Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-21
Correspondence Of the Missouri Democrat.
Last Battle OF FontaneIle, the Omaha
ChiefI
WoLF RIVER Kansas Ter.

correspondence OF The MISSOURI Democrat.
Last Battle OF FontaneIie, the Omaha
ChiefI
WoLF RIVER, Kansas Ter, Aug 4, 1856
Logan Fontanelle, chief of the Omahas, has
just been slain and sea ped at Loup Fork, by
band OF Sioux. Logan was a noble fellow, and
IN this last mortal conflict, he despatched several
OF the enemy to the spirit land b. fore, 10 herald
the coming of his own brave soul He fought
long, desperately, and with great effect but num-
bers hnally overcame him, and his life departed
through hundred wounds. He died martyr
for his people, and his name should be carved
upon flames brightest tablet
lie was on his annual hunt with his nation A
number Of his lodges were pitched upon the plains
near Loup Fork. As young warrior one day
rode around the ad acent hills, he espied power
ful band of Sioux encamped along stream in n
sequestered vale. He hastened to inform Lopan
OF the propnquity and power Of their natural foe
Logan ordered his people TO pack Immediately,
and proceed in a straight line and with a II speed
for home, while he would remain behind, and
divert the Sioux by false campfres, and other
devices, from direct pursuit Of them This was
about twilight. The people got under way as
quickly as possible but not too soon; for scarcely
had they turned highland when several Sioux
warriors came in sight and discovered the place
OF their recent encampment. They examined il
and found that Omahas had been there and then
they returned to notify their chief, and bring an
adequate force TO pursue and slaughter them
Logan, from u ng-plnce, saw all, and knew
that no time was to be lost in drawing their atten
ton from the TRAIL which they would soon dis
cover and follow, and mounting his horse, he
dashed away AZ fnl speed across the prairie at
right angles with the route his tribe had taken
and struck fire about eight miles distant on an
eminence where the Sioux could distinctly see it,
He had scarcely done before a powerful band
were upon the spot that he and his people had SO
lately left, and who, without stopping 10 distin-
guish the trail, started for the fire which they
saw rising against the clear, blue sky, and where
they expected in another moment to Undue their
hands, in the gore If their unguardcd victims.
But Logan had not been unwary. As soon as the
fire was lighted, he again mounted and rode on
eight or ten miles further, and kindled another
fire just they reached the first This rather
bewdered them. They dsmounted and examin-
ed the ground. Logan, anticipating this, had
trotted and walked his horse around it, so as to
make the appearance upon the grass of the tread
ing OF dozen horses; and this drew them into the
belief that small body had fingered behind and
kndled this fire, and then go on to where thew
could see the new fire burning; and so they fol
lowed with renewed avdty. The same thing
happened as before. Logan had gone on, and
another fire met their astonished gaze, while the
same sort of footprints were about the one around
which they were now gathered. Their suspicious
were now awakened They examined the ground
more closely, both far and near, and discovered
that solitary horseman had deceived them, and
them off from the pursuit of the party whose en-
campment they had first discovered
Logan saw them going round with glaring
torches and understood their object, and knew
that his only chance Of safety was an immediate
flight towards his home; and he further knew that
by the time they could retrace their way to their
place of starting, and find the trail that his own
people had taken, they would be beyond the reach
of danger
The Sioux, in the meanwhile, had divided into
smaller bands, the largest of which was to return
and pursue the Omahar, and the others to en-
deavor to capture the one who mised them
They knew that he must be an Omaha, and that
ne would either go further and kindle another
watch-lire, or start for his nation in straight
line; and therefore one party went on a little
further, and the others spread out towards the
Omaha country, for the purpose Of intervening
him. Logan pressed forward as rapidly as his
laded steed could bear him, until he thought he
had entirely eluded them; but as the day dawn
ed, to his horror and disrnay, he saw his pursuers
close upon his track. He turned his course for a
ravine, which he distinguished al n distance,
covered with trees and underground He sue
ceeded in reaching it, and just within its verge,
he met an Indian girl dipping water from a spring.
She was startled, and about 10 cry for help, when
he hastily assured her that he needed projections
and assistance. With tho true instincts Of noble
woman, she appreciated his situation in an in
slant, and all her sympathes were with him.
She directed him TO dismount, and 90 to a small
natural bower TO which she pointed him, in the
verge of the woods, while she would mount his
horse, and lead his pursuers away. He obeyed
her, and she mounted his horse, and dashed on in
serpentine way through the woods, leaving
marks along the brushes by which she could be
traced. The pursuers soon followed. When she
had got some distance down the branch, she rode
into the water and followed It's descending course
for few steps, making her horse touch its sides
and leave footprints in that direction, and then
irtrr. I'D he h,I 6 81, -
the place at which she entered il, without leav-
ing trace, and back to where Logan was con-
cealod. She told him 10 mount, and speed away
while his pursuers were going in a contrary drec-
ton down the ravine. lie did so, and got a
long distance out Of sight, and again thought
himself beyond the reach of danger, when in a
valley just in front Of him. he saw fifty braves
coming up the hill and meeting him. They were
some OF those who were returning from the pur-
suit of bis people. He changed his direction and
tried to escape, but his poor horse was too much
exhausted to bear him with sufficient speed
With savage yells they plunged their rowels in
their horses sides, and gained upon him. AS
the foremost approached within good shooting
distance, Logan. turned suddenly, and sent a
bullet through his brain. Then, loading as he
galloped ont he soon after made another bite the
dust; and then another and another. until four
were strewed along the plan. Just then, how
ever, as he was again reloading, his horse STUN
bled and fell and the band rushed upon him be-
fore no had well recovered from the shock. Ho
was shot with bullets and arrows, and gashed
with tomahawks, and pierced with lances; not
withsanding all which, he arose amidst his foes,
and with his clubbed rife and hunting knife, he
piled around him FIVE PROSTATE bodies, and fell
with his back upon their corpses and expired,
still fighting.
lie was scalped, and hundreds Of warriors held
great war dance over him.
Thus Logan Fontanelle departed, and his noble
spirit followed TO spirit-land by the signs and
lamentations Of his nation and the sympathies
and aspirations Of the brave Of every land.
II ETTERS TO THE PEOPLE ON
Il Health and HapDiness bv Catb.ripc +