The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-14
GALES, ghtttbrs, 3net0otes, tt 1T.
a PERlL0Us ADVENTURE.
RuNNING AND swIaI.nNG FoR LIFE.

Strange and romantic adventures hap~
pen continually TO persons travelling
through the unsettled parts of the West,
but any more singular and exciting than
those experienced by the hero of the fo!-
lowing story have seldom, if ever, been
published. The following account is
given by the Grand Rapids (hlichigan)
Eagle:
''Michael Tammany, of the township
of Tyrone, in this county, who recently
returned from q trading exhibition through
southern Kansas, and along that line of
the Union Pacific Railroad as far as COM
pleted. has given US the details of bis re-
ma, kable escape from the Indians, by
whom his partner and boy accompany
ing them were murdered in the valley of
the Platte river. bIr. Tammany, at
Fort Leavenworth, met a former acquain-
tance of his, OF the name Of Daniel Jones,
Of Jackson county, Ohio. a partners
ship WAS arranged between them for the
business Of selling goods as Peddlers,
which business for time proved successful
On their last trip westward they left the
railroad on the last day of September last,
at Fort Scdgwick-whcre Juiesburg was.
but now is not and proceeded up The
South Platte Valley, on the north side of
the river, making about thirty miles per
day, without interruption or special dis
covery, until about eleven O'Clock Of The
third day after leaving the railroad, when
they struck fresh Indian trail, showing
that large body Of mounted Indians had
passed that point not manp hours previ-
ously. Apprehendiug danger, the teams
were stopped, and careful observation
with field glass resulted in the discovery
of four Indian huts on The bank of the
river, not more than a half mile distant,
and about a dozen Eocses feeding on the
grass plat in their vicinity. The travel
ers bore of little mare to the east, and
as cautiously as possible proceeded on
their way until about five O'Clock, accom-
plishing distance Of about eleven miles
from the point where they crossed the
trail They had just passed through q
strip Of cottonwood timber, with some
rather steep bluffs of land at their right,
when they discovered short distance
ahead plat of about six acres Of land,
covered with horses. and IN their midst
large and compact pody of Indians. ap-
parently in council, and listening to an
address from one of their number. Mr.
Tammany at once dismounted, and turn
ed the teams off TO the right, for the pur~
pose Of getting under cover of the bluffs,
but the travellers had proceeded but few
rods when a band of about fifty mounted
Indians, each armed with brace of large
pistols, suddenly appeared in their front,
simul ltaneously yelling their demoniac
war cry, and making rush for their VIC
tins. Mr.. Tammany sprang to his sad
die, and made an effort to turn the teams
20 the right: but the savages cut off re-
treat in that direction, and opened here
upon the little party. Mr.. 1ammany
saw both Of his companions fall dead up
. on the ground, and then made a desperate
attempt to escape by putting his horse 10
/ his best speed, In the only direction which
was now left open, the savages having
nearly surrounded him. This direction
was north toward the railroad. This
/ line Of retreat was soon, however, cut off
/ by his pursuers, in the direction of Sedg-
wick. He wrs sharply pursued by seven
| Of the Indians, on their fastest horses, and
/ for distance of five miles they were not
more than ten rods in his rear. His
horse was a remarkably fast one, but his
best efforts failed to increase the gap be-
tween himself and his pursuar~- AZ
! length, when Dir. Tammany had almost
despaired of making good His fight, his
! horse suddenly came upun bluff bank,
dropping off into deep slough directly
! in front of him. From this bank, which
was not less than nine or ten feet high,
/ the horse made desperate leap, and in
| stantly sunk into the soft alluvium to
/ depth which completely submerged his
/ body, leaving only his head exposed 10
! sight At the instant of striking Mr
| Tammany was thrown over the animals
head, and completely covered with mud.
/ The horse was unable to extricate him
self from his position, and Mr.. Tammany
/ closely clung to his neck, with his face
/ only out of the mirc, or the side of the
horses Eeck opposite the bank from which
the Jump was made. The Indians im-
mediately appeared on the bank and fired
voiley, several balls passing through the
blanket saddle cover, just above the body
of Mr.. Tammany. The firing then ceas-
ed, the Indians undoubted supposing they
had killed their victim, and Mr.. Tam
many then changed his position sufficient
ly TO enable him to take an observation
Of the bank whence the firing had pro-
ceeded. The savages had left the bank,
and he obsered four of them, with long
knives in their hands, making au attempt
TO cross the ravine about ten rods above
him, and three trying to get across below
IN THE WATER.
although the horse had jumped nearly
across the ravine, Mr.. Tammany was at
this critical moment so nearly exhausted
that he could make no further effort tc
escape the fate which he knew must be bi:
if he remained few minutes longer
| Bot he jerked off his boots, leaving then