Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-02-06
The Last Of Mike Fink.

The late Morgan Neville, Of Cincinnati, an accom-.
plIshed gentleman and scholar, well known the
author of story giving certain particulars respect
ing the life and death of the celebrated Mike Fink
"the last of the boatmen' Though romantic tale
it generally presumed to be possessed of the
it of authenticity. A late number of tine ST. Louis
Reveille details events attending the close of
Finks career, which do not agree with Mr. Nevilles
narrative. The statement of the Reveille is made
upon the authority Of Charles Keemle, Esq. substan
taed by his personal knowledge Of the events related
Fink it appears, in 1922 entered the service of the
Mountain Fur Company under the late Gen. W. H.
Ashley of St Louis and went to the fort at the mouth
Of the Yellow Stone River, where the occurrence mar
rated by the Reveille took place. The whole story is
so interesting that we give il without abrdgment.
Nike with many generous qualities, always
reckless dare devil, but at this time advancing in
years and decayed in influence, above all become
victim of whiskey; he was moroSe and desperate in
the extreme There government regulation
which forbade the free use of alcohol at the trading
posts on the Missouri river, and this continual
source of quarrel between the men and the comma ID
ant, Maj. Henry, the part of Fink, particularly.
One of his freaks to march with his rifle into the
fort, and demand a supply of spirit. Argument was
frultess, force not to be thought of and when be-
ing positively Denied Mike drew up his rifle and sent
ball through the cask. deliberately walked up and
filed his can, while the particular "boys' followed
his example; all that could be done to look upon
the matter one of his queer ways" and that was
the end of 1t.
This state of things continued for some time -
Mixes temper and exactions growing tore unbeara-
bic every day. until finally 'split took place. not
only between himself and the commandment but many
others In the fort, and the unruy boatman swore he
would not live among them Followed only by youth
| named Carpenter, whom he had brought up, and for
whom he felt rude but strong attachment, he pre-
pared sort of in the rivers bank furnished it
with a supply Of whisky, and, with his companion,
turned an to pass the winter, which was then closing
upon them. In this place he buried himself some
times unseen for weeks his protege providing what
else was necessary beyond the whiskey.
At length attempts used on the part of those
in the fort, to withdraw Carpenter from Fink foul
insnuations thrown to the nature of their
connection; the youth twitted with being mere
slave, etc. all which Fink heard it all in spite of his
retiremenD served to breed distrust between the
and though they did not separate. much of their cor
diality ceased.
The winter wore away in this suen state of tor
por; spring with its reviving influences and to
celebrate the season supply of alcohol produced
and number of his acquaintance from the fort
ing to ''rouse out" Nike desperate froc of course
ensued.
There were river yarns, and boatmen songs and
"nigger breakdowns," interpreted with wrestling
matches, jumping, laugh and YELL the circulating
| freely, until Mike became somewhat Modified
81 tell you what it is boys" he cried ''the Forts
sunk hole, and I'd rather live with the bars than stay
In it. Some on yes bin trying to part me and my
| boy, that | love like my cub-but 10 matter.
May be he is poisoned against me, but, Carpenter,
(sapping the youth heavily the shoulder,) took
you by the hand when it had forgotten the touch of
fathers a mother's-you know me to be man and
you amt going to turn out dog 7"
Whether it the youth fancied something insult
ing in the manner of the appeal, not, can't say
but it not responded to very warmly, and a re-
proach followed from Mike. However, they drank
together, and the rolic went on until Mike, filling
his can, walked off some forty yards placed it upon
his head, and called to Carpenter to take his rifle.
The wild feat Of shooting cans off each others
! heads a favorite one with Mike-hmself and
''boy" generally winding up hard froc with this
savage but deeply meaning proof of continued conf
dence for risking their eagle eyes and iron nerves
defed the might of whskey. After their recent alien
alton, douby generous impulse without doubt, had
induced Fink to propose and subject himself to the
j test.
i Carpenter had been drinking wildly, and with a
boisterous laugh snached up his rife. All present
had seen the parties shoot" and this desperate aim,
instead of alarming, was merely made matter Of
! wild Jest.
"Your grog is split forever, Mike !"
"Kill the old varmint, young 'un -
i "What'll his skin bring in St. Louis -
i Amid loud laugh, Carpenter raised his piece
even the testers remarked that he was unsteady