Blackfeet Sorrow Chapter 1 Report of Henry W. Reed, Agent for the Blackfeet: 1862

Blackfeet Sorrow

Chapter 1

Report of Henry W. Reed, Agent for the Blackfeet: 1862

On Tuesday we distributed to the Bloods, and

on Wednesday to the Blackfeet, all in the same manner,

apparently to their great satisfaction. In a day or so after

the payments they were all off again to their hunting

grounds. It was certainly gratifying to see the Indians

conduct themselves with so much decorum during the

time of their visit and the payment, especially as there

were so many of them together, and so many conflicting

interests; and then during the stay of a week to have

nothing occur but what would accord with the best

organized society was certainly surprising as well as

highly gratifying. We are glad to say that, except the

difference [war] between the Piegans and the Gros

Ventres, nothing has occurred during the season to

mar the quiet of the country. So far as the Indians

are concerned this is the more remarkable, as there

have been a large number of whites constantly passing

through the country, especially from Fort Benton to the

mountains, besides the whites resident in the country,

and not a few of both classes are not to be considered

the purest spirits the world affords by any means.

Just here allow me to say that we have no doubt there

should be, beside others lower down on the Missouri, at

least one or two companies of United States soldiers of the

right kind stationed at Fort Benton; for, first, the differences

of the Indians among themselves would be much more easily

arranged if we were prepared to correct as well as advise the

erring and the vicious; secondly, there are many whites who

are here and through the mountains because they cannot be

tolerated in any civilized society. They need care and attention.

Besides these, there are others here and passing through who

would do well if there was power to enforce such laws as we

have, who now do bad frequently. We refer especially to the

introduction and sale of liquor in the country.

Then there are, and will be, many passing over this thoroughfare

hereafter who must stop in the country for a time, who, if we would

have anything like peace and quiet, must be cared for specially; so

that I have no doubt it would be a great saving of money in the end,

and probably of valuable life, to take, at least, this much precaution

at once, say by next spring at furthest. I have made arrangements

to deliver the goods of the Gros Ventres to them at any time during

the fall or winter, provided they come to the fort and receive them.

As to the government farm on Sun river, I cannot say that it has

been, in my opinion, of any practical value to the Indians whatever.

While I do not doubt the intention of the agent, being good in its

location, yet I think it was a mistake to locate it where it is,

especially for the purpose of raising grain. While the Sun river

is evidently an excellent grazing country, yet I am convinced

that the most of it for grain purposes amounts to but very little.

The soil, the overflow of the bottoms, which afford the best land,

and the proximity to the mountains, are all against it for the

purposes of profitable grain rising. This year is undoubtedly an

exception, but we shall not, off from what is reported to be 160

acres in cultivation, have the product of more than ten or twelve

acres at most.

The Indians do not seem to have received any very encouraging

views of farming from the experiment. Indeed, but one, as I learn,

viz: Little Dog, the head chief, has tried practical farming at all, and

he, from appearance, without much success. His farm, of some eight

or ten acres, was some four miles below the government farm, so that

of course it was difficult for him to get aid and support, and feeling

insecure so far from whites or his own people, he finally left. I think,

however, he would try again readily could he be sufficiently encouraged.

I doubt not others would also be pleased to do something in that

direction could they be encouraged as to the result. In the selection

of the force we have at the farm, we have tried to get such as would

present a proper example to the Indians of morals, industry, and

economy, so that example and precept might go together in the

lesson given to the Indians at all times.

ANNUAL REPORT OF GEORGE B. WRIGHT,

AGENT BLACKFEET, 1867

Soon after my arrival at Fort Benton and on the 18th day of

September, 1866, there was seen on the opposite bank of the

Missouri river a party of eleven Paiegan Indians, desirous of

crossing over to the Benton side, whereupon a body of some

twenty whites, residents of Fort Benton, and returning miners

to the states, ran up to the bend of the river, and as the Indians

touched the shore, these men fired into them, wounding some

three of them and killing one. The balance of the Indians, with

the wounded, ran back to the opposite shore, leaving the dead

one in the hands of the whites, who immediately scalped him.

It seemed impossible to remonstrate against such conduct.

It was claimed for defence that, under the treaty of 1865,

entered into on the part of the government by the late,

lamented Governor T.F. Meagher, Judge Munson, and my

predecessor, the honorabloe deceased, Gad E. Upson, there

was a verbal agreement between themselves and the Chiefs

that no war party, either going to or coming from the war,

should come near Fort Benton. These Indians were returning

from a war with the Crow and Snake Indians; hence this was,

in my opinion, an uncalled for attack for two reasons: the first

of which reason was, the Indians were not informed of the

opposition to their crossing the river; the second reason that it

was the wreaking of personal hatred toward the Indians in the

loss of horses stolen from the whites by some persons who were

supposed to be Indians.

On the following day, the 19th of September, 1866, another

party of Indians were seen some six miles above Fort Benton,

on that side of the river, whereupon the same class of persons

who killed the above mentioned Indians started on horseback

after them. They overtook the Indians and fired into them,

killing six, bringing their scalps into the town. I endeavored to

secure the scalps but was refused. In the afternoon of the same

day an Indian was seen and captured near Fort Benton. I had

him brought to the agency office and kept in confinement until

the excitement against him was passed. I then discharged him

with the admonition to go immediately to his camp. It seems

that, in this case, the Indian had been out, with a party of four

others, on a horse stealing expedition against the Crow and

Snake Indians, and failing in that, he started for his camp when,

being overtaken with hunger, he started for Fort Benton for

provisions, when he was there taken.

A few of the Chiefs of the Blood and Blackfeet tribes called

recently to see me, and expressed a strong desire to remain

in peace their own nation and the white race. They are

however, strongly opposed to visiting Fort Benton to see

their agent, owing to the heavy white settlement around

the town; and as there has been no provision made by the

late Congress for a new treaty on the part of the government

with them, by reason of the treaty of the Judith river of 1855

expiring by limitation, and the non-satisfaction of the treaty

of 1865.

I am apprehensive of not seeing any of the Indians until next

spring. As I have frequently stated my reasons for a change of

agency from this place, I respectfully again urge its necessity

upon the government and herewith transmit my reasons therefore.

It is well known that in thickly settled countries the citizens thereof

carry with them more or less hostility towards the Indians, and spare

no efforts when success seems certain, in obliterating them from existence.

This seeming dislike is found most generally where the Indian does his

trading, and where, also by long-established posts, opposition receives

but little of their patronage.

In addition to these things, relying, as many do, for prosperity in

their business, being conducted under a territorial and United States

revenue license, they forget the position of local matters, and by reason

of these licenses, trade in direct opposition to the laws of the Interior

Department. They therefore feel aggrieved in finding their dividing

line between local and federal authority. The question then arises as

to how a territorial tax can be assessed upon parties resident on Indian

lands when they are prevented from carrying on the sale of certain

contraband articles under the prohibition of the Indian agent.

If, for instance, a large class of persons receive (as many do) this

territorial license to carry on business indiscriminately, (for upon

its face it exacts nothing and mentions only his business locality),

it therefore gives the trader the blissful anticipation of earning

at least a living if not a fortune. The Indian agent, acting upon

the instructions given him, refuses the license to operate upon

his reservation, and limits his own authority in the granting of

his own licenses.

Then, thereby becomes an informal attempt to question this

right, for it is known that many of those who, in keeping dram

shops for the retailing of liquors, are mostly an ignorant class

whom it is impossible to teach the laws of the country; and with

their associates or customers, who are of a wild, reckless nature,

and being numerous also in strength, would not only attempt to

trade against the agent's authority, but drive from the agency the

various Indians going there for trading or other purposes.

Then, again, the authority of the agent is questioned regarding

the sale of liquors at open bar on the various steamboats which

arrive at certain portions of the year at Fort Benton, it having

become a port of entry for steamboats of the heaviest tonnage,

and who bring with them contraband articles for the various

merchants throughout the territory, thereby again operating

against that clause [1855 Treaty] which reads as follows: "Or

shall introduce or attempt to introduce any spirituous liquor or

wine into the Indian country, such person, on conviction thereof

before the proper district court of the United States, shall be

imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years and shall be

fined not more than three hundred dollars."

Now, if this clause should be put to a practical demonstration, it

would no doubt be apparent that the white race would gain, for it

is conceded that in questions of this character the great preponderance

of strength of the merchants and miners, who are so generously

contributing to our national prosperity and greatness, would prevent

the association of the races together, for neither by birth nor education

could there exist the least friendly relations.

Therefore, is is not better that by the removal of this agency further

back into the interior, there could be effected a more permanent peace

to the country and more general safety to both races? It might be

argued that if there should be a repetition of Indian wars, the race

would then be, not only in name but in fact, exterminated, and there

would be no further use for agents or agency buildings. This theory

may be, in contemplation, pleasant, yet practically it would meet with

embarrassments, for experience has thus far proven, unless there be

a general uprising of the people, sanctioned by the United States

Congress, the Indian would maintain his existence, and the tradition

of his death in Montana Territory would seem an absudity.

This government is too humane to annihilate those who, from wrongs

inflicted upon them, justly punished the white aggressor, and the Old

World has yet to be taught that the United States, having purchased land

by treaty, would possess and occupy other lands through force and

power. The genius of our institutions, although differing with many

minds regarding territorial occupancy, agrees in the main that the Indian

should be removed from the encroachments of the white race and honestly

compensated for the relinquishment of their lands.

By their removal there would be no occasion for hostility; each party could

attend to their own business, for history and experience in this Territory have

proven that the introduction of so many emigrants, having such a diversity of

character and hatred towards the Indian, having rendered travel unsafe, and

the highways of today are attractively different from those of yesterday.

In this separation that I so earnestly urge (between white and Indian races)

the government would be benefited, and all mankind could move on without

meeting in any danger. There are many of the Indians who are anxious to

become the rivals of the white race, and will, as soon as suitable grounds are

established for them, adopt the order of civilization, and will equalize their

ability for their own interests as well as that of the government.