Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-08-17
Fighting FOR LIFE.

balu zen. BrieDind 10 reporter,
frequently saw on the streets OF
Miles City a mother and daughter
who had an interesting history, and
were the heroines of one of the har-
dest fought Indian battles that ever
took place in the west. Mrs. Max
we'll and her daughter, May, were
modest appearing and quiet. Mr..
Maxwell, with his wife aud daugh-
ter and four men-Bouten, George
Darland, Jester Pruden, and anoth-
er whose name l cannot now recall
had 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, land just as they we're approach
ing OFallon creek, Mrs. Maxwell
discovered two objects ahead, which,
with the and 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
disappeared, Mr.. Maxwell knew but
too we'll there was trouble in store
for him and his party. He halted
at once and turned back the wag-
ons, which had already crossed the
O'Fallon. He then rode forward
and soon discovered a village OF
forty lodges of hostile Indians. A
retreat for the hills at once began,
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.. Max
we'll went to some timber, and, Sc
lecting high point OF ground, went
into camp. Ii was a strong posi-
ton, with a ravine running around
three sides OF the camp. Darkness
soon came on, and Maxwell, know
ing the Indians seldom attack in tue
night, spent the entire time in for
tifying 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,
bnt Mr.. Maxwell laid in as good a
supply OF water as possible, and
watered all his stock before day
light appeared. About 4 o'clock in
the morning the little party ceased
from their labors, cleaned and load
ed their guns, and waited for the
battle 70 begin. The Indians were
very deliberate, and although they
could be seen, it was far after 9
o'clock before any of them showed
up near the fort. Then they began
firing at long range, and kept 1t up
at intervals during the entire day,
but with little damage to the be-
sieged. 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 watered. 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 cat
tie 90 and told his men to get to
the fort. No further attempt was
made to disturb the besieged, and
another night was spentin strength
ening the little fort. The men work
ed hard, and about midnight hav'
ing made the works as strong as
possible, and beng tired out, they
lay down to get a little rest, Mr..
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 rifle 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 they would come
out and attempt to drive them in.
But the white men lay close, and
all the efforts at getting them out
failed. Soon after midnight one
of the men cFept out of the fort and
passed the Indian videtts safely.
He was instructed by Mr.. Max
we'll 10 90 to Fort KeOgh with all
haste aud make known to the CON-
handing officer the desperate stu
alton of the little party and ask
for help. The little garrison was
now reduced to FIVE fighting men,
Mrs. Maxwell and her daughter
Nav. Shortly before daylight the
women heard the Indians coming
up the ravine and aroused the men.
The moon was shining brightly
and the Indians were all mounted
aud could be plainly seen. Dis
mounting from their ponies they
began crawling up toward the fort.
Maxwell told his men to lay close
aud bold their fire until be gave
the word, and then load and fire as
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 we're
now within fifty yards, and Max
well, fearing charge if he delayed
longer, called ont: "Let tn EN-