Contributions to the Historical Society of Montana (Volume 3) - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900. Excerpt: ... AFFAIRS AT FORT BENTONFROM 1831 TO 1869. From Itieut. Bradley's Journal. PERIOD 1831 TO 1839. In the winter of 1830-31, McKenzie sent an expedition consisting of four men, headed by James Burger, formerly an employe of the Hudson Bay Company, from Fort Union, up the Missouri River, to ascertain the temper of the upper Indian tribes and pave the way for the establishment of a trading post in their midst. The account published by Lewis and Clark of the treacherous disposition of the Blackfeet, followed by the ill success of Henry in his attempt to trade among them some twenty years previous, and the many murders perpetrated by them upon the whites in revenge for the killing of one of their number by Capt. Lewis in 1805, had produced in the minds of the whites such a dread of the Blackfeet, that few had the hardihood to venture within the limits of the country in which they held sway. Consequently up to this time the American Fur Company, had made no attempt to establish trading relations with them; but hoping that the lapse of twenty-five years had dimmed their recollections of the past and softened their vengeful feelings towards the whites, McKenzie resolved upon an attempt to court their good will and gain their consent to the establishment of a trading post within their reach. NOTE--For biography of Lieut. James H. Bradley and previous contribution from his Journal see Vol. II of the publication of this Society.--(Ed.) Using dog sleds to transport their effects, Burger's party proceeded up the Missouri to the mouth of Marias River, up this stream to the mouth of Badger Creek, which they followed to its source, without encountering a single Indian. Not being familiar with the geography of the locality, and scarcely knowing in what direction next to bend ...