Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-25

pony, the latter almost Wlnded from
exertion, yet making desperate effort
still being at full gallop-to bear his
rider to cover, for on the rocky slope
to the right is seen a group of United
States cavalry scouts in pursuit. The
latter have but barely halted and
brought their rifles to their shoulders
when the Indian, almost within cover
of his native fastness, and made des-
perate by pursuit, stretches himself up
ward and, twisting his body backward,
takes what the artist has been pleased
to term THE Last Shot" The plucky
scout is sighting we'll, and though the
red man is equally as good shot, ami
! may possibly wound the daring scout,
yet the spectator feels that the Indians
quietus will come from the revolver of
the comrade preparing to fire. The
whole scene is wonderfully dramatic,
and has the dash and strength charac-
teristic of the best military paintings
by modern French artists. Add to this
a fine feeling for color and atmospheric
conditions and you have canvas
worthy of position in a choice colec-
ton, and one which cannot fail to bring
honor to it's creator, no matter Of what
nationality. But feeling akin to pride
swells the patriotic breast when the
a westerner, and one who has never
left the shores Of native land in quest
of motifs for his paintings.
"At Orchard Park, Erie county, in the
state of New York. and some time dur
ing the year of 1851, there came to the
descendants of an old Quaker family
that had settled in Bucks county, Pa,
in 1862, son. This child, in due course
Of time was sent to the common school,
receiving his education in a building
erected on the site formerly occupied
by small log schoolhouse in which
his parents had formerly received their
primitive education. On both the pater-
nal and maternal side the forbears OF
e. S. Paxson (our artist) took an active
part in the revolution and in the colon
ial conventions. His fathers family
was among the first settlers on the old
Holland land purchase. now comprising
to some extent the city of Buffalo.
After leaving school the boy entered
the works of his father in order to
learn the business of carriage building
He passed through the various stages
| of apprenticeship. becoming familiar
with all departments of the business,
but feeling no undue interest in the
same until he commenced dabbling with
colors in the painting department. 1t
was here where the latent talent, the
! spark of genius, first showed signs OF
development, and from that time on
ward the young PaXson became imbue.l
with the spirit of art, and he had barely
| attained his majority when he broke
away from boyhood's environment and
| made a bold strike for the west.
LAS a hunter, he reveled in outdoor,
| sports, shooting and bagging game and
living among the Indians for about
| three years at stretch. Here he found
| much to satisfy the spirit of adventure.
| while at the same moment the artistic
sense was imbibing that which was to
later bring him-if not into fame-intd
rank with the truly patriotic painters
of the wild and picturesque side Of life
On-the western plains.
For the next ten years Mr.. Paxson
devoted himself to the work of 4 scenic
| artist. John Mcguire having opened a
| theatrical business through the IA:
| western cities, and at Butte, Mont, GU.
| artist settled down to devote himself
| to work in which painting and design
| ing played an important part--for the
artist must live by bread-his spare mo-
| ments being given to putting on canvas
| that which could not be downed. His
| knowledge of the Indian and study
of his environment; his adventures
during the Nez Perez war, and the
| spirit of imagination rife within his
! soul, together with the talent for draw
| ing and feeling for color. led him To
attempt historical subject. and Gus
| ter's Massacre" which has been on ex-