Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-01-16
CUSTER'S OLD BILLY.
END OF the Las Survivor of the
Little big Horn Mas
sucre.

The death in Cheyenne, Wyo., a few
days ago OF Billy, the old cavalry horse,
and the only survivor OF the Custer
massacre, closed the last chapter in the
story of the gallant fight of Gen. Gus
ter and his brave band on the Little . ig
Horn in 1876, says the ST. Louis Globe
Democrat. Found wandering around
On the battlefield, badly wounded and
smiling at the dead bodies Of the vic
TINS of Sitting Bulls hordes in an ef-
fort to find his master, Billy was taken
In charge by an officer in Gen. Reno's
command. At first the animal recoy-
cred slowly, and for a time il was
thought he would have to be shot.
Medicine and kind treatment had the
desired effect. however, and in a few
months Billy was himself again. Mai.
Ihomas +. Talbot, of this city, saw
Billy and took n grCa, fancy TO him, and
after much persuasion Qunrtermaster
Sergeant Ross, OF Fort Russell, con-
scented 10 sell the faithful old fellow,
and the major became his new master.
Billy was about 81 wears old at the
time of death, and stood Is hands high.
y beautiful light bay, with long name
and four white feet. he was a nagniG-
rent specimen OF horsencsh. lie WIS
bred in old Kentucky. and while full
VI life until stricken down by the ill.,
ness thar resulted in death, he was ever
gentle. and was never known 10 sac:
up" He attracted attention wherever
lie went. not because of his history es-
recially. but because OF his magnificent
tirrlagc end stately stride. Even in
late years, when Maj. Talbot p~artici-
patcd in Il parade Fill was always given
a position ut the head of the column,
and made tLe best appearance of any
0f the other horses in line.
During the early days of Cheyenne's
history Maj. Talbot was engaged in
hunting criminals. and always rode hi,
faithful steed. Being fleet of foot and
with great endurance powers, The ami.
ninl was very valuable in the chase aft
.r 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 a
pillow and with the saddle blanket for
4 covering, while Billy. being on a rope
fastened to the saddle horn, would
Craze and keep faithful watch. If he
scented danger he would awaken his
master by Juggling gently at the saddle
with his teeth.
Maj. Talbot says Billy accompanied
him on many exciting trips into the
robbers country, and by his fleetness
pulled him out of a number of tight
places. On one of these memorable
trips. when the officer was after thieves
who had stolen n team from Mayor l..
L. Bresnahen, of Cheyenne. Billy start
id several hours behind them, but by
making the trip from Pole creek 10
Lanes ranch, on the head of Horse
creek, n distance of 50 miles. in nine
hours, the thieves were caught as they
acre preparing to enter the noun
iains, where il would have been impos-
sible TO catch them.
The last trip Billy made after Grim
mails was in the early SOS, when a man
uamed John Baird. who was making
lis way 10 the Black Hills with a horse
md saddle he had stolen in Denver,
Has overtaken at the Ninc-Mile ranch,
north Of Cheyenne.
Old Billy is buried in a secluded spot
IN the garden at the Talbot residence
in northwest Cheyenne, and a stone
suitably inscribed. marks the last rest
ing place of the only survivor of one OF
the memorable events in American his
iory.