The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-21
JUSTICE ON THE PLAINS.
How the Indians Expiatcd the
Murder Of a White.

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Carroll
commanding the First Brigade of the
cavalry division before Santiago. who
was seriously wounded in the three
days fight was major of the First Uni
ted States Cavalry in 1890. He is known
in the Indian country in Montana as
the man who avenged the death of one
white man by killing two Indians.
Hugh Boyle, a young man from I'LL
nois, was found murdered near Tongue
River agency. He had been visiting rel
atives in that section and was about
ready to return to his home in Illinois.
Major Carroll called I'm American Horse,
a chief, and the two examined the
dead body and the country where the
murder was committed. Major Carroll
said to American Horse:
Il want the men who did this mur-
der. 1 want you TO bring them In
After a few days American Horse re-
turned to Major Carroll and told him
that Young Mule and Head Chief. two
Cheyennes. were guilty. Their father
was Two Moon, q chief of renown. He
was brought to Major Carrolrs head
quarters and was told to bring In his
sons. When he had heard the charge
against them he made a speech. in
which he said his people had held a
council and were prepared TO satisfy
the law. from their standpoint. Their
proposition was that the agent take
thirty ponies in payment for the death
of young Boyle. They intended that
the ponies should be accepten and
sent to the relatives of the murdered
boy as compensation for the death OF
the young man. The offer was rejected
and Two Moon was given To understand
that the white mans law could not be
satisfied in that manner. He must
bring i'm his sons. The old chief grunt-
ed and said he would do this.
He disappeared, but within half
hour he was seen returning. With him
were his sons Young Mule and Head
Chief. They were dressed in war bon
nets, in war paint, and fully armed.
Their ponies were handsomely deco
rated. The young bucks rode defiantly
toward the cavalry commanded by Ma
jor Carroll and showed fight. The cav
airy fired. killing Young Mules pony.
Then he and his brother began firing.
They fought stubbornly until they
reached a hill near by. where they were
surprised to find another detachment
OF Major Carrolrs troops. One OF the
bucks. Head Chief, wounded several
cavalry horses as he rode into the
lines. One arm was broken, but with
the other hand he fired his rifle from
tne pufnmei or his sadie. Another
volley was fired at him and he fell
dead from his pony.
Young Mule saw his brothers fate.
and realized that he had not much time
on his hands. He advanced toward the
cavalry chanting the death song Of his
tribe. He fired several shots and
jumped into n ravine. There ne kept
up his fight. still singing. At this
juncture the young bucks mother made
an appeal To the troops 10 save him from
impending doom. IL was impossible 70
grant her request. as the warrior con-
tlnued firing at his enemies. plainly
that he had determined to die
as his brother had died. The mother,
realizing that all hope had vanished.
TO the open plain. and. I'm
accordance with the custom OF the In
dams when they lose relative or
dear friend. slashed her limbs .yith a
knife from the knees down. With the
blood streaming from the wounds and
frickling TO the ground she chanted the |
death dirge Of her son. who was pres |
entity shot dead.
In honor Of the bravery OF Head |
thief and Young Mule their people |
marked with stones the death trail
travelled by the young Warriors that
pleasant September day.kThe Sun