Old Missoula

Dickinson in Narrow Escape From Indians

W. H. H. Dickinson, early Missoula postmaster and photographer, stood off four mounted Sioux on his way west.

Dickinson had reached Fort Peck on the steamboat Sully in 1869. Because the river was low, the boat could travel no further. Some passengers proceeded to Fort Benton by foot – 500 miles up the river. Dickinson was among those who stayed at Fort Peck.

Several weeks passed slowly for Dickinson, and despite repeated warnings of the danger of leaving the fort alone, he decided to go hunting. He wandered three miles down the river to Gilpin flat Sept. 13.

Down to One Bullet

Dickinson took pot shots at some buffalo, but being an inexperienced hunter only wasted his ammunition. When he was down to one bullet, he started back. He had gone only a short distance when he heard the thunder of hoofs on the prairie. Glancing around he was horrified by the sight of four mounted Sioux warriors bearing down on him with their guns poised to shoot. Before he could respond, the four rifles cracked and Dickinson felt the sting of a bullet in his cheek.

He shot his only bullet and it made its mark through the heart of the leader of the group, the only one wearing a headdress. In this instance Dickinson’s experience in the civil war served him well.

Indians Impressed

The other three Indians halted their horses a few hundred yards away for consultation. They feared this expert marksman, yet were reluctant to allow him to escape and leave their comrade unavenged.

Dickinson stood cooly with the empty gun in arm, as though ready for attack. He was momentarily confused because the dead Indian’s pony stood near its owner. But in a flash he saw the reason.

Indians were accustomed in warfare to wrap the end of a bridle around the girdle at their belts. When an Indian was shot or thrown, this tie kept the horse from running.

So young Dickinson, finding suddenly a way to save his life, climbed awkwardly into the high-cantled Indian saddle and started toward the fort at a gallop. The next morning he rode out with a party to the scene of the fight and found the body of the Sioux. Dickinson scalped the Indian and took his clothes and gun. He also kept the pony and took it with him to the Bitter Root.

In Missoula he opened the first photograph gallery in western Montana in 1870 and two years later was appointed postmaster, his salary being $240 a year. He held the office for 14 years, after which he went into the real estate business and mining operations.

He operated Dickinson’s Variety Store in connection with the post office. In this store was the first musical merchandise carried in Missoula.

In 1871 he married Emma C. Slack, Missoula’s first public school teacher. They were the first couple to be married by a Protestant minister in the district.

Dickinson died in 1910 the age of 70.

A photo accompanied this article titled “From Old Tintype”

“This is how W. H. H. Dickinson, early day Missoula postmaster and merchant, appeared in his Civil War uniform. Note the old-time pistol stuck in his belt. This photo is from an old tintype. (Courtesy of Mrs. R. H. Giffin)