The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1877-08-24
A MIDNIGHT RACE FOR LIFE,
Narrow Escape from Redskins.


Mr.. and Mrs. Hardy, with another man
and his wife, were residing ON ranch on
the Redwater about 12 miles from Spear
fish. Becoming alarmed ON Monday last at
the frequent Indian depredations, the men
determined to send the women into this city
for safety. Another gentleman, our infor-
mant, who does not wish his name men.
toned on account of the fright it would
cause his family in the East, but who is en-
tieely reliable, having business here volun-
teered to drive the wagon containing the
ladies into Deadwood. He was also ac-
companied by an old man who had been
cutting hay for Mr.. Tilden at Spearfsh.
| The party left the ranch in the evening.
after moon-rise. After proceeding some
five miles, and just before ascending a slight
hill, the driver discovered party of five
mounted Indians on the summit of the hill.
and coming directly toward them. Being,
as it were, single handed, and the Indians
plainly not having discovered his party, he
quickly and noiselessly as possible turned
cabin i miles back, where he hoped to
make more successful defense if attacked.
No sooner had he made this move than the
Indians discovered the retreating party, and
dashed down the hill to cut them off. The
driver piled the whip, and he says the team
fairly flew over the road. But the Indians
rode like the wind too, and when about a
half mile from the ranch were not over 100
yards from, and directly opposite, the flee
ing party. at this juncture the old man
became frantic with terror, and in his eff
forts to get under the seat fell out of the
wagon into the grass. 1t was no time to
stop the team, and the driver whipped up,
steadily gaining on the pursuing Indians,
and finally reached the cabin 200 yards
ahead. Quickly handing the women into
the cabin, he confronted the Indians with
his rifle and they Immediately halted,
wheeled and rode away, thinking the party
at the cabin had the best of it. No shots
were fired on either side; Indians going too
fast to fire with effect, and the driver, hav
% 10y Sc'ShA S1ll 1Ut CdlIup To
waste them at long range. The Indians
were soon out Of sight, and were seen no
more during the night, though the driver
stood guard until morning. at sunrise the
party started a second time for Spearfish,
and reached that place and Deadwood in
safety. While opposite the place where the
old man fell out of the wagon, the frightened
man slowly crawled forth from his conceal
ment in the grass and hailed the driver.
who took him in. He had laid low all
night and thereby escaped. On leaving
Spearfish he mounted a loaded hay wagon
to come to Deadwood, only to meet with |
another misfortune, for when some two |
miles out the wagon upset, the old man fell |
beneath the load and broke lis leg below
the knee. He was brought into town and |
cared for. Altogether it was an eventful |
and narrow escape, and the party owe their
safety to the GOODNESS of the driver and the |
good speed Of the team. The driver will |
'eturn to-day to place his ranch in condition
md then return here, as he does not con-
!der life on the Redwater safe for a mo-
nent