Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-23
A Heroic Defense.

In the month of January 1878, Mr.. Max
well, his wife, daughter May, and four men,
started from Miles City, with the intention
of settling on the Lower Missouri, near
where the old Stanley trail crosses that
stream.
They had thirteen pairs of oxen dragging
the wagons, and the progress, as matter
of course, was quite slow. However, there
was no occasion for haste, and they logged
along steadily for several days, until they
were nigh the O'Fallon Hills, when Mrs.
Maxwell called attention to couple of OBJ
jects ahead, which she believed to be an
telopes but when her husband brought his
feld-glass to bear, he pronounced them In
dams.
This was alarming, for whatever abort
gines are encountered in that portion of the
Northwest may be set down as the most
deadly kind of enemies.
Maxwell Immediately halted the teams,
and devoted an hour or two to ascertaining
the precise status of affairs.
The result was the startling discovery that
he was in the neighborhood of hostile vii
Iage of forty lodges. There was but one
thing to do, and the wagons were instantly
turned about, and the party retreated to-
ward O'Fallon Greek.
The Indians followed, at a respectful dis
lance, but did not attack; and, having
reached the timber and water, Maxwell went
into camp.
The site selected was an admirable one
for defense, the ground being high, while
ravine ran around three sides, SO that it was
comparatively easy to guard against an at
tack from any direction.
The sun had set and it was growing dark,
when the whites went into camp; but, con-
6dent that an assault would be made, the
entire night was spent in making prepare
tons for it. The bluffs did not run close to
the water or timber, and the position was
about two hundred yards from both. A
goodly supply of water and wood was laid
in, and the party waited anxiously the attack
which they we're sure was to come.
The morning dawned without bringing
any signs of the Indians; but when the
forenoon was half gone, the works were
finished The wagons formed one side, and
logs, sacks filled with earth and sand, the
others. Caves were dug for mother and
daughter, and strong rife-pits were con-
structed on three sides of the camp.
The Indians were discovered approaching,
and the siege began on the day succeeding
the arrival of the party at the point.
The cattle was kept in hand until night,
when it was necessary to water them, as it
was out of the question to preserve enough
of the precious fluid for SO many capacious
stomachs Accordingly, they were driven
down to the creek, but had scarcely lowered
their mouths, when the Indians made dash
and captured them ALL
There was no way Of preventing the catas-
trophe, nor of repairing it, and MIR. Max
well took it philosophically.
The works were completed, and when
night set in, the believing of the cattle
filed the air. The Indians were driving
them through the wood and round the camp
in the hope that the whites would venture
out to recapture them; but Maxwell and
his friends were too wise to attempt any
such rash exploit.
The leader of the party, however, could
not shut his eyes to the fact that the situa-
ton of himself and friends was perlous in
the highest degree. The Indians far out
numbered them, and commanding the sup
ply of water, could reduce the whites to
terms, by simply holding them where they
were, provided they should fail in the direct
assault.
A long and anxious consultation was held,
and characteristic strategem was arranged.
1t was a bright moonlight night, but the
savages seemed to have decided to do moth
ing except by daylight, and all was still
around the beleagured settlers. Finally, one
of the whites crept stealthily out from be-
hind the intrenchments and by great care
and patience succeeded in reaching the
woods undiscovered. Rising to his feet,
he immediately started for Fort Keogh for
help.
Maxwell and his friends listened intently,
and without the slightest unusual noise they
drew sigh of relief and hope, confident
that the messenger had got safely through
the lines.
This reduced the garrison to six persons
Mr.. Maxwell, his wife, daughter, Mr.. Bon
ton, George Parland and Jester Pruden.
Through the night, the sentinels heard the
Indians riding up the ravine on their horses,
and in the bright moonlight they were dis
tinctly seen while at a considerable distance.
When they reached the creek, they dis
mounted, tied their ponies, and began
crawling toward the fort.
The rifles of the whites were breech-
leaders, and they were confident of making
rafting defense.
When the Indians were within about fifty
yards, Maxwell gave the word to fire, and
+ba fioht Onened The bullets went down