This Week in Tribal History

Mary Rogers, Tribal Preservation Department

February 4,1887 from The Weekly Missoulian: Territorial news: Ten of the Flathead Indians have been equipped with new suits, six-shooters and Winchester rifles. These worthies are to do duty as policemen on the reserve. There is also being constructed by the Jesuit missionaries at St. Ignatius 2 jails, one for males and the other for females.

January 30,1908 from The Plainsman: Senator Dixon's bill amendment to include construction for irrigation systems on Flathead Reservation, "Indians rights are protected by giving them right, without cost to necessary water to irrigate their lands."

February 2,1912 from The Sanders County Signal: "The war dance held at Chief Michelles proved very interesting to those who attended, not only interesting put prosperous to trade. A good many prizes were awarded."

February 2,1912 from The Plainsman: Senator Ed Donlan introduced a bill to build a bridge at Perma. The plans were for a 400 ft wooden bridge and might be a tool bridge. ". . . a bridge at Perma is a much needed improvement. It would prove the outlet to a vast amount of grain, stock and farm produce from the reservation. And now that the new Missoula-Sanders county state road is nearing completion to Plains, traffic in both directions will be greatly enhanced."

January 29,1913 from The Big Arm Graphic: Senator Dixon's amendment to Indian appropriations bill would increase appropriation for Flathead Indian Irrigation from $150,000 to $400,000.

February 4,1913 from The Sanders County Signal: "Harold Flower, who was suspended from the Indian Forest Service some time ago on account of lack of funds, has again taken up his duties as forest guard. Mr. Flower has charge of the timber in the Greenspring and Camas Districts."

January 30,1914 from The Sanders County Signal: On January 14 Congressman Evans introduced a bill in congress authorizing the secretary of war to make preliminary survey of the Flathead River from Polson to Dixon, . . . getting a line on the power resources of river. . . . The survey is also to determine if the stream can be made navigable.

January 29,1924 from The Plainsman: "The Flathead Indian Tribe, claiming ownership of Flathead Valley land extending beyond Kalispell as well as that assigned to it in the lower part of the valley, has appointed an attorney to press its claims in Washington. The land in dispute is roughly valued at $16,000,000."

February 2,1928 from The Lima Ledger: Kill of surplus buffalo stock on the national bison range west of here for meat purposes amounted to 181 head, according to Henry Helgeson, butcher, who had charge of the dispatching of the animals on the range.

February 4,1968 from The Missoulian: Newspaper article about Abel Woodcock and his beginnings as an oil painter. He spent nearly four years in the Holy Family hospital after an accident left him almost completely paralyzed on his right side. Dr. A. L. Hauge suggested that he begin oil painting as therapy.

If you have any questions or comments please contact Mary Rogers at 675-2700, ext 1320, or Communication Director, Rob McDonald at ext. 1222. Newspaper articles may be suggested for the Preservation archives if the article includes the newspaper name, date and is from 1975 or earlier.