The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-25
COWBOYS IN EARNEST

Overland Staging in the Fifties," in the septem-
Der Overland
"Arkansaw Charley" was always favorite
among the boys afterward and was greatly
dreaded by the Indians. The rowing life of
cowboy upon the frontier plains suited his
tastes far better than the restraints of mail
escort, while the opportunities to score even
with the redskins were equally good.
1t was during the general "round up" on the
frontier border of Texas in the fall of 1886 that
"Arkansaw Charley" in company with nine
other cattle men, was caught upon the plains
bordering the headwaters of the Brazos
by band of thirty-ive Comanches, all
well mounted and armed and led by
ono of the most daring sub-chiefs. "Curly
Bill'' Thompson, also born in Arkansas, but
much older than Charley, was in charge of the
roundup. He was O cowboy of much expert
ence. and was famous as an Indian fighter.
The two were intimate friends-as the phrase
goes out west, they were partner" what was
owned by one belonged to the other, and
mauy daring exploits had already marked their
career.
The cowboys were all we'll mounted and
each was armed with long range Winchester
rifles, and the cowboys friend, pair of six
shooters They had plenty of ammunition,
some jerked beef, and canteen of water.
Arkansaw Charley, though not more than %,
was the recognized leader when an Indian
fight was on hand; and when the Comanches
were discovered sweeping down upon them
from the direction OF skirt of timber Several
miles to the northwest, Arkansaw Charley,
after short parley with Curly Bill, put spurs
to his horse to secure possession OF piece of
high, open ground apparently about mile
away.
Alvely race now began-the cowboys to
gain good fighting ground of their own choice,
and the Comanches to cut them off. Arkansaw
Charley was riding splendid black stallion,
sure of foot and very fleet, and the rest of the
boys had to put their horses to full speed to
keep up with their dashing young leader,
whose long f1axen hair streamed out behind
him like the fan of an eagle. Not more than
one-third of the distance had been made when
one of their horses fell, tumbling the cowboy
in ditch and breaking one of his legs. In
stantly Charley and Curly Bill halted to
fight where they were, rather than to leave one
OF their comrades in the hands of the Co
manches; but seeing the disadvantage of the
position, they roped the horse, placed the Grip
pied cowboy upon his saddle and babe him fol-
low toward the ridge.
The delay had brought the Indians near
enough for showers of bullets and arrows to
fly at them, bnt happily over their heads.
The cowboys were all expert horsemen, and
were soon on a sweeping run, and luckily
gained the summit Of the ridge. Quickly
stalking the horses out of range, they took po-
sition fiat on the ground at the highest point
and awaited the approach of the Indians,
who had stopped about one thousand yards
away.
Presently, with terrific yell, the savages
charged Throwing themselves on the sides Of
their horses and sending showers of bullets
and arrows at the little band, but hitting wide
of the mark. The Americans held their fire
till the enemy were within two hundred yards,
when they sent volley after volley from their
Winchesters, and fifteen horses were seen
tumbling and charging in the throes of death.
For some time not an Indian seemed to have
hn1 I..A ~ -. n
range two OF them were shot down.
The Comanches collected in squads and
were gestculating at a frantic rate, then all
at once they started in run to gain the same
ridge which sloped to the north from the point
occupied by the cowboys. A new danger now
threatened, for as soon as the Indians reached
the low ridge the horses were brought within
range of the enemy. Arkansaw Charley had
them Immediately removed to secure place
on the opposite slope of the hill.
When the Indians discovered this, they
made another desperate charge. but were
again repulsed, four Indians and ten horses
I being killed. Over half the Indians were now
afoot, and council ensued, and resulted in
the Indians dividing their force so as to cover
the whites in charge from both west and
south, which would again bring their horses
in range. Curly Bill and three men at once
moved lower down, so as to cover the stock
with their rifles, while Charley and the rest of
the boys held the summit. On came the saw
on horseback, but again were they repulsed,
with the loss Of six horses and one Indian
wounded. A long poriey ensued, and presently
a dozen or more Comanches were seen going
over the hill With their horses, and half an
hour later tho same number we're seen APP
preaching afoot in very stealthy manner,
which was soon followed by like man9uvres
by the other two squads. This change If tao
tics on the part OF the Comanche chief greatly
Derplexed Charley and Curly Bill They are
now creeping up on us through the grass 70 lay
Cor every man who exposes himself TO their
sight" said Charley. Crawl into the ground
If You can, boys"
In this way the fight was kept up till thick
darkness covered the plains. Two of the COW
boys had been killed. both shot in the head.
The broken-legged boy, a lad of seventeen,
while, but, on changing bis position 10 case
his PAIN was shot dead by nusket ball.
Curly Bill circuit back TO the summit, send
ing three men 70 guard the horses. A council