The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-06-07

led them down to the river and striking
them with their weapons drove them into
the stream with their suffering riders.
Under shower Of arrows and bullets
Snixter leaned forward upon his horses
neck and urged the animal to the opposite
shore as we'll as he could, but when more
than half way across, the horse turned and
made again for the bank from whence the
Indians had driven him. This of course
did not suit Snixter, who slid from the
horses back, and swimming with his injured
arm as best he could, finally succeeded in
reaching the opposite bank, where he
quickly secreted himself among the brush
and willows. He looked for Williams,
but saw only the sergeant's horse swimming
to the shore. Williams was never heard
of afterwards, but Snixter escaped without
further mishap and footed his way back to
Walla Walla, where his arm was cured,
after which he was discharged and pen
stoned.
There is sequel to this account of the
Steptoe defeat that is worth relating.
Some time after the affair Kamiackin,
chief of the Spokanes, and leader of the
party who attacked the cowardly colonel,
received letter from Father De Smet,
the purport of which was, that Kamiackin
was the chief of the Spokanos and an in
Auential man with his people. The letter
also gave the number and names of the
prominent families in the tribe, and stat
ed that the chief was desirous OF making
peace with the whites. .......
Kamiackin had great faith in Father
De Smet, but was not sure that Col.
Wright, to whom the letter was addressed,
would pay any attention to what the priest
might say in his favor. The wiley chlet,
tain, therefore, gave the letter to another
chief named Obi, who in turn had his
doubts and delegated his son, young OH,
to deliver the letter to Col. Wright.
Young Obi was quite proud of the honor
conferred upon him by his father and
Kamiacken and made great preparations
for his journey and interview with the
white chief. But, alas for human ambi
ton. The young chief no doubt con-
sidered this mission the turning point IN
his career and the stepping. stone to
future greatness but within five minutes
after he appeared at the door Of Colonel
Wrights tent, in all the savage grandeur
of paint and feathers, he was swinging
from the branch Of neighboring tree
with hempen rope around his neck. His
last words were: "Damn Kamiacken!'
Such at least is the story ofthe Steptol
defeat as told by Snixter, the ex-dragoon
The account. Of the brave fellows ad
ventures occupied the attention of many
a campfire group, and served to make
} the narrator extremely popular with al
: the miners, many of whom had passec
through similar scenes of perilous adven
, ture.
!. The stampede to Florence had now be
gun in real earnest, and the winter hac
: set in with unusual violence. Every day
brought snow and crowds of gold seekers
f aud to help matters along, as the Dopula
ton increased the price of provisions wen
! up. Flour, which at first was held at $4t
: per sack, now cost 500, and other pro-
visions frequently advanced at the rate
:; Of so per cent. per day. And, as if thi
: was not enough to make things unpleas
. ant, small party Of strangers came int
Creighton's store one evening anc
. reported having discovered a large wa
) party of Indians in one Of the creeks nes
> the diggings, all painted and dancing th'
war dance. interviewed these men ane
was informed BY them that they were con
fdent the entire tribe of Nez Perces, undel
Eagle Of the Light, White Bird and Look
ing Glass, was about to attack the camp
!. Creighton was the only man At Florene'
who appeared to profit b. this story am
the fright it caused. His goods were pu
up at once at fancy prices and it took bu
, few days to sell cut the entire stock.
About this time spirit of lawlessnes.
sprang up in the camp. Claims which
had been only temporarily abandoned
and supposed to be safe from intruders
were jumped and held BY the Jumpers
against all law and.protest. Partners be
gan to quarrel, also, and the first shooting
serape occurred in Baboon Gulch, wher,
man named Lyons was killed by hi
partner, just after the latter had returned
from Lewiston with provisions for thei
, camp. The cause Of the row was simpl,
this. During his partners absence Lyon,
had made rich discovery, in which h,
was unwilling to recognized his partner!
right to share. In ihe quarrel Lyons at
fampfad RI chnaf his ,, q r+nny. l,l yaS h; ~,