Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-19
"SILTER PEG
How q Famous western Prospeetor
Got His Nickname

the Rocky mountaing is George w.
Magee, or SILVER Peg as he is more
commonly known. He has searched
for biaden wealth all the way from
the northern boundary of Montana to
Mexico. There is hardly a silver or
gold diggings between these two re-
mete points with which he is not ia.
millar. His almost uniform success
In finding silver has won for him the
first half OF his nickname, Silver
Peg" The other half he wears be-
cause of his hobbllng about on
wooden leg. 1t WAS before success at
tended him as a trspper that he lost
his leg. When he first appeared in
the west he secuted, trapped and
hunted for living. This was in lS49.
The rush to the California fields car
RED him from his home al Tarleton,
Plckaway county, OHIO, when hut 10
years old. He only reached the from
tier of Iowa until he became stranded
for want OF money, and joined a
company of trappers. For ten years
or more he hunted and trapped with
varying success. In the spring of
1862 he and "Comanche Bill" Porter
were stationed at Fort Russell, in
Wyoming territory, as garrison hunt
erS.
About the last Of April Magee and
Porter, with an eastern man named
Gilbert, lsft the fort on buffalo
hunt. 1t was or this trip that Magee
lost his leg and won the nickname OF
Peg" There preparations were
made for ten days hunt. They trav-
eled directly north for two DAYS,
wien they entered a country that was
fairly alive with buffalo. They had
been killing about five days and had
as much meat as they could we'll car
ry back with them TO the fort,
when Porter, Who was some distance
away from the other two hunters,
sighted band of Indians riding far
across the prairie. He Immediately
called the attention of the others to
them. A consultation was held and
the party concluded the Indians were
Sioux, who were friendly at that time
and often hunted in concert with the
whites. As the Indians drew nearer,
though, Magee had his suspicious
aroused, and warned the others to be
on their guard, as they might ba hos
tile Cheyennes. As they galloped
closer to the hunters the Indians
spread out like fan, until the hunt
crs were completely surrounded. Be
fore they had formed their circle tor
closing in, the hunters were mounted
and ready for the fight.
"rhey are twenty-three to our three
boys" said Magee, "but We can at
least beat them to the fort" Then be-
gan one of 1.-The sharpest and longest
running fights that ever took place on
the plains. The hunters were about
one hundred miles from the fort. Ly-
ing close to the necks of their horses
they rode straigt against the advape-
ing circle Of Indians. When within
one hundred yards OF the Cheyennes
they fired. One of the Indians in
front clutched vainly at his horse and
then slipped from his seat. The cords
that the Cheyennes always tie them.
selves with when going into battle
held him from falling to the ground.
The horse galloped away with the
body of the dead Indian hanging
head downward from its back. An.
other Indian was hit by the fire, but
had strength enough to guide his
horse out of danger.
For the next hour the indians had a
stern chase of it across the prairie,
but they finally divided, one party
striking off to the right, the other
continuing the pursuit. Soon the
hunters were surprised to see party
of their foes make their appearance
in front of them. Again great cir.
Gle was formed by the Cheyennes. A.
soon as it had lessened in size so as to
be within striking distance the hunt.
ers opened fire and charged those on
their front They broke through with.
out receiving injury to themselves,
and once more the Indians fell in be.
hind for stern chase. Hour after hour,
mile after mile, pursued aud pursuers
sped on across the plain with little ad
vantage to either side. The hunters
had the advantage In fire arms, and
their horses were somewhat fresher.
Not half the Cheyennes We're armed
with rifles, and the guns they did have
were not of improved workmanship
First, Magee would lag behind, wait
until the war party got within range,
| try his aim upon one of the Indians,
and would then join his comrades
| Porter would drop behind shortly
when the pursuers began to press them
again, and would pursue the same
tactics. In this way the hostile In
dams were constantly annoyed and
beaten off. the hunters succeeded in
hitting several of their pursuers and
in killing three horses, which further
hindered the pursuit. The ammuni
ton of the party grew low toward
evening. Msgee took the last five
cartridges that the party had among
them, told the others 10 make straight
for the fort. and he would join them
after having last whack at the
Cheyennes
He dropped back only a short dis
lance in the rear when bullet struck
him in the left leg. He managed to
JOIN his comrades before the loss OF
blood from the wound made him help
less. Gilbert and Porter, upon NC
ticing Magee's hurt, took their places
on each side of him. Then there was
nip and tuck race for the fort.
The horses of the whites were the
fresher and gradually drew away
from their pursuers. Still the indians
kept to their trail like sleuth- hounds.
Sometimes they would not be seen for
an hour, but when ascending an eleva-
ton the hunters would be sure to
make out their foes logging their
course far off in the distance. All
that day and far into the night the
chase continued. Arriving a. small
stream the hunters drew up their
horses and dismounted for short
rest. Maees's wound was dressed
with rude skill by Porter. Then Gill
bert and be rolled themselves in their
blankets for nap Magee's hurt would
not let him sleep so he insisted upon
acting as guard. Just before day
break his practiced ear caught the
faint footballs of advancing horses far
out in the gloom of the prairie. The
Cheyennes were striking to their pur-
suit. In moment he had aroused
Gilbert and Porter. He was assisted
into the saddle, his two friends on
either side of him, and the journey re-
sumed. That afternoon the three
hunters reached the fort with horses
scarce able to support them and Magee
so weak as to be unable to sit unas-
sisted The Indians did not Give IN