The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-27
AN EQUINE VETERAN DEAD.
Clusters Last Cavalry Survivor Ends
His Earthly Journey.

| From the St. Louis Globe -Demoerat)
Cheyenne. Wyo.-The death in this
| city last week Of Billy. the old cavalry
horse. and the only survivor of the Custer
massacre closes the last chapter in the
story of the gallant fight of General Gus
ter and his brave band on the Little Big
| Horn in 1876. Found wandering around on
the battlefield. badly wounded and shifting
at the dead bodies of the victims of Sit
| ting Bulls horde in an effort to find his
| master, Billy was taken in charge by an
| officer in General Reno's command. At
| first the animal recovered slowly and for
| time il was thought he would have to be
shot Medicine and kind treatment had
the desired effect, however. and in few
months Billy was himself again Major
James F. Talbot. Of this city. saw Billy
and took great fancy to him, and after
much persuasion Quartermaster Sergeant
Ross, of Fort Russell. consented to sell
the faithful old fellow. and the major be-
came his new master.
Billy was about thirty-seven years old
at the time Of death, and stood fifteen
hands high. A beautiful light bay. with
long name and four white feet. he was
a magnificent specimen Of horsefesh. He
was bred in old Kentucky, and while full
of life until stricken down by the illness
that resulted in death. he was ever gentle
and was never known to "act up" He
attracted attention wherever he went. not
because of his history especially but be-
cause OF his magnificent carriage and
stately stride. Even in late years. when
Major Talbot participated in a parade
Billy was always given a position at the
head of the column. and made the best
appearance of any of the other horses in
line
During the early days OF Cheyenue's his
tory Major Talbot was engaged in hunting
criminals, and always rode his faithful
steed. Being fleet OF foot and with great
endurance powers the animal was very
valuable in the chase after bandits. On
several of these occasions, when master
and horse would camp for the night IN
some lonely spot in the mountains or on
the plains. the rider would sleep with his
saddle for pillow and with the saddle
blanket for a covering. while Billy. being
on a rope fastened to the saddle horn,
would Craze and keep faithful watch II
he scented danger he would awaken his
master by Juggling gently at the saddle
with his teeth.
Major Talbot says Billy accompanied
him on many exciting trips into the Job
bers' country. and by his feetness pulled
him out of a number OF tight places. On
one of these memorable trips. when the
officer was after thieves who had stolen a
team from Mayor l.. r. Bresnahen. OF
Cheyenne, Billy started several hours be-
hind them. but by making the trip from
Pole Creek, a distance of eighty miles, in
nine hours. the thieves were caught as
they were preparing to enter the noun
tains, where it would have been imp0ssi-
Bile to catch them.
The last trip Billy made after criminals
was in the early eighties when man
named John Baird. who was making his
way to the Black Hills with horse and
10 In ho1 toll
taken at the Nine-Mile ranch. north of
Cheyenne.
Old Billy Is buried In a secluded spot in
the ga,deh at the Talbot residence in
Northwest Cheyenne. and a stone. suitably
inscribed. marks the last resting place OF
the only survivor Of one Of the memorable
events in American history.