The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-09-18
BRAVE YOUNG GAY.

A Kansas Boys Fierce and Fatal En-
counter with Bioodthirsty ssv~ges.
The sad fate of young Gay. of Kan
sas. makes the eyes moisten and the
pulses thrill at the same time. He was
a boy of seventeen. brave and level.
headed and was one of hunting party
on the Cimarron river during an out
break. One day, in riding after buf.
falo, he became separated from his
companions and his horse fell into a
hole and broke q leg. Gay had Win.
chester and revolver and he could easily
have found his way to camp if he had
not been interfered with. As was
afterward related by an Indian to an
army officer, band of thirty redskins
were lurking in ravine, in hopes oil
bouncing on some of the hunters.
Their first move was to get between
Gay and the camp. and scouts were
then posted to prevent surprise by
rescuing party. The precaution was
unnecessary as during the excitement
of the afternoon he was not missed
and no search was made for him until
the morrow. 1t was known that the
boy was well armed and the Indians
did not dare to charge him, great as
were the odds in their favor. They re.
sorted to the circling dodge to waste
his ammunition and at the same time
kept up hot fire on him. At the first
appearance of the savages Gay shot
his horse dead that he might use the
body for q breast-work. While he was
only partly protected. the bullets of the
Indians failed to hit him. On the other
hand he fired coolly and deliberately,
killing one redskin and dropping two
ponies before they abandoned that
dodge for another. He was then in.
vited to parley, but he fired on the
savages who advanced. realizing that
nothing but his death would satisfy the
wretches.
How the boy prayed and looked for
q rescue by his companions, how his
heart sank as time went by and the
human wolves began to close in on
him, how at last he made up his mind
that death must come, and that he
would face it bravely, are things which
make the heart throb with pity. The
Indians dismounted out of range,
formed three-quarter circle about
him, and then advanced ON foot, or
rather wound themselves along the
ground. Unfortunately for the poor
boy, the ground was broken, and part
of the Indians had cover to within easy
rifle range. Gay kept up steady fire
with his Winchester, seriously wound
ing two of them. but his fate was soon
sealed. He was hit in three places
almost at once, and there were no fur
Their reports from. his rife. A single
report was heard in an interval Of
firing. but it came from his revolver,
and when rush was made he was
found dead, with the weapon tightly
clutched in his hand. The red demons
had shot him in the right foot. in the
left shoulder, and in the left side, the
latter wound being . mortal one. Tho
boy realized this, but knowing that
torture would be added 70 the wounds
to increase his dying agonies. he had
put bullet into his bra'na
These facts came from the lips of one
who helped encircle the boy, and he
added, with great relish, others still
more horrible The infuristed Indians
pulled of the scalp lock. cut OF hands
and feet, and so mutilated the face that
itcould not be recognised The wolves
apd the buzzards we're more merciful
than the. sayagea- They spared the
remains. which were found and buried
The next day.-M =. Sam.