Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-04-18
CHARLES BLEWErT.
4 "Reminiscences Of the Nee Perce va,

u "reminiscences OF the Nex FerCo " ar
Strolipg through the "Silent City of
the Dead" the other day, / Glanced to
notice name upon tombstone which
It once brought to mind the horrors Of
and Indian outbreak.
Early in the summer Of 1877 the
terrible news was brought to Walla
Walla that portion of the Nee Perez
Indian tribe, under Chiefs Joseph and
White Bird, were on the war path and
that q number Of settlers had beeu
killed and their dwellings burned. The
scene Of bloodshcd and Indian deviltry
was in Idaho Territory, between Lewis
ton and Mt. Idaho, Oh Camas Prairie.
No sooner had the news arrived 10
Walla Walla, than company Of volun.
teers was organized under the command
Of Capt. Tom p. Page, which was soon
on its way to the scene of strife. Among
the msny who volunteered to do and
dare was Charlie Blewett, a mere boy,
still 10 his teens, who was among the
first to offer his services. Capt. Page
hardly knew whether to accept the boys
services or not, but after considerable
questioning, and being convinced that he
was bravery personfed, concluded tina,
Charlie should 60. Our citizens all
knew Charlie Blowett as a Wild, reckless
leader among his youthful companions,
and they also knew that when he volun.
tecred to fight Indians, If any scalps
were taken that be would yet his share.
Not long after reaching the scene Of war.
fare, Charlie was attached to the regular
U. s. troops in the capacity Of scout.
10 which position he did excellent scrv ice,
and vas highly complimeuted by both
oi6csrs and men. On the day Of his
death be was detailed, in company with
another scout named Foster, to find out
the whereabouts Of the Indians. The
two scouts proceeded on their way, care.
fully scanning every place Of vantage
which might be the hiding place Of the
telskins. At last their long search WIS
rewarded BY seeing the Indians in large
numbers camped in valley below them.
After the two scouts had gained all the
knowledge possible 10 regard to the
IndiaDs, their position and number,
Foster counscled return to the troops
before their presence was known to the
enemy but Charlie deemed the chance
10 send an Indian to the ''happy hunt
ing ground" to good to be lost, so he
determined to have one shot at least
Dismounting from bis horse and resting
his rife across tho saddle he sent bullet
into the camp. At the crack Of the rife,
Charles horse broke away from, and
the utmost efforts Of himself and Foster
failed to recover tho frightened animal
In the meantime the Indians had dis
covered from where the shot bad come,
and also the presence Of the two men,
and at once charged upon the spot.
Charlie, seeing the predlciment they
were placed in BY his foolhardy act, ia,.
plored Foster to save himself and report
to the troops. while be would endeavor
TO elrd. the red devils by hiding in the
brush until tie return Of Foster with the
command. Foster reached the troo,e 10
safety, told his story, and a detachment
Of men under Lieut.. Rains, the idol of
the FIRST Cavalry, were Immediately cent
out to rescue Blewett from his perilous
position. The rescuing party, under the |
guidance Of Foster, proceeded With all |
haste to save the life Of Charlie, but fell |
into an ambush prepared for them by |
tho Indians, who had moved up from |
where first seen 10 the place of ambush,
and not one Of the gallant party escaped
alive. A few weeks after the dead body |
Of poor Charlie was found 10 the bushes |
where he had hidden to escape to fury |
Of the savages. 1t has been learned |
since, from friendly (?) Indians, that
the redskins finding that the scout was
a mere boy, neither shot nor cut him,
but stoned him to death. Thus died |
poor Charlie Blcwctt, while his red
murderers, who were rot killed 10 battle,
are now the pets Of the government,
living in clover on the Colville reserva |
tior. Shortly after peace was restored,
Capt. Page proceeded to where Charlie
was inferred, and brought bis remains to
Walla Walla, and be now sleeps in the
cemetery, the grassy mound bringing
torcibly to mind the beauties OF our
l.