Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-09-22
OREGON BILL.
Some Facts About n Noted Scout an,
Hunter.


William Spence, alias Oregon Bill, is
in many respects a remarkable man. In
stature he is about five feet nine inches.
His compressed lips and well set jaws
indicate determined will. His nose is
well shaped; his eyes are gray, but full
of animation, and more especially when
interested in conversation, and his fore
head is high and well shaped. With
these features he has long flowing black
hair. The whole personnel of the man
is pleasing, and in marked contrast with
his reckless daring. He converses intel
hgently, and after the fashion of we'll
educated men. AS a hunter, trapper
Indian fighter, marksman and wanderer
he is justly noted. He has boon for
about eight weeks, and is still, confined
to his bed, in this city, from cut on one
of his feet. He is, however, con-
valescent.
His birth place is Port Natal, South
Africa, and he has hardly yet reached.
forty. His father having been killed in
battle, his widow, with her son William,
the subject of this sketch, immigrated
to England, where, through the infu-
ence of friends, he soon was placed at
the Royal Naval School at Greenwich,
where his progress was satisfactory; but
he could not be contented. His daring
and adventurous nature sought the sea,
and to man-of-war he went. He was
at sea for years, and during the time
distinguished himself for his bravery in
two engagements with pirates on the
coast of Africa. he participated with
credit to himself in the last war with
Russia, and was present at the fall of
Balaklava. Becoming averse to being
further on the sea he came to America
and joined the Hudson Bay Fur Com
pany. For this company he travelled
much among the Indians, gathering
peltry. The year 1860 found him in
Portland, Oregon; from thence he went
to st. Paul, Mimi. here he remained
one winter and was employed during
that time by General Solly in a service
that was at once delicate and responsible,
which he discharged to the entire satis-
faction of his commander. From St.
Paul he went to Kansas, and there al
ternately engaged in driving teams and
buffalo hunting. From 1860 to 1865 he
was an Indian fighter on the frontiers of
Kansas and Texas, and in an engagement
with the red men on an occasion in
which the whites were victorious, after a
bloody hand to hand fight, he is said to
have killed seven warriors with his pistol
and bowie knife. During this period he
spent some time in Missouri, and was at
Independence during General Prices
raid. In 1872 he went East, attracting
much attention, his exploits having pre-
ceded him. His companions we're w.
T. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, and j.
B. Omahundra, alias Texas Jack. In
1873 he was the bearer of important dis
patches to General Garcia, in Cuba,
which he safely delivered. Returning,
he came West, where he has since been
engaged in trapping, hunting and acting
as guide for foreign tourists. AS an
evidence of the mans wonderful accuracy
in shooting, and it must be said also of
recklessness, L will give two remarkable
instances In Portland, Oregon, he had
a friend, John O'Madigan, now of this
city. While O'Madigan was walking
along the street smoking his pipe, and at
distance of ten feet, and at about a
right angle, Bill suddenly drew his pistol
and fired. the ball taking the pipe from
the mouth of his friend, but doing him
no harm. Again, last fall Bill was in
Lake City with deer for sale, and seeing
his old friend O'Madigan passing up the
same street, on the opposite side, he
called to him to stop. When he had
drawn his revolver John did 81, facing
him at the time. Bill fired, and the ball
passed through the top of the hat of his
friend. O'Madigan, in the best of
humor, called out: "Bil, don't shoot
any more; it is too close" The history
of this remarkable man will at some
future time fill one of the most important
chapters in book of romance.-Depve,
Tribune.