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The First Catholic Pioneers - the M6tis A narrative by Mrs. Elizabeth Swan Along the Milk River between Harlem and Chinook, Montana, was a large settlement of Red River half-breeds, as they were known at that time. They had come from the Red River Country of North Dakota, and Canada. They followed the buffalo trails in search of a permanent location. After their sojourn thus for eight years found that their chances for continuing to live by hunting only was diminishing. They began thinking seriously about their future. They knew that they would soon have to change their way of life forever. After some discussion, they began to break up into groups. Some went back to North Dakota, some to Canada and some to different points in Montana. Pierre Berger and his family of 11 children were among the latter group. One of his children, a daughter, and her husband, Frank Azure, the Gladeau families and some others went to St. Peter's Mission, Montana (then a territory). They joined the elder Azures who had preceded them. Berger, after thinking it over, had it in mind to go further west to a place he had heard about from an Indian friend. This place had an abundance of wild game and other good prospects. He had also been directed as near as possible to this location. He told his friends and relatives of his ideas. lt was decided that his plan should be followed. Thus a band of about 25 families agreed to accompany Berger and his family on his new adventure. The Berger children who accompanied their parents were. Peter, Barney, Catherine and Francis. Their married children with families were: lsaie, lsadore, Jake, and John B. Berger. Also included was, Mrs. "Adele" (Vital) Turcotte and Mrs. Anabel (Frank) Ouellette, Alexander Wilkie and Antonine Fleury, who were brothers-in-law of Pierre Berger. Accompanying the above were their friends, Benjamin Kline, the LaFountains, Doneys, Fayants, Turcotte, Ledoux, Gayoins, and Mrs. Laquoit. The latter was an elderly widow known to all as "Old Ellen." She had no one to provide for her, but was well cared for by the generosity of the people she travelled with. She was a capable individual and helpful in return, assisting the other women to "jerk" meat (a process of drying and preserving meat from game animals). ln addition to this list was an unfortunate who was partially blind. He came with his wife, their little girl and two stepsons. These people were looked after by the group and in return this man and his wife did what they could. He was a cryer, when anything important was to be discussed, or at a prayer meeting. When a buffalo hunt took place, he was told to make the rounds where everyone gave a portion of meat and buffalo hides. His wife helped jerk meat and tan hides which were sold or traded to provide for their other needs. Heading for the New Location In early May 1879, the caravan set out. They headed for Fort Benton where they crossed the Missouri River on a ferry. Pierre Berger was a good scout and acted as
Object Description
Rating | |
Title | Brief history of the First Catholic Pioneers of Lewistown, Montana. |
Description | The history of the Metis group that settled the Lewistown area in 1879. A description of the trip and the problems involved as they traveled to this area. |
Creator | Elizabeth Swan and Margaret (Letrelle) LaTray |
Genre | documents |
Type | Text |
Language | eng |
Date Original | 1945 |
Subject (keyword) | Metis; Catholic Church; |
Rights Management | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
Contributing Institution | Lewistown Public Library, Lewistown, Montana |
Publisher (Original) | Elizabeth Swan |
Geographic Coverage | Fergus County, Montana; Lewistown, Montana |
Digital collection | Central Montana Historical Documents |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Digitization Specifications | Canon MX310 300dpi |
Local Identifier | SC 1.1 Brief History |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Type | Text |
Contributing Institution | Lewistown Public Library, Lewistown, Montana |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Digitization Specifications | Canon MX310 300dpi |
Full text of this item | The First Catholic Pioneers - the M6tis A narrative by Mrs. Elizabeth Swan Along the Milk River between Harlem and Chinook, Montana, was a large settlement of Red River half-breeds, as they were known at that time. They had come from the Red River Country of North Dakota, and Canada. They followed the buffalo trails in search of a permanent location. After their sojourn thus for eight years found that their chances for continuing to live by hunting only was diminishing. They began thinking seriously about their future. They knew that they would soon have to change their way of life forever. After some discussion, they began to break up into groups. Some went back to North Dakota, some to Canada and some to different points in Montana. Pierre Berger and his family of 11 children were among the latter group. One of his children, a daughter, and her husband, Frank Azure, the Gladeau families and some others went to St. Peter's Mission, Montana (then a territory). They joined the elder Azures who had preceded them. Berger, after thinking it over, had it in mind to go further west to a place he had heard about from an Indian friend. This place had an abundance of wild game and other good prospects. He had also been directed as near as possible to this location. He told his friends and relatives of his ideas. lt was decided that his plan should be followed. Thus a band of about 25 families agreed to accompany Berger and his family on his new adventure. The Berger children who accompanied their parents were. Peter, Barney, Catherine and Francis. Their married children with families were: lsaie, lsadore, Jake, and John B. Berger. Also included was, Mrs. "Adele" (Vital) Turcotte and Mrs. Anabel (Frank) Ouellette, Alexander Wilkie and Antonine Fleury, who were brothers-in-law of Pierre Berger. Accompanying the above were their friends, Benjamin Kline, the LaFountains, Doneys, Fayants, Turcotte, Ledoux, Gayoins, and Mrs. Laquoit. The latter was an elderly widow known to all as "Old Ellen." She had no one to provide for her, but was well cared for by the generosity of the people she travelled with. She was a capable individual and helpful in return, assisting the other women to "jerk" meat (a process of drying and preserving meat from game animals). ln addition to this list was an unfortunate who was partially blind. He came with his wife, their little girl and two stepsons. These people were looked after by the group and in return this man and his wife did what they could. He was a cryer, when anything important was to be discussed, or at a prayer meeting. When a buffalo hunt took place, he was told to make the rounds where everyone gave a portion of meat and buffalo hides. His wife helped jerk meat and tan hides which were sold or traded to provide for their other needs. Heading for the New Location In early May 1879, the caravan set out. They headed for Fort Benton where they crossed the Missouri River on a ferry. Pierre Berger was a good scout and acted as |
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