Wichita eagle., 1888-08-10
FIGHTING FOR LIFE.

W Deu 1 was SJaCO1eQ Up IL montana at
Fort Keogh few years ago, said Gen Bris-
bind to reporter, frequently saw on the
streets of Miles City mother and daughter
who had an interesting history, and were the
heroines of one of the hardest fought Indian
battles that ever took place In the west Mrs
Maxwell and her daughter, May, were
modest appearing and quiet Mr.. Maxwell,
with his wife and daughter and four men
Bouton, George Darland, Jester Pruden, and
/ another whose name / cannot now recall
mad started from Miles City east, intending
to cross and settle On the Little Missouri near
the old Stanley trail After they had been
| out three days. and just as they were APP
preaching O'Fallon creek, Mrs. Maxwell dis
covered two objects ahead, which, with the
aid of a field glass, she soon made out to be
two Indians. She at once called the men and
told Mr.. Maxwell what she had seen, and,
although the objects had quickly disap-
peared, Mr.. Maxwell knew but too well there
was trouble in store for him and his party
| He halted at once and turned back the
wagons, which had already crossed the
! O'Fallon He then rode forward end soon
discovered village of forty lodges of hostile
Indians A retreat for the hills at once be-
gan, and although the Indians followed
closely they did not attack. They seemed TO
think they had the party safely, and could
! take their time in securing their scalps. Mr..
/ Maxwell went to some timber, and, selecting
q high point Of ground, went into camp. 1t
was strong position, with ravine running
around three sides of the camp. Darkness
soon came on, and Maxwell, knowing the
| Indians seldom attack in the night, spent the
entire time in fortifying his little camp.
| The bluffs did not run close to the water and
the little party had to take up their position
fully 200 yards from the water. This greatly
distressed him, but Mr.. Maxwell laid in as
good supply Of water as possible, and
watered all his stock before daylight
appeared. About o'clock in the morning
/ the little party ceased from their
labors, cleaned and loaded their guns, and
waited for the battle to begin. The Indians
were very deliberate, and, although they
could be seen, it was after o'clock before
eny of them showed up near the fort Then
they began firing at long range, and kept it
up at intervals during the entire day, but
with little damage to the besieged. Mr..
Maxwelps wagons were hauled by oxen, and
they were kept as close as possible. In the
evening The cattle had become thirsty and
had to be watared No Indians were to be
seen, and the men attempted to drive the
cattle to water, when the Indians rushed
down from the hills and captured them all.
Mr.. Maxwell let the cattle go and told his
men to get to the fort. No further attempt
was made to disturb the besieged, and an
other night was spent in strengthening tho
little fort. The men worked hard, and
about midnight, having made the works
as strong as possible, and being tired
out, they lay down to get a little
rest AIr. Maxwell and May agreeing to
watch. The wagons formed one side of the
fort, and logs, sacks of grain, and gunny
sacks. filed with earth, the other side.
Caves had been dug in the hillside
for the women, and rife pits, strongly
constructed, ranged on three sides Of the
camp. All night long the cattle kept bel
lowing and were driven around and about
the camp by the Indians in hope that the lit
tie garrison would come out and attempt to
drive them in. But the white men lay close,
and all efforts at getting them out failed.
Soon after midnight one of the men crept
out of the fort and passed the Indian videttes
safely. He was instructed by Mr.. Maxwell
to go to Fort Keogh with all haste and make
known to the commanding officer the deSper-
ate situation Of the little party and ask for
help. The little garrison was 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 Indians We're all
mounted and could be plainly seen. Dis
mounting from their ponies they began
crawling up toward the fort Maxwell told
his men to lay close and hold their fire until
he gave the word, and then to load and fire
rs rapidly as possible, and shout at the top
Of their voices. 1t was a fearful moment
the night was still lying on the earth, and
the silence that Of death. The Indians were
now within fifty yards, and Maxwell, fear
ing charge if he delayed longer, called out:
Let them have it, boys" The rattle of the
guns was fearful, and lasted for fully FIVE
minutes, when, seeing no Indians coming,
Mr. Maxwell ordered the firing to slacken
and then cease entirely. 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-"
Can YOU come in and surrender!" called
out Maxwell.
me-" he replied
IAN you CftWl IL LtACs Fo VIII tShhc
care of you," said Maxwell.
won't you let my people come and get
meg the fellow asked.
'All right said Maxwell; Eve don't care
for You fellows much, anyway; but let them
be quick about it, for We want to fight some
more"
The wounded Indian called loudly in
Iuiian, and presently some savases were
seen approaching, but they were afraid to
come too near the fort. The wounded indian
raised himself up with difficulty, and saying,
GLOW, Howl Don't shoot ne; go away"
crawled of. They let him go, and after
working himself down the hiIl a little way
two Indians took him up and carried
him Off
The Indians now packed up everything,
and driving the cattle before them started
off down the valley.
''Thank God, they are gone" said Mrs.
Maxwell
''Not so,n replied Maxwell; 'that IS only
g ruse to get US OFF our guard; but we have
a little time so, mother, you and May get
US something to eat"
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
TO 50 cut and d-ips them in
''Oh, no." said Maxwell. 'that is only an
other ruse Of the WHY rascals TO get Us out
Of hera They are Close behind the cattle,
depend upon It." The cattls were kept close
around tie fort nearly ali forenoon, but not
an Indian was to b9 seen All efforts to
draw out the little garrison however, proved
futile Then signal was thrown up, and
LIZ. Maxwell said: