Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-16
MASSACRE IN RED CANON
California Bill the Sole Survivor, Tell
lag the Story.
low York Sun plaek HinaL.tter.

prospecting parties, and other sub
jects kindred to a mining center, has
been suddenly changed by the return
to the frontier of William G. Fulton,
better known as California Bill, y
whose reputation as a scout is wide
spread on the plains. His return
brings to mind the Indian massacre Of
April 16, 1876, known as the Red Cam
non massacre, from which, in a party
of five men and two women, California
Bill alone escaped. The party, con-
sisting of Andrew Metz and wife;
John Burgessor, of Carson, Nevada;
a Mr.. Graham, of Missouri; Mr..
Simpson, of Colorado, and a negro
woman, started from Custer City for
Cheyenne April II, 1876. They were
attacked by Indians in Red Canon two
days afterward, and all of the above
were killed outright, or received
wounds that soon resulted in death.
California Bill received a number of
wounds, but escaped. These wounds,
however, have made an invalid of him.
Though as yet not really recovered, he
has returned to the frontier, full of
fight. He has related the story of the
massacre, particulars of which have
not before been published.
81 started from Custer City on nv
way out of the Hills to Cheyenne on
the morning of April IA. The first
night we spent in Pleasant valley.
The early hours passed in spinning
yarns over frequent bowls of grog and
well-flled pipes, and while all were APP
parently %unconcerned, not one felt
safe. Next morning We moved on,
reaching Big Springs early in the af-
ternoon of the 18th, aud there going
into camp. | felt assured that the
passage through the Red canon would
be unsafe for a small party, and con-
cluded to await the arrival Of a larger
one that was expected to Overtake us.
A short time afterward Metz's party
arrived with two two-horse teams,
having Mr.. and Mrs. Metz, a negro
woman from Custer, and a Mr.. Stimp-
son as passengers. They stopped to
water the stock at the spring, and
laughed at my fear of trouble ahead,
saying that they were not afraid of
Indians. With this they went on,
and at the continual urging of my pas
sengers, though against my own judg-
ment, | hitched up and followed. We
travelled together undisturbed in the
afternoon, and went into camp at the
head of the canon about 5 O'Clock.
Everything went off peaceably dur
ing hat night, and early on
the morning Of the 10th, Easter
Sunday, we started down the canon,
seven in number. About half way
down the canon, where stands a giant
cotton wood tree, there is a line of
low hills, and close to the side of one
of them, skulked we'll down, / discov-
cred ten or twelve of the painted dew
lis, under the lead of Sioux Jim, we'll
known at the Red Cloud Agency,
waiting for us. This was about ten in
the morning, and my party was then
about a quarter of a mile ahead of the
Metz outfit. On seeing that they
we're discovered, with a terrible veil
1.-THE Indians fred at us, putting a bull
let through Burgesser's leg and one
through my hip. Seeing the attack
upon us the Metz party turned about
their teams and %endeayored to escape
up the canon. Grasping my rife,
Jumped from the wagon, and using il
as a breastwork, returned their fire
with interest, knocking two of the
cowsrdly scoundrels off their pins.
and keeping the dust in a cloud around
them, where most Of my hurriedly-
sighted shots struck. AS l began tC
Ere Graham started to run, and wa,
shot through the stomach. He fell
After several yolloys, sending shower
of bullets over our head and into tn,
wagon, but doing no further damage
the Indians disappeared behind {
neighboring hill, and thinking they
were running after their ponies to Gu.
US off, we mounted the wagon and agar
started to run the gauntlet. VIZ haC
gained only a few rods, however, be
fore the red iends as suddenly an.
peared on an adjoining ridge and CAV,
us another unexpected volley, plug
ging me through the left arm int,
the breast, through the aeshy part O
the calf Of my right leg, and AGAR
through my shoulder. For a momen
it seemed as though | was perfectl
riddled with bullets. but | leaped +
the ground just as another yolle
came, one of the bullets striking Bur
gesser in the thigh. knocking him int,
the wagon box. Keeping close to tn.
front wheel furthest from the Indian
] drove the wagon for a half mil
down the canon, when, in crossing
small stream, the axle broke and tn
wagon was left in the mud. There W
we're, all severely wounded, the In
dams close upon us, and we unable {
move. Th6r0 vas no time for thought
and though rapidly losing courage an
strength from many wounds, | quick
unhitched the two lead mules mar
D aged TO get Burgcsscr on one, an
while Graham, who did not then ar
; pear 70 be severely wounded, ran 0
r down the ozton, ! mounted tho nthC
; and sent them forward as fast az pc,
5ible. Afr riding about a mile and
I half we met a party Of six en- route {
Custer, and they took us to the Chez
enne river stage station, where Bul
gesser and Graham died on the 70
lowing morning.
The mutiiatei bodies Of neig an
his wife and Simpson and tic negl
! WOMAN were found the next day. Met
and Simpson had eYid96tlg bean shi
. out o. the wagon. Mrs. Metz aid n
y negro woman must have Jumped fro
the wagon, tried to escape, and bee
4yertaken and murdered some distan,
from where tbe bodies Of the two me
. we're lying. The bodies -eIc bfQuql
into camp and all buried side By SD