Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-08-27
A BLIND MANS SHOT.

tAfpt W inc WGst OF AicGnefsOns re- /
lates New York Sun writer. when |
observed white man mounted on
mule before me. He was facing me |
with his Winchester lying across his
saddle and was evidently waiting. |
His head was inclined to the front |
like one listening intently and as ] |
rode up he cried out:
Hello, soldierr'
Hello TO your
This is White Horse ford?"
.'Yean
There is lone cottonwood to the |
left and large rock TO the right?"
Cant you see that there isPn
No; ! have been blind for the
last year These landmarks used to
be here, but didn't know what
changes might have taken place. +"
rode closer TO look into his eyes.
The lids We're closed as il ia sleep and
had blush appearance
The fame of a towards gun did
1t he quietly observed as he dis.
mounted. viii YOU lead me TO the
rock9 All, I'm ali right now Never
mind the mule; he won't stray. OPP
posite me on the other de is a dead
cottonwood with one side OF It black.
cned by fire"
Yes"
Now look TO the east over the
trail running along the opposite bank,
and tell me II you see anybody"
"fes ] do. About three miles up
Is a man coming on horseback.
aFT1aHgglF 4 ~.
TO bother you but il you were blind
I'd do as much for you. As soon as
you can make out the color OF tho
horse, tell me what it IS y
IL is a bay answered him as
the horseman came nearer
is he riding last?n
Yes"
Does he wear a black felt som.
brero?'
No; white one
'Ah. that's good Now. then. keep
quiet"i
He stood behind rock with bis
rifle IN his hands and bent his head TO
the east 10 listen. from the smile on
his face think no heard the foot.
steps OF the coming horse while yet
mile away. The river was only few
yards wide nj that point with a
wagon road running along the other
bank east and west Only the one
man was Ia sight
Hes coming fast observed tho
blind man
Yes at a gallop."
Now he's passing the twin cotton.
woods7"
Yes"
Now he's at the curve where
the waters Of the spring ruu
DOWN."
Yes
Vow he's on the stretch to the
itordP'
Yes
Bay horse white felt sombrero.
long, black hair and bushy, black
whiskers r.
"les"
Good can't miss him.
Up went his ride pointed at the
dead cottonwood opposite. The big
rock hid us from sight OF the dying
horsoman as 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 toe
lato 70 interfere. Had | been told in
plain words what the blind man was
there for should not have put forth q
hand. He would have turned on me
and killed me off hand had meddled.
For two or three seconds the rock hid
the horsemau. Then he shot out into
view from the western face The
blind man had been holding his rife
20 his face for ten seconds He coulc
not see the sights but IL was the
natural way. His hearing served him
Us veil as my vision. On the instant
that the rider was in line opposite he
cred and the man threw up hls arms
lurched right and left and finally
pitched headlong TO the earth.
'Will you kindly see IL he is dead p
asked the blind man as he lowered hi.
rifle.
mounted and !orded the stream.
The man lay on his back arms out.
stretched. and his hat thirty fee
away. His eyes were shut and hi
jaw falling. From his right side til,
blood was pouring out on the sun,
baked crust; while his right hant
clinched the barrel Of his rife with ,
death grip Irode back and said tina
! he was dead.
Thanks thauksm repliol III,
blind mau. The boys routed hin
out above this morning and / wa,
sure he would pass this way"
, WHO was hep"
''ihe coward who blinded mel win
you please lead up my mule? All
here he isl can get along n!cel,
now. Good day TO you, sir; and re
peat that | am much obliged. yer,
much obliged. sir.
And he rode off to the east and lef
me sitting on my horse staring afte
him. and wondering II hal dreame,
IL all,