Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-09-07
FIGHTING FOR LIFE.

FIGHTING FOR LIFE.
When l was stationed up in Montana a.
Fort Keosh few ysars ago, said General
Briebind to a report er, frequently saw
on the reefs OF Miles City, mother and
daughter who had an interesting history,
and were the heroiEes OF one of the hard
est fought Indian battles that ever took
place in the west. Mrs. Maxwell and her
daeg liter, May, were MODEST appearing
ana quiet. Mr.. Maxwell with his wife
aud daughter, and four men-BJuton,
George DIFaud. Jester PruGen and an
other whose name I cannot recail-had
,tarted from Miles City east, Intending
% cross spd settle on the little Missouri
near the Old S antey trail. After they
nab BEEN cut al day, and jast approach
Dg FallUn Greek, Mrs. Maxwell distjn-
gU shed two objects aheBd, which with
he aid of Il Id glass, she soon made out
20 b. Indians. She at once called the
men and told what she had seen, and al
though the objects quickly disap peared,
Mr.. Maxwell. knew bu5 too well that there
was trouble in store for tfem. lie halted
at once and turned back the wagons,
Viii had already crosse the creek. He
rode forward aid soon discovered vii
| lage of forty lodges Of host Indians.
although the IEdianr followed closely
did not a"ack. They seemed to
hink they had the PARTY safety, and
| could take theis time in securing their
scalps Mr.. NJ, wsnt to some timber and
selecting q high point of ground, went
| into camp. D.rkness soon came On and
Maxwell, knowing the Indians seldom
attacked III tbs night, spent the time In
| terrifying his little camp. the bluffs
| cid not run close 10 the water, aud the
| little patty had to take up their position
| fully 200 yards from water. This greatly
| distressed him, but be laid in good sup
| ply of water as poss!6le, and Satered all
| the stock before daylight appeared.
| About O'Clock in the morning
| the little party ceased from their
| labors, cleaatd and loaded their guns, and
waited for the battle to begin. The
| Indians were very delib crate, and al,
! though they could be seen, it was after
| before any of them showed up near tie
fort. Then they began firing at long
range, and KEEP it up at intervals during
| the entire day, but with little damage to
| the beseiged. Mr. Ms. wagons were
i hauled by oxep, and they we're kepta as
| close as possible. Ia the evening the
| cattle had become thirsty and had TO be
| watered. No Indians we're to be seen,
| and the men attem pied to drive the
| cattle to water, WHIT IN the Indians rushed
| down from the hills and captured them
all. I'd. Il, let the cattle go aud told his
men to get 10 the fort. No further at
| tempt was made to disturb the beseiged,
| and another night was spent IL strength
| ening the little. The men worked hard,
and a5opt midnight, having made the
| works Us strong as possible, and being
| tired out, they lay down to get little
rest, M. III and May agreeing to watch.
| The wagons tormed one side of the fort,
| and logs, sacks of grain, and gunny sacks
| filled with earth, the other. Caves had
| been dug in the hillside for The women.
| and rifle pits, strongly constructed, rang
ed on three sides of the camp. All night
lODg the cattle Kept believing and we're
driven around the camp by the Indians,
| in hope that the garrison would come out
| and attemp6 10 drive them in. But the
| white men lay close, and all efforts of
| getting them out failed. Soon after mid
night one of the men crept out of the
| fort aud passed the Indian viadettes safe
ly. He was instructed by Mr.. NJ, to 90
| to Ft. Keogh With ell haste and make
| known to the commanding officer the
| desperate situation of the little party and
ask for help. They were now reduced to
five fighting men, Mrs. Maxwell and her
daughter May. Shortly before daylight
the women heard the Indians coming up
the ravine and aroused the men. The
moon was shining brightly, and the
IndiaEs were all mounted and could be
| plainly seen. DIsmountiDg from their
ponies they began crawling up toward
| the fort. Maxwell told his men to Law
| alp nd hot boir 10 ~
| word, and then to load and fire as ra pidly
| as possible, and shout at the top of their
voices. 1t was a fearful moment-the
night was still lying or the earth, and
the silence that of death. The Indians
were now within fifty yards aud Maxwell,
fearing charge if he delayed longer,
call ont: LET 'em have it boys" The
rattle of the guns was fearful anG lasted
for fully five minutes, when, seeing no
indians coming, he ordered the firing to
cease. When the smoke cleared away no
Indians were about except one, who lay
near the fort. He was badly wounded,
and called out in broken English: 81 am
hit, don't shoot me-"
"CaU you come in and surrender" call
ed out Maxwell.
"No, l am wounded, come out and get
me-" be replied.
Cant you crawl in here? We Will take
care of your said Maxwell.
won't you let my people come and
get me?"
"Au right" said Maxwell, 1--WE don't
care much for you fellows anyway; but
let then be quick about it, for we want
10 fight some more"
The wou1 dtd Indian called loudly in
Indian, and presently some savages were
| ~ =
| to come too near the fort, the wounded
Indian raised himself with difficulty, and
saving: How, how, don't shoot me: GO
sway craRled off. They let him go, aud
alter working himself down the hill
little way, two Indians took him up and
carried him off.
The Indians now picked up every thing
and driving the cattle before them start
ed off down the valley.
Thank God they are gone" said Mrs.
Mexwel.
MOT So" said Maxwell, "that is only
ruse to get rs off our guard; but we have
little time, so mother, you and May, get
u something TO ea:."
Pretty soon some of the cattle were
seen coming back, as if they had broken
away from the Indians, and one of the
men wanted 10 go out and drive them
in.
COB, no." said Maxwell, ''that is only
another ruse of the willy rascals ID get as
out OF here. They are close behind the
cattle, depend upon it." The cattle were
Ike pt close around the fort nearly all fore
noon, bot not an Indian was to be seen.
Ali efforts to draw oat the little garrison,
however, proved futile. Then signal
was thrown up, and Maxwell said:
"They are sending for help. boys, and
we will soon have it hot and heavy. Here,
mother, you and May keep well within the
cave, but get some water and be ready TO
load and cool the guns
In q few moments an unearthly yell
rose up from the ravine, and the Indians
charged that side of the fort. ThSy were
repuIsed. but soon dashed at the other
side OF the fort, riding and firing. The
men in the fort let them ride and fire as
fast and as much as they wanted, lying
close within their snug bresstworks-
Pretty soon the Iudiaus drew off and
commenced throwing up signal lights
1--WE shall have it now, said Maxwell.
"keep cool and wait"
In about an hour long line of Indians
were seen coming up from the sosth to
join the Others.
| sThera tbav a-s- said Maxvell ssaHd