The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-04-21
APACHE MATT, THE SCOUT.
A Famous Frontiersman's Reason FOR "ag
Ing War Upon the Indians.


Matthew johnson reached Denver City
from Fort Hualapai, and will leave for his
old home In New Yerk State, there to spend
his remaining days. Several years ago he
was living with his wife and several children
near Hualapai. One early morning whiie
the father was absent at the military post,
the band of Mojave Indians, of which DEL
shay was chief, attacked the ranch, outraged
the mother and tortured her and the three
children TO death. When johnson returned
his cabin was In flames and the blood OF bis
dying family yet warm. Almost crazed, he
went back TO the fort without even waiting
TO inter the remains of his wife and children,
and briefly told the awful tragedy. Within
fifteen minutes detachment Of Company h
of the Fifth Cavalry were mounted, under
the command Of Col. Mason, and on the
trail of the copper-skinned devils, johnson
going along.
On the morning of the third day the caval-
~ entered the Black Hills, at the head
waters Of the Verdi river, the home of the
wild Apache Mojaves. That evening the
camp was made near the Verdi and scout
ing party further followed the trail, which
appeared 10 be only few hours old. In a
small clump of cottonwoods and near a
marshy portion of the river, the smoke Of
the Indians was discovered. 1t was too late
10 attack the Indians, as.the darkness would
afford them an escape. They had apparently
located with the intention of remaining a
few days and hunting, so the assault was
coming up, however, and putting out senti-
nels. On one of the posts Johnson stood
keeping vigil through the night. In the
morning the cavalry swooped down upon
them. Surprised In their stronghold, and
with their arms scattered carelessly about,
the Indians could do nothing better than fly;
and fly they did toward the river, the SOL
diers picking them of one by one in the
chase. Delshay was more cunning and
self-possessed than bis followers, making up
the river through the thick cottonwood. The
six Indians were killed before one Of them
had reached the stream, but Delshay, the
seventh, had such q start that the cavalry
almost gave up all hope of overtaking him
They spread out, however, and made ;
skirmish through the cottonwood forest.
When they brought up in little glade vi
the stream q couple Of miles they were as
tonished TO find johnson leaning. over thu
dead body of the Indian chief, hacking ant
cutting 1t In insane frenzy. The body la.
upon the river bank as If It had been pulle'
out after the infiction of the death-wound
The head was nearly severed by stroke Q
the knife, and Johnson had scalped 1t.
was many minutes before his fury had spen
itself, the soldiers never. interfering with th
horrible satisfaction which the widowe
husband and childless father was taking 70
his wrongs. Finally, when he had grow
calm enough to explain, he told how he ha
seen the Indian making up the river, and
resolved that none should escape, he follow
ed As best he might. When he got throug
the timber he found the trail, and althoug
II was done with much difficulty, he sue
ceeded In tracing II to the river bank. Their
1t became lost and knowing that the India
could not have crossed the stream withou
having been seen on the opposite side, whcl
was open and denuded Of trees and under
brush, he concluded that the Indian wa
secreted In the river bank. While walking
down the bank head was protruded from
pool near the shore. 1t was Delshay takini
air. Stealthily johnson approached, ant
before the Indian could realize that thu
avenger was nigh, he was grasped by thu
hair and his throat was slit from ear to ear
When the fort was reached johnson re
quested to be employed in the scouting ser
vice and was engaged. He became thu
bloodiest and most relentless Of the border
scouts and figured prominently in all thu
campaigns against the Apaches up to thu
recent one which Gen. Carr led, earning the
title of "Apache Matt"