Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-26
THE FATE OF A FAMILY.


with the owner of the famous Spring
Valley ranch. He lived about 30 miles
south of Deadwood, near Elk creek,
and kept a good-sized tavern, where
emigrants going overland, north or
south, could stop and secure provisions
for themselves and their animals. My
work was somewhat of the nature Of
that OF hotel clerk. registered
travellers, saw that the horses were
given TO the stable boy, provided what
ever was necessary for their comfort
and kept "a sharp outlook for horse
thieves aud road agents, who in those
days were numerous throughout the
Black Hills. In fact, there were many
more rascals than honest people in
Dakota, and it was not until 1883 that
the law had go regulated affairs that
1T was safe for strangers TO travel
throughout any section of the country
with either large sums of money or
very good hunting outfits
Our ranch was the only one within
$50 miles of Deadwood that could be-
called hotel for the accommodation
of travellers; therefore, we did an
enormous business AS emigrants be-
gan to flock into the new territory from
the East we sold horses farming inn
plements, seed and clothing and soon
had near the ranch good sort Of gen
eral store, a blacksmith shop and other
buildings, which afterward formed the
town of Piedmont. Indians were very
troublesome up to 1879; after that
small outbreaks occurred periodically,
in which some few settlers lost their
lives.
- In the spring Of 1880 several fami-
lies from Nebraska and Kansas came
overland in four large wagons, having
as, their objective point a favorable
location in tho Black Hills. Two of
the men wished to mine and the others
contemplated the establishment of Il
ranch. Reaching Spring Valley ranch
one pleasant summers afternoon, they
halted. as their horses were sorely in
need Of food, and remained with us
about three days. Upon the morning
Of the second day, without any warn
ing, band of 30 mounted Sioux,
all we'll armed, swooped down upon the
ranch and fired at us at range of 300
or 400 yards. Their bullets were nearly
spent by the time they struck against
the walls of the buildings and did no
harm The heavy rifles used for shoot
ing buffaloes were the only guns in the
house that would throw a ball with
any accuracy at more than 300 yards.
Although the savages circled about
us for nearly three hours, we were un-
able either to hit them or their ponies,
and when they had satisfied themselves
that they could not dislodge us from
our position they withdrew. Singular
as it may appear, this conflict resulted
in no loss to either side. The emi.
grants, of course, were greatly terrified
and two of the families decided to re-
main with us until we should ascertain
If there would be a veritable Indian
outbreak or whether this was but a
foolish exploit of some hot-headed
Sioux out on hunt.
1.-THE mon OF the two families were
determined to move out the next day
in spite Of our warnings and expostula-
tions. One man, named, Allison, was
particularly headstrong. AS the argu-
ment increased the proprietor and his
assistants as well as myself strenuously
urged this man not 10 undertake to
reach the hills for at least one week.
Said my employer: There arc only
eight of us that can leave our property
to accompany you as bodyguard. We
would not count for anything in a
fight with 40 or 80 Indians. Those
who fed from here yesterday will
surely be lowering around in tho foot
bills ready to pick up any stragglers
You are unaccustomed to Indian war
fare, therefore you would be sure to
fall an easy prey to them. Do the wise
thing; remain here until the danger
is over But, no, they would not.
They had determined to proceed, and
go they would.
"Allison hitched up the horses and
started out, followed by his friend
Brown. As they departed l called out
after them: You take this risk know
ing that we will not help you if you are
attacked by an overpowering number
of Sioux. If you remain we will stand
by you through thick and thin, but il
you leave against our advice we are not
bound to come to your aid. You had
better take warning and come back.
'' Ha, ha, laughed the driver, ALI
son, you arc all towards; you can't
scare me with your nonsense ;'and with
that he cracked his whip, and set out
| recklessly to meet his death. Some
time later those ut the ranch were
startled BY hearing distant firing and
whooping. Six OF the best mounted
men, armed to the teeth, started out
upon tho trail of the wagons TO ascer-
tain if the occupants had escaped. Ar
they advanced they saw in the dim dis
tance the white-canvas top Of one of
the schoonera. Il pitched and lurched
as the driver drove furiously toward
the hotel. Around it hovered some
eight or ten savages, who withdrew as
we app cached.
" AS the wagon came within hailing
distance we recognized Brown, and we
said to ourselves: Allison has been
killed =
Oh! for Gods sake ride ms hard
as you can, cried Brown, as his wagon
ratified by. Allison is surrounded by
the Sioux and his whole family is being
maasacred' | wheeled my horse and
rode back along the trail, keeping
abreast with Browns running team.
" How many Sioux are there around
him?' asked.
&C. About 20 . he replied. i lost one
Of my horses and there are over I0C
bullet holes through my wagon cover.
One Of my daughters is desperately
wounded and little boy of mine il
shot through the arm.
Hearing this much, / turned my
mustang about. reioined my com
panions, aud lashing our horses madly
we rode as we had never ridden before.
As we bounded across the plain We saw
fur in advance about 20 horsemen dimly
outlined against the sky, retreating
rapidly in the direction of the SiouS
villages on Box Elder creek. Nothing
marked the spot where Allison had
| madn a gallnnt stand Rpainst the enc.