The Placer herald., 1856-11-29
Big Joe Logston and the Two Indians;
OR, FIST FIGHT IN OLD KENTUCK.

Joe LogStOn was one OF that class OF halt
horse, half alligator Kentuckians that could
to use his own words-"out-run, out-hop,
out-jump, throw down, drag out and whip
any man in the country"
Joe was a powerful fellow, of six foot three
in his stockings, and proportionably stout
and muscular, with handsome, good natur-
ed face, and fist like sledge hammer
Fear was word he knew not the meaning
of, and to fight was his pastime, particularly
If his scalp was the prize he fought for. On
one occasion he was mounted on his own
favorte pony, (Joe owned two or three
others which he had "run" from the Indans,)
which was leisurely picking his way along
the trail, with his head down and fast asleep,
while his rider was enjoying feast on some
wild grapes which he had picked as he came
along. Neither dreamed of any danger until
the crack of two rifles on either side of the
path killed one and wounded the other. One
ball struck Joe, passing through the paps Of
his breast-which were as long and full as
some nurses-grazing the skin above the
breast bone, but without doing any material
damage. The other passed through his
horse, just behind the saddle, and in an in
slant of time Joe found himself on his feet.
graspng for his rihe-he had instinctively
seized it as he slipped to the ground-and
looking for his foe. He might easily have
escaped by running as the guns of the In
dians were empty, and they could not pre-
tend to compete with him in speed. But
Joe was not one of that sort He boasted
that he never left the battle field without
making his mark, and he was not going to
begin now. One of the savages sprang into
the path and made at him; but finding his
opponent prepared for him, he turned again.
Joe knowing there were two Of The varmints
looked earnestly about him for the other
and soon discovered him between 4 couple
of sapings engaged in re-lesding his piece.
The trees were scarcely large enough to
shield his person, and in pushing down the
ball he exposed his hips, and Joe, quick as
thought drew a bead, fired, and struck him
in the exposed part. Now that his rifle was
empty the big Indian who had first made his
appearance, rushed forward, feeling sure Of
his prey, and rejoicing in the anticipated
possession Of Joe's scalp. Joe was not going
to lose the natural covering of his head,
however, without struggle, and stood calm
ly awaiting the savage with his rifle clubbed
and his feet braced for powerful blow
Perceiving this, his foe halted within ten
PAGES, and with all the vengetul force of a
vigorous arm, threw his tomahawk full at
Joe's face. With the rapidty of lightning
it whirled through the air, but Joe, equally
quick in his movements, lodged it, suffering
a slight cut on his left shoulder as it passed.
and then rushed in. The Indian darted into
the bushes, and successfully lodged the blows
made at him by the now enraged hunter,
who, now becoming mad with rage at the
failure of his successive efforts, gathered all
his efforts for a final blow, when the cunning
savage lodged as before, and the rfle that
by this time had become reduced to the sim
pie barrel, struck tree and flew out of Joe's
hand at least ten feet in the bushes
The Indian sprang to his feet and con-
fronted him. Both empty handed, they
stood for moment measuring each others
etropOt1,. - h,+o n Gov tho h1ool
was flowing freely from the wound in Joe's
breast, and the other, thinking him more
seriously wounded than he really was, and
thinking to take advantage of his weakness,
closed with him, Intending to throw him; in
this, however, he reckoned without his host,
for in less time than it takes to recount it,
he found himself at full length on his back
with Joe on top. Slipping from under him
with the agility of an eel, they were both
on their feet again-and again closed. This
time the savage was more wary, but the same
result followed, and he was again beneath
his opponent. But, having the advantage Of
Joe in being naked to the breech-clut, and
oiled from head to foot, he could slip from
out Of the grasp Of the hunter and resume
his perpendicular Six different times was
he thrown with the same effect; but victory
tickle jade-seemed disposed to perch upon
the banner of neither of the combatants. By
this time they had, in their struggles and
contortions, returned to the open path, and
Joe concluded to change his tactics. He
was becoming sensibly weaker from loss of
blood, while, on the other hand, the savage
seemed to lose none of his strength from
the many falls he had had. Closing again