The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-16

not think that L could have selected a
better one. Perhaps the story will justify
Foley, who is, and always has been
sort of privileged character to whom any
sort of Justification IN such a small matter
would be a thing Of little moment under
any circumstances
Foley, as have said. or rather indi
Gated, is n man OF pronounced character.
He Is a typical old soldier Of our regular
army; ana IL is fine type, too. first
met Foley when / joined my regiment,
the ---- Infantry In Montana, about 20
years ago. He had then put in about lO
years service on the frontier and was "a
private soldier in the company to which
was assigned as second lieutenant. He
Is n private yet, by virtue OF his faults,
despite his many soldierly virtues.
wanted "A striker, and told the first
sergeant So Next morning Foley ap-
peared and at once made himself free OF
my quarters and effects and proceeded to
take care of me, striker fashion, as II
he had been in that service all his life.
Now / wish To say right here that
soldier striker Is not a menial and
does not perform menial service. His
function Is rather that of a major domo,
is semi military in character Is assumed
mt his own option, upon the request OF
the officer desiring his services, and he
Is regularly and properly paid for such
services. 1t would be difficult To make
the relation plainly understood by a civil
ian. so Will UOb explain luTtfef.
My service carried me from Montana Co
Indian territory Texas, New Mexico, and
finally to Arizona; and ia Arizona, To
Fort Moiave. a lonely post garrisoned
but by one company, and in and through
all these moves and changes, III the field.
In camp in garrison, In hard service or
white glove duty, Foley was always
about me and, rs he says 1--WE exper
fenced some experiences together"
Not many months ago i was detailed TO
duty ut an Eastern port, near city.
Foley remained on duty with the com
pany on the Pacific coast. One day last
week was going To town in an electric
car. In crossing n railrond track at grade
the car was struck by a train ana thrown
over Several persons were injured none
seriously. i was on tho rear platform
and after Eice little parabulic sail
through tho air. landed In IA soft muddy
place on my shoulders and the back OF NY
neck. do not fall 40 lightly rs did 70
years ago. and was knocked out. When
] revived IL was to find my head supported
on friendly knee and to hear "A friendly
voice say:
.'Sure, saw his eyes flicker that time, "
and then. TO me, as opened my eyes upon
Foiey's familiar face.
Are We all right now, sorS Bejazes,
have not been 80 scared since the night
helped the Captain wild the ghost no
killed." and the look of solictude on his
q
lighted grin rs l rose stiflly To my feet
with the aid of his strong arms.
Foley had been East on furlough had
itepped oH at the post-tn-see some old
soldier friend, was In town with them and
near the scene OF the accident whom ID oc-
CURED. His remark quoted ahovc is my
excuse for shifting the responsibility for
the title OF this story To his shoulders
He'll shake his grizzled head II no sees
this and will probably think that ] am
losing my discretion and lmperiling my
reputation. Inr veracity bv telling the story
at all DuS his criticisms will 10 friendly
and he will take great delight in cor
roborating the facts stated. Also in scoring
upon the face OF any unbelioyer rash
enough to question any detai his full dis
approval OF any such question.
After tho accident Foley he,ped me
home, was made much OF by my wife aid
the girls who know his worth; RECALLED
himself in the kitchen with the best IN
tho house, accepted with many protects a
present Of money and departed on his way
westward. l told him | was going 10
write out this story and his reply was:
sure. Captain, Wouldn't Tis many
q scrap have had in barracks already
over the truth of that stcfy. ia he glad
OF the Captains good word to mo rcpi;a.
tion for truth but don't want him TO
hurt his Uwn. "
This brnps me TO the story. II You don't
bslicve IL ask Private Michael Foley, Com
plny II ---- Infantry better known and
respected among his comreers as = Black
Mike
In isS--, never mind that last fgurc--I
was stationed at Fort Moiave Ari2 The
post Is. or was. for it is abandoned now,
situated on the let bank of the Colorado
river. Just three miles above tho point
where the long, slanting boundary lire
between California alta Nevada strikes
that sircnn. The post was located upun
n table land, or mesa about 90 feet above
the river, which nt that point ran close
under the fort OF the precipitous bluff
which limited the post on the river side.
] Ean been ar the post for some iiiue, and
various military moves and shifts had
lett ne In command Of it, scE.e six
months previous 10 the occurrences of
which am going TO writo.
TIC MOjaves. Of whom there were some
where about 900 Ia tho valley rear the
past, are fire race of people. but they
have deteriot ated Inuch since the ndvont
OF rhe railroad and tito whites. For many
years they had regarded tie commanding
officer at Fort Aojaye rCgurdlnss uf agr,
expurieEce or rank, rs iinHl r otter in all
their disputes of whatever n.i ure Iney
are industrious ana. singular thing
among lrdians. the squaws do tho WORK
about their homes wliin tho hUcks 90
out 20 work a. anything they can lind to
do. VIC bad for "laundrcs. anu maid Of
all work, as my wife used laughingly
To term him. giganrsc Cjavc hurk " 80
answered 20 the kngiish name of ".iim -
lie was a retired tby request native prac-
titioner Of medicine. ard the hdeous
scar Of n knife wnunc down on. side of
his face marked the Tnrrowncss of his
esrnrc from the usual fate Cf uusucccss-
fui Molaye doctors ! had mauc a good
many intosticati0rs into matters con
ccrning :le Nojavo relIviun. thcir spirit.
doctor. witch finders, DOCTORS witches
and such like InatfeT.. ard was known 20
yoSsess some kuOwiedgs concerning these
subjerts.
B.. Of the - cavalry. who was doing
some work for t-e Smithsonian, wrote
mo letter arc asked ne 70 Investigate
for him certain tribal cpsfoms aud rela-
tions and ] started In 20 get the required
data Tor him. / bad not proceeded very
far iD my Inquiries before 10 became evi.
dent that tho spirit-dOctor rnust be con
suited before i could properly connect up
and complete NV report 10 b..
l lad heard of this spirit doctor often
but bad never seen him 1 spoke to my
interpreter. an educated Mojaye. Of my de-