The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-26
Rescued Girl From Indians.

The Laramie. Wyo.. Boomerang. has
this to say of resident of Wichita:
Last night sitting in a big armchair
by the stove in the office OF the Thorn
burg hotel, was a hale hearty old man,
with a rugged weather beaten and scar
red face. deep-set penetrating eyes and a
frame slightly bent with age and still
vigorous.
To dead and gone generation of hardy
trappers, Indian fighters and Indian war
riors he was known as Buffalo Bill. the
most daring and successful scout ever
employed by the government, to the pres
ent generation he is known as Colonel
William Mathewson. of Wichita, Kansas.
In marked contrast to the Snowman who
is Haunting the borrowed title Of Buffalo
Bill as a means of advertisement, Col.
Mathewson is difldent in his manner and
not inclined to talk OF his experiences.
but If once interested in conversation,
he can tell stories that would have de-
lighted the heart of Fennimore Cooper.
to whom he himself would have ap-
peared as another Hawkeye
Fifty-four years ago. when in the en-
ployment of the Northwestern Fur Com
pany the Colonel with a party of twenty
three other trsppers and hunters, first
visited what is now the Laramie Plains
At that time the country was teaming
with buffalo. elk. deer and antelope.
beaver were everywhere to be found upon
the streams. and the Indians had not yet
learnt to be hostile.
on the place where Laramie now stands.
the grass was stirrup high, and the lazy
buffalo would hardly take the trouble
to get out of the way of the horses.
There were no soldiers in the Indian
country then: the hunters and explor-
ers treated the Aborigines with respect
and were dependent upon their friendship
for their existence. The long train Of
broken pledges. outrages. battles and
massacres were as yet things Of the
future.
Col Mathewson during his residence
among the Indians. studied their Ian
guage. habits. character and customs
and became so well known among them.
that when hostilities did break out he
was employed by the United States gov
erament as chief Of scouts and as
go-between when treaties were TO be
made.
The Colonels memory Is well stored
with his experiences. hut he IS especially
proud or the fact that il the course OF
seven years ne secured from the Indians
and brought back 70 their friends 10 less
than 81 white women ard children
The Colonel. last night was Induced
10 relate the manner in which h had
made his last rescue. that OF a little girl
who had been carried of by band az
Conanches during n raid they made into
Texas.
The Indians were tribe inhahiting
portio. Of the staked plains in Texas.
ana known as the antelope eaters.
The child belonged 20 the family -
4 rich cattieuan IN Texas and large re-
wards were offered for her rescue.
The antilope-eaters country was Wild
ami desoIate region where 10 white man
dared penetrate and where troops wers
useless as the Indians could lead them
around. far from their base q supplies.
hut would never let them come Up 20
them.
Colonel Mathswson was appealed q ~
the parents. and Re spent nearly three
wears in useless efforts At last h NJ
unon the plan OF getting the help Of an
other branch OF the Comanches known as
the Yamra-saters
The Yaura-eatsrs were uQoa friers'y
terms with The Anteiope-este-S and were
also willing to trade with the whites
Fitting himself ont with a good stock
81 supplies for trading. Colonel Mathew
SOL went into the territory ~ the ysmpa
Indians and started 70 trade with them
In a short time Re prevailed UPON the
chief Of the Yaupa's 20 send messenger.
10 the Antiiope-eaters ard tel than -
the good trades they we're making with
him.