The Russellville Democrat., 1877-04-05
DIR. 1IcHEvoUR,s PERIL

An Krsraordiss~ry Encowstcr Sin0to-
 Hsnded svisA Forty Indians.
 The particulars of desperate fight between doctor name Tichenour and band of Sioux Indians, numbering about forty, at what is known as the "cone," at the mouth of Sand creek, sixty-five miles west of Ness Postofice, Ness coun- ty, in the western portion of the state, were received at Fort Leavenworth last week. The doctor and a compan1on named Dicdenso were out poisoning wolves, and had built temporary dug out" in which te store their skins and provisions. A few days previous to the appearance of the redskins Dickenson had taken the yagon and gone to the settlement attey provisions. The doctor was asleep F the hut on the third morn ing after Dickenson departure (March 4) when ae was awakened by slight noise at the door. Think the istruder might be some animal, he took bis gun and went to the door. Upon opening 1t he was confronted by burly Sioux brave, but it still being dark he could only dis- tinguish the outlines of the form. He demanded his business, when the brave turned and fled; and as the doctor step ped outside to get shot at him he was greeted with a shower of bullets that drove him back in to the hut. Barrica- ding the door with the best means at his command he patiently awaited the day light. In the meantime the Indians, about forty in number, as near as he could tell, had moved further up the creek, but just at daylight, one of them who seemed to be in authority, and lead CT of the band, from the mannerin which he was dressed, came to the door of the dug-out, carrying white flag of truce, and, in broken English demanded his surrender. Ticbenour replied that there were three men in the hut,all well armed, who would defend themselves to the last. The chief then began to threaten, de- claring that he would take his scalp and all of those with him, and the doctor, taking this to be a declaration of war, shot the red man dead in his tracks as he stood. The entire band then rushed to- ward the hut, but were driven back by a few well-directed shots, retiring in disor- der. The next maneuvre of the Indians was an attempt te smoke him out by burning buffalo chips and the wood work of the dug-out, and from his position the doctor could see some of the arrange meDts made for his destruction. He could not see the Indian in charge, but he knew that the work was going on, and that in short time he must yield. Realizing this, he made dash for the outside, kicking the burning buffalo chips right and left, an exchanging shots with the head Indian in charge of the fire, killing him instantly, and receiving bullet himself through the lower part of his body. Then began the long-range shooting match, during which he saw three of his assailants fall. This was kept up during the day. At nightfall a terrible snow storm arose which drove the Indians southward, and which snow- cd the plucky doctor in. Had it not f Il would have captured him, as he was un- able to move for three days. At the end of the sixteenth day the weather mod erated so that he was able to go out, and seeing the coast clear, he travelled on foot to the settlements. The doctor re- ceived several bullets in his clothing, but was wounded but once.-Leauen. ,oorth Kan.) Letter.