Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-27
Narrative of the Government Scout
Who Fell Into Disrepute Among
the Indians.
A Story of Indian Warfare in Which
the Cunning of the Savage is
Displayed.
Thrilling Tale of a Chase and Ulti.
mate Escape-LO's Desire for
Revenge.

gIerS were rlQlng about the country, steal
ing and numbering whenever opportunity
offered, and one day in October, while re-
turning to the fort from long ride to the
north after some missing horses, en-
countered one Of these predatory bands.
1t numbered twelve men, and a son of the
Cheyenne chief known as Pawnee Killer,
was in command. While war had not
been declared, and while the Indians did
not hesitate to appear at the forts and
trading posts, some one was being butch
cred every day. | had been on the watch
for providers, and was as we'll prepared as
a lone man could be. | had Winchester
and two revolvers, and the only drawback
was that | had found two of the horses
and had them with me- As they would
not drive, had roped them together and
then made them fast to my saddle.
| was sBirting long, narrow ridge,
badly broken by outcroppings of rocks,
and the time was o clock in the afternoon.
All of sudden | caught sight of Indians
about half a mile away coming up the same
side of the ridge. Indeed, | heard them
yelling before | saw them, and | turned
sharp to the left and forced the horses up
the ridge among mass of boulders and
Outcropping. The redskins caught sight
of HE as | went up, but did not immedi-
ately approach. | could see tnat they were
confused, and dozen or more shots we're
, fired, and | was pulling over the matter
when | heard some one Gathering over the
stony ground, and next moment a white
man jumped down beside me and ex-
| claimed
Stranger, for Ged's sake stand EN- off
until can get my wind. They are Chey-
ennes, and have killed my brother!"
Three young bucks on foot, had been In
chase of the fugitive and they were with
IN 200 feet of me as rose up. The leveled
| rifle brought them to a sudden halt, and
after gazing at me for moment they turn
| ed and descended tie ridge to join the rest
of the band. My visitor lay down, and it
was five minutes before he could get breath
| to explain.
1--WE We're out looking for cattle which
! stampeded from our emlgrant camp on the
Saline Fork. This was yesterday, and
about mile below here they had gone into
| camp and built fire 10 torture me- when
| made break. Give me your revolver,
! for they IL be sure to charge US.
| gave him one Of the weapons, and soon
after an Indian appeared on the foot of the
ridge, made signs of peace, and asked for
a talk. Those on the level below me drew
|
they meant fair, and left my shelter and
advanced a few PAGES to ask the errand of
the young warrior. While was thus en-
gagged the man behind me was rolling
the loose rocks together to strengthen the
position.
The redskin said he came to demand a
prisoner. They had no quarrel with me,
but the prisoner had shot one of their num-
Der In cold blood and must die. They only
asked for justice. | had their word that
| might ride away in safety, but the pris-
Oner they would have at any sacrifice. [
did not wait an instant before replying
that the man would not be given up, and
that was ready for any move on their
part to take him The buck had left his
rife behind him and was also apparently
unarmed AS matter Of fact each Of US
had a revolver. We were about half pis-
tol shot apart and as gave him my ulti-
matum he half turned, whipped out re-
volver, and fired bullet which passed
within half an inch of my head. Then he
uttered a yell and started to run, but he
was too late. Ny bullet struck him under
the right arm and went clear through
him, and he fell and curIed up by boulder
to die.
The situation was understood by the In
dams below me almost instantly and the
entire crowd dlsmounted and charged up
the ridge. 1t was a very foolish move on
their part, and proved the excitab1lity of
young bucks. We had them dead upon
our fire, and we killed three of them with
Killers son with my revolver as he
urged his hesitating band to push up
the ridge, and when he went down
thought | had killed him. With his fall
the f. hting ceased. The survivors made
rush for their horses and then disappear
ed to the east. leaving the four dead ones
where they fell. | was puzzled at their
conduct, and at first regarded it as ruse,
but when | came to stand up and look
around | saw party of thirteen white
I men-hunters, frappers, stockmen and adj
Notwithstanding ur from the north on
their way to the fort.
The name of the young man who so clev-
erly escaped was Austin Brice, and for the
next year he was in government employ
at the fort. He had not shot an Indian as
stated by the fag-of-truce bearer; but the
murder of his brother was entirely uDpro-
voked and cold-b looded, and the Indians
meant to torture him to death.
The bullet which struck the young chief
did not kill him, as at first supposed. 1t
struck him alongside the nose. ran down
to the corner of his mouth, followed the
line of the lips down in the left-hand
corner, and passed over the chin. The re-
suit was to give hin most horrible-look-
ing mouth. making him an object of ridi-
cule and contempt; and he not only swore
to have my life, but Pawnee Killer pro-
claimed the fact that he would give FIVE
ponies and a revolver to any one who
would bring him my scalp Therefore,
while actual hostilities had not yet begun.
there was price set upon my head, and
was in more personal danger tnan if the
redskins were on the warpath.
The first attempt was made about two
weeks after the fight on the ridge. A
Sioux Indian, who claimed to have been
outlawed from his tribe because he favor
ed peace with the whites, came to Fort
Hays, ostensibly for protection. He had
no weapons, seemed to be honest and
, straig htforward. and all the men had a
good word for him. On the third day he
cane to me and asked my assistance to re-
cover his rife. blanket, lot of powder
; and lead, and various other articles which
he said he had cached at a spot about
twelve miles down the Smoky Hill Fork in
a grove. When he described the spot 1
remembered very well, and next morning,
,, having permission of the commandment. we
I set out. | was on horseback, and the
Indian afoot. | had my usual weapons,
while he had an army musket. He gave
his name as Little Smoke, and WAS a
typical warrior in build and demeanor
Before we left the fort an old hunter call