The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-07-06

Of not getting one Of them shot,
which hardly seemed probable with the
bullets and arrows flying like hail and the
Indians pressing close on every side.
Kelley frightened his grip on the relns
and gave the whip to his now running and
thoroughly frightened horses, AT the same
time drawing his Star revolver, aud turn
ing, when possible, TO aid the scout III MS
desperate fights for life. In cool defiance
stood Reckless Matt. facins what seemed
inevitable death, using The powerful Henry
with telling eject and having the grim
satisfaction of every now and then seeing
an Indian fall, and knowing that II forced
TO leave this mundane sphere he would go
accompanied 10y goodly redskin deiega-
ton. The savages pressed closely de-
termined upon killing or injuring one OF
the stage horses. knowing, OF course, lhat'
this Wild fight stopped, the passengers
would he completely at their mercy.
1t soon became apparent to those onthe
coach that they were drawing steadily
away from the mass of Indians on foot and
even out distancing some of the PONIES.
Kelley would throw the lash to his
horses. then turn, take deliberate aim at
a savage and, with the report of his re-
yolver, say, "How do you like the crack OF
that whip. YOU red DEVIL" then again turn
to lash his horses and urge them on to
safety. Three times was the scouts rife
reflied and emptied, and, as they more
and more ut-distanced the bowling,
devilish horde, he stood up, and, resting
his gun on the iron rod that ran around
the top of the COACH continued to send it,
deadly messengers back among the pur-
suing Indians.
The bullits and arrows were still flying
about the coach, but il was plain that the
greatest danger was passed, only Il strag-
Cling few, on the best ponies, now keeping
up with the terrible speed Of the buckskins
in their noble flight for liberty.
One Indian, conspicuous from his
gigantic stature and the powerful white
horse he rode, seemed determined upon
killing one of the horses, and would dash
along ahead OF the stage, then wheel his
horse abruptly into the road and fire
directly at the leaders, then on again to
load his gun and repeat the maneuver.
Kelley, fearing the result ofths deliberate
firing at his horses, drew the scouts at
tention and shouted: For Gods sake,
Matt, kill that Indian on the white horse"
Reaching for Wells and Fargo shotgun,
and taking deliberate aim over the heads
of the leaders, the scout waited until the
Indian bounded his horse into the road
and turned to fire, and then the big shot
gun got in its deadly work and the savage
pitched hcad-long into the road, the
coach wheels passing over his lifeless
body and just grazing his horse. Big
Foot, desperate Piute chief, was killed
that night, and, it is supposed, was the
Indian that rode the white horse.
The savages followed to within mile of
the fort, and when the stage dashed wildly
up, aud no halt was made at the challenge,
the sentry fired, causing the horses to
swerve over a stack of barley, upsetting
the stage and spilling its occupants
On opening the door it was found that
not one of the passengers was injured,
they having crouched down loosely in the
bottom of the coach; but the brave driver
could not rise, and was found to have his
knee cap bursted Off by bullitt, happen
ing as he stated, early in the fight, and
even his companion in the terrible en-
counter did not dream of his injury until
he had to be assisted to rise.
The harness and trappings were literally
shot to pieces, and in the coach, by actual
count, there were 500 holes 1t seems a
miracle that no one was killed and not
horse injured. At the Woodruff
Gardens, in San Francisco, the old coach
can still be seen, testifying by its bullet
pierced sides, mutely but powerfully, to
what think we may aptly term a ride
through death. WlNoNA.