New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-20

| N\NNN~T y >SSN> 49,
JOHN YOUNG NELSON.
mans In that vast cavalcade. John Young Nelson. '
the veteran scout. is this interesting person. HIS
history complete would fill a book for he has met
more exciting adventures and has lived wilder
life In the fifty years that he spent upon the from
tier than any other man in the band.
Nelson born in Charleston, W. Va, seventy
two years ago. and when boy Of twelve he ran
away from home. After n series OF adventures ne
reached the banks OF the North Platte River, IN
the Territory Of Nebraska lie followed this up
until he came to the junction OF the North ana
South Platte rivers. where he found the camp OF
Spotted Tail the famous Sioux cnlef Nelson nad
Al that time determined TO cast his lot WITH r the
however did not receive him kindly, being az t mar
time hostile to the whites. but Nelson, VINO hau
picked up the Sioux language explained to him
that he had no friends among 5nS gaG f nc Sioux
tribe 10 dwell among that people the rest Oh MS
days -. -.
tribe and married sister OF Red Cloud. the great
chief OF the nation For hy so ygea a Interest,"
ing family Two daughters are now being educated
in Philadelphia and three sons an sioux OF snd the
Government officers, are enlisted scouts at the ZINC
Ridge agency.
N MANY INDIAN WARS.
Nelson engaged in many Indian wars with the
Sioux fighting against the Pawnees, Arapahoes'
Blackfeet and other tribes OF the Northwest away
back in the thrtles and forties. and he can tell
thrilling tales Of adventure and harbreadth es-
capes which befel him In these campaigns. He has
never taken up against the white people, now
ever, but has, on the other hand in the capacity
OF scout given valuable information TO the author-
ties not only against the Sioux but against nearly
all the other tribes in the Northwestern territory
In 1863. or in the fall OF '62 the Ogallala Sioux
went on the warpath Nelson who was the only
white man with whom they had relations was
escorted by them to the headquarters Of GenerA
tbsD OF he Department
Platte at Fort Laramie 1t would not have been
safe Tor y" IN 70 remain with the Indian la ioe
light with the Sioux against the white men ne
would undoubtedly have been killed by the mem
bers of hts own tribe II he succeeded IN escaping
the bullets OF the soldiers. He says that In battle
II Indian loses a near relative ne WIN XII 'ns
first white man he meets. whether he be friend or
foe and that for this reason his Indian ttlenos,
who held him in high esteem always sen, MN hg 10
Reaching Fort Laramie at the time mentioned.
CUR scout With man named George n bfoE va
member ne went on a scouting expedition INTO
the hostile country, and remained several weeks.
He met the Ogallalas and held number oil pow.
vows with them, looking toward a settlement o.
the difficulty and restoration Of peace Ses his sn ED
10 return TO General Augur with valuable inforna-
ton regarding the strength position and intention
18th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and throughout
the entire campaign on the south piatte aetea as
the Sioux in 1858 by which the indians coded all
their land In the Platte country III exchange ior
new reservation in Dakota
NEITHER WHITE MAN NOR INDIAN
AT this time milestone Agency was established
IN Dakota and after all the details OF the treaty
had been arranged Nelson acted as interpreter for
a party OF Indian Commissioners who came OUT
from Washington 10 wind up the business. Nelson
was appointed OF the men to conduct the ln-
dams 10 their new reservation. AS he was recog-
nized member OF the tribe himself, 1t was promised
| hat lime
clothing from the agency just the Indians did.
His property which consisted OF horses and cattle.
was all with the similar property OF the Indians.
and was TO be driven to the new agency with their
| live stock Although Nelson expressed a wiling
ness as white man to remain IN the Platte coun-
try where he then was, he was not permitted 10 DO
SO, but was told that ne must 90 win ms tros %
Dakota. He accepted the SITUATION ana Workeo
faithfully to accomplish the removal or the sioux
| no small task An offer of $500 In cash for his
horses and cattle had been made by Keith & Bar
ton who were prominent stockmen In that region
the tine 9t ne a rd nS Sfe o s ne Sn Ss
got the Indians fairly started on their journey 10
sion for General Augur. He returned in the spring
to Laramie and then went to Milestone Agency
remained II had all died on the Journey When
ne applied at the agency for the food ana clothing
| name was not upon the agents books. and that
he could get nothing there Completely 6anEr1 ippi
that he had been indeed badly treated by his own
people and up to s for his ss WITH
the Indians or for the stock which was lost.
| A few years later Nelson served as scout under
| Generals Duncan and Bradley. Later he was as
signed to the 9TH Cavalry. and TO the 20 cavalry.
| serving through a score OF Indian wars OF greater
| or less Importance. o.o -. -,
| Nelson first met Colonel Cody in 1863. when both
| were employed by the Major x Russell outnt.
| This firm was In the overland freight business
| hauling merchandise between Santa Fe, LaramIel
scout with one OF the trains, and Cody had con.
| tract TO supply the camp with meat, He was NOT
| intimately acquainted with Buffalo Bill, however
untu the latter part OF 1865, when his present EN-.
ployer was chief of scouts. Nelson was engaseu oy
| buffalo Bill as scout 10 accompany an eNpeoition
| then forming against the Sioux. The Indians mao
| become dissatisfied with their new reservation ana
| The authorities had determined to drive back sew.
] eral bands OF them which had wandered OUT OF
| their territory Major North and his famous raw
| nee scouts also part or TINS eNpeuition
| When Colonel Cody went TO st. Louis In that year
| 10 get his wife and children, Nelson was ieit IN
| command OF the scouts until his return Wnen
| neace was finally proclaimed. Nelson returned to
| kis horne In the camp OF the Sioux and remained
there FOR several years. During nearly all OF the
| indian outbreaks which have occurred since that
| time he has served the Government against the
| Indians In the Wild West camp In Brooklyn
| Nelson has nearly score OF relatives among tho
Indians the Indian interpreter, who Is half-oreed
| being his full cousin. . 49,
| This old-time scout has his headquarters facing
| the main entrance to the grounds. lie has neas
| log cabin, which built under his personal su-
| peryison, and Is glad 10 see visitors, he mas
very extensive collection OF fossils and other curl.
| Sioux war and the interior OF the cabin Is exacuy
y t.fa o.sia