The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-19
DEATH OF BOHEMIAN
The Story Of the Murder by a Pair Of
HeartleSS Redskins.
TWO BULLETS THROUGH HIM
John n. Evans Relates the Incl
dent-How the Pioneer Was
Slain Without a Word or
Sign of Warning.

Great Falls, March 1s.-John H
Evans, an old-time resident of Mon
tana, who is now living in Choteau,
Teton county, tells an interesting
story. says the Dupuyer Acantha. of
the tragic death of Bozeman, who was
killed by the Indians. During the
winter of 1867 Mr. Evans was
camped at what was known as the
Bozeman ferry on the Yellowstone
river in company with two men by the
name of Cochran. They had a trading
post there during the early part of the
winter. but in January the snow be-
| came so deep that the Indians moved
away and the men found themselves
practically prisoners until spring. In
April the snow went away and John
Evans. leaving the two Cochrans in
charge of the post, set out to visit an
other camp on Forty Yard creek. On
his return trip he was a witness of the
tragedy which ended in the death of
Mr.. Bozeman, the founder of the now
thriving city which bears his name.
The incident is given in his own words:
When about five miles from Forty
Yard creek / saw a party of Indians
about three miles away, on the oppo-
site side of the river, with the aid of a
pair of glasses. There was much con-
fusion among them, but at that dis
lance ! could not distinctly see what
they were doing. / learned afterward.
Thomas Coover, of the firm of Me-
Adam a. Coover, millers and freighters
| of Bozeman, engaged Mr.. Bozeman to
go with him to Fort c. f. Smith on the
Big Horn river to help him get the
flour contract for that fort and also for
nrf Laa
men had got that far on their way
when they met a party of Indians
which night or two before had stolen
horse from our post.
The men were camped for noon
when the Indians made their appear
ance. The latter acted friendly and
signified their wish to come up to the
white men. Bozeman told his COM
panion that they were Crows and he
thought he knew them and it would do
no harm to let them come up.
They approached in twos, and when
the first couple was within 10 steps of
him Bozeman exclaimed, 'Coover l am
mistaken. i do not know them. Get
the horses. Those were the last words
the poor fellow ever uttered The
treacherous redskins raised their rifles
ana sent two bullets crashing into his
breast He did not have time to bring
up his rifle that was lying in his hand.
The two bullets entred about three
inches apart and the man was dead
almost as soon as he fell.
"Coover's rifle was on his saddle a
short distance away, but he drew his
revolver and began shooting. at the
same time retreating toward his rifle.
When he got to IL his revolver was
empty and he was hit in the fieshy part
OF the shoulder. Getting his rifle he
made break for the brush along the
river side, which he reached without
further inquiry. He followed up the
river to the place where Livingston is
now situated. Here he swan across
and proceeded to the ranch of Lunn a.
Mckenzie, where his wound was cared
for and from where a party was sent
to bury the murdered man.
THE Indians, after the fight, mount
ed on Covers horses, crossed the river
about mile below where / stood |
recognized the horse the Indians had
stolen from our fort and gave chase.
After long, hard ride and several
short cuts i came up with the party
and singing out the one that rode our
horse / managed to get him and secure
| the horse"