Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-06-05
AN INDIAN FIEND.
CRUEL DEEDS PERPETRArED
By CHIEF FLowTOW.
A Big and Crafty Rcdskin who De
lighted in Barbarous Deeds-Cap-
tured and Killed Against Orders.

iio"eoW, DdHHdck OutCdSt, VINO leo
renegade band of Arapahoes, was cas-.
lily the worst Indian ia all the mountain
country in 1869. The marauders made
annual trips from Wind river. in Wyo.
ming, to White river in Colorado, and
always left frightful trail Theytmur.
dered, plundered and burned, carryfr.
on the work of devastation with appalling
thoroughness. Emboldened by the sue.
cess OF series of raids, the band es-
sayed to attack the town of Rawlins.
but they were driven off and left two
dead braves as bodily evidence of the
craftsmanship of courageous citizens
who had quickly responded to the
alarm.
Flowtow and his gang had become a
standing and awful menace to the settle
ment OF central Wyoming, and it was
quite generally agreed that determination
OF the cruel old fox and his followers was
the only recourse of the whites, whose
existence was one of alarming uncer-
tainty. The mob travelled rapidly and
under cover.
A cheerful bit Of barbarism little known
to the world was practiced when Flow
tow and his men happened upon flock
Of sheep. The tenders were shot down
as they ran, and the dogs knocked in the
head and laid aside for feast. Then
the braves, each carrying big knife with
sharp point and keen blade, fell upon the
trembling, bleating sheep. They would
grasp an animal by one hind leg and run
the knife through the member Just below
the joint. The other hoof would be in
serted in the slit and there was the hum
orous paradox of three-legged sheep
with all four legs in sight. The poor
brutes would die in great agony in about
sevcnty-two hours. 1t was simply i'm
possible to extricate the uncut hind leg.
This ingenious cruelty was somewhat
varied by cutting a hole in ono ear and
thrusting foreleg into it, destroying
the ability to travel unless the ear tore,
which happened too often to please the
redskins. In half day these Indians
would destroy band of 5000 sheep.
They considered this work great lark.
This Flotow, who name has never been
interpreted, was the biggest, checklist,
shrewdest and most repulsive looking
Indian l ever set eyes upon, writes cor
respondent of the Chicago Herald. He
was more than six feet tall, broad
shouldered, thick necked, and well
muscled, with deep chest. In battle
with Indians he was reputed the equal of
five combatants. No white man ever
lived who could handle him. Added to
his unsurpassed strength was incredible
agility and perfect knowledge of all
styles of warfare. His craftiness kept
his own men on their guard. They jul
diciously kept from the tyrant's path
when he was angry. He well understood
English, but would converse only in his
own tongue, and never did he support
any of the remarkable toggery issued his
people by the government, excepting
not even the blankets, for these he ex-
acted from the Navajos. The wretch
would come boldly into settlements to
trade, with blood still on his hands, and
was the cleverest of swappers.
So soon as possible after Flowtow's de-
scent on Rawlins party of men sworn
to kill him started on the trail of the
band. They were followed by detach-
ment of cavalry from Fort Steele. Lieu
tenant French, as brave body as ever
wore uniform, assumed command of
the entire party when the civilians were
overtaken.
In just week land it was an exciting
season. the pursuing party landed on
Flowtow's camp at evening The reds
were in wild and isolated mountain
ravine and had neglected to place sentries
Though surprised, the Indians made
gallant fight. The opposing forces num-
bered about the same, but the chargers
had the advantage, and then they were
simply determined to win. They fired by
volley and received no response after the
second round.
A dozen dead and dying Indians lay
within fifty yards of their camp fire, and
great was the delight of the citizens and
soldiers to find Flowchow just recovering
from the shock caused by a bullet grazing
his side. In ten minutes he was all right
physically, but his mental distress was
deep. His chagrin threw him into silent
rage. He only glared at his captors and
held his tongue.
Flowtow was made prisoner of war.
He was allowed to ride his own beau
tiful pony, and had an escort of four
men.
At night, after the first days homcward
march, the captive chief was given place
and blanket beside the campfire with
guard of six citizens and an equal num-
Der of.regulars. Lieutenant French made
the squad quite speech. He said that
twas beneath the dignity of an American
soldier to maltreat captive foe, and
that abuse of Flowtow would probably
result in his reduction to the ranks or
complete dismissal, but to allow the pris-
oner to escape was an ineffaceable blot on
the honor of the army. II charge you,n
said the officer, ''to treat the big Injun
with all the consideration due to pris.
oner of war, but if he makes move
shoot him down without hesitation.
You may kill him, but let there be no
escape.n
& 1t was pretty well understood among
the men that they were to put Flowtow
out of the way before daylight.
About II o'clock the camp was very
quiet. A veteran who had been with
Grant in the Wilderness and who had
fought Indians on the Platte, jabbed his
bayonct into the fire and let it come to a
white heat. Flowtow was sitting with
his head between his knees and doing
The soldier fished his bayonet out of the
embers with couple Of twius and very