Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07
WILLIAMS'S FIGHT.
A Thrilling Story of Oregon Exploration.
nvarIapd Monthly

WILLIAMS'S FIGHT.
A Thrilling Story of Oregon Exploration.
Overland Monthly.
Unfortunately, the aptain, faint with
hunger and fatigue, allowed his prudence
to be overcome by attempting display of
salmon by the Indians on shore, and pre-
vailed upon all the party except four to
agree to land, asserting that they were in
DO danger, or they would nave been at
tackled long before. Williams and Hedden
strongly but unsuccessfuIly opposed thls
movement.
The canoes landed broadside upon the
shore, and were instantly surrounded by
by large force of Indians, who were
hideously painted in colers of every hue,
and armed with clubs, long knives, and
bows and arrows. Almost at the same
instant there suddenly darsed into the
river from the little sloughs and bayous
above and below a score or more of
canoes filled with armed Indians; and yet
the ajority of the party could not be-
Iieve there was any danger.
Williams md Hedden again insisted
upon showing the canoes out into the
river and landing upon the opposite
shore; but without moments warning
all discussions were suddenly closed by
an irresistible charge made from every
side by the Indians, who numbered not
less than $50. Mheir plans were 80 well
laid, and the attack was SO sudden, that
Ryan, Holland, Murphy and Pepper were
Immediately struck down with clubs,
while every other person in the company,
except Williams was quickly disarmed.
It did not appear possible that any one
of the party could escape. Williams rode
Al L. So Inn ho6
the instant it reached the shore stepped
out, where he was in a position to use
every limb and muscle to advantage, and
thus avoided being overpowered at the
first onset. Two powerful Indians seized
his gun, one by the muzzle and
one by the breech, while Williams main
tanned irm hold upon the middle.
There ensued a desperate struggle for
the possession of the gun, which sudden
ly went off with the muZZle downward,
and the report giving the Indians fright
Williams succeeded in wrenohing it from
them.
The position of Williams was now
critical in the extreme, and he found
himself surrounded on three sides by a
large body of Indians, with the deep
river on the remaining side. After
gaining possession of his rifle he instantly
dubbed the breech of it and began fight
ing with all the strength he possessed,
striking to the right and left, knocking
Indians down at every blow, and gradually
clearing his way before him until he stood
upon the level bank about twenty steps
back from the river. The Indians had
given way before and closed in behind
him as he advanced, and after he had left
the margin of the river, where the fight
had began, he WAS completely surrounded,
and formed the center of q circle, with an
excited mass of bloodthirsty and armed
barbaIians on every side.
Fortunately for Williams, the Indians
armed with bows and arrows were on the
outer rim of the circle, while those
forming the inner part were armed with
clubs and long knives. Enoircled by this
living mass of savage humanity, in order
to keep from being instantly crushed it
was necessary to strike almost simultane-
ously in every direction, for as the whole
force would fall back from descending
blow in front, at that moment wasWilliams
In the greatest danger from the clubs,
knives and arrows of those in the rear,
who the Dext second had also to be beaten
back. A few blows shattered the stock of
the rifle, the fragments flying in all
directions, leaving in Williams's hands the
heavy iron barrel, about three feet in
length; thus giving him formidable
weapon with which fearful blows could be
dealt.
During this struggle no one could
expect Williams to remain unframed.
His body, arms and shoulders we're badly
bruised, and at last q blow upon the head
Knocked him to the ground, where, if the
Indians had closed upon him, he could
w. axy hoe 10
neither stunned him nor broke any bones,
and instantly jumping to his feet
Williams found the space in which he had
been fighting so contracted as scarcely to
leave room in which to swing his weapon.
Being nerved to desperation, he no doubt
accomplished more than could have been
done under state of less excitem ent, and
soon made room In which to handle
himself, and the fight went on as before,
the whole force whooping, bowling and
yelling as Indians only can; when
Williams, with 6 desperate lunge, sue
ceeded for the first time i'll breaking the
living wall, aud, as it happened, on the
side opposite the river. This was the first
time since the fight began that daylight
had been visible through the crowd; and
as the almost exhausted man looked
through the gap across the level prairie,
and saw at its edge the thick green tim
Der, q faint flash of hope for the first time
passed over him. He rushed through the
opening thus made, and as he ran he
looked back over his left shoulder, specu-
iating in his terribly agitated and con-
fused mind as TO what the result of this |
new movement would be, when he was |
struck between the lower ribs and eft hip |
by an arrow, which penetrated the abdo- +!
men and passed about two-thirds of the |
way through his body.
Animals running at full speed are |
sometimes struck In such manner as to |
cause them to stop suddenly, and this |
arrow had the same effect on Williams. |
Finding it impossible TO move, he ierked |
it out, drawing off the barb and also the |
point of the main shaft TO which the |
barbed point was attached. No pain was |
experienced when the arrow entered, but |
the suddepness with which the barbed !
point was drawn off inside the body was,
to say the least, painful operation, and !
1T seemed for moment that he must give |
way before If; but, sIngularly, the excite |
ment overcame the pain, and in q no
ment he had IS good command of himself ,
as ever,
The fight now assumed an altogether
different character, and most of the In
dams fell back toward the river to plum
der or mutilate the dead, or to assist in |
torturing any poor fellow whose life had /
not quite passed away, and TO look after
the dead and wounded of their own.
About fifteen or twenty, armed with