The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-29
A BRAVE RUN FOR LIFE.
How John Golfer Escaped a Ter
rible Death.
He Travels NaIted for Seven Days Pur-
sued by II ISIoody and ReIeut-
less Toe and at Last Reaches
a Place Of Safety.

Place Of Safety.
What Is known As Lewis and Clarke's
expedition to explore the Missouri
river took place in the year 1905. 1t
was manned by Captain Mcrriwcther
Clarke, three sergcants and seven sol
diers of the United States army, ac-
cOmpanied by twenty-siX other per-
sons, among whom were a number of
Freuchmen. Thair adventures and
discoveries are not of so much impor-
tance as the fact that John Golfer and
John Potts were members of the eXpe-
dition. These two men wore either
discharged from the command, or
after the expedition had returned to
its starting place, went back into the
Indian country on their own hook.
This point os we'll as the exact loca-
ton Of their adventures, aprzars 70 be
clouded, In doubt. although their en-
counfer Is fully authenticated. They
were trapping beaver near the con-
fuenee of the Madison river with the
Jefferson fork The Blackf-et Indians
were In that region and one Of them
had been killed by Lewis, Aware of
the bitterness of Indian hostility Col
ter and Potts set their traps at night,
drew them IN each morning and lay
concealed during the day. - l9'-'---
They were examining their traps
early one morning, in creek which
they were ascending in a canoe, when
they suddenly heard a great hc!=e,
resembling the trampling OF animals.
But they could not ascertain the fact,
as the high, perpendicular banks on
each side OF the river impeded their
view. Golfer Immediately pronounced
il to be occasioned by Indians, and
advised an instant retreat, but was
accused Of cowardice by Potts, who
insisted the noise was occasioned 10y
buffaloes, and they proceeded on. In
few minutes afterwards their doubts
were removed by the appearance of
about five or six hundred Indians on
both sides OF the creek, who beckoned
them TO come ashore. As retreat was
now impossible, Golfer turned the
head OF the canoe TO the shore. At
the moment Of its touching an Indian
seized the rifle belonging TO Potts.
But Golfer, who was q remarkably
strong man, i1pmediately retook it
and handed It TO Potts, who remained
in The canoe, and upon receiving it,
pushed of into tho river He had
scarcely quilted the shore when an
arrow was shot at him, and he cried
out: Golfer, / am wounded" Golfer
demonstrated with him on the folly OF
attempting to escape and urged him
to come ashore. Instead of comply
ing, he instantly leveled his rifle ut
an Indian, and shot him dead on the
spot. - -. =. - - T.. ,.,..gs---
This conduct, situated as he was,
may appear 70 have been an act OF
madness; but it was doubtless the ef-
feet of sudden but sound enough rea-
soning; for # taken alive he must have
expected 10 have been tortured 70
death, according 10 the Indian custom.
And in this re pcct the Indians OF this
region cxcelled all others in the inge-
nui'y they displayed in torturing their
prisoners =. -
BE was instantly pierced with ar
rows. 50 nuIne- Us that, to use tho
. language OF Golfer, he was made
.riddle Of"
They now seized Golfer, stripped
him entirely naked and began 10 con
suit OF tho manner IN which he shou.l
be put to death. They were .rst in
clined TO set him up as mark 10 shoot
at; but the chief interfercd. and. seiz-
ing him by the shoulder, asked him ii
he could run fast Golfer, who he'd
been some time among tho Kcc Katsa,
or Crow Indians, had. in q cCusidera-
bic degree, acquired the Blacllfoot
language, and was also well acquainted
with Indian customs. He knew thai
he had now to run tCr his life, with the
dreadful odds of five or six hundred
against him, and those armed Indians.
He therefore cunningly replied that he
was very bad unner, although, in
truth, he was considered by the hun
ters as remarkably swift.
Tho chief now commanded the party
10 remain stationary, and led Golfer
out to the prairie three or four hun
dred yards and released him 20 save
himself il he could. At that instant
the war-whoop sounded in the ears of
poor Golfer, who, urged with the
nope OF preserving lie, ran with
speed at which he himself was sur
priSed. He proceeded towards JesIor-
son Fork. having to traverse a plain
six miles IN breadth, abounding with
the Prickly pear, on which he every
instant was trcading with his naked
feet BE ran nearly half way across
the plain before he ventured 10 look
over his shoulder, when he perceived
that the Indians were very I4--ch sea-
tered and that he had gained ground
to considerable distance from the
main body; but one Indian, who
carried a spear, was much before ali
the rest, and not more than a hundred
yards from him .~~
- A faint CLEAN of hope now cheered
the heart OF Golfer He derived con
6dence from the belief that escape