The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-03-29
pursuers almost before their horses
were unsaddled.
PLANNING TO CAPTURE BIG FOOT.

PLANNING TO CAPTURE BIG FOOT.
j. w. Wheeler appeared in Boise
about 1866, and remained in Boise or in
neighboring mining camps during the
two succeeding years. When in town
be was always well dressed, and had
the appearance of being a refined gen.
tleman. When in camp he was always
the life of the party with which he was
connected, and he was popular with all
classes with whom he came In contact.
In the spring of 1868 he went to Silver
City as one of the party sent by Gov
ernor Ballard to put that town under
martial law at the time of the disturb
ances resulting from the controversy
over the famous Golden Chariot mine.
1t does not seem that he made any
special record there, but it appears
deiles through which the stage road
ran and laid the plan for a desperate
undertaking, which led to his combat
with Big Foot.
The killing OF Big Foot occurred In
July, 1868, and was witnessed by VII.
liam +. Anderson, who-chanced to be In
the vicinity at the time. Anderson was
on his way from Silver City to Boise,
and had camped near one of the danger
GUS canons to await the arrival of
others to accompany him through the
gorge. His horses got away, and he
traced them over the hills and down a
lateral gulch o point near the stage
road, making his advent upon the scene
without having attracted the attention
of any of the determined watchers, so
soon TO take part In the desperate con-
nct Big Foot, with two braves, was
awaiting the arrival of the stage. 1t
appeared around bend In the road a
moment after Anderson arrived on the
scene. With demoniacal shout Big
Foot sprang from his hiding place and
darted down the ravine to intercept
the coach. He was closely followed oy
a second Indian, while the third fingered
oObiN diotah(C DCuluu. lucy Hdu
but short distance when the clear re-
port of rife rang out upon the noun
tain air, and the second savage plunged
to the ground dead. Big Foot instantly
sprapg behind large bowler, and be-
gan to maneuver to catch a glimpse
of his hidden enemy. He and Ander-
had cnrr4rtlu haf he
shot had been fired from a clump of
willows growing close to the road, but
no sign came from their empentrable
shade, and 1t seemed for long time as
though the marksman had disappeared
after his unerring shot. Finally Big
Foot made preparation to escape from
his dangerous position, the third Indian
long since having disappeared over the
mountain. He gathered punches of
sage brush, which he tied about his
body and limbs, and then proceeded TO
crawl toward large rock, which prom
ised to afford him shelter in making
his escape. He had gone but a few
PAGES when a ringing voice was heard
from below:
"Get up there, Big Foot 1t said.
"You feath er-headed old coward; see
You crawling off like snake. This is
one time you didn't get even the scalp
OF a woman. Here's mans scalp;
come down and get it If you can"
u ANN
Looking down the ravine Anderson
saw Wheeler standing in front of the
willows. His rifle was held loosely in
his hands and smile played upon his
lips as though he was about to indulge
In some innocent target practice. Big
Foot sprang to his feet with an answer
Ing shout; "Me no cowardw at the
same instant rising his rife to fire upon
his antagonist. Though he was an un.
erring marksman he was not quick
enough TO save himself from the avenger
standing before him. Like a fash of
thought Wheeler's rifle spoke. The
savage WINGED, and his shot went Wide
off Its mark. Big Foot, Keeling, again
fired from his double barreled weapon.
Again he missed, and then ran to where
the dead Indian lay, picking up his rifle
and discharg.ng 1t at the intrepid
Wheeler. The latter, with his repeat
ing rifle, had fred again and again
upon his enemy, each ball finding lodge.
ment in the savage's body. The vital.
ity of the human demon, however, was
such that he did not succumb, and,
drawing his knife, he rushed down to
close upon his opponent 1t was not
until he was within thirty PAGES of
Wheeler that shot broke his leg and
brought him to the ground.
1t was found that Big Foot was
wounded In twelve places, but did not
die until two hours after he was shot
down. While he was dying he told
Wheeler and Anderson the story of his
life. He was born In the Cherokee
milton, his father, whose name was
Archer Wilkinson, being a white man,
anu us 'o'hei part negro ana
part Cherokee. He started to Ore
gon with an emigrant train in 1856; ;
killed a man of whom he was Jealous,
because of girl among the emigrants:
Joined Joe Lewis, an outlaw trapper,
who took part in the DR.. Whitman mas
sacre at Walla Walla; organized with
him an Indian band and murdered the
emigrants with whom he had been