Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-12-16

SEATTLE OAI
HUNTED AND HAUNTED.
Ihe mystery of Jim Bridcer's earl,
NE was explained to a writer during ;
recent visit to Oregon by Col. Jesse Az
pie9ate OF the Umpqua Valley. Col, Ap
Plegate obtained the following particu
lars OF an almost forgotten tracedy
from some of Jim Bridger's compau
ions, nearly 40 years ago. Ths story /,
peculiarly interesting, as it explains
why this celebrated scout and guide
sought home and protection amonc
the Indians in his early days, and VIM
ne vas always avoided and summed by
toe old French trappors and traders on
ries.
The story as told BY old Jssss Apple.
gate y - follows:
When Jim BridQef vas young man
Be became identified with IT. Amefiean
Fur Company, which, moro than half 4
century ago, kept winter quarters
near the mouth Of the Kansas River.
This trading post Vas in charge Of the
Choteaus, Of 81. Louis. Missouri. Here
the Osoes, Kickapoos, Osages and Kaw
trlbe oano 20 trade, and hsro, a1oo. the
dathoe&Den and fur traders, voyaeeurs
and others in the employ of the Ameri-
can Fur Company passed their winters
and prepared for their spring trips up the
Missouri River after furs and peltries.
In the spring Of 1893 Jim Bridasr
with party Of eight or ten hunters.
started for the Yellowstone country to
spend two or three seasods hunting or
trapping. The journey was long and
tiresome one, and ~ they had made q
late start the season vas far advanced
vhen they reached the present site of
Fort Randall. They had abandoned the
boat and we're making their way on foot
TO Fort Benton, when the following
tragedy occurred:
The party was marching In single file
through densely wooded region, each
carrying his kit containing his
food, ammunition and traps strap
ped upon his back, his rife upon
his shoulder. The leader of the party,
q young hunter named Tom Glass, was
ten or fifteen fest in advance Of the
rest of the party, when large she bear
and two cubs were met ON tho trail. Be-
fore Glass could retreat the monster had
seized him in a deathly hug, and bore
him to the earth. Before the bear was
killed it had torn open the unfortunate
mans abdomen, exposing the iptestines,
and wrenched his left arm clear of the
socket at tho shoulder. His companions
did all in their power to relieve Glass,
and ease his intolerabie pain, but ali
agreed that he could not live long. His
QhAnfuan hnnnA NTH
bands, and his left arm, which adhered
to the shoulder merely By pieces of lac
Grated he6h, was washed, bound and
die.
As the party was in great hurry, ov-
ing TO the latenees OF tho season, it was
tend on Glass. and bury him whom he
journey. Lots were cast to see who
should remain with the dying man, and
Bridger was selected. It appears the
the Missouri River, and Brid9er did not
relish his task very keenly. He sat be-
side the wounded man one day and one
lirious and raved wildly.
Ou buO boCOuO AOIuAuk OIlOR0I Ut
termined to anticipate the death which
he supposed was certain to claim his
companion, and overtake his associates.
30, while Glass was unconscious or
asleep, Bridger gathered up what few
effects he doomed most valuable, belong
ing to Glass, including his rifle. ammu-
nitian, etc., and quietly stole away,
leaving the wounded man to die alone.
He succeeded in overtakinR his COM
rades, and reported to them that Glass
had died, and he had buried him and
brought away his arms and traps.
Nothing more was heard Of the affair
until the next season, when q terrible
denOuement was made, and Bridger
fed to the mountain tribes to save his
life.
It appears that Glass awoke from his
delirium on the second day after BridR-
81 had left him. He found himself
weak, alone without arms, food or help,
and suffering intensely for water. He
realized only vaguely his terrible situa-
ton. He remembered the bear and the
departure Of his companions, after leav-
ing Bridaer to attend to him. He could
see cold, bubblin9 spring of water less
than 20 feet away, and he vas dying for
water.
He managed, after a long and tedious
effort, during which he suffered the
most intense agony, to reach the water
with his right arm. TheTe no lay for
several days, bathing his wounds with
water and keeping down the fever. As
he had no food the fever soon left him,
and in q few days he was able to crawl
about ON ono side and one elbow. By
- D~<-slo~AA hn&o1D
calf had died on the plains not far
from where Glass lay, He managed to
crawl to the carcass and by the aid Of
his hunting knife. which Brid0er failed
70 find, the wounded man satisfied his
hunger. He laid by the side Of the car
cass for several days, during which he
and crawled back to the water.s
Moro than month after this time,
the outposts at Fort Randall were as
tonished to zee a strange looking object
crawling slowly toward the stockade
gate. II did not look like human be-
ING, nor did it resemble any known ami
NAL, bat it kept slowly crawling along.
making neither noise nor siGn. twas
picked up and carried into the fort,
where, ftee being washed and cleaned,
Il proved to be tho animated skeleton
Of Tom Glass, the abandoned hunter.
He had made his way, crawling along
like snake, upon one aide, distan ce
of more than 100 miles. He had lived
upon roots, reptiles and berries and
even grass, during the latter half Of his
terrible journey. What he suffered was
known only 70 himself. His wounded
arm was withered and dried; the
wounds on his body were partially
healed, the fresh buckskin having al
most grown to the laoerated akin.
With kind attention and care, Glass
was able during the following spring
10 walk about, and then be started
forth ON hia mission Of vengeance. He
made his way TO Fort Benton, on the
upper Missouri, where he was regarded
BY his former comrades - an appaxi-
ton and created CONSERVATION in the
camp Luckily Tor Budese hs Was alb
sent trapping mp in the Big Horn ooun-
try. However, he was duly tried b.
proxy and sentenced b. his old com
panions-ths French and half breeds
10 die at the hands Of The frst person
who might meet him. He was declared
An outlaw, renegade, and doomed to
death.
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