This Week in Tribal History

Mary Rogers, Tribal Preservation Department

July 13, 1872 from The Pioneer: Notes of Rev. W.H. Stoy's trip to Flathead Lake, crossed Pend d'Oreille River at 11 a.m. on a flatboat run by oars and worked by half-breeds. The Width of river at the mouth: 400 yards. After Landing on the west shore of the lake we found about twenty lodges of Kootenai Indians, who were fishing for trout. Rev. Stoy's trip to Flathead Lake also noted 20 lodges of Kootenai fishing for trout near the mouth of Pend d’Oreille River, and 15 lodges of Kootenai on Dayton Creek with a fine lot of trout caught from the lake.

July 13, 1877 from The Missoulian: A Nez Perce, Poker Jo, returned from Nez Perce country. "He was spoken to by the driver of the Bitterroot mail and a passenger, and seen by a number of whites who know him well. He took dinner at the camp of Eneas, a Flathead who was up LoLo hunting and fishing, and gave to him news which Eneas delivered in town through an interpreter Sunday.

July 11, 1884 from The Missoulian: 14 Indians at Blackfoot Crossing were poisoned by eating wild parsnips. "Rev. Mr. Tims and Mr. LaRue administered antidotes as speedily as possible." 4 died, others recovered. Indians eating wild parsnips was a sign of extreme hunger.

July 11, 1896 from The Weekly Plainsman: "One of the unpleasant incidents of the day was caused by the noble red man who is always present on fete days in this section of the state. A number of Indians were riding around the grounds, and one, mounted on an unruly horse, was unfortunate enough to have his saddle turn. The horse immediately began bucking and ran into the bowery where the dancing was going on. About 200 men, women and children had miraculous escapes. Joe Helterline's little daughter, about two years of age was slightly injured. How she escaped being killed is beyond comprehension."

July 14, 1905 from The Plainsman: “The Indians on the reservation held two big pow-wows last week, one at Arlee and one at the Mission. The celebration was in the nature of a sun dance and was joined in by many from all parts of the reserve. A combined celebration of both the Indians at Arlee and at the Mission was concluded Monday quite a number of people visited the Mission t witness the great event.”

July 11, 1910 from The Missoulian: There was nothing odd about the makeup and size of the trout, but he carried in his side a buckskin covered spear or hook. As soon as I saw this I knew that the big fellow had escaped from an Indian. Later, as we moved up the stream, we met two Indians I gave them the fish but kept the weapon. It was at this juncture that I had to laugh for the redskins indulged in a jabbery conversation, I could not understand, except to the extent to realize that I had their hook.

July 11, 1913 from The Sanders County Signal: “A party of detectives were in Plains the 4th. They went out near Dog Lake and searched parties going back to the reservation. Ten or twelve parties were found going to the reservation with liquor."

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.