THE COUNCIL AT FORT BENTON 
A Bit of Montana’s Unwritten History 
Veteran Trapper, Trader, Scout 
BY WILLIAM T. HAMILTON and Sign Talker; Author of 
“My Sixty Years on the Plains!’ 
[« 'illiam T. Hamilton is the only known sur¬ 
vivor of that old time race of trappers, whose 
courage, skill and endurance enabled them to 
discover, explore and make known the wonder¬ 
ful empire of the west. At eighty-five years he 
still lives among the mountains of Montana, and 
still makes his annual trapping trips into those 
mountains, keeping up the habits that he has 
practiced for sixty-three years. In the year 1905 
the Forest and Stream published his book which 
gave his recollection of the years of his early 
life on the plains, a volume which introduced him 
to a wide circle of acquaintances on the Atlantic 
and Pacific coasts. 
“Uncle” Bill Hamilton, as he is affectionately 
called, is a living part of the history of Montana. 
His long experience, his wide knowledge of the 
life of early days, and his extraordinary skill as 
a sign talker have given him fame not only in 
that State, but through many parts of the zvest, 
such as no other living man possesses—perhaps 
such as no other man ever has possessed. His 
knowledge of the early history of the State is 
in many respects broader—as it extends over a 
longer time—than that of any other man. It is 
a fortunate circumstance for his State that he 
is willing and able to set down these facts as 
to the events of forty-two years ago at Fort 
Benton. 
In the year 1855 Governor Stephens, called by 
the Indians “The Short Man,” made the first 
|: . , 
treaty with the northern Indians at the mouth of 
Judith River. The object of this treaty wees to 
bring about a general peace among the various 
tribes, but the effect of the treaty was not last¬ 
ing. In the articles which Mr. Hamilton now 
gives us, he sets forth with graphic detail the in¬ 
cidents which took place when Gen. Francis 
Meagher and other commissioners made another 
treaty for the same purpose with the Indians in 
the year 1865. The treaty wets made and the 
effort was so far successful, but the arrangement 
accomplished no permanent good. 
The descriptions of the long ride made by the 
scout and his Indian friend through a hostile 
country, of the bringing in of the tribes, Black- 
fect, Bloods, Piegans and Gros Ventres to the 
council at Benton, and of the trying days which 
followed this council, arc set forth zvith wonder¬ 
ful strength and simplicity in Mr. Hamilton’s 
contribution. It is an addition to Montana’s 
history of extraordinary value. —Editor.] 
The Territory of Montana was organized in 
1864. Green Clay Smith was appointed its first 
Governor, and Gen. Francis Meagher Territorial 
Secretary. Smith resigned and Meagher became 
acting governor with supervision over all Indian 
tribes in the Territory. 
From 1863 to 1865 a chronic state of warfare 
existed between all the Indian tribes in the Ter¬ 
ritory. In the course of this warfare, miners 
FORT BENTON IN 1862. 
From a Sketch by an Army Officer. 
and freighters had sustained serious losses in 
stock, and many miners and cattle herders had 
been killed by Indians. There was no protection 
for life and property. At the mouth of the Judith 
River, fifty miles east of Benton, was stationed 
one company of soldiers, but they were in¬ 
fantry and could render no protection against 
mounted Indians. 
In 1864 I sold my place at Missoula and moved 
to Benton—the head of navigation for the Mis¬ 
souri River steamboats which carried all the 
supplies of every description needed by the 
rapidly increasing population, which was rushing 
into the Territory attracted by fabulous reports 
which were constantly being circulated of the 
discovery of rich placer and quartz mines. 
When I arrived at Benton it was almost im 
possible to get anything to eat, and I determinec 
that I would start a hotel. I built a log house 
hired a cook and a negro for a waiter, gave $50 
for an old stove, bought and borrowed all the 
cups, knives, forks and tin plates that 'I coulc 
get from the Fur Company employees, anci 
opened my hotel at $1 per meal. I bought som< 
beef steers and slaughtered one on the rive 
bank. Two whiskey barrels on end, with three 
slabs on them, set up by the hotel, formed the 
counter of a butcher shop, the first one opener 
in Choteau county, Montana Territory. I sole 
beef at 20 cents and 25 cents per pound, dispos 
ing of from one to five beeves daily to boats anc 
freighters. Presently I was obliged to hire ; 
butcher and a herder. 
In the spring of 1865 the governor appointee 
me sheriff of Choteau county, which was abou 
as large as the State of New York. I was alsc 
appointed deputy United States marshal. At thi 
time the population was a mixed and motley com 
bination. There were some trappers and fre> 
traders, good men; but the remainder were Fu 
Company employees, in all about forty-five men 
There were some half breeds, but none of then! 
could be trusted except one, Joe Kipp. Til 
Northwest Fur Company had bought out th 
old Fur Company and had put I. G. Baker it 
charge. Carroll and Steele, former clerks of th 
old company, had opened a store in Benton, an< 
T. C. Power afterwards opened one. 
Through the Territorial Delegate, the Unites 
States Government was asked to provide pro 
tection against Indians for the inhabitants o 
the Territory, and the following occurrence 
. 
