Old Missoula

Two Chiefs Fought Losing Battle to Save Their Home

Father and son, chiefs of the Flathead tribe, fought a losing battle against the white man’s conquest of western Montana.

Old Victor fought with all his Indian diplomacy to retain the home which he and his people loved so dearly. In 1855, Victor, called “Mitt’to” or the Lodge Pole, concluded a treaty with Gov. Stevens, Chief Michel of the Kootenais and Chief Alexander of the Pend d’Oreilles.

In this treaty, which was signed about nine miles west of Missoula near the Clark Fork River at Council Grove, Victor ceded a large area of what is now western Montana. Upon yielding this region, Victor had insisted that his people retain that portion of the Bitter Root Valley south of Lolo Creek.

But there had been an alternative clause agreed upon, which empowered the president to make surveys and to determine from them whether it was better for the Flatheads to remain in the Bitter Root or to go to the Jocko Reservation.

Son Inherits Struggle

With the fight against the removal of his tribe to a reservation, there had been interwoven a struggle for Victor’s supremacy as chief of the Flatheads. As Victor had sought to retain his home in argument with Gov. Stevens in 1855, so did Charlo, his son, maintain the struggle in debate with Gen. Garfield in 1872. And so did Chief Charlo struggle for his right as chief of the Flathead Indians.

By 1872 – 17 years later – there had been no survey made as the Council Grove or Hell Gate Treaty provided. Nor had the government kept its promise to send carpenters, blacksmiths, artisans and school teachers to the tribe as had been provided in the treaty.

In the meantime, the Bitter Root Valley, home of the Flatheads, became a choice settling place for whites. On Nov. 14, 1871, the president issued an order declaring the Indians should be removed to the Jocko.

Refuses to Move

In June 1872 Congress passed a bill appropriating $5,000 to pay the expense of this removal and to pay the Indians for the loss of their improvements in the Bitter Root Valley. Chief Charlo refused to move.

Gen. Garfield visited the valley in August 1872 and reported that the Indians were unwilling to move because for 17 years the government had taken no steps to carry out the provisions of the Hell Gate Treaty. Gen. Garfield then prepared an agreement, which was published as having been signed by Charlo; Arlee, second chief, and Adolf, third chief.

The agreement contained the provision that the Flatheads should move to the Jocko and that the government should build 60 houses, deliver 600 bushels of wheat for the first year, break and fence the land, provide agriculture implements and pay $50, 000 within a period of 10 years.

The publication of the Garfield agreement with Charlo’s signature affixed to it created the impression that all trouble was over and a large number of white settlers poured into the valley.

Two Clear Charlo

Sen. Vest of Missouri and Maj. Maginnis, delegate to Congress from Montana, found upon investigation that Charlo did not sign the agreement. Vest and Maginnis were impressed by the honesty and dignity of Charlo, Garfield admitted that he had decided to go ahead without Charlo’s signature in the belief that Charlo would follow the example of his lesser chiefs.

Meanwhile, Arlee with his followers had moved to the Jocko and the government recognized him as chief of the Flatheads. Charlo called him a “renegade Nez Perce.” He refused to yield to the demands of the government.

Goes to Washington

In 1884 Charlo journeyed to the nation’s capital to plead his case. With him went Callup-Squal-She (Crain With a Ring Around His Neck), Licoot-Sim-Hay (Grizzly Bear Far Away), Ta-Hetchet (Hand Shot Off), Swam-Ach-Ham (Red Arm), and interpreter Mitchel Ravis or Chim-Coo-Swee (The Man Who Walks Alone).

Charlo asked for nothing but the “poor privilege” of living where his fathers had lived, and lying down to rest where they had rested through the centuries, before the echo of the white man’s booted tread disturbed the primeval quiet. He said, moreover, that he would never be taken alive to the Jocko.

Charlo Consents

In 1891 Gen. Carrington was sent to influence Charlo to move. Arlee had died and conditions were such that he felt the old chief might move. Charlo consented, saying, “I will go – I and my children. My young men are becoming bad; they have no place to hunt. My women are hungry. For their sake I will go. I do not want the land you promise. I do not believe your promises. All I want is enough ground for my grave. We will go over there.”

Once at the Jocko Reservation, Chief Charlo would never mention his former home. He distrusted all whites and to the last he nursed his grievances.

Death fulfilled his request. Enough ground was granted for his grave and the simple heart-shaped marker under a crucifix bears the words: Chief Charlo – 1831 – 1910.