Daily camera., 1900-06-04
cUsTER's OLD BILLY.
End of the Last Survivor Of the
Little Big Horn Mas.
sacFe.

The death in Cheyenne. Wyo., a few
days ago of Billy. the old cavalry horse,
and the only SUI vivor Ci the Custer
massacre, closed the last c..,. pter in the
story of the gallant fight CT Gen. Gus
ter and his brave band OH The Little ig
Horn in 1876. says the St. Louis Globe
Democrat. Found wandeli.:g around
on the battlefield, badly w.'.nded and
shifting at the dead bodies cf the vic
tins of Sitting Bulls holdes n an ef-
fort to find his master, Billy was taken
in charge by an officer in Gen. Reno's
command. At first the animal recov-
cred slowly, and for a time it 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. Maj.
Thomas F. Talbot, of this city, saw
Billy and took a great fancy to him, and
after much persuasion Ql"ltermaster
Sergeant Ross of Fort Russell, con-
sented to sell the faithful cid fellow,
and the major became his new master.
Billy was about 81 years cid at the
time of death, and stood Is hands high.
A beautiful light bay, with long name
and four white feet, he was nagnifi-
cent specimen of horsehesh. lie was
bred in old Kentucky, and while full
of life until stricken down by the ill
ness that resulted in death, he was ever
gentle, and was never known o "act
up" He attracted attention wherever
he went, not because of his history es-
pecially, but because of his magnificent
carriage and stately stride. Even in
late years, when Maj. Talbot partici-
pated in parade Bill was always given
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 Cheyenne's
history Maj. Talbot was engaged in
hunting criminals and always rode his
faithful steed. Being fleet of foot and
with great endurance powers, the ami
NAL was very valuable in the chase aft
er bandits. On several of these occa-
sions, 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 rope
fastened to the saddle horn, would
Craze and keep faithful watch. If he
scented danger he would awaken his
master by tugging gently at the saddle
with his teeth.
Maj. Talbot says Billy accompanied
him on many exciting trips into the
robbers country, and by his feetness
pulled him out of number of tight
places. On one of these memorable
trips, when the officer was after thieves
who had stolen team from Mayor l..
r. Bresnahen, of Cheyenne. Billy start
ed several hours behind them. but by
making the trip from Pclc creek to
Lanes ranch, on the head of Horse
creek, distance of so miles. in min,
hours, the thieves were caught as they
were preparing to enter the noun
tains, where it would have been impos-
sible to catch them.
The last trip Billy made after Grim
inals was in the early sos, when man
named John Baird, who was making
his way to the Black Hills with horse
and saddle he had stolen in Denver,
was overtaken at the Nine-Mile ranch.
north of Cheyenne.
Old Billy is buried in secluded spot
in the garden at the Talbot residence
in northwest Cheyenne. and stone,
suitably inscribed, marks the last rest
ing place of the only survivor of one OF
the memorable events in American his
tory.