The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-08
WILLIAMS FIGHT.
Miraculous Escape From a Band of
Indians.

Miraculous Escape From Band Of
Indians.
Unfortunately the Captain, faint with
hunger and fatigue, allowed his pru.
dence to be overcome by a tempting
display of salmon by the Indians on
shore, and prevailed upon all the party
except fou agree to land, asserting
that they were in DO danger, or they
would have been attacked long before.
Williams and Hedden strongly but un.
successfully opposed this movement
The canoes landed broadside upon the
shore, and were instantly surrounded
by large force OF Indians, who were
hideously painted in colors of every
hue, and armed with clubs, long
knives and bows and arrows. Almost
at the same instant there suddenly
darted into the river from the little
sloughs and bayous above and below a
score or more of canoes filled with
armed Indians; and yet the majority of
the party could not believe there was
any danger
Williams and Hedden again insisted
upon showing the canoes out into the
river and landing upon the opposite
shore, but without moments warning
all discussions were suddenly closed by
an irresistible charge made from every
side by the Indians, who numbered not
less than $50. Their plans were. so well
laid. and the attack was SO sudden. that
Ryan, Holland, Murphy and Pepper
were Immediately struck down with
clubs, while every other person in
the company except Williams was
quickly disarmed.
1t did not appear possible that any of
the party could escape. Williams rode
in the bow of the leading canoe. and
had the instant it reached shore jumped
out, where he was in position to use
every limb and muscle to advantage,
and thus avoided being overpowered at
the first onset Two powerful Indians
seized his gun, one by the muzzle and
one by the breech, while Williams main
tanned firm hold upon the middle.
There ensued desperate struggle for
the possession of the gun, which sud-
denly went off with the muzzle down.
ward, and the report giving the Indians
fright, Williams succeeded in wrench
ing it from them.
The position of Williams was now
critical in the extreme, and he found
himself surrounded on three sides by
large body of Indians. with the deep
river on the remaining side. After
gaining possession of his rifle he in
stautly dubbed the breech of it, and be-
gan fighting with all the strength he
possessed, striking to the right and
left, knocking Indians down at every
blow, and gradually clearing the way
before him until he stood upon the level
bank about twenty steps back from the
river. The Indians had given way be-
fore and closed in behind him as he adj
vanced, and after he had left the mar
gin of the river. where the fight began,
he was completely surrounded, and
formed the center of circle. with an
excited mass of bloodthirsty and armed
barbarians on every side.
Fortunately for Williams. the Indians
armed with bows and arrows were on
the outer rim of the circle. while those
forming the inner part were armed
with clubs and long knives. Encircled
by this living mass of savage humanity,
in order to keep from being instantly
crushed it was necessary 10 strike al
most simultaneously in every direction;
for as the whole force would fall back
from a descending blow in front, at
that moment was Williams in the great
est danger from the clubs, knives and
arrows of those in the rear. who the
next second had also to be beaten back.
A few blows shattered the stock of the
rifle. the fragments flying in all direc-
tions, leaving in Williams hands the
heavy iron barrel. about three feet in
length, thus giving him formidable
weapon with which fearful blows could
be dealt
During this struggle no one could
expect Williams to remain unframed.
His arms. body and shoulders were
badly bruised. and at last blow upon
the head knocked him to the ground,
where. if the Indians had closed upon
him, he could easily have been dis
patched. The blow neither stunned
him nor broke any bones, and instantly |
jumping to his feet Williams found the |
space in which he had been fighting so |
as to leave scarcely room |
in which to swing his weapon. Being |
nerved to desperation. he no doubt ac-
more than could have been |
done under state of less excitement,
and soon made room in which to
handle himself. and the fight went on
as before-the whole force whooping,
and yelling as Indians only |
can; when Williams with desperate
lunge succeeded for the first time in |
breaking the living wall. and. as it |
on the side opposite the
river. This was the first time since the
fight began that daylight had been
visible through the crowd, and as the
almost exhausted man looked through
the gap across the level prairie, and |