Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-18

awaited the arrival of Brown, whom ne
murdered, taking his horse, money and
pistol, and leaving the BODY hf Brown di-
rectiy In the path, where discovery cou d
not help being made. The body WAS DIS
covered next day and the !2cts told the
wolfmen, five of whom Started out and
determined to catch and lynch the MUIR
derer. Vic Smith was day and half
out from Ahercrombie when he met
Thompson. Vic said he was not very well
horsed, and when Thompson proposed a
trade of horses he at once signtfed HIS
Willingness to make a change. This was
made easy by Thompson Offering $50 boot,
and the riders changed equines. Before
leaving Thompson handed Vic a pistol,
on which was engraved f. d. Vic
thought Thompson Was mighty gener-
Gus man. but afterward thought he him.
self was most tender pilgrim. Vic bad
camped that night and bad just finished
repast when tive wolfmen stepped into
the shanty.
"Come in, boys" said Vic, land make
yourself to home. There is lots to eat
here. Cook it to suit yourself"
They looked at Vic and then broke into
boisterous laugh. They asked him
where he got his horse. and one pulled "A
pistol out of Vic's belt and asked bin
Were he got it. Vic was only little
over IS then, and was disconnected al mis-
interrogatOrs. and gave insoent replies to
their questions. They then told him be
had killed Brown, and that he must die.
The only trees there were small willows
or the hanging would have taken place
that night. But the great scout was laid
on his back and bound hand and foot to
stakes driven into the ground. He Law in
this position all night, which was bitter
cold one. The cold perspiration rolled of
him. and when he was let loose in the
morning his coal black hair had turned
completely white. Tie pleaded for his life
most earnestly, and said he shed bucket
full of tears before he moved one old man
In the party to take compassion. Vic
asked them TO take him to Fort Aber-
crombie and be could prove that it would
have been impossible for him to have
committed the crime after leaving the
fort. 1t was at last decided to take him
within six or seven miles of the fort and
send in man to make inquiry about Vic,
when he left the fort, ETC.. and If IL was
found that he had lett in time to make the
journey to the place where the body of
Brown was found they would hang him.
One of the men went TO the fort, made the
inquiries, and found that what Vic had
told them was correct, and they let him
go, though they took his horse and pistol.
After two months the commanding officer
at AbercrOmbie got the horse back. which
he gave to Vic. who then lett for the Big
Missouri.
Since then this celebrated scout has
been the sworn enemy OF all vigilant COM
mittees, and would assist in the hanging
of one any time. His hair has remained
graytsince his terrible experience though
he ccnceals the color by an application OF
hair dye. He is only eXcelled by DR.. Car
yer in the use of the rifle, and being the
best horseman in the Territory he did the
government services in the early DAYS of
Montana that brought him first into re-
cOgnition and gave him the envable reDu-
tation he holds as a government scout
and guide.