Omaha daily bee., 1896-05-03

getic officer, fearless in battle and skilled in
Indian craft, and not a few Of his appoint
ments proved to be valuable ones from a
fighting standpoint. Because he was always
with them, sharing their danger and leading
fearlessly when the fight was fierce the red
scouts came to regard Creole as the great
war chief" and never did they falter a
moment when they were needed by the gov
eminent. 1t was a comparatively easy road
to fame with so brave a band of warriors
and the attendant danger only served to ap-
pease the leaders, appetite for adventures.
The notable incidents in Creede's career
during his seven years service as a scout
would fill many volumes, but a few can be
touched upon, just enough to exhibit his
fearless nature and his often reckless daring
in the face of danger.
Shortly after the discovery of Creole camp
the writer met with a gentleman who had
served on the plains with Creole and he told
some interesting stories. We became very
well acquainted and my interest in the
hunter, scout, prospector and miner increased
with every new tale told by his companion on
the plains. Those who know Creole are
aware Of his Unborn modesty and Of the re-
ticence he manifests when questioned about
his own personal experiences. Hence the
writer as well as the reader must rely chiefly
upon the stories told by his old comrade, the
first Of which was this:
During the summer Of '6S a large party
OF Pawnee Indians, men and squaws, left
the reservation on the Loop fork for a buff
falo hunt in the country lying between the
Platte and Republican rivers. These semi
annual hunts were events of great interest
to the tribe, for by them they not only Sc
cured supplies of meat, but also large num-
bers of robes, which were tanned by the
squaws and disposed Of to traders for -four
and groceries and for any other goods which
might strike the Indian fancy.
At this time the Pawnee scouts were
Ida T. $50 nF-AI ,s,,,. nkA,,. - -.
from the Union Pacific railroad station of
that name. The hostile Indians had FOR
some weeks made no aggressive demon
stration. and our duties were scarcely sutii-
cient TO edge up the dull monotony Of camp
life. Once a week about half of the company
would be sent on a scout TO the west along
the railway. two days march, four days %
the week being consumed by these expedi-
tons.
Half OF the company had gone on this
weekly scout, leaving but one white officer
in camp, Lieutenant Creole, He had, II ]
recollect Alright, but eighteen men fit for
duty, q number OF others being disabled
by wounds received in recent battles. The
second day after the hunting party left,
the section men from the west came into
Wood river station on their hand car. and
e~xcitedly reported that a band Of about fifty
Sioux had crossed the track near them.
headed south. Joe Adams was the agent at
Wood river, and he at once sent a messenger
to the Pawnee camp TO tell Lieutenant Creole
OF the presence OF the hostlles. Creole hastily
mounted his handful Of warriors, and in less
than twenty minutes was dashing forward on
the trail Of the Sioux. The time consumed
By the section men In running into the sta
tlon. a distance OF about four miles, and
the consequent delay caused by sending
the news to Creole, and the catching up and
saddling OF the ponies had given the Sioux
a good start, and when the scouts bad
reached the Platte the hostiles had crossed
over and were concealed from view in tha
sandhills beyond.
sible haste, the game little ponies. strug-
CLING with the trescherous 9uiek-ssnd for