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| Journal Thomsons River October 1841 [Journal kept by Chief Trader John Tod]
October conversation with Lolo said that he was willing to assist us to take the murderer. this was Grand Gule, the same to whom we promised to give some property provided he would decoy the murderer into our hands_ Mild, but cloudy weather. Grand Gule came to us this morning to give us notice that he was ready to enter into our views respecting the murderer_ he agreed, that, if M.r Cameron & some of our men would lay in ambush at a certain place which he mentioned to Lolo, he would first disarm the murderer then give M.r C. notice. the affair was mutually arranged and immediately after he set forward on his mission. M.r Cameron will set forth tomorrow Weather as yesterday _When the nights are calm & dark the Indians Spear a few Salmon which Still continue shoaling up the River. Towards afternoon M.r Cameron got a few of the horses collected and with Lolo and three men set out once more after the murderer. One of Nicola's Sons also accompanied the party. Rain_ upwards of twenty Indians assembled about the Fort_ they come into the haul in the course of the day and quietly smoked their pipes. Grand Gule having left word with them to remain at the Fort until they heard some account of the murderer_ Rained again_ afternoon clear_ all anxiously looking out for M.r Cameron's return. Clear & mild. Late on the afternoon M.r Cameron & party returned, but without the murderer the wretch however is dead. being captured on the night amidst his relations. in bringing him to the Fort, where we intended to have him hung, he made his escape in crossing the river, by upsetting the canoe & nearly drowning the two men who were embarked with him_ on reaching the opposite side he was again driven wounded into the river. and being finally caught in an eddy on the same side on which M.r Cameron & his men stood by them he was kept in the water until he sank to rise no more. the event appears to have caused little or no excitement in the minds of those in our immediate vicinity They all acknowledge that he merited death at our hands The Indians assembled came in to the hall and quietly smoked their pipes_ Made them a speech on the death of the murderer. they acquiesced fully in all that was said on the subject_ Grand Gule was elected chief and paid the goods he was promised for betraying the murderer into our hands. these he distributed in part amongst a few of his relations. Boisterous weather_ Most of the Indians set off to their respective homes_ our men are employed rafting fire wood to the Fort Nothing particular_ Blows a strong gale N.W. The men returned home but from the high winds which blow up the river, they were unable to bring the raft down_ Frost_ Late this evening, Mougntanie & Lefleure arrived from Colvile with letters from M.r C.T. McDonald_ All is well in that quarter_ Blows strong S.W._ Sent four men up the river to raft wood_ This morning Sent off Lefleure & Moositu the former is to return here with our letters from the east side the mountains and the latter remains at Okanagan with Laprade_ This evening Ignace with the Indian Antoin arrived with thirteen horses & 1200 dried Salmon from Alexandria and M.r McLean writes that the Salmon are to be put in depot for the people who are coming here from Colvile. Should the number come in that is expected the above quantity of Salmon will suffice for little more than one weeks Rations Two men on the sick list_ one collecting fuel at the Fort & the others rafting from a considerable way up the South branch_ Yesterday M.r Cameron & three men started for the Lake above to trade Salmon. Indians arrived from below with about 700 dried Salmon which they traded for cloth &. More Ind.ns arrived with meat_ In the evening the men came down the river with a raft fire wood Shortly after M.r Cameron arrived with two thousand Salmon Nothing particular_ Four men went up the South branch to raft fire wood. Three, Mountignie, Bap.st & Ignace at Sundry necessary jobs at the Fort. Weather moderately fine_ Peope employed as yesterday_ Horses brought in to send off tomorrow to meet the Pork Eater, expected in with M.r C.T. Manson Weather mild_ Indians arrived with wild fowl & fresh venison_ E. Mountignie & an Indian Set forward this morning with twenty five horses to the River de Thu to meet the people expected here from Colvile. from the River de Thu the Indian is to proceed alone with Letters to Colvile. a sharp frost on the night with a clear sky & hot Sunday shine on the day_ Four men up the S. branch rafting fuel_ three at the Fort, one sick, one getting fire wood for present use & the others plastering a small house_ Weather as Yesterday & the work the same Four Men rafted down their wood for the week. The other three as before. Lolo cleaning up the Store The men cease from their labours & Spend the day in quietness. Five men put to work on the point opposite the Fort to Cut Cord wood. tasked to 1 1/2 Cord per day_ one collects fuel for present use and the other still continues sick Cloudy but mild with Swarms of Sand flies. The men as yesterday a small party arrives from the Coultose Weather as yesterday. Men cutting cord wood, each a cord & a half p.r day_ Nothing particular Sharp frost on the night. the surrounding hills slightly covered with snow. anxiously looking for Lefleure's return from Colvile with the YF. Express Weather remarkably mild. Men finished their task for the day early. a few of them were afterwards put by M.r Cameron to break in two horses to the saddle Weather the same & all is quiet.
Thompson River Post |
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