The Riders of the Plains; A Reminiscence of the Early and Exciting Days in the North West (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...Bloods and Piegans, who were at that time camped near Macleod in expectation of the payments, that they would be paid at Fort Kipp on a certain date, and notifying the commissioner at Fort Walsh of this arrangement, I proceeded across country to the Blackfoot crossing, where the Blackfeet were then encamped. CHAPTER XVIII. INDIAN MEDICINE DANCE. The trade of whisky to the Indians had by this time pretty wjell.stopped, although occasional instances there were of it being traded in the camps. But the quantity of whisky brought into the country was still large, as a great deal was sold to the police and other whites in the country. The very poorest quality, costing in Benton about $4 per gallon, would readily sell at Maoleod or any ot the other settlements for even as high as $10 per bottle. A very large quantity was sold, and although the penalty was most severe, the fines ranging as high as?300 for the third offence, the profits were sufficient to keep the trade in full swing, and all chances of capture were taken in bringing the liquor in. All through the years of prohibition in the Territories it was found impossible to totally stamp out the liquor trade, and it could always be procured at a high price at any of the small towns or settlema i s in spite of the constant patrolling along the line, and the close watch kept on all suspected whisky traders. Mann, of course, were caught, and fined or imprisoned, but the profits were so enormous that the fines would generally be paid, the trader nearly always remaining in the business. At Fort Macleod in the old days, the vilest compounds were sold, Jamaica ginger being a favorite. It sold at $1 for a six ounce bottle, and was composed of alcohol and a few drops of extract of ginger. The men who sold these compoun...