The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1899-03-18
A MULE FORT,
Desperate Fight with indians Beh'nd the
Bodies OF Dead Ones.

BEFORE the railroad connected san
Francisco with Chicago, all freight
was carried across the plains IN large
wagons, each capable of holding SIX
or seven thousand pounds, and drawn
bv several yokes of oxen. The wagon
box, as large as the sitting room OF au
ordinary house. was covered with TWO
heavy canvas sheets to protect Che
freight from the rain. A train consist
ed of t~T-aty-fve wagons, each III
charge of a driver, and all commanded
by the wagon master, known Ill tne
language of the plains as the pull
wagon boss" The teamster was call
ed a "bull-whacker," and the whole
train was a "bull-outfit." The wagon
master was an autoCrat, gifted not
only with courage, but with that FAC
ulty for prompt, judicious action
known as presence Of mind. A story
told bv Buffolo Bill in '"The Great Salt
Lake Trail" shows how suddenly the
cali sometimes came for prompt ac-
ton.
Lew Simpson was wagon master OIL
two large trains which left Fort Lara
ME for Fort LeavenW0rth, and tray
elled fifteen miles apart. One morn
ING Simpson, accompanied by WOODS
the assistant wagon master, and young
Cody, started from the rear tram TO
oyertake the head one. While riding
on a big plateau they suddenly dis
covered a band of Indians charging
down upon them.
, Simpson, equal to the OCCASION Jump
ed from his mule, shot 1t dead, sho
I those Of the two companions, ana thei
ierked the bodies into a triangle BE
> hind this breastwork Of mule flesh tn
| three men, armed with rifles and re
yolvers, received the Indians. The,
p swooped down, shooting arrows an
Z Yelling. Three fell dead at the why
mems yolley, and the Indians gallope
. out of range, as they had only t"
guns in their band.
Circling round and round the barr
cade. they shot their arrows. On
a struck Woods in the left shouldef an
n several lodged in the dead mules. Tie
It they retired and held council. III
d besieced reloaded their rifles ana !
h volvers; Simpson pulled out the AFRO
10 from Woods's shoulder and put lars
Is ouid of tobacco on the wound. The
the Indians again charged. But n
II reception checked them and they rot
r off, leaving dead brave and hors
ly Night came on and the Indians trl'
le to burn the white men out OF the
is brpastworks by setting fire to t
If prairie. The grass was so short tn
le the fire did not trouble them; but u
der cover of the smoke the lndla
x tried to approach close to the par
OF care. They failed to surprise t
ng watchful men and abandoned the plS
n, In the morning they again charge
ed and the white men again stood the
to off"
e. The Indians rode away half a mi
formed q circle around the brea
as work, and each man, dismounting,
n down, as If to starve the besieged 0
St They had seen the advance train p'
he and thought the three men were t
It, ing to oyertake it, being ignorant Il
Ids another train approaching.
a. 80 At ten o'clock the anxious II
heard the sharp reports Of the big b
whips, and in a few minutes the 1t
ton wagon came slowly yer the ridge
MS soon the whole outfit made its appt
ry, ance.
Seeing the train, the Indians m
Nv last charge; a volley sent them
Lse, ing across the prairie. The teams
Ice rushed forward to assist, but W
ana they reached the mule fort the
AT skins had disappeared. The teams
us- admired the fort, praised the I'll
son men's pluck, and for days talked al
'F'" Simpsons presence Of mind in p
ming the defence.