Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-08-05
FIGHT WITH INDIANS.

One cf the brsvest defenoes ever made BY
settlers agains, Indians was one IN which no,
man figured, nor any boy above the age Of
fourteen. Il took place on the banks Of the
White Mans Fork Of the Republican river,
in North western Kansas, in 1867, On the
occasion Of the las, great Indian uprising in
that part Of the country. The story IS
frequently told at fresides in Kansas, where
most Of the survivors Of the fight live at the
present day. It was in June, in the year
named, when band Of Indians under the
sub-chief Little Bear, swOoped down on the
settlement Of the White Mans Fork, and
separated from the rest Of the village =
party Of men who were on the lookout for
them. Though the white men fought brayely,
they were dnyen away by the overwhelming
force Of Indians,
In the center Of the settlement there was
but or cabin belonging TO a man named Car
ter, which had been built in such a way as
20 afford some defence against an Indian
attack. 1, was twenty feet square, one.
roomed; it's sides were Of cottonwood los
and it's roof Of poles, sods and stones. There
vas one door and one window, protected by
shutters, and there were lOopholes all around
20 shoot through. Though the sides were not
0ullet-proof, the cabin afforded some pro-
lection, especially as it stood in the midst Of
cleared field.
In this cabin seven women, two boys Of
fourteen and several small children took
refuge. They had four rifles, a shotgun and
three reyolyers; with plenty Of ammunition;
for the surplus ammunition Of the whole
community was stored in Carter's cabin. It
1ad rained steadily for two days before. and
tbe roof Of the cabin was thoroughly soaked.
As soon as the women and children had
gathered in the cabin, a resolute woman,
A Mrs. Wellman, assumed command. She
saw that the Indians we're at the time busy
9Th the other party and in Pillaging the out
lying cabins. She sent the two boys to hll-
ing two barrels Of water, and then to wetting
toe sides Of the cabin, 50 that it would hardly
AXE FIRE if fire were built agant it.
Then the ammunition was made ready and
a pit was dug with shoyels in the middle OF
the earthen floor, into which the children
could be pat. out Of range Of bullets which
might hy through the house.
Aud now Little Bear and his Indians
dashed up with white flag, Advancing tc
within thirty feet, the chief called out that
he knew they were women and children; that
If they would surrender their lives would be
spared, nut if they resisted they would be
put to death. Mrs Wellman replied resolutely
that they would not surrender.
The Indians waited half an hour. They
counted upon the weakening" Of the women
Little Bear summoned them again to surrender
but they refused again. Then the Indians
opened fire, and the women and boy
answered it.
The Indians began encircling the cabin
yelling and firing. Several bullets cam'
through, but no one vas hurt. Darkness
came on, and during it the Indians dug rife.
pits as near as they dared, and remained il
them, firing sharply. Several Of them, wer,
hit by the besieged party as they were a
work.
For three long days the siege was kept up
The two boys did excellent shooting, and
Mrs. Wellman bla1ed away ceaseleSsly. A
least a dozen Indians were killed, and sey
eral other wounded. Many bullets came in
The small supply Of proyisi ons in the hu
gave out, then the women fed their children,
and went hungry themselves.
; At the close Of the third day the Indians
fred last volley into the hut and road away.
Early the next morning company OF soldiers
arrived from the fort. The men Of the set
Element had the worst fears as to what had
happened in their absence; ;and they were over
ioyed to find their wives and children all safe,
though half-staryed.