Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-10-19
Pawnee Rock.

For fifty years, from 1923 to 1873, all
trade between the Missouri river and the
far Southwest was carried on by wagon
trains running from Fort Independence.
near Kansas City, No., down the Santa Fe
trail, which the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe Railroad approximately follows,
through Kansas to Santa Fe, N, nj. Paw
nee rock was a favorlte camping ground
for the wagon trains, because its height
then conslderable-lnsureda place of re-
treat 10 case of attack, and there was a
spring of water at Its base. 1t was one
summer night, nearly half century ago,
that train drew up at the base of the rock,
which had among Its guard of scouts the
famous Kit Carson, then a young man un-
used TO Indian warfare. SIgns of Pawnees
had been seen during the day, and there
was reason to expect an attack. No camp
fires were lit and, after darkness fell, a
strong guard was put out around the camp
1t was nearly midnight when it came Kit
Carson's turn to watch, and, IS he stole
out into the grass just beyond the camp,
the novelty and sense of danger In his stu
alton stretched every fibre to the keenest
tension. Suddenly the sleepers were
reused by the report of gun. Every man
was instantly ON his feet, rifle in hand, ex-
pecting volley of arrows. "The Paw
nees," Gssped Kit. ''l just shot one in
the grass" The women were hastily con-
cealed In the wagons, and the men waited
the Indian yell and voIley Of arrows that
were each moment expected. But the
time wore on, and nothing came. At last
IL ont
to look after some horses that were in
danger of being stampeded. He dlsap-
peared in the darkness, and then burst OF
laughter rang out on the silent night air,
Cons and see Kits Pawnee," he called.
scouts followed hun, and there lay
Kits mule shot through the Lead. The
The innocent beast had been peacefully
grazing, and Kit had taken the tips Of its
long ears 1or the plumes Of Pawnee
warrior.
So this bluff from that time to this, has
borne the name of Pawnee Rock. OF the
many Indian battles and attacks on trains
that this crumbllng mass has witnessed, no
tale of more desperate courage has been
handed down than that of two scouts, who
were besieged on the summit of thir rock
some time in the SOS for three days by a
band of KiowSs. they fought until their
unerring aim made the Indians fear to ap-
proach the rock. Then the crafty savages
fired the prairie, but the scouts, throwing
themselves ON their faces on the summit
OF the rock, were enabled by change In
the wind, to escape. AT last their ammu-
nItlon gave out. The Kiowas sent mes
senger to offer them their lives If one
would safely run the gauntlet. The scouts
accepted this desperate chance, and the
Kiowas chose Bill Gibson, a famous from
uersman, to undergo the ordeal. They
formed In double line, armed with knives,
hatchets and clubs. A. little distance
beyond stood the chief, who coldly warned
the scout that, unless he could reach the
cnlet's SIDE unscathed and without losing
drop of blood, the lives of both would be
offered up at the stake before sunset Glib
son stripped to the waist. The chief gave
the word, and the scout leaped through
the lines as though endowed with the Wig
or of demon. He tossed the Kiowas
right and left, lodged between their legs,
under their outstretched arms, leaped over
them as they stopped to strike him, and
finally reached the frowning chief breath
less, but saved. for the Kiowas Kept their
word, and he and his companion vent
free.