The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-09
Fitzhueh Lee as an Indian Fighter.


One Of the best stories heard in the hotel cor
ridors for q long time was told by Capt. Jack
Hayes, the Indian fighter and friend OF Bill
Cody. to q Washington Sfdr representative.
Capt. Hayes Is from Cleveland, o. He 10 the
bosom and lifelong friend of Gov. Fitzhugh Lee,
and in the parade be occupied the honorary po-
sition OF chief Of Gov. Lees staff.
1t was in the winter Of 1850, at Camp Colo
RADIO, Texas" said Capt Hayes. "Our scouts
reported body Of indians that had massacred
settlers and driven of their stock Gen. Van
Dorn-then maJor-was in command. Gov.
| Lee was a lieutenant and was bugler. IL
| was night and showing hard. We started after
| them, made eighteen miles that night, fnty
miles the next day and camped. 1t happened
that the Indians we were pursuing bad camped
but three miles ahead Of US. AS said, It was
| very cold and the Indians had their blankets up
over their heads, SO they did not hear US as the
next day we came upon them suddenly, and
they would not have discovered us until we
would have been right on top Of them had not
one OF our men accidentally discharged his re-
yolver. We charged. The Indians scattered
There was a ridge Of timber a
few miles away. Two of the braves
made for the timber. Gen. Lee
and pursued them. We killed one, We pur-
sued the other fellow through the timber for
several miles, his trail being visible in the snow.
When we reached the open plain he had disap-
peared. We knew that he was hiding in one Of
the gulches. In few moments we discovered
his pony. Turning we saw him on the other
side of an undulation in the pralre. AS he
reached the top OF the divide he waved his
shield and yelled defiance at US. We put after
him, but could not find him in the lodges Of
rock: Lee then proposed that We separate,
which we did.
1T seems that the Indian was about thirty
feet from Gen. Lee at the time hiding behind
ledge of rocks. AS Lee came up be fired at him.
Lee saw him in time to dodge and the arrow
went through his arm, breaking off. The In
dian was chIef-a big, tall, powerful, muscu-
lar fellow, over q feet in hight. Gen. Lee was
then small man, but he is the bravest and
Quickest man Ia the city to-day. In a
moment more thew were locked in each others
arms in death struggle. The general
was carrying his revolver in his right hand
The Indian grasped the barrel and the weapon
was discharg 6 d, 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
too and fro packing the snow beneath their feet
he was unable to plunge his knife in his adver-
sary s body. started TO his rescue but did not
dare TO shoot as | advanced, as they were
twisting and writhing so that was afraid Of
killing my comrade.
I'm another minute they were on the ground
and Lee on top. AS luck had 1t they fell near
the revolver. In the second of time allowed Lee
seized the pistol and discharged It, the ball 60
ing through the cheeks and mouth of the saw
age without even knocking out a tooth, for his
however, the next ball crashed In his brain. As
the general disengaged himself from the tight
embrace or the savage and 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. I was fearful lest he had been injured
and asked him how he felt. He replied o. /
am all right; Just getting my muscle up rails
ing his arm as if he were tightening the bicep.
When went to college,, he continued, 4 used
to be very fond OF wrestling, and il came In very
good service to-day. At the last moment
thought of the "Virginia back heel" trip and
down the redskin WENT"