The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-08-29
KIT CARSON.

On the twenty-third of May. the renowned
pioneer, huuter, and guide. Kit Carson, dice
at Fort Lynn Colorado. For years he ha:
been the most noted of that once numerou:
class which is rapidly disappearing before
our advancing civilization. Kit Carson wa:
born in Kentucky, in 1909. While he was
but an infant, his parents moved to Howard
county. Missouri, where he remained unit
the age Of seventeen, when he commenced
the adventurous life of hunter and trapper.
lie accompanied Lieutenant Fremont in his
explorations, tho success of which WAS large
~ due to his services as guide. In 1871,
Carson received the commission of Lirutcn-
ant in the Rifle Corps of the tuitcd States
army, and daring the war rose to the rank
Of Brigadier General by brcvet. In 1888,
he was appointed Indian Agent in New Mex,
leo. II 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 in dealing with the red men. lie
has thus been useful in aiding in the nego-
tiations of most of our Indian treaties.
Kit Carson was peculiar for the modest
estimate which he placed upon his own mer-
its and achievements, presenting m this re-
slect a marked contrast to other men ofhS
travel, published short time since by Hurd
x IIonghton, we find a chapter devoted to
KIT Carson. The book is entitled Trio
Thousand Miles on Horseback, and desert
hes IA summer tour. taken by the author, Mr..
lanes +. Mcline, through Kansas, Newbras
ka. Colorado. and New Mexico. in the year
1850. 1t exhibits throughout evidences OF
a close observer, as well as a pleasing wrl-
ter: and few extracts relating 10 the lately
deceased hunter will, doubtless, be accepta-
Bile to our readers:
"The pleasantest episode of my visit here
(Santa Fe, has beer the society Of Kit Car
son. with whom passed three days, need
hardly say delightfully."-. He is one of the
few men ever met who can talk long hours
to YOU of what lie has seen, and yet say very
little about himself. He has to be drawn
out. had many questions TO ask, and his
answers were all marked by great distinct
ness OF memory, simplicity, candor, and a
desire to make some one else, rather than
himself, the hero of his story. In answer to
queries concerning Indians, he would fire.
quently reply-uniike so many | have met
who knew all about them don't know,
81 can't say never saw that
Rifle sho citing being under discussion,
The Utes,' says Carson, are the best
white ! have handled the rifle since was
so high Indicating the size of small boy. }
and shot a good DEAL (most men of Car,
sons skill would have said, | consider my
self the best shot in the Rocky Mountains
or. I'll turn my back on no man for rifle
SHOOTING but some of tne Ctes beat me-
He cares but little for title, and when
some one at the table apo!ogizcd for calling
him Colonel, instead of General, son call
me Kit III once, and be done with it. was
his reply.
"Some one referred to Carson's intimate
knowledge Of Indian strategy. why, yes,
he said, : | am up to a 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 Inlet ME sce-yes, 1850
There were six of us hunters out after buf.
falo. up in the Snake country. We had
made pretty good hunt and came into
camp at night. intending to start in next
morning. Well. we camped. Had IA good
many dogs with us. some ofthem good dogs.
They barked Il good deal. and we heard
wolves. As lay by The fire, saw one or
two big wolves sneaking about camp-one
ofthem quite III it, Gorden wanted to fire, but
would not let him, for fear othltting the dogs.
| had just little suspicion that the wolves
might be Indians, bat when l saw them turn
short round and heard the snap of their
teeth as the dogs came TOO close to one OF
en- felt easy then, and made sure it was a
wolf The Indian fooled me that time
Contound the rascal becoming animated).
conlound the rascal, do You think he hadn,
two old buflalobones in his hand that he
cracked together every time he turned to
snap at the dog? Well. by and by we doz,
ed off asleep, and it wasn't long before
was awoke by ii crash and Il blaze. | jun
ped straight for the mules, and held EN-
If the Indians had been smart. they'd had
US all, but they run as soon as they fired y
Kit Carson. at the time of his death, was
Colonel of the New Mexican cavalry, and
Indian Agent for New Mexico. to which pc,
sition he was, for the second time, appoint,
ed last year.