The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-30
4 TRAGEDY OF TIE HILLS
how HENRY t. GERRY SHORT
ENDED HIS OWN LIFE TO
SAVE OTHERS
EARLY MONTANA HISTORY
Ex-Gov. Sam t. Hauscr Recalls an
Exciting Incident of PiO-
neer Days In the
West.

The Hon. Sam T. Hauser, ex-governor
of Montana has been in the city for the
past week, a guest of the Fifth Avenue
hotel, says the New York Telegram. He
is a finely built, energetic man, and has
done his share for the upbu-lding of his
section of the country
Mr.. Hauser became governor of Mon
tana, while it was yet a territory, by ap-
pointment from President Cleveland.
Yes, politics is warm out there" the
ex-governor said in answer. to a ques-
ton. II believe that Bryan will carry
the state this fall"
Gov. Hauser governed Montana well,
because he knew the people and they
knew HIM He was a pioneer in the early
days, and when things were rough he
roughed it with the others.
1 asked a friend Of the governor who
had known him in Montana: ''Was he
one of the early gold hunters of that
section?''
yes, he answered; land I will tell
you a story that the governor does not
often tell himself, which illustrates those
times and the scenes through which he
passed
A TRAGEDY OF THE HILLS.
1T was in the Yellowstone region in
1863. Fifteen brave and well armed men
set out from Banner City in April on a
search for gold. They met the hostile
Indians in force, and by the middle of
May, with numbers sadly reduced by
death from the attacks of their foes,
they had but one thought-to fight their
way back to safety, or, failing in that
to die as brave men should. Sam Hau-
ser was one of that little company.
Theysstood a good chance of getting
through by a dash, but would not take
1t because it involved the abandonment
Of Henry Bell. who was badly wounded,
but for whom there was yet a hope
Iney placed him upon a horse and moved
forward as rapidly as they could The
Indians were all about them waiting for
a chance to rush them and finish the
Job.
-Four O'clock came and they had
moved but twenty miles since daybreak
Ihefe was snow upon the mountains and
1hey We're weary and cold They halted
20 give poor Bell rest. Pickets were
thrown out and preparations made for
hurried supper. Suddenly an alarm
was gwen that the Indians were coming
EacA man grasped his gun, when there
came a shot In the very midst of them.
One of the bravest of the lot. Henry
J.. Geery was seen leaning upon his
gun with deadly pallor upon his face.
KNEW HIS TIME HAD COME.
Boys, said he, I have foolish1v
eI en- e my life As he had hastily grasp.
5ua ms rnle by the muzzle. the hammer
1ao caught In the blanket and been
1IaWh isoack. The ball had struck him
IN the breast His shoulder was also
shhattered. They could see at a glance
mat II was mortal wound He WIS
Heiped TO sitting posture He onened
ms sMrt and pointed to the wound and
sac; You see, have not long to live.
can only live for few hours' he
calmly said, but that is too Ionp for ,,n nu
TO remain here. The sun is going down
ana then the Indians will be upon Won
n M tbiI De impossible to defend yourselves
IA Ihls place. He then turned to Stuart
thS captain or the band and said Tim
ee It'll Ihe boys m MORALLY wounded
Ihey saw what he had In mind and
pegged him to drive it away from him.
Els only answer was to reach for his
pIsIol he held 1t firmly in his hand and
Matned them that if any man attempted
20 take ltzfrom him 1t would but hasten
the end. Those rough, brave men $1,000
spout, and with tears in their ewes
, uegg9o MN not ITO think Of them They
maLa him Sl@y mere ere, by MIN to the end and
apt; Jim expressed the feelings of
mem ALL when he said: Never mind
S,eely'. we IL stay by you and all the IN
i'lis III theSe NILS can't drive us away.'
A BRAVE MAN DIES
BUT the decision of Henry Geerv was
MAGE, ana could not be shaken 80
know that you WouId aII.-st,,, -.
nao ana Die Tor me, he answered. but Il
Mou1o 40 me no good. Remember that
ian. am not committing suicide. an, on 1it
shortening my life few hours. to nre.
G Gonf you %snt losing 81 yours: God knows I
H S nope beyond it,
bIhe muzzie of the pistol was Of bis
am burj R9mfmber boys he said where
Tel my friends where it is. Cod HIS hIass
you al: | must die. and in time for vo,
20 44sry " me e,a and escape before dark
the voice of Jim Stuart was bear isse f,'
aGgonlzlng distinctness. For Gods sake
Ge e.y: don t-but if you must. don't shoot
ms Is out one paragraph in a long