The morning call., 1891-12-11
OVER A HUNDRED SCALPS.
Death of James Sanderson, Whose Re
Nence the Comnnches Dreaded

Death of James Sanderson, Whose Re-
veng. the Comanches Dreaded.
There has just died at Fort Sumner, n.
Mex, according to an Enquirer's special, q
man who for ten years waged most merci-
less war On the Comanche Indians. His ca
reer is over, but II WAS one of the most re-
markable ever known outside of n dime
novel. In 1862 James Sanderson and his
wife and one child were crossing the coun-
try near the Arizona line with Il wagon and
outfit. band of Comauches came down
upon them and killed the child and also the
woman, after submitting her to horrible in
dignltles. Sander son was tied to post and
compelled 10 witness the fearful scenes.
Alter this the Indians began series Of tor
lures, aud his life was only saved by the
timely arrival OF detachment of soldiers,
who drove off the Sayages, but not until
they had used fire to such an extent that the
mans face was scanned and SCARED in a hor-
Tible manner.
Sanderson said little about his terrible
affiiction, but returned to the fort with the
soldiers AMI remained there until he re-
covered his health. Then he took solemn
oath to be revenged in manner til at would
make his name Il terror to the Indians
BE supplied himself with a rifle, evolver
and ammunition aud left the fort. 1t was
month before he was beard Of and the affair
had almost passed from the minds of the
officers and men when one day Sanderson
walked In and threw down a bundle con-
tanning Twenty-Five sealps. He had fol-
lowed the Indians and hung on their trail,
killing every one that left the camp until
his presence became verilaDle rror 10
the band. lie made no distinction between
men, women and children, but killed any
that he could get near to. He seemed en-
lowed with charmed life, for the Indians
could not get near enough to him 10 do him
harm. and he became known as the White
Spirit" The Indians were frightened. and
those who were left made haste back to the
home OF the tribe, carrying with them the
terrible tale of the Nemesis On their track.
SaDderson followed them to the mountains
and went where white man had never been
before.
Before his presence became known in the
neighborhoOd he had killed boy, a sauaw
and two warriors. Every time a baud was
sent out alter him they would be sure TO
return after losing several members, and
the Indians became afraid to 20 about the
country alone. Within year he had thirty
nine scalps, and said he had killed twelve
others whose scaps he was unable to get.
AT the end of that year he raised the num-
Der to seventy-nine scalps, and said he
would not return to the fort until he had
100. In July, 1864, O cloudburst occurred
above the village OF band of Comanches
and the people fed into narrow gorge for
safety. The water came so suddenly that
they were compelled TO fly with what they
could gather and run for their lives. Sard-
erson cams upon them as they were hud-
died in the gorge aud began firing at them
from above and rolling stones down upon
them. He killed twelve and wounded a
great number before they could get away
BY July, 1865, he had over 100 scalps and
had killed at least 40 Indians and seventy
ponies. He had no idea of abandoning his
quest for revenge, but was more determined
than ever to wipe out the whole tribe. After
the close of the War OF the Rebellion, when
the Government turned Its attention to the
Indians, treaty was made with the Conan
ches, and it was stipulated by the Indians
that Sanderson be called away from the
country. He heard of it, and for many
months kept out of the way of the soldiers
and continued his work of destruction, but
at last was found and told that he must
give up tie work. He complied, but with
great reluctance, and took advantage OF
every Indian outbreak since then to 20 out
10 kill the savages.