The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-15
BRAVE HENRY T. GBERY.
Shooting Himself to Save Els Comrades
Lives.

life? Ask that question of the few brave
men who are left OF the little band that went
out upon the tragic Yellowstone expedition
of 1868, and then ask them if blood was ever
more uobly shed than when Henry I. Geery
placed his pistol to his temple and sent his
own soul into eternity, that he might buy a
chance of safety for his comrades and
friends.
1t was scene that no man can fittingy
describe, that no man who witnessed 1t can
ever forget. Fifteen brave and well-armed
men had started out FROM Bannack City in
the early days OF April 10 search for gold,
and near the middle Of May. with their num-
beers sadly reduced by death from the arrows
and bullets of Indian foes, they had only
one thought-to fight their way back to
civilization or die as befitted tie high code
Of chiValry recognized by the pioneers of the
West. They mig ht have made dash for 1t
and cut their way out by very boldness, but
to have done that would have been TO aban-
don Henry Bell, Who was fearfully wounded,
but for whom there yet remained hope.
So be was placed upon horse and the little
eavalcade moved upon its fOrloTn way. The
Indians were all around them, waiting for a
chance 10 rush in and give the finish ing
blow with the least possible danger to them
selves.
They had moved twenty miles since day
break, slowly picking their way over the
snow upon the mountains. At o'clock In
the afternoon, weary and cold, they halted
to give Bell needed rest and 10 prepare sup
per. PiCkets were thrown out and the
other men had begun TO unpack, wheE one
named York gave the alarm that Indians
were approaching. Each man spranS for
his rifle, when suddenly shot was heard IN
their very midst. glance at Geery told
the story. With deadly pallor upon his
face, but with head erect. he stood leaning
upon his gun. BE said: "Bnys, l have
foOlishly ended my life." In his haste he
had grasprd his rifle by the nuzzle, the
hammer had caught in Il blanket and had
been drawn back, and the ball had struck
him i'll tie breast, SCATTERING his shoulder
and making moTtai wound.
His comrades helped him to sitting
posture. lie then calmly opened his shirt
and pointing to the wound told them that
he could have only few hours 10 live.
but that is too long Tor you TO remain
here" lie added. "Jhe sun Is going down
aud the Indians win be upon you. 1t would
be impossible to defend yourselves IN this
place" Then he turned his brave eyes to
Captain Stuart and said: Jim, tell the
boys I'm fatally wounded.
His comrades saw what was in his mind
and begged hun 20 take no thoughts of them,
except to let them make him as comfortable
as they might during his tna hours. But
all The answer he made was to reach Tor his
pistol. hold il firmly III his hand, and give
them warning that any endeavOr to take 1t
from him would only hasten the inevitable
end.
No one made the attempt; but with tears
in their eyes aud forgetting the dangers
hedging them in, his comrades attempted 10
reason with him, aud to persuade him that
with help he might pull through, as Bell was
already doing. But he knew as well as
they that tile end was Il matter OF lew
hours at the most. Turning again to Stuart,
lie IL rged him TO tell the boys how desperate
was his case, and captain JIM" with tears
in his eyes and choking voice, could only
say: "Never mind, Geery, we will stay by
you; all the Indians in the world couldn't
drive us away"
The decision of this plain frontiersman
was made, and nobody could shake his
heroic resolve. II know you would all stay
by me-" lie said, land die for me, and re-
member that | am not committing suicide.
1t Is only for short time, In any case. L
am only shortening my own life by few
hours TO prevent you losing yours. God
knows l don't want to die; L fear death,
but have a hope beyond it"
He held the mrzze of the weapon to his
breast.
Remember where am buried-this gorge
in the mountains. Descrlbelt to my friends
If you live 10 reach them. God bless you ali!
L
and escape before dark.'
lie was about TO pull the trigger, when
the voice Of Stuart came from the group Of
pale-laeed men who could have calmly faced
anything but this: For Gods sake, Geery,
dOn't-but if you must don't shoot yourself
there. 1t will only pr0long your agony.
Place your pistol TO your temple"
The change was made. 'Gud bless you
all and take yon safely out Of this"
The men turned anu walked away; none
OF them cou d face the final scene. The
finger came down upon the trigger, the cap
exploded, but there WAS no Shot. Sam L.
Hauser, afterward Governor of Montana,
stepped forward anu said: 'Geery, dor
Gods sake desist. this is warming" To
this he merely made answer: II don't know
what to think OF it; it never snapped be-
lore. Again cooking the weapon, lie en-
gagged moment in silent prayer, again
pressed the trigger, and the deed was done.
The men gathered around his dead body.
Tears were in the eyes OF all, and some
could not speak Tor the sobs that shook
them. waiting some half hour." says
Governor Hauser, after he had drawn his
last breath, We buried him as he desired in
his sOldier oyerc0at. We had scarcely fin
ished his burial when the pickets announced
that the Indians were within gunshot, yet
there was no firing. After our last sad
duty was finished. jim directed US to pile
limbs and brush on the grave and burn them,
so as 10 conceal it from the Indians aud
prevent them from digging poor Gesry up
for his scalp and clothes. We then gathered
our things together ms best we could, and,
packing up. moved ON in single file out Of
the gorge, camping, or rather hiding, in the
sage brush some miles away"
The sacrifice was not made in vain, writes
a correspondent who sent this story from
Helena, Mont, to the New York Times.
The little party MADE its way back to Ban
mack City without further loss of life.
1t is not generally known that Henry
VIII of England hanged no fewer than
1900 robbers. thieves and vagabonds, aud
that Good Queen Bess" WAS in the latter
part OF her reign responsible for the slang
ter of 800 or 400 criminals yearly. Turning
to the year 1866 for example, we find that
in the county of Somerset alone 40 persons
eyecuted % hIirnnd in tho I'm nd and ~