Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-11-29
Judge Hackers paeker.

Editor John Atkins, of the Rocky Mount
ain News, of Denver, Colo, was asked in New
York if he thought Judge Fuckers open let
ter to Senator Blackburn would result in a
duel. He said:
II confess that | did not think there was
anything serious IN Judge Rncker's attitude
oWard Senator Ria .kburn until Judge w.
G. Ferrill was brought into the matter.
Judge Fcrrill is not the man TO engageinany
affair of honor unless business is meant.
Judge FerFill has a remarkable record for
courage and daring, and Judge Rucker is
well aware that If he is backed by him there
is no retreat from a square open fight upon
the field of honor"
''Then you think there will be a duel?'
81 know there will be iiJudge Ferril eontin-
ues TO be Judge Fuckers friend.
Judge Ferrill is one of the most re-
markable men in the Scass, and~hs-
history Ki f. d the : Fee Dat s escs'tamedfSesf p sss
ne-tSree inches high and pre- soned like
a yos les. There never a cooler
man,s~e fire and a bctterFsot. Just
cfOreAAsa Creek massacre, Md indeed
before the Hungiste family was cruelty slain
by the Indians, Judge Ferrili had STATED TO
bold court in a distant settlement. He had
heard the Indians were on their war path,
but that did not deter him from going. In a
lonely part of the country, not far from the
canyon, the Indians attacked him. He heard
them coming, and, knowing they could over
take him il he ran, he decided to fight for his
life. D~isinounting he shot his horse dead
| and made q breastwork OF the apim8f's body
and a few stray rocks. Armed with a six
| teen-shooter rifle and two pistols he boldly
faced the Indians. They numbered about
thirty, and ATTACKED him with Wild yells and
a voHey from their old guns. To make q
long story short, Judge Ferriil fought them
twelve hours and killed over half OF them
TheS tried
KINDS OF STRATEGY
to get him to leave his breastwork. A big
Indian noted for strength erawled up behind
the judge while the Others were shoe ting at
him rom the ront and sprang upon his
back. He managed TO wrench tho redskin of
and smashed his skull with a blow from his
powerful fist. In the meantime the Indians
in front charged up, but he was too quick for
them and picked them OF with ease before
they could reach him, After the battle he
eoolly proceeded on foo TO Pine Greek and
held court. This encounter established his
reputation. In 1879 LeadYille was overrun
by rouehs and no citizens life was safe. A
deputation Of citizens wrote to Judge Fertill
and asked him to come TO Leadville and help
them. He went and Immediately organizad
n yigilancecDmmittee. His life wasthreatened
by the Ioughs, but he did not mind it. An
example had to be made and the Judge
headed a posse of citizens, proceeded TO the
county jan, TOOK TWO nCtorlonS loOLpauS
therefrom = Stewart and Forsiham = and
hanged them. He then warned the other
roughs TO leave or he peaeeable citizens. The
citizens owed their deliverance to Judge Fer
rill. but he would not consent TO pose as a
leader or accept any honors. His feats in
hapd-to-hand conflicts are well known. One
time, while riding on the plains, he was sur
rounded by two indian and three halfbreeds.
They started to kill him at ONCE. He called
the half breed towards, and said he would
fight three of them on foot with bowie-kniyes.
The half breeds were very expert with knives,
and in a spirit of mockery consented. He
killed two, wounded the third, a~ndfrightened
the Indians so they took to flight. This il
the man who is barking Judge Rueker, and
there will be no foolishness.