Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-31
An gnteresttng gtorg.
TOM HIGGINS, THE RANGER; ;
OR, WILD LIFE IN THE WEST.

IVU ll00HNOJ lHS iNINOIu5
OR, WILD LIFE IN THE WEST.
Daring hardihood, readiness of resources,
and patience in overcoming difficulties, are
nowhere so we'll and frequently exempli6ed as
among the hunters and backwoodsmen Of Ame-
rica. The following account of one of these
enterprising and sesolute men appeared up
wards of twenty years ago in periodical in
Illinois, and its truth is vouched for by the
writer.
Tom Higgins, as he was usually called, is a
native of Kentucky, and is one Of the genuine
backwoodsmen. During the last war, at the
age of nineteen, he enlisted in the Rangers
a corps of mounted men, raised expressly for
the protection of the western frontiers. On the
30th of August, 1914, he was one Of the par
ty of twelve emen, under the command Of Lieut.
Journey, who were posted at the Hills Sta
ton, a small cockade, about three miles south
of the present village of Greenville, and some
thing more than twenty miles from Vandalia
These towns were not then in existence, and
the surrounding country was one vast wilder
ness. During the day last mentioned, Indian
signs, were seen about half mile from the
station, and at night the savages were seen
prowling near the fort but no alarm was given
On the following morning, early, Mr. Journey
moved out with his party in pursuit of the In
dians. Passing round the fence of cornfeld
adjoining the fort, they struck across the prai-
rie, and had not proceeded more than quar-
ter of mile, when, in crossing small ridge,
which was covered with hazel thicket, in full
view of the station, they fell in an ambuscade
of Indians, who rose suddenly around them,
to the number of seventy or eighty, and fired.
Four of our party we're killed, among whom
was Lieut.. Journey. One otker fell badly
wounded, and the rest fed, except Higgins.
1t was an uncommon sultry morning. The
day was just dawning, heavy dew had fallen
the preceding night, the air was still and hu-
mid, and the smoke from the guns hung in a
cloud over the spot. Under the cover of this
cloud, Higgins surviving companions had es-
capped, supposing all who were left were dead,
or that, at all events, it would be madness to
attempt to rescue them from SO overwhelming
force. Higgins horse, having been shot
through the neck, fell on his knees, and rose
again several times. Believing the animal
wounded, he dismounted, but finding the
wound had not greatly disabled him, he con-
tinued to hold the bride; for, as he now felt
confident of being able to make good his re-
treat, he determined to fire off his gun before
he retired. He looked around for tree
There was but one, small elm, and he made
for this, intending to shoot from behind it; but
at this moment the cloud of smoke arose par
TALLY from behind him, disclosing to his view
number of Indians, none of whom discover
ed him. One of them stood within a few pa
ces, loading his gun, and at him Higgins took
deliberate aim, fired, and the Indian fell. Hig-
gins, still concealed by the smoke, reloaded
his gun, mounted, and turned to fly, when a
low voice near hailed him with: Tom, you
wont leave mep -
On looking round, he discovered the speak
er to be one of his comrades, named Burgess,
who was lying wounded on the ground, and
he replied instantly: No I'll not leave you.
Come along, and I'll take care of you"
Il can't come replied Burgess; 'my leg is
smashed all to pieses.,
Higgins sprang from his saddle and picked
up his comrade-whose ankle-bone was broken
in his arms; he proceeded to lift him on
his horse, telling him to fly, and that he would
make his own way on foot Still, the cool
bravery of the former was sufficient for every
emergency, and, setting Burgess down gently,
he told him 'Now, my good fellow, you must
hop off on your three legs, while stay between
you and the Indians, to keep them off; instruct
ing him, at the same time, to getinto the high
est grass, and crawl as close to the ground as
possible. Burgess followed his advice, and
scaped unmolested
History does not record more disinterested
act of heroism than this of Higgins, who, hay
ing in his hands the certain means of escape
from such imminent peril, voluntarily gave
them up, by offering his horse to waunded
comrade, and who, when that generous inten-
ton was defeated, and his own retreat was
still practicable, remained, at the hazard of
his life, to protect his CRIPPLED friend.
The cloud of smoke, which had partially
opened before him as he faced the enemy, still
lay thick behind him; and, as he plunged
through this, he left it together with the ridge
and the hazel thicket, between him and the
main body of the Indians, and was retiring uu
observed by them.
Under these circumstances, it is probable if
he had retreated in direct line towards the
station, he might very readily have effected
his escape. But Burgess was slowly crawling
away in that direction, and the gallant Higgins
who coolly surveyed the whole ground
foresaw that if he pursued the same track, and
should be discovered, his friend would be en-
dangered. He therefore took the heroic resolu-
ton of deviating from the true course, SO far
as that any Of the enemy who should follow