Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-12
BRAVE BUCKSKIN JOE.
A Few Incidents in the Lifo OF a
Noted Pioneer.
He Cowcd Five Hundred Indians Wh
Were Spelling Tor Fight by single
DIow-CooIncss Under Try
ing Circumstances.

ing Circumstances.
The probable opening of the great
Sioux reservation for settlement this
year has set the tongues OF the hardy |
old pioneers living hereabout to
wagging, and, as consequences, some
interesting and hitherto unwrittcn
gossip OF tho carly history of this
section is coming to light.
There are many noted char
acters living in Pierre, Celebrated
Indian chiefs occasionally come to this |
point Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, John
Grass, Little Crow, Bull q ost and
many other equally noted Indians are
well known here.
Colonel Reed is one OF the most
celebrated characters now living in
Dakota He had led most exciting
life For upwards OF thirty years he
was by turns a scout, ireighter, guide
and 'bull-whacker.n For several years
he was employed by Paxton. the mill
ionaire On aha man, who held the Gov
eminent contract for furnishing cattle
10 the Indians. Reed was Paxton's
trusted lieutenant on the border.
Whenever there was trouble among
the Indians at any agency, making 1t
hazardous undertaking to even drive
the cattle to them, though it was for
the redskins own subsistence. Colonel
Reed was the man picked out to COM
mand the expedition. He never made
an unsuccessful trip, though he and his
men had several hair breadth escapes
from being massacred.
Colonel Reed once gained signal
victory over Bull Ghost and his entire
tribe Bull Ghost had upwards OF five
hundred fighting braves under his
command, and Colonel Reed was
backed by one white man aud negro.
1t all came about in this way. John
Dillon, giant Hibernan, was en-
ployeq by the Government Ms the boss
farmer" for the Indians established
along Grand river twenty years ago.
The "boss farmer" is the representa-
tive OF the1 Indians ms well as OF the
Government in tho matter OF receiving
and furnishing rations TO the reds at
the different agencies. Dillon was a
notorious drunken bully. He made
life dreary waste for Paxton's men
every time the cattle were brought to
the Grand river section for slaughter.
He always made 1t a point to brow
beat the chief "bull-whacker" IL he
had TO knock him out Sullivan fashion
in order TO get the upper hand. He
had the Indians at his back, so that in
time he had every thing pretty much
his own way in that section. He
cheated his contractors in weights,
and in some instances stole their cattle
outright and the receipts went into
his own pocket. He was even more
successful in dcfrauding the ignorant
red men, Things finally came 10 such
q pass that Paxton could not get any
man to assume command Of his cattle
for the Grand river territory. Colonel
Reed had been in command OF other
expeditions, but was finally asked TO
take charge OF the Grand river train.
II don't want to change my terri
tory" he said TO Paxton, ''unless it is
absolutely necessary.
"Wcll. 1t is necessary" returned
Paxton. THAT man Dillon has got TO
be cleaned out, and you are the only
man I've got that is capable of doing
it.n
Colonel Reed reached the principal
point in the Grand river district about
three weeks later.
Dillon was drunk that day, and at
once opened up on Reed.
The latter. with two or three of his
men, had stepped into the Government
store at the agency. and they were
closely followed by Dillon.
Say, will ycz have drink" was
the first greeting received from the
Irish giant.
no thanks" was Reeds quiet re-
ply.
'Well, be jabbers. you'll drink wild
me or fight shouted the whisky
crazed brute.
Reed made no reply. Dillon glow
cred at him an instant and then reached
out his immense arms TO grasp Reed |
by the neck. Ills reach was short A
moment later he raised his head from
the bard floor in n semi-da2ed condi-