Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-05-22


several minutes he sat on his horse,
| trying to reconcile himself to the GER
.ainty that death was before him, but
when the first struggle was over all
trembling ceased, and with as true an
aim as ever huntsman leveled at a
reindeer, he drew up his rife and fired
at the nearest maR killing him III
stantly. Earlier IN the fight he had
realized that he was more lightly
armed than usual, having that morn
ing left his belt, with brace of pistols
and box of cartridges, in camp to be
cleaned, taking only his Winchester
carbine, carrying twelve shots. He
now determined to sell his life AS
dearly as possible, and, counting every
shot, to be sure that he saved one for
himself as a dernier resort in case of
capture, since death by his own hand
was preferable to slow torture. Twice
more he shot in quick succession with
out fatal effect, when he suddenly
put spurs to his horse and dashed
through their line. At this moment
there was a general scramble and rush
FOR him, some trying for him with
their spears, others Selling his leg and
trying to unhorse him.
He succeeded in the twinkling of an
eye in throwing them all off, and
even killed a second man riding at
his side, putting his arm against his
(the Indian'sJ body and blazing away,
the blood squirting over Towards
buckskin leggins, saddle, and horse.
The instant he freed himself from
them and got clear along on open
ground ahead of them, where they
were not in danger of killiag each
other in shooting at him, they fired a
volley of bullets and arrows at him.
None of them hit him, and up to this
moment he was entirely unframed.
Had his horse been equally fortunate
this would doubtless have ended the
fight, as the horse was a fine, high
spirited animal, superior to any of the
Indian ponies. But the first shot re-
ceived at the beginning of hOstilities
had cut a small artery, and from this
the blood was pumping out steady
stream that, together with his violent
exertions, was fast sapping his
strength. The Indians, seeing this,
were encouraged to continue on pur
suit, and their leader, mounted in an
American stage horse Stolen the day
before at station q few miles back,
which they had burned, numbering
all the inmates) succeeded SO well in
keeping pace with him that Howard
could almost feel the breath from the
nOstrilS of his pursuer's horse. Thus
they rode, nose to tail, for mile or
two, the Indian occupying the time
in shooting at Howard. Three pistols,
six shooters, he emptied, and bullets
flew around poor Howard on every
side, -Four more entered the poor
horse, already so badly wounded, a
bullet pisrced Towards clothes at his
side, another cut the strap of his field
glass, which was lost, another cut off
his spur bruising the heel slightly,
but not drawing blood; a fourth
pierced the wooden breech of his rifle
as he carried it in his hand-almOst
striking it from the grasp; others
struck the saddle, and in short they
seemed 10 strike every where but
where they were aimed.
All this time Howard was endeavor-
ing to reach over bis shoulder and
get shot at the Indian, but at every
such movement the savage slipped
under the belly of his horse, and was
out of sight, except a hand on the
mana and heel on the back. Finally,
all ammunition exhausted, the Indian
resorted to his spear. and with the
wooden handle gave Howard one. or
two severe raps on the head, trying to
knock him out of his saddle-withOut
avail, but at last Towards horse,
that had been lettering shakily from
loss of blood, fell on his knees, and
the Indian rushed up to end the con-
test. At that instant the horse strug-
gled to his feet again, and Howard
saw that his opportunity had come,
his foe was at his side, and he quickly
thrust his rife against the Indians
body and fired, blowing a hole
through that seemed as large as ones
arm. The Indian shrieked, leaped
out of his saddle, and fell to the
ground on his face, dead.
Looking about, Howard saw the re-
mainder of the band following at a
prudent distance, for by this time
they began to look uponhim as God,
invulnerable to all their weapons.
When, at last. the poor horse fell
PROSTATE, and apparently dead, they
all iockea up to make final DISPOSE
ton of their troublesome enemy. But
Howard, undaunted, lay quietly down
behind toe body of his horse, and
when they came within short range,
took deliberate aim and fired, killing
another man. This unlocked for dis
aster completely demoralized them,
and they fed in all directions. With
in three minutes not an Indian was
in sight. He turned his attention to
his horse, loosened the girth to take
off the saddle, and was surprised
when the animal drew deep breath
and struggled to his feet. He then
led him slowly to where the rest of
the party had made a stand about
their wagon, and as he approached
from one direction l came limping
from the other, with a ballet in my
right leg. The Indians had paid
L l.. -e