River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-05-11
FITzHUeH LEg AS A FIGHTER.
How He Used Virginia Back-Hcel Trip
in Deadly Combat.

in Deadly Combat.
One of the best stories heard in the
hotel corridors for a long time was told
by Capt. Jack Hayes. the Indian fighter
and friend of Bill Cody. to a Star repre-
sentative. Capt. Hayes is from Cleve-
land, o. He is the bosom and lifelong
friend of Gov. Fitzhugh Lee, and in the
parade he occupied the honorary posi-
ton of chief of GOV. Lees staff.
1T was in the winter of 1860. at Camp
Colorado. Tex. said Capt. Hayes. ''Our
scouts reported body of Indians that
had massacred settlers and driven off
their stock. Gen. Van Dorn-then
major-was in command. Gov. Lee
was a lieutenant and was a
bugler. 1t was night and showing
hard. We started after them. made
eighteen miles that night, fifty the next
a. and camped. II happened that the
Indians we were pursuing had campcd
but three miles ahead of us. As said,
il was cold and the Indians had their
blankets over their heads. so they did
not hear us, as the next day we came
upon them suddenly, and they would
not have discovered rs until we would
have been right on top of them had not
one of our men accidentally discharged
his revolver. We charged. The In
dams scattered There was a ridge of
timber few miles away. Two of the
braves made for the timber. Gen.
Lee and pursued them We killed 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 had disappeared.
We knew that he was hiding in one OF
the gulches. In few moments we dis
covered his pony. Tuning, 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 and
yelled defiance at as. We put after
him, but could not find hhA in the lodges
of rock. Lee then proposed that we
separate, which we did.
at seems that the Indizh was about
thirty feet from Gen. Lee at the time,
hiding behind the ledge of rocks. As
Lee came up he fired at him. Lee saw
him in time to dodge. and the arrow
went through his arm, breaking off.
The Indian was a chief-a big. tall,
powerful. muscular fellow. over six
feet in height. Gen. Lee was then n
small man, but he is the bravest and
pluckiest man in the city to-day. In
moment more they were locked in
each others arms in death
struggle. The general was carrying
his revolver in his right hand. The
Indian grasped tho barrel and tn.
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. and as they
swayed to and fro packing the snow
beI.eath their feet he was unable te
plunge his knife in his adversary's
body. / started to his rescue. but did
not dare TO shoot as advanced, as they
We're twisting and writing so that
was afraid ~ killing my comradc. In
another minute they We're on the
ground and Leee on top. As luck had
il, they fell near the revolver. In the
second OF time allowed Lee seized
the pistol and discharged il. the
bail going through the checks an6
mouth of the savage without
even knocking ont a tooth, for his
mouth was open in a yell. In another
second. however. the next ball crashed
in his brain. As the general Olsen
gagged himself from the tight embrace
of the savageand rose TO his feet he
shook himself and felt of his body to
see whether he was wounded. for the
knife had cut his coat. ! was fearful
lest he had been injured. and asked
am an right-just getting my muscle
up raising his arm as if he were tight
ening the bicep. When ! went TO col
lege.' he continued, i used to be very
fond of wrestling, and it came in very
good service to-day. At the last mo
ment I thought of the Virginia back
heel" trip and down the redslSin went"
Washington Star.