New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-12-24
Death Of Wilson.
, A TEXAN INCIDENT.

For SIX mOnCQS, previous 10 january
1889, the Comanches had committed
many and serious depredations upon
the settlers ca the Colorado and War.
lopa rivers, and spirit of revenge for
the many injuries they had suffered,
was excited to the highest pitch by the
abduction of the daughter of a Mr..
Lockheart, and the brutal murder and
mangling of the remains of VIM. Earth
man, who was shot while hunting for.
stray horses on the prairie, his heart
taken out, and his hands and feet
chopped off. These outrages, together
with the frequent loss of horses, led to
an expedition which resulted in the
destruction of some six or seven hund-
red Indians within their own camp.
OF this expedition / was one. Col.
John H. Moore, of La Grange, was ap..
pointed to command. We numbered
over two hundred, all mounted, except
about twenty Japan Indians, who, be.
ing friendly to the whites and enemies
of the Comanches, were taken to spy
out the position of our common enemy,
About noon on the fifth day Of our
march, having reached grove of tim
Der, and finding it in every way suited
to our wants, the order was given to
dismount, and the different messes look:
ed around them for the most desirable
spot on which to rest their weary bones
and prepare their MONDAY meal. Col.
Moore, George Wilson, myself and two
others, formed one mess, and were
standing in circle, giving and receiv-
ing directions as to where to build our
fire, &C., when the report of a rifle was
heard, and Wilson clapping his hand
upon his breast, exclaimed on the in.
slant -,''I'm shot," and staggering
back two or three PAGES. would have
fallen but for his horse, whose bride
supported him until he gained his equi-
librium, and we could gather around
him. AS he turned to answer Colonel
Moore's question as to whether he was
really hurt, noticed the hole made by
the passage of the ball in his back, and
answering the query myself, l inform
ed the colonel that he was mortally
wounded. Upon examination, it was
found that the ball had entered the
left breast near the nipple, and, pass.
ing through his body, had issued just
below the shoulder. blade. -.--. ..
Looking around for the cause, we
found one of the friendly Indians hav.
ing leaned his gun against tree, it
had fallen, and striking the root, had
exploded i'll the direction of Wilson,
Sc nding it's contents full into thebreast
Of our friend and comrade.
Blankets were Immediately spread
upon the ground, upon which he was
laid. The surgeon, having examined
the wound, gave it as his opinion that
he. could survive but a few hours.
Every attention was paid him which
our circumstances admitted, and for
two days we fingered, expecting to see
him breathe his last. Contrary to our
expectations, however, he grew no
worse, and forage becoming scarce
the Indians having burned The grass on
the prairies to prevent pursuit 0nhorse.
back-we concluded to move to the
banks of the Coloradoto find nourish-
ment for our horses, which began to
suffer for want of it. A litter was made
for our. wounded companion by sling
ing a blanket between two long poles,
which were secured to the sides of two
horses, and in this way we travelled to
the rivera distance of six miles. The
bottoms, adjoining the river, affording
good grazing, and the surgeon having
given it as his opinion that Wilson
might recover if he could be got to the
settlements, where he could receive
better nursing than we could give, it
was decided to remain here until a
"bull. boat" could be constructed, in
which to convey him to the nearest
habitation, one hundred miles distant.
Two expert hunters were sent out to
obtain Whe-ewith to build the boat and
at the expiration Of q couple of hours
they returned to camp with the hides
of two buffaloes they had shot. Mean.
time, others had been engaged in set.
ting up the frame Of the boat, which
was constructed of saplings cut on the
banks. The hides, after being sewn
together, were stretched over this
: frame, with the flesh side out, and after
being exposed to the sun for one day,
the boat vas complete. Mr.. Price and
| myself were detailed to convey him in
and we fastened to prepare for the
Tourney. Laying our wounded com
!. rade in the bow Of the boat on q pile
LOT blankets, we took our seats il the
stern, and bidding, the company sadieu
4 We pushed 1t into the stream, and com
menced to float on its rapid current, il
tine direction Of our destinati on. "a sE
At night we drew our boat to shore
{ and taking Wilsonsup on the: bank III
. small fire, cooked our supper and
4 threw ourselves upon the sward,
{