Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-04-05
CoI Jack Hayes Tells Of Fii<. Lees
Fight.

One of the best stories heard in hotel
corridors for long time was told by
Capt. Jack Hayes, the Indian fighter
and friend of Col Bill C,ly, to the Star
representative this morning. Captain
Hayes is from Cleveland Ohio. He is
the bosom and lifelong friend of Gov
Fitzhugh Lee aud in ths parade he occn
pied the honorary position of chief of
Gov. Lees staff.
at was in the winter OF 1850. At Clmp
Colorado, Texas" said Capt. Jack Hayes
Our scouts reported boiy Of Indians
that had massacrei settlers and driven
off their stock. Gen. Van Dorm. then
major, was in cpmmand. CIV. Lee was
lieutenant AMI was buglcr. Ii was
night aud showing hard. We started nj
ter them. made eighteen miles tha night
and fifty miles the next day aud camped
1t happened the Indians we were purSu
ing had camped about three miles alea
of us. As said. it was very cDld aud
the Indians had their blankets up over
their heads, 50 they did not hear Us, rs
the next day we came upon them sud
denly. and they would mol have discover
ed us until we would have been right IN
top OF them hal not one OF o1r men ac
cidentaly discharged his revolver. We
charged. the Iniians scattered, there wa'
ridge of timber few miles away
Two of the braves made for the timber,
Gen. Lee and | pursued them. We kill
ed one We pursued the other fellow
through the timber for several miles, his
trail being visible in the snow. When
we reached the open plain he hal dlsap-
peared. We knew that he was hiding in
one of the gulches. In II few moments
we discovered his pony. Turning we saw
him on the other side Of an undulation
in the prairie As he reached the top Of
the divide he waved his shield anil yelled
defiance at US. We put after him, bul
could not find him in the ledges of rock
Lee then proposed that we separate,
which we did.
at seems that the Indian was bur
about thirty feet from Gen Lee at the
time hiding behind ledge of rock. A.
Lee came upon him he fired an arrow al
him. Lee saw him in time 10 dodge and
the arrow went through his arm, break
ing of. The Indian was chief, n big,
tall, powerful, muscular fellow, over six
feet in height. Gen. Lee was then a
small man, but he is the bravest aud
pluckiest man in the city to day. In Il
moment more they were locked in each
Others arms III death struggle The
general was carrying his revolver in hi
right hand. The Indian grasped the
barrel aud the weapon was discharged
but he was not hit. The pistol dropped
to the ground. Lee knew that his only
salvation was to hug the Indian, for the
latter had his knife in his hand. aud n
they swayed to aud fro packing the snow
beneath their feet he was unable to
plunge his knife in his adver-arys body
started tn the rescue but did not dar,
to shoot as | advanced, as they were
twisting and writhing so that | wa
afraid of killing my comrade.
an another minute they were on the
ground and Lee on top. As luck had il
they fell near The revolver. In the sec
ond of time allowed Lee seized the pistol
and discharged il, the ball going through
the cheeks and mouth without even
knocking out tooth for his mouth was
open with yell. In another second
however, the next bail crashed into his
brain As The general disengaged him
Sc { from the tight embrace OF the savage
and rose to his feet he shook himself aud
felt of his body to see whether he was
wounded, for the knife had cut his coat.
was fearfuI lest be had been injured
and asked him how he felt. He replied
'Ob, | am all right, just getting my mus
Gle up. raising his arm as it he weie
Tightening the biceps. When | went "a
college,' he continued, Il used TO be very
fond OF wrestling aud il came IN very
good service to-day. At the last mo
menl. thought of the Virginia back
heel" trip aud down the redskin went
Star.