Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-03-28
a Thrilling Indian Tragedy.


f1ict with band of Sioux, we copy from
the Missouri Democrat. 1t is the more
interesting on accounto of having occurred
very recently:
Logan Fontanelle, chief of the Oma.
has, has just been slain and scalped at
LOup Fork, by band of Sioux. Logan
was noble fellow, and in this last NOR
tai conflict he despatched several of the
enemy to the spirit land before, to herald
the coming. of his own soul. lie fought
long, desperately, and with great effect,
but numbers finally overcame him, and
his life departed through hundred
wounds He died martyr to his people,
and his name should be carved upon
fame's brightest tablet.
He was on his annual hunt with his
nation. A number of his lodges was
pitched upon the plains near Loup Fork.
As young warrior one day rode around
the adjacent hills, he espied powerful
band ofSioux encamped aIonga stream in
a sequestered vale. He hastened to inform
Logan Of the propinquity and power Of
their natural foe. Logan ordered his
people to go back Immediately, and pro-
ced in stright line, with all speed for
home, when he would remain behind, and
| divert the Sioux by false calup fires aud
other devices, from u direct pursuit of
them. This was about twilight. The
people got under way as quick ms possI-
bic, but not too soon; tor scarcely had
they turAed highland when several ST.
onx warriors come in sight and discover
ed the place Of their recent encampment.
They examined it and found that the
Omahas had been there, and they then
returned to notify their chief and bring
al adequate force to pursue and slaugh-
ter them.
Logan, from hiding piece, saw all
and knew that no tune was tO be lost III
drawing their attention from the trail,
which they would soon discover and fol-
low; aud mounting his horse, he dashed
away at full speed across the pralries, at
right angles with the route his tribe had |
taken, and struck u fire about eight miles /
distant, on all emincnce where the Sioux
could distinctly see it. He had scarcely
done so before powerful band were on
the spot he and his people had just left
aud who without stopping to distinguish
the trail, started for the fire, which they
saw rising against The clear blue sky, aud
where they expected in another moment
TO imbrue their hands in the gore of their
victims. But Logan had not
been unwary. Soon as tie fire was light
ed, he again mounted aud rode eight or
ten miles further, and kindled another
fire just as they reached the first. This
rather bewildered them. They dismoun-
ted and examined the ground. Logan
this, had trotted and walked
MS horse around it, so as 10 make the APP
pearance upon the grass of the sreading
Of dozen horses; and this drew them in
to the beliefthat small body had linger-
ed behind and kiudled this fire, and then
gone to where they could see the new fire
burning; aud SO they followed with re-
newed avidity. The same thing happen
ed as before. Logan had gone, and an
other FIRE had met their astonished gaze
while the same sort of foot prints 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
lad deceived them, and they knew it was
or the sole purpose of leading them off |
rom the party whose encampment they
lad first discovered. :
Logan saw them going round with
,laring torches, and understood their 0b-
ect, and knew that his only chance Of
afety was an immediate fight towards
lis homes and he further knew that by I
he time they could retrace their way TO {
heir place of starting, and find the trail I
lis own people had taken, they would be
,eyond the reach of danger. s
The Sioux, in the meanwhile, had de- J
ided into smaller bands, the largest of C
vhicll was TO return and pursue the Ona-
las, and the others to endeavor to cap
ure the one they had missed. They G
new that he must be an Omaha, and
hat he would either go farther and kin
lie another watch fire, or startfor his ma
ion in staight hae; and therefore one
arty went on little farther, and the
theirs spread out towards tide Omaha
ountry, for the purpose of interceptlng
i'm. Logan pressed forward as fast as
is faded steed could bear him, until ne
hought he had entirely eIudcd them; but
) the day dawned, to his horror and dis
nav, he saw his pursucr close upon his Y
-ack. He turned his course to a ravine, 4