Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1864-1869, 1869-06-12
Editors 81, Louis Democrat:

PHlL SHERIDAN, Kansas,
May 20, 1869,
Editors 81. Louis Democrat:
Having once been constant reader of
the Democrat, take the liberty of address,
ing few lines to Its readers.
Besides interesting your readers, hone II
will be the means Of bearing information to
their friends OF the sad fate Of three Young
men WIN weru killed bya party OF Cheyenne
Indians, near Antelope Hills, In the southern
part of this State, near the. border of tho In;
dian Territory.
About the first Of March, four young men
arrived here from tho East, named respec-
lively, j. G. Doran, of Steubenville, Ohio;
r. 7. Smith, Of Cincinnati; j. w. Shryock,
of Johnstown, and \, w, Head, of William
sport, Pennsylvania. After stopping here
some six weeks, they fitted themselves out
with horses and tho necessary equipments
for a trip through TO New and Old Mexico.
They left here about the 10Th of April,
with the above object in view. On tho lst
of May while in the vicinity of Antelope
Hills, they were attacked BY small body
of Chcyennes, about twenty in number. The
party stood their ground, fighting bravely.
After several shots were fired, Smith receiv-
cd an arrow in the left breast, and was the
first TO fall. Head fell next, pierced with
seven arrows, Doran received q wound in
tho right shoulder. Shryock received an
arrow in the left arm and one in the right
side, but kept up his firing until be received
one in the breast, when ho dropped his gun
and fell from his horse. Doran, seeing how
useless II would bc to contend against such
superior numbers, surrendered himself.
The Indians gathered around their VIC
Tins, shouting and dancing with savage de-
light. They took their scalps, and taunted
Doran BY slapping him in the face with
them. The Indians did not escape unhurt.
Seven of their number bit tho dust and
three were wounded They threatened their
prisoners life, md tauhted him by brand
ishing their knives and tomahawks in close
proximity to his head. He being of cool
and undauntod nature, gave but little heed
to their threats. After disposing Of their
dead they look up their line of march, and
Travelled west about ten miles, where they
encamped for the night They prepared
their suppers, and ate without providing for
their prisoner,
Doran, knowing that ho would receive
harsh treatment as long rs he remained iH
their hands, set about conjuring plan Of
escape. Having on his person pocket case
of medicines, among which was couple Of
vials of tncturo of opium, he conceived tho
idea Of drugging some brandy, of which ho
had quart in his possession, Watching
his opportunity he succeeded in accomplish
his object, and turning to his captors he rails
ed the bottle to his mouth, pretending to
drink. One of them seeing 1t, rushed for
ward and snatched it from his hands and
raising it to his lips, drank. After taking
a draught he passed it to the next and it
passed around the entire circle.
As he expected, it worked like a charm.
In a short time they sail began to feel drow-
sy. Placing two over the prisoner for a
guard, the rest wrapped themselves in their
blankets and gave themselves up to sleep.
The drug was too powerful for the guards,
and in few minutes, like their comrades,
they too were in n sound sleep. Doran,
seeing tho opportunity, armed and helped
himself to what there was to cat, and mount
ing his horse, rode away In westerly dir
ection. About daylight he reached Modi-
cine Bluffs, point where tho government
is establishing new military post Leav-
ing there, he reached hero in safety on the
eighteenth of this month, and took the train
for the East.
II was from him learned the above facts.
He is unacquainted with the address of any
of the parties friends except one. Think
ing IL might be interesting to some Of your
readers, and bo the means of informing the
parents of the sad fate Of their sons, have
recorded the above facts.
The young men were all CT good moral
character, and during their stay here form
ed some pleasant acquaintances, who held
them in high esteem, and deeply sympathiso
with their friends.
wished to tell you Of some ofthe 'do-
ings' in Sheridan, but have already oc-
cupied too much space More anon.
Yours,
| n IT T.