Indian Troubles In Missoula – 1867
Indian Troubles In Missoula – 1867
Petition To The Governor.
To His Excellency Green Clay Smith, Governor of Montana Territory:
The undersigned residents of Missoula county, Montana Territory, respectfully represent that there is at the present time great danger of an outbreak of the Flathead and other Indian tribes located in this county and vicinity. They have already committed some depredations, such as stealing stock and other property belonging to settlers, breaking open houses; made open threats to drive out or kill all the settlers in these valleys; that under the present state of affairs it is unsafe for persons to travel through this section except in large parties and well armed. A few days since between Flathead lake and Thompson’s river, a party of prospectors were attacked by these Indians and four of the party killed. They have burned most of the country for a distance of more than two hundred miles, destroying most of the grass, and in some instances large quantities of hay in the stacks. These fires are still raging with great fury. Our population is scattered over a large extent of country, and in case of an outbreak would without doubt be murdered, being almost entirely destitute of arms and ammunition.
We, therefore, earnestly petition that a sufficient amount of arms and ammunition be furnished this county to arm and equip say two hundred men.
C. A. Higgins, R. Marshall,
C. Gaetz, B. Laperre,
F. L. Worden, W. Brit,
J. Hall, Edward Fawkes,
C. M. Wirk, Thos. Foley,
B. W. Russell, W. Bills,
H. P. Lerrabee, F. H. Moody,
J. B. Burkit, H. Haney,
O. C. Simpson, Thos. M. Pomeroy,
K. T. McAtee, W. H. Jacoby,
J. B. Hawley, Dan Woodman,
A. Harding, C. Taylor,
Jno. F. Higgins, O. H. Hoyt,
C. H. Haydon,
Missoula, Sept. 2, 1867.
The above article appeared in The Montana Post [Virginia City] on 10/5/1867.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/78177508
Several of the above names are either misspelled or incomplete. It’s interesting to note a few prominent Missoula county residents who did not sign the petition, e. g., F. Woody, John Owen, John Caldwell, O’Keefe brothers, Stuart brothers, David Pattee, etc. By 1870 it’s estimated Missoula County held 2,500 people. As a weapon, fire may have been the most effective means of fighting available to the Indians. Little is known about how they used it.
For an early history of Missoula County see M. A. Leeson’s “History of Montana” linked below:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101079825855&view=image&seq=837