The Monticellonian., 1895-08-16
FIGHT WIrh lNpIANs.
Tho Noble Battle sf Some Besieged West
 ern Border Women.

Tho Noble Battle sf Some Besieged wsat-
 ern Border Women.
 One of the bravest defences ever made by settlers against Indians was one in which not man figured, nor any boy above the age of fourteen. It took place on the banks of the Whit Mans Fork of the Republican river, in northwestern Kansas, in 1867, on the occasion of the last great Indian up rising in that part of the country. The story is frequently told at firesides 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 on 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 bravely, they were driven away by the overwhelming force Of Indians.
 In the center of the settlement there was hut or cabin belonging to man named Carter, which had been built in such a way as to afford some defense against an Indian attack. Itwas twen- ty feet square, one-roomed it's sides were of cottonwood logs and its roof of poles, sods and stones. There was one door and one window, protected by shutters, and there were loopholes all around to shoot through. Though the sides were not bullet-proof, the cabin afforded some protection, especially as 1t 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 revolvers, with plenty of ammunition; for the surplus ammunition of the whole community was stored in Carter's cabin. Ii had rained steadily for two days before, and the roof of the cabin was thor oughly soaked.
 As soon as the women and children had gathered in the cabin, resolute woman, forty years of age, Mrs. Wellman, assumed command. She saw that the Indians were at the time busy with the other party and in pillaging the outlying cabins. She set the two boys to fill ing two barrels of water, and then to wetting the sides of the abin, so that it would hardly take fire if fire were built against 1t.
 Then the ammunition was made ready, and pit was dug with shovels in the middle of the earthen floor, into which the children could be put, out of range of bullets which might fly through the house.
 And now Little Bear and his Indians dashed up with white flag. Advanc- ing to within thirty feet, the chief called out that he knew they were only women and children; that if they would surrender their lives would he spared, but if they resisted they would be put to death. Mrs. Wellman re- piled 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 boys answered it.
 The Indians began encircling the cabin, yelling and firing. Several bull lets came through, but no one was hurt Darkness came on. and during it the Indians dug rife-pifs as near as they dared, and remaine. | them, fir ing sharply. Several of them were hit by the besieged party as they were at work.
 For three long days the siege was kept up. The two boys did excellent shooting. and Mrs. Wellman blazed away ceaselessly. At least dozen Indians were killed, and several others wounded. Many bullets came in. The small supply of provisions in the hut gave out. then the women fed their children, and went hungry them selves.
 Al the close of the third day the Tn. dians fired last volley into the hut and rode away. Early the next morn ing company of soldiers arrived from the fort The men of the settlement had the worst fears as to what had happened in their absence; and they were overjoyed to find their wives and children all safe. though half-starved.