Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-01
A FRONTIER TRAGEDY.
Nine Men KiIIed-TwO More burned
at the stake-Three Escape, and
One Makes His Way 10 81. Joseph.

man named William Mac Moore, form
erly from Elizabethtown, KY, who re-
lated to us the particulars of one of those
horrible affairs which frequently occur
on the frontier Mr.. Moore left Elizabeth.
town about two years ago, and went to
Texas, where he worked at different
kinds of employment. In June last he
engaged to drive team for j. G. ID.
Blackburn, contractor for the govern
ment, delivering goods at Fort Sill. A
train consisting of fourteen wagons left
Smith Paw Valley for the fort, there be
ing fourteen persons engaged as drivers.
ATTACKED BY INDIANS.
About FIVE O clock on Sunday evening,
June 25th, the party had reached small
stream which was skirted with strip Of
timber, about thirty miles east of the
fort, when they were suddenly attacked
| by band of some two hundred and fifty
Cheyenne Indians. Part of the teams
had crossed the stream, two lone OF
them the team driven by Mr.. Mac Moore)
had not yet come up, and one had stuck
fast in gully or ditch. A number OF
the drivers had dismounted from the
wagons, leaving their arms in them to
assist in extricating the latter. No one
for a moment dreamed that foe was
near. The Indians had posted them
selves in the timber on both sides of the
stream and kept carefully concealed
until the party were completely In their
power. Then they came dashing out
with horrid yells, and in moments s
time the. unfortunate teamsters found
themselves completely surrounded. Re-
sistance seemed hopeless, and yet to
yield was almost certain death. A few
of those who were in their wagons fired
dozen or so shots, but apparently with
out effect.
KILLED, WOUNDED AND scALPED.
The contest was speedily over. Seven
of the party were shot dead on the spot,
another was badly wounded and then
scalped and tomahawked, and six, in
cluding Mac Moore, taken prisoners.
Mac Moore is unable to tell what was
done with the train and stock, as imme-
diately after his capture he and his COM
panions were securely bound and re-
moved from the spot. The savages
moved in southwestwardly direction,
and after going some distance camped
for the night. The next day after the
capture one of the party, while attempt
ing to escape, was shot and killed.
BURNED AT THE STAKE.
On the following Friday the savages
came to the conclusion to torture two OF
the teamsters, Jack Jones and Thomas
Hay ward, and about o'clock in the
evening proceeded to carry out their
purpose. The unfortunate men were
brought out and securely bound hand
and foot to stake. Their tongues were
then cut Quit is supposed to prevent
them from screaming while burning
and their ears cut off. A pile of faggots
foot or so high was then placed around
the stake, and so arranged as to burn
very slowly. The entire band then
formed in circle, and INDUCED in the
luxury of tormenting their victims be-
fore the work of torture commenced.
The other prisoners were then brought
out and forced to witness the horrid
spectacle. The faggots around Jones
were dry and burned more rapidly than
had been intended, and his sufierings
we're speedily terminated, the stomach
and lower part Of the body being first
consumed. Hayward died in about
half an hour, and his agony was terri
BILE. MacMoore says the remembrance
of that fearful, heart-sickening scene
will never be effaced from memory.
DETERMINED TO ESCAPE.
Satisfied that they would soon be cal
led upon to share the fearful fate of their
companions, the remaining prisoners
our informant, Henry Brown and Har-
vey Jackson-determin to make an
escape at all hazards. They were closely
guarded, however, and for some days no
opportunity presented itself. On the
night of the 9th of July heavy rain set
in, and the anxiously looked for chance
came. The Indians had INDUCED pretty
freely in "6re water" during the after
noon and evening, and slept very sound.
About ii o'clock Mac Moore discovered
that the buckskin thongs with which he
was tied, dampened by the rain, began
to "give" considerably. With little
exertion, he succeeded in getting his
hands loose, but was unable to release
his feet. Henry Brown also discovered
his bonds giving" and finally succeeded
in releasing himself entirely. He then
quietly approached sleeping savage,
drew a knife from his belt, cut the bonds
of his comrades, and the three quietly
hastened away. After travelling some
two miles together, the three separated,
for safety, and started for Fort Riley.
Moore reached the latter place on We'd
nesday, having walked one hundred and
twenty-five miles in two days and a half
His feet we're terribly lacerated, and he
had no clothing on except two shirts
and a pair of drawers. Brown reached
the fort four hours later in the day, and
jackson came in next day. All the
parties were greatly exhausted, and
probably would have perished had it not
been for the assistance OF some friendly
Pottawatamie Indians, with whom they
fell in on Tuesday.
jackson remained at Fort Riley, his
feet being so sore that he could not
travel. Brown started to Denver. On
Wednesday, the 18th of July, Mac Moore
started on foot for Leavenworth, and
walked the entire distance, reaching that
place on Saturday last The same even
ing he took the cars on the Kansas City,
St. Joseph and Council Bluffs railroad,
and came to St. Joseph. That night he
stopped at the residence of c. ii. Buck
man, Esq, whose wife is relative of
his. On Sunday he went to the house
of Mrs. Bush, on Bush street, who is a
relative, where he is now stopping. He
is an honest looking man, and tells his
story in a straightforward manner that
leaves not shadow Of doubt as to its
truth. He has certainly within the last
month passed through scenes as terrible
as il ever falls to the lot of humanity to
witness. All the'party who started with
the train were young men; but he was
unacquainted with the names Of many