Buffalo 297 



for the skin hunters. In 1878 the last great herd went south 

 from the Saskatchewan, and the few scattered bands left behind 

 were killed off by the Indians in 1879. In 1880 the Northern 

 Pacific Railway opened a way into the central country of the 

 last herd, and the southern story was repeated. 



Condensing Dr. Hornaday's account^** we find that: 



In 1 88 1 hunters shipped out 50,000 



In 1882 " " " 200,000 



In 1883 " " " 40,000 



In 1884 " " " 300 



In 1885 " " " o 



Total 290,300 



This was the end of the northern herd. The remnant, 

 numbering perhaps 200 or 300, was scattered in droves among 

 the Badlands between the Missouri and the Yellowstone. 

 One of these bands, numbering 40 or 50, took refuge in the 

 rough country along the Big Porcupine River, where 28 of 

 them were killed in 1886 by Dr. Hornaday, who collected and 

 afterwards mounted them for the United States National 

 Museum. 



The rest of these in the United States were soon picked off 

 by cowboys and hunters. 



But a few small bands lingered on the Upper Saskatche- in 



P , CANADA 



wan tor several years. 



James M. Macoun tells me that in 1888 (early July) he saw 

 the meat of 8 Buffalo bulls that were killed between Methy 

 Portage and Lac la Biche. They were the last seen there. 



In 1 889, according to the Reverend J. A. McLaughlin, mis- 

 sionary of Victoria north of the Saskatchewan, and W. Hine, 

 a band of 1 1 was found in Hand Hills, 500 miles west of Mani- 

 toba. Five were killed by Indian acquaintances of Mc- 

 Laughlin. He saw part of the spoils, including a head, which 

 sold at Winnipeg for $120. The other 6 were not accounted for. 



'^Ibid., p. 513. 



