Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-06-25
A BLIND MANS SHOT,

$500
River to the west of Mcpherson. when
| observed "A white man mounted on q
mule before me. He was facing me,
with his Winchester lying across his
saddle, and was evidently waiting.
His head was inclined 10 the front, like
n listening intently, and a. rode
up he cried out:
Hello. soldier.."
"Hello TO YOU"
"This is White Horse ford?'
Eyes"
"There is a lone cottonwood TO the
left and a large rock to the right"
Cant you see that there Tsp"
"No; ! have been blind for the last
year. These landmarks used TO bee
here, but didn't know what changes
might have taken place"
rode closer to look into his eyes.
The lids were closed as if in sleep and
had a blush appearance.
"The flame Of a towards gun did it,"
he quietly observed as he dismounted.
"Will you lead me to the rockp All.
I'm all right now! Never mind the
mule-he won't stray. Opposite me
on the other side is q dead cotton
wood. with one side of it ~blackened by
fire"
Eyes"
"Now look TO the east, over the trail
running along the opposite bank, and
tell me If you see any body"
Yes, ! do. About three miles up
is n man coming on horseback"
Thank you; | am in time. Sorry
tditdhas raHrItlif S0.n As-Sublis s
you can make out ths color of the
horse, tell me what it is"
1T is a bay" ! answered him rs the
horseman came nearer.
is he riding fast?"
ayes"
"Does he wear a black felt SOM
brero?"
mo; n white one
"Ah, that's good. Now, then, keep
quiet"
He stood behind a rock with his rifle
in his hands and bent his head To- the
east to listen. From the smile on his
face ] think he heard the footsteps oi
the coming horse while yet a mile
away. The river was only a few yard,
wide ut the point, with q wagon road
running along the other bank east
and vest. Only the one man was in
sight.
~He's coming fast" observed the
blind man.
@Yes. at a gallop."
Now he's passing the twin cotton.
woods?"
~Yes.'
Now he's at the curve where the
waters OF the spring run DOWN"
"Yes."
snow he's on the stretch to the
fordp"
"Yes."
~Bay horse, white felt sombrero,
long, black hair and bushy, black
~whiskers?"
"Yes."
"Good! cant miss him!.
Up went the rifle. pointed STRAIGHT
at the dead cottonwood opposite. The
big rock hid us from the sight of the
Tying horsemen 40 he drew nearer
but he did not appear To be looking
around him. He was leaning forward
in his saddle and gazing straight
ahead. did not realize the situation
until too late to interfere. Had | been
told in plain words what the bind man
was there for / should not have put
forth a hand. He would have turned
on me and killed me off hand had /
meddled. For two or three seconds
the rock hid the horseman. Then he
shot out into plain view from the
western face. The blind man had
, becn holding has rifa@to. his face for
ten seconds. He could rot see the
sights, but il was the natural way.
His hearing served him as well rs my
vision. On the instant that the rider
was in line opposite he fired. and the
mar threw up his arms, lurched right
and left. and finally pitched headlong
TO the earth.
-Will You kindly see il he is deade"
asked the blind man as he lowered his
rifle.
mounted and forded the stream.
The man lay on his back, arms out
stretched, and his hat thirty feet away.
His eyes were shut aud his jaw falling.
From his right side the bleod was pour
ing out on the sun-bakcd crust, while
his right hand clinched the barrel OF
his rifle with a death grip. l rode
back and said that he was dead.
Thanks, thanks" replied the blind
man. THE boys routed him out above
this morning, and ] was sure he would
pass this way
-Who was hep"
.Thc coward who blinded me! Will
YOU please lead up my mule? All.
here he Is! 4 can got along nicely
now. Good day to you. sir; and l re-
peat that I am much obliged. very
much Obliged, sir"
And he rode OF / o the east and left
me sitting on my horse and staring
after him. and wondering If l had
dreamed il alL.-N. \. Suu'