Old Indian Trails

About The Book: In this book, the focus is on Old Indian trails, recounting a significant 1896 expedition commissioned by President Cleveland's government. Its mission was to shape a national policy for US Forest Reserves and advise the Secretary of the Interior on forest reservations. The expedition covered northwestern Montana, spanning both the eastern and western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. During this period, the region was a remote paradise for hunting and fishing, primarily frequented by Native Americans, trappers, and a few big-game hunters. The final survey explored the dense forests on the western side of the Rocky Mountains. Following this, Graves headed for Kalispell, and Pinchot, along with Jack Munroe and their bear dogs, set out for Fort Missoula. The author was left in the company of the Indian scout and together they crossed the mountains to join the Blackfoot tribal camp on the plains. There, they had the privilege of meeting several prominent figures, including Chief Mad Wolf, who, in a two-day ceremony, adopted the author as his son and welcomed them into the tribe. The purpose of this book is to safeguard the outcomes of the author's fifteen years of close interaction with the old Blackfoot chiefs, medicine men, and ordinary people. The narrative style of the original notes has been retained to provide an authentic depiction of their character, environment, and family life.