The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-25
INDIANS POISON TRICK.
TARANTULA IN A BOTTLE OF WHIs-
Ky FOR MURDER PURPOSES.

indian Tried to Poison the Cowboy
and a Stranded Actor.
From the New York Sun
wesbington,-An Indian method Of pol
aoning. for the purpose of murder and
robbery, was recently brought to light in
the United States Office of Indian affairs.
On or about Feb. l, 1896, the natives OF
yjnlta, 1. T., were startled at the sud
den disappearance of Jim Blackbird,
balf-breed Cherokee Indian. whose dead
body was found a week later in an empty
freight car at Springfield, Mo. Three bull
lets had penetrated his breast, but there
was no evidence of struggle or any
means to identify the body.
Vinita is a village in the northeastern
part of Indian Territory, situated on the
St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad,
where Blackbird had a family, owned
section Of land, was considered quiet, and
never known to have any enemies. How
ever there was mystery about him. for
at times he would frequent the gambling
houses with large sums of money which
was lost recklessly, and his associates
could never realize how it was obtained.
AS the authorities of Springfield, Mo-,
buried the Indian in Potter's Field, his
family, after waiting one year for his
temperance, decided that he was dead,
and proceeded to divide his property. Lee
gal complications arose among the heirs,
however, and as the proof of Blackbirds
death was not Forthcoming, the case was
laid aside from time to time until George
A Where, a former actor, having read
newspaper item in reference to the affair,
decided 10 lay bare the facts which he
did on June. Z, TO Indian Commissioner
A hl a
bee, chief of the land division of the
United States Indian office. Where states
that he has never referred 70 the murder
before as his hair turned white the night
it happened and that ne has aged twenty
years since.
On being asked if he saw Blackbird kill.
ed, Where said:
No; it was done in the dark, but I was
right there when it happened. You see, l
had just left stranded theatrical com
pany of which l was a member in Ell
night stands, and our manager could not
endure the strain of four weeks rainy
weather, so the company collapsed.
expressed my trunk 9. Q. ID, to St Louis,
Mo-, and proceeded to follow it by beat
in or stealing my way on freight trains.
When elected from box car IN towns
along the route 1 visited the various sa-
looms and by singing and dancing would
pick, up enough change to purchase my
meals.
IN a few DAYS / found myself slowly
ton On arriving at Muscogee, l. T., 1
scrubbed the hotel Office for my break
fast then proceeded to watch for freight
train. ! watched all day, but was nor
successful till about p, m. 1t was cold
night, and while prowling about, hunting
for an open car, finally eVaded the train
hands and crawled In the end door of
big lumber car, and Immediately stepped
on the face of a man who was lying
down. The few oaths he muttered as he
sprang to his feet did not alarm me. The
accident T.
er he asked if / had a bottle of liquor.
After informing him to the contrary
conversation ensued, during which / learn
ca my new acquaintance was a COWBOY,
VINO had just received his wages after
cattle roundup in Northern Texas, and
was on the way to ST. Louis, Mo, TO spend
his money in q general good time He
considered railroads legitimate prey ana
would not pay fare, but attired like d
tramp would rather steal his way, and
win revolver protect his money which
ne carried in a belt beneath his clothing.
l also found him a rough, but agreeable
chap, ana gained great deal of infor-
darkness was intense, and we huddled
tosetner TO Keep warm. He loaned me
ms pipe, In the glow of which 1 could
occasionally see his face. Later fell
asleep in his arms, and nothing disturbed
our slumDer until the train stopped for
water. and the car door was stealthily
opened, when the form of a man could be
seeni who uttered a peculiar grunt as he
climbed in.
bow ''-e W"
The engine whistle blew its two short
piasts and we were once more rumbling
over the bleak, desoIate prairie. In The
1therokee language the cowboy addressed
t tae,I newcomer, who approached and in
19rmed us that he was a half-breed In
u;ah, going only TO the next stopping
pace l never liked an Indian, so kept
9uiet while we three were standing to-
Eether, and let the cattlemen do the talk
lag. The Indian spoke English, but his an
sWers 10 questions seemed to be grunts,
WalGh is characteristic of the race.
lave you a bother asked my friend,
ana the half-breed grunted affirmatiy@y.
lmmed; ateiy commenced to grope for the
nquor. So did the cowboy. However, IL
reached me first and / was just in the
act of removing the cork with the inton-
Ion OF inviting him 10 drink when the
poltle was wresied from my hand. grew
ensfy al this diseourtesy and was about 10
lighted by the cowboy who held it behind
Ihe flask and gazed for a second at It's
contents. It was the first good chance l
Iau 10 see his face, which was as pae as
9yaih: His lips qu.vered, and as the light
used IN his fingers | saw a coun enance
Sler winch creot the sarcastic smile OF
desperate man, who calmly liked his eyes
On me. was dumfounded. The roar of the
udn and the extreme darkness added 10
my amazement, ana before / could speak
mere rang out three wicked barks from a
huge revolver | saw the. three sudden
ndshes cross my breast in the direction OF
ne indian ] coufd not move. / thought
Or every sin of my fife, of mothers lula
pes and grass-grown graves, then sank
70 the floor, feeling that my end was mean.
Aeailzlng there were Two remaining cart
ridges In the revolver and thinking luna
NC was to I've dealt with, I gathered my n
malhing strength and CROPPED for the cow
poy on my hands and knees. Discovering
a. bad not moved. l attempted TO reacn
rs head, crying out for Gods sake, don't
sHoot! | wanted 10 persuade him TO give
lie the gun, which | believed was soon 10
Sehd my soul 10 eternity When laid my
nands on his shoulder, pleading, praying
ana crying, he grasred me BY the nape
iau.t the neck and grufiiy told me to lay
In the few seconds al this happened
nHed a century and, being almost paral-
Sed with fear, could scarcely move, bur
nn9ly found my way to the end Of ihe car
a ana attempted 70 open the door, hoping to
SSCape. had scarcely moved It an inch
"len l was hurled TO the floor by the
IqW boy, who lay on my chest, and placing
ms mouth to my ear warned me II l vail
"ed my life to keep quiet.
Don't kill nep cried.
a. don't intend to-, whispered he but
we one indian win II he amt dead: and he
cUulap Z have a better target than you
cIaWhng out that door
4 may forget The faces Of my friends,
may fOrgpt tnp hand thai n1frcp1 mo In,