Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-09-06
From the st. Louis Reveille.
TIE ELK RUN.NERS.

literally true. 1t has been communicated
to US by one Of our oldest and most re-
spectacle citizens, and is further substan.
tiated by the concurring testimony Of the
senior editor of this paper, who knew both
OF the men spoken of, and has never heard
the story doubted. Major John Dougher-
" the kentuckian' mentioned, is s,ill
living in Clay county. Missouri, which he
has represented in the Legislature, besides
having filled the important post of Indian
Agent. He was famous in his youth, a,
mong the prairie and mountain men, as 3
hunter of extraordinary skill and epdu-
rance. We should like, Of all things, Ia
hear his own statement of an adventure
which is, certainly, among the most mar
vellous ever heard Of out of the pages oil
fcton-if, indeed. fiction has any thing
to compare with it.
In the year 1918, the Missouri Fur
Company had post just below Council
Bluffs, named For. Lisa, afle, the gentle
man who established it. There was much
competition in the trade at that time, and
i. was great point TO select the very best
men for runners.
Mr.. Lisa had with him young Ken>
tuckian named D., a fine daring fellow,
with frame of iron, the speed Of the os.
trich, and the endurance Of the camel
He was fortunate, moreover in the re,en-
ton of half breed called Nal Beuf. who
Notwithstanding his name (bad beef,) was
considered Of hardly less merit than D.,
and between the two men, consequently,
keen rivalry existed. d. had travelled,
on foot, from the Blackbird Hills to For,
Lisa distance of ninety miles in thirteen
hours Nal BHuf, also boas,ed some as
tontshing fea,s of 'bottom,' and both were
stationed at the Fort, during the time we
speak of, for the purpose of providing
venison.
One evening, in July, the weather ex>
tremely warm the grass high, and the post
unfinished with meat, the two men were
playing at cards. when their employer
came up, reproached them with their neg
Iigence, and ordered them 10 start, the first
thing in the morning, on hunt. Obedi>
ence was promised Of course, but the
more d EsasbbIllnAed, me each moment eroYinn
vading their hearts in every thing, till. fl
nallv, morning broke. as the half breed
declared himself 10 be broken. They Tell
asleep on the spot, and the sun was well
up when Mr.. H., informed OF the case a.
gain approached in no pleasant humor,
i. may be supposed: cursed, sacred, and
carahoo'd, until the delinquents, fully a.
reused, and lille ashamed took their
guns and started for Papillon Creek, on
the edge of ,he prairie, about five miles
off. There they discovered gang of Elk,
when the Kenlucklan suggested plan OF
approach, which would enable them to
gel good shot. The half-breed, ranking
at his companions triumph the night pre-
vious, observed, sulkily:
Il dom. kill Elk with my gun, but with
my knife -.
The pluck of the other was aroused IN
an instant, rightly interpreting the vaun'
as challenge to a trial of speed and bot
, tom, and on his saying. proudly, that
what his companion could do. he could 40
also, both hung their guns in tree, and
approached the band as near as possible
they suddenly raised the Indian YELL
which has most paralyzing effect upon
the animals.
OFF they went across low prairie.
few miles in width, leaving their pursue:fs
far behind; but steadily the latter contin
ued their pace, nevertheless. They reach
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
lone resolve uppermost in their minds
.never 10 say fail League after league
the chase and race continued, the mel
panting like hounds, cooling their mouths
in crossing an occasional branch by
throwing up the water with their palms
| but still unpausing, until. approaching
Elk Horn River. distance OF ~ miles
bv mutual agreement they took clrcul
with an increase of speed. got ahead
The Elk and actually prevented them iron
crossing. Leagues and leagues upon
new track, the chase continued, the AM
q mails by this time so exhausted by heal
thirst, and, above all. fright-for the hun
,ers had necessarily sent forth their yells
in this case as much scream OF mutus
defiance as an ar.i6ce of the chase-ths
thew scarcely exceeded their pursuers
! sneed the latter, foaming and maddene
with excitement, redoubled their efforts
until the Fix, reaching prairie pond
! sink the hunters at their heels, plunge
despairingly in, lay down, and abandone
. themselves, needless of all else. to II
f qualification of their thirst. The frant
: rivals. knife in hand. dashed in after the
prev, began the work Of slaughter, pau
ing no. Ill they had bu.chered sixteen n
: dragged them from the water, and Gu.
. and prepared the meat for transporta''sc
TO the Fort, wi,her they had 10 return I