New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-11-28
Judge Rucker,s Racker.

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
Il confess that I did not think there was
anything serious in Judge Fuckers attitude
toward Senator Blackburn until Judge w.
z. Ferrill was brought into the matter.
Judge Ferrill is not the man to engage in any
affair of honor unless business is meant.
Judge Ferrill has a remarkable record for
courage and daring, and Judge Rucker is
well aware that if he is backed by him there
is II Q retreat from a square open fight upon
the field of honor
Then you think there will be duel?"
Il know there will be ii j ge Ferrill contin-
ues to be Judge Fuckers friend
Judge Ferrill lis one of the most re.
markable men in the West, and his
history is the record of the bravest pio-
neer, Kit Carson not accepted. He is six
feet three inches high and proportional like
a young hercules. There never was a cooler
man under the fire and better shot. Just
pefore the Sand Creek massacre, and indeed
before the Hungate family was cruelty slain
by the Indians, Judge Ferrill had started to
hold court in a distant settlement He had
heard the Indians were on their war path
but that did not deter him from going. In
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 if he ran, he decided to fight for his
life. Dismounting he shot his horse dead
and made a breastwork of the animals bodv
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 wells and
a volley from their old guns. To make a
long story short, Judge Ferrill fought them
twelve hours and killed over half of them.
They tried
ALL KINDS OF STRATEGY
to get him to leave his breastwork. big
Indian noted for strength crawled up behind
the judge while the others were shooting at
him from the front and sprang upon his
back. He managed to wrench the redskin of
and smashed his skull with a blow from his
powerful fist. In the meantime the Indians
III front charged up, but he W $ too quick for
them and picked them Off wi h ease before
they could reach him. Atte. the battle he
coolly proceeded on foot to Pine Creek and
held court. This encounter established his
reputation. In 1879 Leadville was overrun
by rouehs and no citizens life was safe A
deputatlon OF citizens wrote to Judge Ferrill
and asked him to come to Leadville and help
them. He went and Immediately organizad
a vigilance committee. His life was threatened
by the oughs, but he did not mind it. An
example had to be made and the Judge
headed a posse of citizens, proceeded to the
county jail, took two notorious footpads
therefrom Stewart and Fordham- and
hanged them. He then warned the other
roughs to leave or be peaceable 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
hand-to-hand conflicts are we'll known. One
time, while riding on the plains, he was sur.
rounded by two Indians and three half breeds.
They started to kill him at dice. He called
the half breeds towards. and said he Wonld
fight three of them on foot with bowie knives.
The half breeds were very expert with knives.
and in q spirit Of mockery consented. He
killed two, wounded the third, and frightened
the Indians SO they took to fight This is
the man who is backing Judge Rucker. and
there will be no foolishness.