, 1885-03-21
WAR ON THE LITTLE SPOKANE.
Andy O'COnner's Exciting Experience
With Two Indians.


Saturday from the Little Dalles,
where he had taken a load Of freight,
and gives US the particulars ola bat
tie he had with a couple Of Indians
at Paavine Jimmy's station, on the
Little Spokane, while on his way
home, in which all three Of the par
Elephants came In for a share Of the
honors Of a lively conflict. In some
manner one Of the wheels Of the
wagon Andy was driving had given
out and the wagon box was held In
place by a long pole, that, after
manner, answered the purpose Of the
displaced wheel. When within a
mile and half or two miles Of the
Little Spokane, two Indians came out
on the road and demanded ride.
Mr.. O'COnner pointed out the Grip
pied condition Of the vehicle and In.
formed them that he could not carry
an extra load. Ono Of the men was
half-breed who could talk good
English and he intimated In Ian
guage more forcible than elegant that
they would ride anyhow. The spokes-
man attempted to climb into the rear
OF the wagon when Andy stepped
back, holding the lines in his left
hand, and picking up a spoke showed
the intruder of. The Indians made
no further attempts To force them
selves as passengers, but sullenly fol-
lowed behind. When Andy reached
Peavine Jlmmy's place, where he
was to put up for the night, he
stopped in front Of the stable, and as
he WIS unhitching his team the two
Indians cdme up. The half-breed at
once struck Andy with his fist. Our
townsman Is not pugilist, but he is
a good chunk Of a man, and an awk-
ward hand In a rough-and-tumble
scrap, and not rellshing the familiar
ity OF his assailant he returned the
blow. 1t only required a moment or
two to develop the fict that Andy
was the better man, ana as he was
busily engaged in polishing of his
assailant the second Indian struck
Andy a vicious blow with a murder
Gus looking knife. His aim being
impaired by the movements Of the
belligerents the point struck Andy
on the top Of the head, making an
ugly cash, and causing the blood to
flow profusely. Leaving the half
breed, oConner jumped at the In-
dian knocking him down. He pro-
ceeded 10 use his heavy hob-nall
boots on both the men and beat them
up terribly. The half-breed was the
first to recover and as he left the
scene, he stated hat he intended to
get his gun and kill 0'Conner. The
people at the house, who had been
frightened nearly out Of their wits
ny the struggle that they would not
take part in, did all in their power
for O'COnner, who was completely
exhausted by loss Of blood. The
point Of the knife had glanced from
the skull, ripping up the scalp, leav-
ing frightful looking wound. The
cut was scared with a hot iron TO
check the fiow Of blood, a primitive
heroic, yet effective mode Of treat
ment Later in. the evening four In
dians, two OF whom were the parties
punished, were seen prOwling about
the premises armed with guns In
the morning, very early, the Indians
were still In sight, showing that they
had been watching all night II was
evident that II Mr.. oCOnner at
tempted to drive his team to the city
he would be waylaid and shot A
teamster who arrived during the
night offered TO drive the team in.
Late in the morning the Indians
again called on Peavine Jimmy, In
quiring for the bad white man.
Jimmy told them that he had gone
to the city. They openly avowed
their intention Of killing him on
sight Andy was up stairs and over
heard the conversation, which did
not increase his cheerfulness a parti-
Gle. About 10 o'clock Charley VIII
son came along in a spring wagon
homeward bound, and Andy took
passage with him, reaching the city
during the afternoon. Mr. o'Conner
Is In good condition considering the
severe tussle he passed through, his
wound healing rapidly. 1t will be
some time before he takes another
trip north, and when he does he will
go prepared and be on the lookout
for trouble.
-one Of the neatest pieces Of decora-
a.. ..,.-r. - ,H.... 4. tHf. ..ff,r = 49,