Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-10
KIp;CARsON.

Kit Carson, died at Fort Lynn, Col
orado. For years no has boon the
most no.cd Of that onco. numerous
class which is rapidly disappearing
before our advancing: civilization
Kit Carson was born in Kentucky, iu 1909.
While he was but an infant, his parents
moved to Howard county, Missouri, where
lie remained until the age of seventeen,
when lie commenced the adventurous life
OF hunter and trapper. lie accompanied
Lieutenant Fremont in his explorations, the
success Of which was largely due to his
services as guide. In ls47, Carson re-
ceived the commission of Lieutenant in
tho Rifle Corps Of tho Uuited States army,
and during the war rose to the rank of
Brigadisr- General by brevet. In 1853,
he was appointed Indian Agen. in New
Mexico. 1t is probable that for many
years past there has been no white man so
thoroughly acquainted with the Indian
character as Kit Carson, or evincing such
cool Judgment and wisdom 10 dealing
with the red men. He has thue been
useful in aiding in the negotiations of most
of our Indian treaties.
Kit Carson was peculiar for tie modest
estimate which lie placed upon bis own
merits and achievements, presenting in this
respect marked contrast to other men of
his class. In an interesting volume of
Western travel, published a short time
since by IIurd & IToughtou, we find a
chapter devoted 10 Kit Carson. Tho book
is entitled z,no Thousand Miles on Horse.
6ack, and describes summer tour, taken
by the author, Mr.. James F. Meline
through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, aud
New Mexico, in tie year 1865. It ex-.
hiLits throughout evidences Of a close
observer, as we'll as a pleasing writer; and
few extracts relating to the lately de-
ceased hunter will, doubtless be accepta.
bic to our readers:
"The pleasantest episode of my visi
here (Santa Fe.) has been the society Of
Kit Carson, with whom passed three
days, 1 need hardly say delightfully."-. He
is one Of the few men I ever met who can
talk long hours 10 you of what he has
seen, and yet say very little about himself.
He has to be drawn out. had many
questions 10 ask, and his answers were all
marked by great distinctuess Of memory,
simplicity, candor, and desire TO make
some one else, rather than himself, the,hero
CT his story. In answer 10 queries con-
cerning Indians, he would frequently reply,
unlike 80 many I have net yho knew
all about them-I don't know 4 can't
say, never saw that
"eile shooting beipg under discussion,
The Ules, says Carson, 'are tho best shots
in the country, whether Indiat, OF whites
l hare handled the rife since was so high;
Gpdicatiug the size of a small boy,) and
shot good DEAL (most men of carson's
skill would have said, 4 consider myself
the best shot in the Rocky MountsinsI,' or,
I'll turn my bnck on no man for rifle
shooting), 'but some Of the Utes beat me-
HE cares but little for title, and when
some one at the table apologized fox cali
ing him Colonel, instead of General 4Ohi
call me Ktat once, and be done With it,
was Ills reply. '>....-
"Some one referred to Carson's intimate
knowledge Of Indian strategy. why,
yes lie said, 4 am up to good many of
their tricks, but they fooled me once they
fooled ME pretty bad that time: I'll tell
you about it. 1t was in-let me ses-yes,
1885. There were six Of us hunters out
after buffalo, up in the Snake county,
We had madea q pretty good bint, and
came iDtocampa at night, intending TO start
in next morning. Well, We csmped,--
Had good many dogs with US, come Of
them good dogs They. barked- good
deal,t and we heard wolves. AS i Isy by
tue tre, saw, one or, Two, Lig wolves
sneakiug about camp-one of. them quite
IN it.. Gyidon wanted 10 fire, but T would
not let him, for. fear pf hitting some Of. The
dogs. I:had just a1itsle suspicion: that the
wolves might be Indians, bui, when I saw
them tura short rouLd, and heard the snap
of their teeth, as the dogs came too close.
TO one Of EN-, I felt easy then, and made
anre il was a WOLF. The Indian fooled me.
that tin1e. Coplopnd the rascal ibseoming
animated 'cou:uu1d the rascal, do you
think be 'hNdnx two. old buffalo! bones in
lis, ,hshd that he cracked together. every
'tims:h turned TO snap At tue dogs2 Well,
.by and BIZ, we dozsd off aseep, and, /.
wssn long before 4 was swdke by q srash
and a. blaze: + jumped straight for the
mules, and 6eld etn:H If the Indians fad
:bsen snara; thsy'd had Us all, but they run
tasIsoons rs they ased!"~;, ;sts i >. ...s.. :
b! EA Carsoa, at itiie, fine Of his death,
was C9lopeLof; abe: New, Mexican Cavalry.
and Indian Agsat i9r Nay Mexico; 10
which po.itiof he was, TOR TIE second lime,
spRaias.esaa lasss yss!:-s4s 4staodi.s.- :
f. faE TarM6ts:trhs .1ane'of Etbis. .l;tt.e
f!inl,ruasensis sud io. have. .,,bseu derived
ttaps' tihsph abslIg being ~ Ora. ithum.
BE, Saod aftersard tumble: r.. ne of
Dutch inyentjoi.t aSi Was s6i0 i0uafft ID Efns:.