New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-15

increase hts suerngs for nothing, 10 impossible
for him to live This some tlmo before. and tho
report OF his pistol surprised me, as supposed him TO
be in a dying condition.
Succeeding at last In getting Bell on horse, wo
started of slowly as Of could not go fast
Riding up TO Jim, said believed Bell would i've
To which he replied that he feared not that Il was
only spasmodlc effort, and that he would probably
fall dead oil his horse within an hour or so.
As VIC began to move, the Indians mounted their
ponies, and moved along parallel TO us, but out OF
gunshot Bell apparently got stronger; and when
We reached little about five miles from our
camp, Jim called halt for consultation and further
examination OF Bells wounds and pulse, aiter
which he announced that there was show Tor MS
life therefore would camp right there and then
and give Bell chance to recruit up, adding that we
would stay by him at all hazards, so long as thero
was hope of his life, but that It would now Dc I'M
possiblc for us to 90 more than fifteen or twenty
miles day. This serious and desperate
change In the plans, as we had thrown away nearly
all of our provisions, expecting TO go seventy-hve
miles I'm the first twenty four hours, and thus get
beyond achievements to, and possibly out OF the
reach Of the Indians who were at that moment gather
inc obou lis on the hills stll the all chcerfully
and heartily indorscd the captains resolution, and We
accordingly halted and remained some two or thrce
hours, getting supper and allowing Bell to rest.
After a very difficult and tedious descent into a
gorge to get water, halted about p. NJ 10 get
SIMMER All of us were intensely wearied and worn
out few men were thrown out as pickcts, and tho
rest were engaged in unpackIng, when, in the midst
Of our preparations for supper and rest, York an
nounced that he saw Indians approaching on tho
points above us. All hands flew to arms, but were
startled and checked by the report of a rifle We
knew that It must be one OF our own guns, but
whether accidentally purposcly discharged we did
not know at first but looking nquinngly around
tpcd VI
dcathly palor on his face stood with his head erect
but his body partly leaning against his rifle.
He answered our anxious looks by saying: l have
fooshly destroyed my life' Rushing up 10 MIN
We eascd him down TO sitting posture. Tie then,
with great calmness and elaboration, opened the
bosom Of his shirt and pointing to the CHASTITY wound
about three inches above his left nipple, he said My
life IS fast ebbng away-only few hours more, but
that IS too long for you all to remain hero. See,
the sun IS fast declining toward the mountains; the
Indians viii soon be upon you and It would DO I'M
possible for you defend yourself In this place Jlm
tell the boys fatally wounded This request
but too plainly indicated HIS dreadful resolution, and
too soon brought to awful realization OF our
desperate but determined agreement on the morning
after the attack We all appealed to him not to
think of so rash an act, telling him that no might
live and using every argument wo could think Of
collectively and Individually begging him not to think
of such thing.
During the whole time he held his revolver firmly
crasped in his hand and warned us that any attempt
to take It from him would only hasten the action
No one attempted to force It away from him; We only
reasoned or tried to reason. but could not make
hin, lose sight Of the Inevitable fact that he must
die in few hours anyhow, but that In the meantime
darkness would be upon u.s. and with 1t, the Indians
who were already approaching MS, and whom we could
not successfully resist I'm such place Finally
he called upon Jim again to "tcn tho
NJ
few hours at most" jim, who was in tears his
big heart almost brcatlng could not truthfully an
swcr him in the negative: therefore he cvaded
direct reply. "Ncvcr mind Geery,' he said, we VIII
stay by you-all the Indians in tho world couldn't
drive away from you"
This reply only seemed to fix HIS noble mind in the
resolution to do what he knew would probably save
the party, or most OF them yet how few men there
are who could and act under such circum-
stance! Turning to us. he said az See, comrades,
Jim knows that I am fatally wounded and must do
soon. but he avoids telling and the TACT that you
would all, know. stay by me and die for me, has
determined me- Remember quitting tho muzzle OF
his pistol against his breast, am not committing
suicide. Bear witness to my friends that am only
shortening my life few hours to prevent you from
useessy and foolshly sacrificing yours in defence OF
NINE God knows that don't want to die; that
fear death-but have a Christian hope in eternity
vet must die rather to than to sacrifice. Remcm-
Der this gorge In the mountains and the spot where
I am buried describe It TO my friends some day II
any of you live tell OF IT. Those strong men were
all weeping over him as he continued: "God bless
you all, comrades must die, and in time for you
TO bury me and escape before dark. Bury me In
this coat and here lie about to fire the fatal
shot when Jim said, For Gods sake, Gecry, don't
But II you will do It, don't shoot yourself there; it
will only prolong your agony (the muzze OF The
pistol, as before stated, was against his oreast.
II you do It. place tho muzzlc to your temple
Cccry replied "Thanks, jim, and may God bless
you all and take you safely out of this"
As he placed the pistol to his temple, tho
men, with weeping eyes and full hearts
all turned to walk away, they could
not bear to see him fire. lie pressed the trigger and
the cap only exploded. I never heard sound half
so loud before It echoed in all directions, as II TO
make him realize what he was doing. then appealed
TO him. saying: For Gods sake, Geery, dcsst; this
is warning To this he paid no attention, nor
made any reply but rather seemed TO BIO soiloquizng
don't know what think OF that; 1t never snapped
before Cooking his pistol again, he engaged in
few seconds of mental prayer and pulled the trigger
that launched him into eternity. The report OF the
fatal shot was awful and sent thrill through our
swelling hearts that Will be forgotten
We gathered around his dying form, and 1t was, m
decd. fearful thing 10 the human soul take
wing especially he had nobly died to save us.
Never before had | seen our little band give way.
They wopt like children, and seemed far more dis
hearicncd than the morning after the massacre.
Waiting somo hafhour after he had drawn his last
breath, buried him, as he requested In his soldier
ovcrcoat Wo had scarcely finished his burial when
the plcbcts announced that tho indians were APP
preaching us, and were within gun-shot-yct there
was firing.
After our last sad duties finished, Jim directed
us to place limbs and brush the grave and burn
them, to conceal 1t from tho Indians, and pre-
vent them digging poor Gcery up for his scalp and
clothes
We then gathered our things together as best we
could, and packing up, moved on in single file out Of
the gorge, camping, or rather hiding. ia some sage
brGsh some SIX miles away, where we arrived In the
night
Three days after again scared of the Crows. and
several days later fell in with soldiers and
lighting experiences ended.
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