Oxford eagle., 1888-07-26
FIGHTING FOR LIFE.
dangers Encountered by Montana
Pioneers in Early Days.
Five Frontiersmen and Two Women stand
on and Put tn Flight Two Hundred
Indian Warriors - Eight
savAges Killed.

When was stationed up in Montana
nt Fort keogh few years ago. said
General Brisbind. to a representative OF
the Tunes. | frequently saw on the
streets of Miles City n mother and
daughter who had an interesting his
tory. and were the heroines Of one of
the hardest-tought battles that ever
took place in the West Mrs. Max
well and her daughter May were
modest-appearing and quiet Mr. Max
well, with his wife and daughter and
four men-Bouton, George DarIand,
Jester Pruden. and another whose
name ! can not recalI-had started
from Miles City east. intending to cross
and settle on the Little Missouri near
the old Stanley trail. After they had
been out three days, and just as they
were crossing O'FalIon creek. Mrs.
Maxwell discovered two objects ahead.
which. with the aid Of field-glass, she
soon made out To be two Indians. She
at once called the men and told MIR.
Maxwell what she had seen. and. al
though the objects had quickly disap-
peared. MIR. Maxwell knew but too well
there was trouble in store for him and
his party. He halted at once and
turned back the wagons, which had al
ready crossed the O'FaIlon. He then
rode forward and soon discovered a
village of forty lodges of hostile In
dians.
A retreat for the hills at once be-
gan, and although the Indians followed
closely they did not attack. They
seemed to think they had the party
safely. and could take their time in se-
curing their scalps. Mr.. Maxwell went
To some timber, and selecting "A high
point of ground, went into camp. II
was a strong position, with a ravina
running around three sides of the
camp. Darkness soon came on. and
and Maxwell. knowing the Indians
seldom attack in the night, spent the
entire time in fortifying his little camp.
The bluffs did not run close to the
water. and the little party had to take
up their position fully two hundred
yards from the water This greatly
distressed him. but Mr. Maxwell laid
In as good supply of water as possi-
Bile. and watered all his stock before
daylight appeared.
About four o'clock in the morning
the little party ceased from their
labors, cleaned and loaded their guns.
and waited for the battle tn begin
The Indians were very deliberate. and
although they could be seen, il WIS
after nine o'clock before any Of them
showed up near the fort Then they
began fighting at long range. and kept
It up at intervals during the entire
day, but with little damage to the he
sieged. Mr.. Maxwelfs wagons were
hauled by oxen, and they were kept "a
close as possible. In the evening the
cattle had become thirsty and had to
be watered. No Indians were 10 he
seen, and the men attempted to drive
the cattle 70 water, when the Indians
rushed down from the hills and can't
ured them all Mr.. Maxwell le, the
cattle go and told his men 10 get To the
fort No further attempt was made 70
disturb the besieged, and another
night was spent in strengthening the
little fort The men worked hard. and
about midnight, having made the
forks as strong as possible and b,,ing
rcd out, they lay down to get little
- Mr.. Maxwell and May agreeing
wstch- The wagons formed one
O the fort, and logs, sacks OF
and gunny-sacks, filed with
the other side. Caves had been
ohe hillside for the women. and
strongly constructed. ranged
Ids Of the camp.
long the cattle kept below
- driven around and about
tke Indians in hope that
lpon would come out and
i've them in But the
9Icre. and all efforts at
failed- Soon after