The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-11
MASSACRED IN RED CANON.
CALIFORNIA BILL. THE SOLE SURYIvOR,
TELLING THE STORY.
Attacked by siouN lin on Easter sunday
MorninR -- RunnibE n Gnuntiet Of Fire
Ready to Flight tho Redskins Once More.

Ready to Flight tho Rod.kin. Onco More.
BLACK HILLS, Oct. 22.-Our discussion Of
mining locations prospecting parties and other
subjects kindred to n mining centre has been
suddenly changed by the return 10 the frontier
OF William G.. FELTON,. better known as " Cali
fornia Bill" whose reputation ne n scout Is
widespread on tho plains. His return brings
N mind the Indian massacre Of April lG, 1876.
known ms the Red Canon massacre from which,
in party OF five men and two women. Califor.
MIA Bill alone escaped. The party. consisting
Of Andrew Metz and wife. John Burgessnr of
Carson. Nevada. Mr.. Gresham OF Missouri.
Mr.. Simpson Of Colorado. and negro woman.
started from Custer City for Cheyenne April Is.
1876. They were attacked by Indians in Red
Canon two days nfterward. and all the above
were killed outright. or received wounds that
soon resulted in death. California Bill received
number Of wounds. but escaped. These
wounds. however. have made an invalid Of him.
Though as yet not really recovered he has re-
turned TO the frontier full OF fight. He has re-
lated the story Of the massacre. particulars Of
which have not before been published.
started from Custer City on my way out OF
tho Hills to Cheyenne on the morning Of the l4th
Of April. The first night we spent in Pleasant
Valley. The early hours passed In spinning
yarns over frequent bowls OF crog and we'll.
filed pipes. and while all were apparently I'M
concerned not one iot safe. Next morning we
moved on. reaching Big Springs early in the
afternoon al the 18th. and there going into
camp; felt assured that the passage through
the Red Canon would be unsafe for u small
party. and concluded to await the arrival ot q
larger one that was expected 10 overtake rs, \
with two two-horse teams. having Mr.. and
Mrs. Metz. a negro woman from Custer. and a
Mr.. Simpson as passengers They stopped TO
water the stock at tho spring. and laughed nj
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 passengers
though against my own judgment. htched up
and followed. We travelled Together unds-
inrbed in the afternoon, and went into camp Mt
thing went of peaceahly during ihat night. and
early ON the morning of the 18th. Easter sun
her. About half way down the canon. whore
stands giant cottonwood tree. there il "a line OF
low hills. and close to the side Of one Of them.
~ the painted devils. under the lead Of Sioux
Jim. well known 81 the Red Cloud Agency.
waiting for us This was about 10 III the morn
ing. aud my party wa then about quarter Of q
mile ahead 81 the Metz outfit. On seeing that
they were discovered. with n terrible veil the
Indians fired at US. putting n bullet through
Burgcssers lex und one through my hip.
Seeing the attack upon W.. the Metz party
turned about their teams and cndeaVored
20 escape up the canon. Grasping my rifle.
jumped from tho wagon. aud using II a. "a
breaStwork. returned their fire with Interest
knocking two OF the cowardly scoundrcls N
their pins. and keeping the dust in n cloud
around them. where most OF my hurri"dly
ham started To run. and was shot through the
stomach. He fell. After several Voleys. send
ihg y shower oi bullets over our heads ana mo
the wagon. hut doing no further damage. The
Indians Disappeared behind neighboring hill.
aud thinking they were running after their
again started To- run the gauntlet We had
gained only "a few rods however. before the red
flrnds as suddenly appeared on an adjoining
90
plugging molhrough the leu arm into the brs.ist.
through the iieslly part Of the calf 81 my right
leg. and again through my shoulder. For n
moment Il seemed ns though ! was perfectly
riddlcd with bullets. but leaped TO the ground
striking Burgessrr IN The thigh. Knocking him
into the wagon box. Keeping close 10 the front
wheel furhest from the Iniia1s. drove, and
ran alongside the wagon for half n mile down
the canon. when in crossing a small stream
the axle broke. and the wagon WAS left in the
mud. There we were. all severely wounded
the Indians close upon us. and We unable 10
move. There was no time for thought and
from many wounds. | quickly unhiichrd ihc
two lead mules. managed 70 g"' BurG-sser "a
one. and Will" Gresham. who did not then al
pear 20 be severely wounded. run on down the
canon. | mounted tho other md sent them
forward as ias, - possible. After riding about
- Custer. and they took IL "a the Cheyenne
River stage station. whore Bdrgessar ami Gras-
ham died on the following morning.
The mutilnted bodies NJ Metz and his wife
found tho next day. Metz and Simpson had
evidently been shot out OF the wagon.
Mrs. Metz and the negro woman iuust nav"
jumped from tine wagon. tried tn escape and
been oyertaken and murdered some distance
from where the bodies NJ the two men were
living. The bodies were brought into camp. and
all buried side BY. side, and on the evening OF
tha nth OF April found myself tue sole sur
ylvor Of this Inflated party.
After lying. more dead than alive. for eight
weeks ~ Cheyenne River continued the scout.
few soldiers ~ Capt. Engnn's company took
ms TO Fort Laramie hospital. Four months
Giterward WAS sufficiently recovered 20 return
10 my home in Colorado: but Two years have
passed. and the wound in my hips IL not fully
healed. I'm back again in the Hills he con-
cluded. with much emphasis. and though q
little the worse for wear. am ready nj any mo-
ment 10 mount the saddle. throw the cartridges
into my pet rifle here. and give the red devils
another chance 10 get the scalp Of California
Bill"