Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1943-01-02

space Oh the river DOJtOnl, as Gid moss
Of the old trading posts. but directly
under an extremely steep bank that
had been cut by the river Il was con-
stantly besieged by the Sioux, who
tried to pick off men around the post
from the top Of the bank, but the
Indians who did this took desperate
risks, as It was impossible for q marks
man 70 shoot down into the fort with
out exposing himself. and the sharp
shooters in the post were constantly
on the watch for a head on the bank
to shoot at.
! Stranded at Fort Peck
Dickinson, who made his first trip
to Montana In 1855, went down the
river IN the fall OF 1858 and started
back up again from Sioux City. a.
on the steamboat SulIy, on May 81,
1869. The river was low that season,
and when they reached Fort Peck the
boat could go no further Some Of the
passengers proceeded on foot I'D the
river while others In the party re-
NAMED at the fort until teams could
be procured from there to transport
them. Fort Benton was 500 miles fur
Their up by river. Among those who
stayed at the fort was Dickinson.
Several weeks passed and time hung
heavy on his hands, and DESPITE re-
peated warnings of the danger Of leav-
ing the post alone, Dickinson decided
to do some hunting. with his rifle
he wandered three miles down the
river to Gilpin flat on the morning
Of Sept. Is, a day of good luck for
him, as it proved. He shot at some
buffalo but being then an inexper-
fenced hunter he did not succeed In
killing any, and so he only wasted
most OF his ammunition. When he was
down to one bullet. he put that In
his gun and started back for the fort.
Attacked by Sioux
He had walked only a short distance
when he heard a beating of hoofs on
the prairie. and CHANGING around was
Mortified by the sight OF four Sioux
warriors charging down ON him on
their ponies They were then almost
upon him and each had his rifle ready
70 shoot. Before he could throw his
gun TO his shoulder the four rifles
cracked and Dickinson felt the sting
If bullet in his cheek. Being a Civil
var veteran and crack shot. when
ne pulled the trigger In a snap shot
Vt one of the Sioux braves, he had
he satisfaction Of seeing the Indian
all from his pony and roll dead on
he ground with bullet hole through
lis heart that man could stick his
ist through.
The other three Indians checked
heir horses few hundred yards away
nd held consultation. They had
cen an example Of Dickinson's shoot
lg and didn't care to give him q
nance at them Neither did they want
0 lJlet him escape and leave their
omrade unavenged.
Dickinson, with not a shot left. stood
Dolly for few minutes with his rifle
YER his arm, as though ready for
mother attack and perfectly conf
emit. For a minute he couldn't under
and why the dead Indians pony did
ot run off, and then in a flash he
w the reason. The Indians, in war
ire, used to wrap the end of the
.Whide rope that served as a bride
FOUND the girdle at their belts. The
her end was half-hitched around the
'ny's jaw. When an Indian was shot
I his horse, or, If the animal Stun
ed and threw him, he was not left
cot provided he was not too badly
lrt to crawl back onto his steed. The
dian he had killed had followed the
ual custom, so his dead body now
ted as a hitching weight to the
'rse.
DIES Back In Triumph
This gave the boy chance for his
e, so he ran to the horse and I'M
Stoned the rope from the body of
e Sioux, climbed awkwardly into the
gh-cantled Indian saddle and start
the pony toward the fort at a
lop. The three Sioux started to try
head him off, but when he threw
his gun as though to shoot, they
sred off and finally rode out Of
ht. Dickinson rode triumphantly
o the post. his face and shirt red
ii blood from the flesh wound IN
cheek, which was soon healed,
viewer.
The next morning Dickinson rode
with a party to the scene OF the
ut and found the body of the Sioux.
.scalped his slain enemy and took
gun and clothing. Dickinson also
1t the pony and took it to the
ter Root with him.
dickinson opened the first photo
phi gallery In western Montana at
isoula in 1870, and in 1872 was ap-
nted postmaster. his salary being
year. He held the office for IA
rs, after which he went into the
estate business and was also In
.sted in mining operations.
he marriage Of Dickinson to Miss
ma G. Slack, MissouIa's first school
:her. in 1871, was performed by
Top Tiff Of the Methodist Episcopal
rch, who was then a missionary
scher and built the first Methodist
rch in Montana at AEissoula. This
ding was the first performed in
Bitter Root.