The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-11-04
HE CLEANED OUT A CIRCUS.
Indian Fighter Thorrsht the Indian
Act WAS Real, and Brokc ID Up.

Mai. Henry A. Newman broke into an.
other of his characteristic stories the
last time he vas in town. This is the
way he told il. and there were present
, half dozen TO vouch for its truthful
ness:
Away back in IS or 80 there lived an
Did fellow by the name of Sumpter. who
was a neighbor of mine.
He had been in the Creek war under
Gen. Jackson. and one of his relatives
had been killed in the massacre at Fort
Mimms. He had a great and undying
hatred of Indians. and was very bitter
in his deuunciation of them at all times.
He was tall. iron gray, and well pre-
served for his age. He made tubs, half
bushel etc, and made n mere
living at this occupation. | gave the
old man the title of General, of which
he was very proud.
Frank Perrine. a neighbor of mine.
who has since died, and myself. opened
our hearts aud hands and agreed to
take the General to a circus at my
town. Huntsville, Mo. We purchased
the tickets and gave him some odd
change to buy lemonade. The General
Frank aud myself tool a lower seat.
Now. the circus had a detachment of
about q indians, who came in with wal
paint and feathers aud danced the green
corn. the ghost dance and other Indian
performances, and then performed a
scalping scene.
1T was very realistic. Awhite woman
rode into the ring with an Indian hold-
ing n tomahawk and scalping knife in
close pursuit. Round and round the
ring they flew. the Indian gaining on
the white maiden, whose black hair
hung in glossy waves down her back,
She acted her part well. and wasappar
emily much frightened.
"The Indian grabbed the woman an,i
ragged her from her horse. threw her
down, and scalped her. lie held up the
wig, all dripping with biood-Nenetian
red. \ thrill Of horror penetrated the
audience. Gen. Sumpter's blood was up
aud before Frank and myself could re
strain him. rushed into the ring and
with his hickory stick felled the Indian
4 the ground. The remaining Indian
closed around the General but hi
'dander' was Up.
THE Indians commenced falling
asleep under his repeated blows as tas'
as they did at the Horse Shoe Franz
and myself rushed into the ring to bring
the General out. The crowd was yell
ing with delight. thinking il "A part o
the show. Above the yelis of the ON
batants could he heard the loud laugh %
Forked-Eyed Adams. n well-knowi
character from the Charlton divide. wh'
could laugh so loud that it was said /
killed the mosquitoes on the Charlton
river a mile off.
AS Frank grabbed the General a hi;
bnrly Snowman knocked him down, tn,
old clown made at me. was an athlet'
in those days. | lodged him and CAV,
him n Highlander on the most an,
stnt him out OF the ring. VI that mo
ment an Indian struck me over the heat
with "A stuffed wal club and sent me 4
the sawdust. The General sent him oil
top Of me with a club that was no
stuffed. Several of our friends rushed i
to help us. but the darned fool crow,
yet believed it n part of the show. AM
were enjoying it hugely. Forked-Eye'
Adams laugh was heard above the wa
cries of the Indians. and the cd Gen
erar was yelling at the top of his voice
'Hurrah for Gen. Jackson and Dav,
Crockett
Il finally got hold Of the clown. an
Frank grabbed the General and mat
tiers were adjusted without actual muI
der being committed. Frank carrie,
away a black eye and ! had a knot a
big as a hanging birds nest over III,
right ear. The next year we declined {
take the General to the circus."-S'
Louis Republic.