The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-24
CAPT. J. E. M'xosIGK.
The Buffalo Slayer Of the Praries,
Lemuel CULVER and Baron Mum
.,g-.r chausen Gu trlvalled.

From the st. Louis Democrat March S. ~. ~. e. .,'-
CART. MCKUsICK, THE BUFFALO SLAYER:-
A commission is now in session in this city tor
the examination of the Quartermasters in the
army, touching their qualifications, &c.
Among the officers summoned before this ex-
aiming board is Capt. J. e. McKusick, Q. A.
NJ at Fort Wadsworth Dakota Territory, q
resident of Saltwater, Minnesota. Fort Wads-
worth is on the Coteau river near latitude 46,
and is beautiful place in the summer season.
It is in nest Of beautiful lakes, and its site
was chosen by Capt. McKusick, who is famil-
lar with that region of country having hunted
Indians and buffalo over hundreds Of miles
Some three or four months ago Captain Nc
Kusick went out with scouting party to look
for Indians, but failing to discover any signs of
the redskins, he turned his attentiontoa herd of
buffalo that were grazing rolling, paving and
ed on his favorite charger, and armed with .
Smiths carbine, he made 3 dash at the herd,
and soon succeeded In overhapling q lazy old
bull weighing about 1000 pounds, who was
too dignifed to run a. last as The vulgar herd
Of cows yearlings and younger bulls Of the
drave. LeYelling his carbine, be was prepar.
ing to lodge bullet In the shoulder blade of
the monarch Of the plains when his horse
stepped into . gopher hole, throwing. the
rider almost under the heels Of the buffalo.
Luckily, the Captain fell on the feshy part of
his back, and sustained no injury, As the bull
passed over him, he caught the anifnal BY the
fore hoof, and springing to bis feet drew his
knife and threw himself on the bulls neck,
holding on to the hair which adorns the head
and shoulders of the masculine members of
the bleon family. His situation was not one
of the most agreeable; for the bull, not liking
he familiarity of his new acquaintance, endeaV.
ored to impaie him on his horns. z =,
The Captain avoided both horns Of the di-
lemma, and being man Of immense physical
power, held fast and did not relinquish his
grip. For the space OF ten minutes he held
fast, the bull meanwhile turning around to
tickle the ribs of his tormentor. After waltz.
ing with his hirsute partner until the animal
showed signs Of fatigue, and thrust out about
two yards of his tongue, the captain seized the
bull by the nose with one hand, and catching
one of his horns in the other, gave sudden
twist and tipped the buffalo over on his side.
dicament their leader was in, came up and Of
fered their assistance, but the captain told
them to keep back as he thought he could hold
his own. The bull struggled violently, but the
giant Minnesotian held his head down, and in
short time sent his knife into the monsters
jugular and the bull gave up the ghost. The
contest lasted about twenty minutes, and was
in Dakota for many day. The victor cut OH
the bulls head, had it dried and sen. It to Still
water as a trophy.
The fame of this exploit reached the ears of
the Indians, who were told that there was a
chief among the pale faces who could whip a
buffalo bull in fair fist fight. On learning
these facts, Red Feather, a famous chief in Da'
kota, marched his tribe to Fort Wadsworth
and surrendered his whole band to Capt. Nc
Kusick. He said he did not believe the story
of the white man knocking bull down with
his fist, but when he saw the brawny Captain
he said it might be So ..-