Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-06-04
A Prominent Pioneer.

Mr.H &. Brown, better known as
"HurJy" Brown, II pioneer OF 'Gl, VINO
resides with his family at Mt. Idaho Is
in the city. He is u German Joy birth
and made of the same STUFF that
characterized the soldiers who cap
tured Metz. He shared the hardships
of the most adventurous of the early
miners, and owned the richest claims
in Florence when that camp was the
richest in the world. He was known
to wash oat thousand dollars
worth of dust in a day and to eXpend
the same amount every night.
After squandering more fortunes
than any other man In the northwest
he married and settled down on the
Salmon river in 1873, when he sue
ct.eded the Snider Bros in an extensive
mercan tile business. He carried on an
extensive and lucrative trade until the
breaking out of the Nez Perces war in
the spring of 1877. Oh the morning Of
Jan. Il, Of that day he observed suspic-
clo,,s movements on the part OF some
Indians near his home and place of
business. Rumors of danger had made
him vigilant. He seized his Winches-
| ter and big navy revolver and assembled
to IA positiOn of vantage. He waved
the painted braves back, but they ad-
vanced till the gun was brought up to
cover their advance guard when they
retreated to cover. MIR. Brown had a
brother-in-la law with him, Who was too
prudent to risk pitch battle against
such great odds and the young man
began to plan retreat. A skiff was
living at the beach. 1t was u frail bark
and the Salmon is Il treacherous river
especially when it Is high in the month
of June. While holding his deadly
gun at ''present arms,' he gave direc-
tons for the removal of the distracted
family. No Indian dared to meet the
man whose prowess had been matter
of common repute even among the
natives. The Indians were no doubt
planning u sure massacre, that would
not involve the risk Of life, while the
wife and brother-in.law We're hurrying
to the boat. When the little skiff was
launched upon the current Mr.. Brown
spranE from the bank into the waters
and then into the boat. He stood up
with his rifle to hold back the foe, but
the Indians grew desperate when they
observed the matured plan of escape
and began a terrific fire. Mr.. Brown
was wOun'led in the shoulder, and his
assistant at the oars, In the arm. The
raging torrent carried the boat rapidly
away. The Indians tried to follow,
keeping up fusilade, but they were
stayed by the rocky bluffs which
closed in to the water line.
The wounded men, and the lady
who by the way should he classed
with the noble heroines of history
reached mining camp near the
mouth Of White-bird, on the opposite
81 of the river. They rested day
every mamber Of the company doing
picket duty. Mr.. Brown disregarding
the protests Of his associates returned
to his home the next night under GOV.
err Of darkness. He found his big stock
of merchandise still intact, the Indipns
as past events demonstrated RETAINED
from its destruction for the purpose of
appropriating it for the savage com
niissary. He secured his gold.dust,
50, 800, which he secreted, with his ac'
count books under some rocks in ac-
cordance with an understanding with
his wife to guide her in the event OF
Mr.. Brown being murdered, which
was regarded as II probability, by some
foe in ambush.
The party on the third day after the
escape from home crossed Salmon and
made their way to Cottonwood, which
place they found deserted. The hus
band and wife then secreted them,
selves in the brush and dispa; ched Il
messenger for and. This was during
the days of the terrible fighting about
Cottonwood and Oh White-bird. They
remained four days, when they were
rescued by the advance Of Towards
forces.