The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-01-23
CHRONICLE OF THE SPANISH WOODWARD,

CHRONICLE OF THE SPANISH WOODWARD.
extracts from chronicle of Spanish printed
edition Lifs repent the cocIu
ding portion below.l
On koll-stff and cold-with his face to the sun,
lay the second victim of mystery but fifth in the
order of rotation of the stricken Spanish Wood
yard crew. bullet had crashed through his
brain. Powder burned hair marked the close range
of the weapon. -Four distinct shaped moccasin
tracks told the number of the dead mans assail.
ants; mark the upaturned fce--so skillfully
imprinted that none but the initiated could
know, translated the cipher that would chronicle
another to the long list Of prescribed frontier
men upon whose luckless head an Indian medicine
lodge through chosen assassins had executed its
tribel Judgment.
Thus closed the record of the events of disaster
that had befalen the PERSONAL of the ''seven for
luck crew of woodchoppers Of Spanish Point
revealed to the chronicler of these pages up to
August 10th, 1889.
On retrospective tour, we'll journey
for information in connection with some incidents
of early Sioux Indian outbreaks in Minnesota,
Iowa, and the Dakotas the writer of this chronicle
after 700 mile trip with pony and blackboard
drove into the little town of Elk Point, South Da-
kota on the evening of July 18th, 1896. In. this
retrospective journey, the writer had kept an eye
open to see, and poised to hear of certain
characters believed to be still living and who in
some way had figured among the early day incidents
already recorded in this book we'll as it's compan
ion ones Within few miles of that town had
hoped to learn of two characters whom mention
was made in connection with two separate events of
other day life in the valley of the Upper Missouri
After some inquiry was told that lame man
would appear from the country at certain saloon
at shutdown, who could give some information
concerning at least one of the characters sought.
Meeting the man referred to on the street, asked
him for the whereabouts of Mr.. O., who had
resided the Upper Missouri in the early seventies
"Just what would like to know MYSELF he re-
replied quickly che left here for the last time about
twelve years ago, and has never been heard of
since that date, We think him dead. Why do
you ask" >.
my reasons partly personal, party chrome:
logical" answered, "Mr c. was number six
of the Spanish woodward crew. =.
About fifteen days later, with the shades Of
evening and threatening thunder storm hurrying
pony and myself forward, drove into the pictur.
esque town of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. so nicely located
on the banks of tho Little Sioux river. The main
livery stable in the town was reached in time to
save ourselves from downpour of drenching rain
Within the stable near the Office sat group of men
talking-some were young-some old. They were
in desultory conversation. An old gentleman in the
party made some reference to tho river Soldier and
of his acquaintance there The name of the Sol
der river drew the chroniclers attention. for upon
its banks were the association of a memory that
is never recalled but in sadness. But it not of
this that the gentleman from the Soldier river was
questioned
During lull, asked pardon of the old gentle
man for interrupting him after which the following
00tS 0Y, 10d hokV URQf1i
"Do you knowrthe.W --'s on the SOLDIER"
Yes sir!
'Do you know of member of that family who
was on the Upper Missouri in the early seventeen,
| II do" ~.
| "Where is he now? 80
I'm his grave. Now stranger I will have ques-
ton. Why do rou ask about Billy W p"
Because he was Number Seven Of the Spanish
woodward crew.
"That is strange. While in the State Asylum
for the Insane, his attendant said Billy kept re-
peating before he died. Number Number Z. Sew.
en- for luck-seven for luckv"
The old gentleman hesitated a moment then low
ering his voice, added "1may say, Billy W
was my oldest son.
I s,