
barrel and struck a fatal blow on
the old mans head. Then he turned
around to the son, and with another
blow knocked him down. But this
wound not being a mortal one, Fran
co.'s made out to creep under one OF
the beds, where he begged for his life
until the conspirators took pity on
him"
It was nearly year later, on June
%, 1886, that the closing episode OF
this feud took place. The steamer had
arrived from st. Louis and from go
to 10 men were at the fort. These |
we're divided into two parties, one |
within the confines Of the fort proper
and the other, including most Of the |
half-breeds, at Fort William.
Those at Fort William included the
Deschamps and the Rems. The ranks
of the latter had been weakened by
the loss Of Jack Rems two sons-in-
law, who were killed by Blackfeet
short time before.
Bids Boys Take Vengeance
By midnight most of the men IN
both forts had been rendered sluggish
or helpless by the grand spree in
which all engaged.
Old Mother DeschampS, however
had kept her wits awake.
Now, my sons" she said, address,
ing her children, IF you are men, you
will revenge the death OF your father.
The boys at once voiced their ap-
prevail and killed old Jack Rens as
he lay in a drunken Stupor. Then they
swore they would kill all the hail.
breeds whom they considered ms
friends and then even threatened 70
take the lives Of, the whites In Fort
Union.
The wife and daughter Of Jack Rem
fled to Fort Union where Larpenteur
was reused by the cry Of the younger
woman: open the door, quickI Tney
are fighting-they have killed my
father"
FamiIy's determination Demanded
II had not shut the door," continues
Tarpenteur In his account. before
or 10 Of our men came running IN
great fury, swearing vengeance against
The Deschamps family, ell Of whom I
hey would destroy. big and small
They raised all hands. and IN body
vent to Mr. Mckenzie, Of whom they /
demanded arms and ammunition IN |
angry tones. This demand was made /
n such terms that Mr.. Mckenzie
:ould not wen refuse, fearing the con-
and not being himself mucn q
lverse TO their intention. Having been
furnished with cannon, muskets ana I
they went to work. But {
n the first place, all the horses and
III the companys effects were removed
rom the fort Gort willian), and be- I
lore the fight commenced the Des-
.laarnn@ were required 10 turn out 1