A Christmas correction
An incorrect assumption on Montana history was made in this column four years ago and I just discovered it. Top is "The First Christmas in Montana." The Ross Cox account of 1813 was the only one I could recall about such a notable event; however, legendary explorer David Thompson did establish his "Saleesh" post, now Thompson Falls, in 1809. Following is a short revision of the "Cox Christmas" 198 years ago.
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Eighteen-year-old Englishman Ross Cox came up the Columbia River to Spokane House in 1812, then journeyed to the Flathead the following year. His boss in John Jacob Astor's company gave orders that if the Cox "brigade" got to starving, they should eat their skinniest horses; however, when desperate days arrived, he chose the fattest one, a glimpse into Cox's personality.
His band of traders reached the confluence of the Flathead and Clark's Fork rivers on Dec. 24, 1813. Another Astor trader, McMillan, had earlier erected a rustic fort there but had no goods for trading with the Indians. Cox had rifles, ammunition, cloth, tobacco and staples, plus 15 gallons of "prime rum."
A major band of "Selish" Indians, called "Salish" now, were delighted to see wondrous provisions. Those goods were brought in sailing ships from New York clear around the horn of South America, something the Indians could not appreciate, but they gladly partook of all things offered ... especially tobacco and run.
On Christmas day, Ross Cox sensed great excitement among the Selish and learned a warrior band had just returned with a mixed group of captured enemies, Blackfeet, and it was time to torture them to death. Watching a Blackfeet warrior tied to a tree and killed by inches dismayed the young Englishman, and he demanded a stop.
Some Indians jeered and told Cox the Blackfeet treated Selish people the same way. Said they'd not stop because of "foolish feelings" of a white man. Then a 15- or 16-year-old girl was dragged out and an old Selish priestess took charge of putting her to death. Cox dramatically drew the line, emphatically telling the cheering crowd, "As mush as we esteem your fine furs and value your friendship, the fort will be closed and the white men will leave with his guns and trade goods if the tortures are not discontinued now."
It was a risky ultimatum, but in spite of the furious old priestess' protests, the girl was returned to the prisoners. There followed considerable howling from the pro-torture group, who called those who weakened "cowards and fools with the hearts of fleas." A tribal chief told Cox his followers felt the Selish were a doomed people because the Blackfeet were making it so dangerous for them to "go for buffalo," which was vital for their survival.
After lengthy discussion, Cox convinced that chief and other cooler heads, "It would be far better for the Selish to have guns to protect themselves form the powerful Blackfeet." They finally accepted his idea and even agreed to release the prisoners. (That unusual action resulted in reduced warfare between the two tribes.)
Tribal hunters had meanwhile shot bighorn sheep in the cliffs above the camp, so with fresh meat, spices, smokes and rum, that memorable Christmas in Montana came to a joyful end ... 198 years ago.
All this helped make it possible for us later arrivals to have pro football on TV, fast food service, shopping malls and the interstate.
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Note: After returning home, Ross Cox wrote a book, "Cox's Adventures on the Columbia River." In his 1890 "Historical Sketch of the Flathead Indian Nation," Major Ronan says the Cox book was published in England in 1817, and Weisel's book, "Men and Trade on the Northwest Frontier," says it was also published in New York by Harper in 1832.
Hope you all had a merry Christmas. Have a happy new year.
G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning Hungry Horse News columnist. He lives in Kalispell.