The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-06
A RIDE THROUGH DEATH.
Thrilling Incident from the
Experience of a Western
Indian Fighter.
pulaski News;Review.)

pulaski News;;Review.)
give below true story, told me
recently 10y an old scout, and only one of
the many strange and desperate encount-
ers PARTICIPATED in by him.
II was early in the seventies when this
thrilling incident occurred, at a time when
the whole Pacific northwest was overrun
and terrorzed by lawless hordes of In
dians, burning, plundering and killing
unfortunately. Indeed, so great was
the loss of life from these almost inhuman
fends, that there is a section OF country
in The southeastern part of Idaho and
portion Of Nevada where for FIVE hundred
miles there is said to be grave for every
half mile, filed with the hapless victims
of savage ferocity and diabolism. Promi-
ncnt among these rowing tribes were the
Piutes, The Brunos, and the Snake tribe
which was, at that time, one Of the most
powerful as well as the finest and most
implacahle OF all the northwestern Indians.
Altogether the confederation consisted OF
about 800 trained warriors, pledged to
completely Danish the whites from their
domains, or themselves be exterminated.
At the time Of which we write. this
man, whom we will call Reckless Matt
for such was the sobriquet his daring IN
trepidity had earned him-was employed
as government scout in the district OF
Idaho Zone of Captain Van Horns famous
band Of scouts that did such valuable SER
vice during this border campaign and
was sent at this time with dispatches and
express from Fort Lyons, in southeastern
| Idaho. 10 Fort White Horse, sixty miles
distant, through an unsettled and eX-
trcmely dangerous portion OF the country
After crossing the Ouyhu river and
travcrsug the pelilous Crooked Creek
canyon, he took the stage at Soldiers
Spring for the remainder of the trip
This drive was always made at night, beng
less liable To an attack from Indians at
that time: aud the driver, a man named
Kelley, was chosen especially for this
route because of his cool-headed daring
and splendid horsemanship.
The inside of the coach was occupied by
four passengers, DR.. Caldwell, wife, son
and daughter-in-law, of San Francisco
and Reckless Matt took seat on the out
side with the driver.
The road from this place to Fort White
Horse ran across perfectly level grease
wood and sage-brush plain, and as there
was a perfect moon, and the rare atmos-
phere of this high region making it pos
sible to see distinctly for miles, the view
| from the stage was magnificent. Far to
the southwest rose Stems mountains,
along whose base dashes the mad Malheur
river; TO the northeast lay the beautiful
| Bruno mountains, dark Swallowed in the
moonlight, their crcsts penciled dellcately,
dividing line between the solemn still
ness of II summer night and the beauty OF
"A star-lt sky. TO the northwest the lofty
| Blue mountains could be but diUly seen,
the blue that gives them their name being
changed by the night into purple and blue
shadows, Just touched here and there with
faint dashes of light. Far across the
plain, from the foot of the Bruno noun
taius, came family the roaring of three
OuMu rivers, and, with the noise of the
coach, breaking what would otherwise
have been profound silence.
When about halfway across the pain,
and while gazing around on this peaceful
scene, the quick eyes of the scout discov-
cred TO the left, perhaps at the distance of
mile, cloud of dust moving slowly and
on parallel line with the road. Know
ing that on these alkaline plains there
were deep assures cut out and running for
miles, making it possible for any number
of men to travel in them without being
seen from either side; and being aware,
also that some miles further on an old
Indian trail crossed the road at Dry Creek
to the mountains on the opposite side, he
was naturally somewhat alarmed and drew
the drivers attention to the steadily NOV
ing dust. After watching it for some time
Kelly concluded that it was whirlwind,
rs it is common occurrence OH those
plains for the wind to catch up volume
of dust and whirl it along in straight
line for miles when it will gradually dis
solve and vanish. They continued to OBJ
serve this suspicious dust cloud for some
distance, until it finally disappeared, and
Kelley, fully persuaded in his mind that it
really was a whirlwind, gave his attention
to his horses, leaving the scout to his
reflections, which were not altogether
pleasant ones. Having better know
ledge of the country and 0flndian tactics,
from long experience in combating them,
he was uneasy and on the alert, listening
for the slightest sound TO confirm his sus
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