The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-08-29
4 HAUNTED CONSCIENCE.


The Terrible Sensation That Follows the
Taking of Human Life.
'sIt is a dreadful thing that human
life must be sacrificed" said Major G. o.
Bates in the rotunda of the Lincoln hotel
the other evening. There was an omi-
nous look between him and Colonel Bob
McReynolds as the latter spoke. Some
how it Nad Just leaked out that there
was some unwritten history as to the
Nebraska militia upon the frontier. A
word or two of kindly coincidence elected
the following from Colonel McReynolds.
who has kept very silent heretofore.
eft was very nearly 8 o'clock when
Major Bates and myself left Pine Ridge
agency. All day Indians had been
swarming about the agency like so many
bees around a hive. Each one was
armed with Winchester, and had on
his person no less than 100 pounds of
ammunition. The widest excitement
had prevailed all day, so that when we
left the agency at that late hour en- route
to Rushville you can believe we were on
the alert.
"From Pine Ridge the road led over a
plain for nearly five miles. Then began
the range of mountains known as Pine
Ridge. The major and had spurred
our horses for couple of miles out of
the agency, then drew up into a walk.
We were following circuitous road that
led over these Pine Ridge mountains,
when suddenly from behind the rocks
ahead there confronted us two Brule
Sioux, with Winchesters ready for ac-
ton. Major Bates instantly uttered an
alarm. This caused one of the enemy
to skulk behind the other, both with
Winchesters leveled upon us.
"I was fairly panicstricken myself, and
scarcely knew what was doing, but
Major Bates, with his cool medicines,
drew his Winchester to his shoulder and
fired. The report echoed up and down
the valley, and when the smoke cleared
away, there were two forms motionless
upon the brow of the little hill ahead.
My horse, frightened at the report of the
gun, was struggling in frightful man
ner, and it was all I could do to restrain
him. Finally, when got him quieted,
l rode to Major Bates side. He was
pale as sheet of paper, yet firm and
composed as a soldier should be. His
| first remark was sOh, God. this is aw-
! fulr
"The single shot from his Winchester
had killed them both. They fell upon
their faces, their hands tightly clenched
about the weapons they bore. We looked
| for others, but none were in sight. Then
l rode within a few feet of the bodies
and picked up a war club. Their blan-
kets and ghost shirts were swarming with
vermin or i would have taken them
along. The major divested one of the
dead Indians of his war bonnet, placed
his scalping knife in his belt and re
mounted.
Gas if by some strange fascination
fingered ON the spot for few moments.
Those bronze forms, motionless, lay with
face to the earth. Human life had per
ished there. The cold, snow covered
hills, resplendent with their wintry
beauty, brought naught but chill to the
soul. Two forms, clad in their red
blankets, lay silent in death. They
meant harm to us who would not have
harmed them. The winters sun was
fading beyond the chill blue hills.
81 rode from the spot and joined the
major on the crest of hill. His voice
was husky in tone when he said, Let Us
get away from here The road led ovel
a mountainous country for the next
seven miles, then we came to the out
posts of the Nebraska militia at Jar
chow's ranch, where, after admission
within the picket lines, we met General
L. w. Colby, Colonel ]. P. Bratt, of the
First regiment, and Colonel j. G. Bills
of the Second. Major Bates here, true
to his soldierly qualities, told of the fate
of the two Brules. General Colby's face
wore vexed look when the affair wa:
recounted. He seemed to think we
should have waited until we We're fired
upon. Observing this, the major an
swered, i have done so. and this is my
explanation.
81 wish the affair was effaced from
memory" continued Colonel McRey
nolds. 1.-The picture of those Indians
lying there so still, the snow covered
hills and silence of the hour, will long
dwell in my memory, and know tha'
with all justifable action of Major
Bates, it must forever remain to him {
, nightmare which can never be forgot
ten. Chicago News.
The Parrots Laugh
Some years ago / possessed a parro