The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-07
AN IDAHO PIONEER.
HOW VICTOR TREvIT FOUGHT A
DUEL FOR HIS BRIDE,
And How He Subsequently staked Her
in Game OF Poker Against Min
ing Claim and Became Millionaire
"A Remarkable Game.


ing Claim and Became Millionaire
"A Remarkable Game.
Lewiston q. IT, Correspondence Globe Democrat
From the center OF n rocky island in the
midst of the Columbia river, few miles
below The Dalles, a white marble shaft
lifts itself over the tomb Of Victor Trevit,
the founder Of Lewiston, |. T., and one OF
the most remarkable characters the history
OF the northwest has ever known.
Victor was q hali-breed Through his
veins coursed the blood OF n Noz Pcrccs
mother and n French father, and during
the latter hall OF the 40 years that he
lived he was looked upon by the Ncz
Pcrccs Indians with reverence, aud when
he at last went down TO the dust under
the weight OF years they accorded his re-
mains the highest tribute in their power
by laying him in specially prepared
tomb followed out Of the rocky bosom Of
the island where, in the years past, only
their chieftains and their noblest warriors
had been laid, aud over his crumbling
form they granted the citizens OF Lewiston
liberty TO erect the tombstone that today
bears his name.
Trcyit was hale and hearty 10 the day OF
his death and might have been living
now had not an unlucky step one darl,
night eighteen months ago prcciptatcd
him into the Jagged shaft OF nm abandoned
mine from which his crushed and lilcless
shape was taken the next morning.
There are two incidents in the life OF
this pioneer we'll worth the telling, one
being the manner in which he won his
bride after n desperate duel with knives,
the other being the story Of how, inagame
OF drlw.poker with u miner, he slaked his
wife against n prospcclor's claim that
eventually made him exceedingly wealthy.
now TREvIT WON ms WIPE.
Among the Nez Pcrccs was n beautiful
Rquaw, the daughter Of Tall Pine, n noted
chief. She was known ~ the Blushing
Rose, aud although In the sixties, and
still bachelor, Trevit conceived q passion
ate love for the Indian girl, and intimntcd
10 Tall Pine that lac desired TO make her
his wife, offering him much money and
many horses rs soon rs the Rquaw should
become his property The proposition
pleased the old chief, who promptly de.
clarcd il bargain, but when the plan was
laid before Flushing Rose she signifod hei
displeasure by declaring that she would
chop kndling wood and build fires for no
man hut lcaping Panther, q handsome
young brave who had distinguished him
cell IN the chase. and whose inirppidity and
skill in the use Of the rifle was the wonder
and admiration Of all the tribe.
hut lcaping Panther was poor, and II
he had been given the hand OF the young
squaw be- could not have enriched her
father one whit. 40 the old chief with an
eve open 90 his own personal Interest,
laughed at the protests Of his daughter and
coolly informed her that she must throw
aside her silly iniatualion and become
Ircvits vile, whether the prospect
pleased her or not. She threatened 10 Kill
herself ID she wns pressed into this dis
tasteful union, and Tpylt and tie old
chicilain wcrr In quandary ~ to what
move TO make, when the brave young
warrior, l.amng PANTHER. offered n solu-
Non 20 the difficulty by suggesting that
neyit and hc fight duel with knives, the
gH a. become the wife oi the winner
With the hrmcst confidence In the
strength and bravery 1T her Indian lover,
and believing il impossible for him to
sullcr defeat, Flushing Rose agreed 10
this manner Of settling the question Of
whose chatiol she should become, and II
was agreed that the two upimnts for her
hand should meet IN n canyon among the
foothills east II the Indian camp, and
about ten miles from Lewiston, and in the
presence Of all who cared 10 be- present DO
battle Tor her
TUyit, though well along In yC.s, was
siuply man ul great strength and won.
dcriul power Of endurance lie stood
above FiX feet unshod aud had n breadth
OF shoulders aud giHh OF loins that sug.
Fusicd the strength Of an OK. Ills Ions
life among the Indians and IN the noun
tains had fitted him splcndidly for n con
test like this, and be- accepted the PROPOSE
ton Of his young opponent, never for
moment doubling that lac would come OF
the victor.
THE Duri WIN KNIVES.
The prospect Of duel between the tw,
men was told throughout the camp. an
On hour bciurc sunset hcCycning thc me-
wcr TO fight a motley crowd Of men, won
en- and children had gathered In junglin
circle among the shadows oi the canyo
anxious iof the fray b. begin. 4 littl
apart from the crowd leaning against
boWllcr Flushing Rose, with Comppssc
lips, waited silently Tor The appearance ,
her tNo lovers. They came ~ last frot
among the powders aud faced each otht
IN the crntcr IT the living c.ulc. BOT
looked dcicrminl and confident Tw
warriors quickly removed their shirts an
strapped their LETT hands behind thri
backs. Thus. each naked to the waist
with n cleaning knife he he right hand
The men moved toward each other wit
the stealth ~ the d. " la their movement
and the cunning ul the iOX iu their eve,
The combat was not # long duration
TWyit suddenly nfusy 90 the iull limit
his splendid hight and rushed upon hi
foe With iUr,, and ,ril that ciusrd IA
young fguaw Wy the b1wlirr a. turn pal
and irvmblc hut smile ui pNultatiun I
~ hgr ilcc moment later as shy saw III
massive form Ui Tpyit ffpl and the bloc
gush in a ilnDl from bis side. Icapir
Panihcrs agility bad served him we'll. au
with spring be- was on hs Vay,rup IA
tagonisi, who, with Wild succp ui h
long arm, sent his glitcrng knife throul
The muscles and tcndon's Of the your
braves shoulder, and the two men IL
together In u hglplVss ulaFs ON Tine urnun,