St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-10-19
BRAVE BUCKSKIN JOE.
A Few Incidents In tho Life Of q
Noted Pioneer.
He Cowed Five Hundred Indians who
Were Spelling tor . Fight BY . single
BlOw-CoOiness Under Try.
ing ClrcumstAnces

Sioux reservation for settlement this
year has set the tongues OF the hardy
old pioneers living hereabout to
wagging, and. as consequence. some
interesting and hitherto unwritten
gossip of the early history of this
section is coming to light.
There are many noted char
actcrs living in Pierre. Celebrated
Indian chiefs occasionally come to this
point Sitting Bull. Red Cloud. John
Grass, Little Crow. Bull Ghost 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 a most exciting
life. For upwards OF thirty years he
was BY turns a scout, freighter. guide
and "bull-whacker." For several years
he was employed by Paxton. the mill
ionaire On aha man, who held the Gov
ernment contract for furnishing cattle
to the Indians. Reed was Paxton's
trusted lieutenant on the border.
Whenever there was trouble among
the Indians at any agency, making it a
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 a 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 and negro.
1t all came about in this way. John
Dillon. a giant Hibernian. was en-
ployeq by the Government as the "boss
farmer for the Indians established
along Grand river twenty years ago.
The '.boss farmer" is the representa-
tive Of the Indians as well as of the
Government in the matter of receiving
and furnishing rations to the reds at
the different agencies Dillon was q
notorious drunken bully. He made
life a dreary waste for Paxton's men
every time the cattle were brought to
the Grand river section for slaughter.
He always made it point to brow
beat the chief 'bull-whacker" If he
had to knock him out Sullivan fashion
in order to get the upper hand. He
had the Indians at his b ack. 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 defrauding the ignorant
red men. Things finally came to such
a 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. |
Il don't want to change my terri |
tory" he said to Paxton. '.unless it is
necessary"
We'll it 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."
Colonel Reed reached the principal |
point in the q rand 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. win yez have a drink" was
the first greeting received from the |
Irish giant
mo. thanks" was Reeds quiet re-
ply.
well. bc jabbers. you'll drink wild
ne or fight" shouted the whisky
crazed brute. "a.
Reed made no reply. Dillon glow
cred at him an instant and then reached
out his immense arms TO ~graep Reed
by the neck. His reach Was short A
moment later he faised his head from
the hard floor in q semi-dazed condi- |
lion. Reeds immense fist had put
him to Sleep. The blow landed
between the big bully's eyes
Dillon sprang to hhs feee ana attempt
I'd to pull lis revolver. Reeds sledge-l
hammer fit 2tput AGAIN and tac
[rishman took q long nap When hs !