Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-11-21
employees GAVE
THEIR LOYALTY
TO BIG FUR co.
REG BEATTYs WRITINGS SHOW
HOW HUDSONs BAY MEN
ESTEEMED COMPANY

gained over It's employees olu moi
weaken after they entered other &C.
cupations 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, if they had
it In them.
Reg Beatty states in his Memories
of 1885" that he had been a clerk OF
the company for ii. years, when he
decided to leave its employ and make
a home for himself and his family
After long search ne found what he
wanted. in the Carrot river valley,
near the town of Melfort, some $50
miles from TT. Qu'AppeIle. 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 a 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 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
renort. and the Indian had been dis
matched to Beatty to learn the truth
of the matter. Living a 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 ne, accom-
panied by the young Indian, started
on horseback for the nearest traders
station to gain reliable information.
Arriving there everything about tne
place showed that its former oc-
c1lpants 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
uaint. 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 APP
proaching the house he threw open
the door to find it tenanted by the
indian who had made the spectac-
uIar appearance, and his squaw.
beatty tried to talk with them but
thew maintained q 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 snort
time.
They stayed at Beatty's house over
night, and then were willing 70 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 Riel, ana
avenge his brothers death.
"Here was war upon us with
vengeance" writes Beatty, land an
active hostile for guest or a prisoner
which," Then who but a Hudsons
Bay man would have formulated such
a plan as thisl 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 wife and little chill
dren. and this they faithfully prom
ised."
Heard wild Rumors
The next morning Beatty set out
for Carrot river. When ne arrived
there he heard the widest rumors
that Fort Carleton had been burnt,
and what settlers had not been
nassacred were Fastening to Prince
Albert. A fort was being erected at
Carrot river, but after looking 1t 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-
tions 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
II the Indian came near Carrot river,
he would be shot.
On reaching home Beatty learned
that his guest had behaved In 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,
and departed for Nut lake.
But this was not the end Of the az
fair. Mr.. Beatty says: "a short diges-
sion may be pardoned to show that
contrary TO Yankee opinion even In
dams win show gratitude, In fact I
Ml-.