Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-11-29
A FROM TIER HERO.
THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF
BOONE MAY.
He Clears the Black Hills of Stage
Robbers-An Extraordinary
Battle With $50 Indians
His Career in Chill.

Boone May, remarkable Western
character. May went to the Black Hills
from Missouri, and was employed to
guard the coaches which ran between
Deadwood and Cheyenne, and which
were frequently robbed by road agents.
May became terror to the road agents,
and to him more than to any other man
is due the credit of clearing the country
of stage robbers. This remarkable man
remained in the service of the stage COM
pany until 1880. In that year the we'll
known Homestage Company got involved
in dispute concerning mining property.
They required the services of a man of
undoubted GOODNESS and courage to pro-
tect it, They bid high for Boone and
secured him. His reputation was enough.
Nobody cared to disturb anything that
he was guarding.
That winter Boone May went hunting
and trapping with a party in the Moro
country. 1t was along the Little
Missouri River, on the border of the
Sioux Indian reservation. The party in
cluded John Jackson, Tom Porter, Fred
Richards and A. NJ. Richards. They
trapped for several weeks without much
luck. One morning Boone proposed
that they move their traps to the Indian
reservation, where beaver and other game
were in abundance. The whole party
protested. They reminded Boone that
the law punished trespassing on such
reservations, and warned him of the con-
sequences if he carried out his attempt.
Boone was persistent. He threatened to
go into the reservation alone if none
would go with him. After demurring
strongly, three of the party agreed to
accompany him. A. NJ. Richards went
back to Deadwood, predicting untoward
results. The prediction was verified.
What happened would have electrified
the nation if the news had reached the
world. 1t parallels the achievement of
Napoleon at Lodi and of Leonidas at
Thermopyle.
The trappers entered the Indian coun-
try and got lots of furs. They were
there month when the savages discov-
cred them. 1t was bright sunny day
in spring. They were camped upon a
branch OF either the Moro or the Little
Missouri probably the latter. Their
horses were picketed near by, and feed
ing upon the high grass bordering the
stream. 1t was about midday, and the
trappers were cooking dinner
The camp was near the foot of con-
ical hill. 1t was aroused by an eXclama-
ton from Boone May. He was looking
10 the northwest At least $50 mounted
Sioux had broken from behind the hill, a
quarter of mile away. They were com
ing for the camp like the wind, with a
full front. Boones companions were
paralyzed. He stood by the camp fire
rifle in hand, advising them what to do.
They first rushed for their guns and
horses Three of the steeds were tethered
on the bank, and one was below it.
Boone remained at the camp fire, facing
the Indians, with the river in his rear.
Two of his comrades secured shelter un-
der the bank of the stream, where they
awaited the outset. The third was lead
ing his horse under cover, when the
They swept upon them as the Mameluke'
swept upon the French at the Pyramids
As they aeared the trappers their line
broke into single column, and whirle6
past the face of the camp like tor
nado. Each savage threw himself owe
the side of his horse, and emptied hi
gun as he dashe5 by They killed FREQ
Richards's horse as he was trying to leat
him to the shelter of the bank. Fred wa
pulling at the bride, unaware of the fat
of the animal, when Boone shouted
"Your horse is dead. Use him as
breastwork."
Richards did so. Boone May how
ever, remained at the camp fire like
statue He took the fire of the Siou
without tiinching. He emptied his Win
chester at the human whirlwind, and wa
hurriedly seconded by the two men unde
the bank Fred Richards had hardl
opened fire when the Indians disappeare
around the point of the hill on the right
The trappers hurriedly reloaded thei
guns, and Boone showed new cartridge
into his six-shooters. In five minutes th
Sioux again broke from behind the hi
on the left, and made new and MOI
f1rio,,S nhnr,ra Thnir ,unr ,uhnAn w.