Milford chronicle., 1896-07-24
nERoIo RloE oF a ecour.



Saved the Garrison at Fort Kearney from
an Indian Horde.
The rides OF Paul Revere and Sheri-
dan have become famed in history,
poetry and song, but for daring heroism
neither can be compared with the ride
of John Phillips, a Portuguese, over the
plains OF Wyoming. Yet no writer has
ever told of the bravery Of the western
scout After 30 years the widow and
child of the hardy frontiersman appeal
to congress for relief from restitution,
the court Of claims being powerless 10
aid them.
History tells of the Fort Philip Kear-
ney massacre on the 21st of December,
1866. Red Cloud and his band had near
~ completed their plans for capturing
the fort, when, on that memorable day,
n detachment of Sc soldiers and six citi-
zens went after wood a distance of six
miles. They were attacked and not a
man returned. Years afterward Red
Cloud told of the heroism of the band,
one of the citizens, a blacksplith named
jacobs, killing seven and wounding
nine,. Indians before he was overpow-
cred.
When The news reached the fort a
reign of terror ensued, and the wives
and daughters of the officers begged
that they be put to death rather than
fall victims to the red men. A quantity
of dynamite was stored underneath Col.
Carrington's headquarters, and ar
engagements made, in case the fort was
taken, to blow up the building IN which
the women and children mad been
placed.
There was but one ray of hope. At
Fort Laramie, 230 miles distant, there
were troops. If they could be secured
the Sioux might be vanquished. Four
messengers were sent, but their rider
less horses returned. showing that the
men had been killed. John Phillips
was requested by Col. Darlington to
carry the message to Fort Laramie. He
refused all offers, but going TO Mrs.
Cannon, rendered a widow by the mas
sacre, he proffered his services without
reward upon condition only that he be
allowed to choose his horse.
He took a blooded animal belonging
to Col Darlington. With few biscuits
in his pocket, he rode forth in the night,
the thermometer registering over 20 de-
grees below zero. All night he rode and
in bunch of mesquite bushes he hid
himself and horse during the day.
Twice he was chased by Indians, but
escaped both times, reaching a tele-
graph office just as the Indians had lie
stroyed it, then pushing on to Fort
Laramie.
There the soldiers were ignorant of
the troubles the troops at Fort kearney
were enduring, and it being the night
after Christmas when Phillips reached
his destination a masked ball was in
progress. As he entered n murmur Of
applause went through the crowded
room. Icicles were hanging from his
clothing, his beard and hair were mat
ted with ice and snow, and the jewellers
thought he was the most realistic repre-
sentative of Santa Claus ever seen. He
soon undeceived them when he deliv-
cred his message. The scene of festiv-
ity became one of mourning, for many
had. relations and friends among the
slain. Then the faithful messenger fell
unconscious and it was several hours
before he revived. Troops were at once
sent to the doomed garrison, and just
in time to save it.
No recognition of any kind was ever
given Phillips-he asked none. The In
Idians ever afterward hated him and de
stroyed his cattle. When he died his
widow, who was destitute, filed a claim
for the value of these cattle, and govern
ment appraisers found that they were
worth 50 1900. But it was learned that
Phillips did not become an American
citizen until two years after the cattle
were destroyed. and under the laws he
had no valid claim against the United
States government.
Now, through Col. James A. George,
the matter has just been brought to the
attention of congress, and in the case
are fled the afiidavits of Col. (nOw GEM
Darlington, Mrs. Darlington and Mrs.
Phillips. These all speak in unmeas-
ured terms of praise for Phillips hero
ism in undertaking the mission to Fort
Laramie.-St. Louis Republic.