The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-09-30


Blackman. has made possible this ac-
count of one of the great Indian TRACE
dies of the Western plains.
Mr.. Williamson came 10 Nebraska
from Wisconsin and became assistant
farmer for the Pawnees at Genoa in
1872. This was two years before the
removal of the Pawnees to their new
reservation in Oklahoma.
In the summer of 1873 the Indians in
the reservation at Genoa asked permis-
sion to take an old time buffalo hunt.
They had given up their right to all
the vast buffalo plains of Kansas and
Nebraska, and this territory was rap
idly filling with settlers.
The old time spirit of savagery al
ways seemed to return to the Indians
during the exciting adventures of the
chase and the settlers were never safe
from depredatlons during such hunt.
Accordingly, i'll granting permission to
the Indians to go on the hunt, the Gov
ernment agent, William Borgess., COM
missioned Mr.. Williamson to accom-
pany them in the capacity of trail
agent.
The trail agent was expected to re-
strain the Indians from any lawless-
ness. but his authority was only ad-
visory, as the various chiefs who ac-
companied the expedition selected one
of their company as supreme COM
mander from time to time. The au-
thority of this chief became absolute
during the time for which he was
chosen. and every movement was di-
rected by him.
The start was made from the reser
vation ON July ., 1878. Mr.. William
son was the only white man in the eX-
petition save one, Mr.. Lester Platte,
nephew of Mrs. Alvira G.. Platte, who
lived among the Pawnees for many
years as missionary. Mr.. Platte had
Just arrived from the East, and. wish
ing to see some real Western life,
asked permission to accompany the ex-
pedition.
There were GOO Pawnees in the ezpe-
dition. including squaws and papooses.
The first buffalo seen on this hunt
was lone bull north of Arapahoe, on
q small stream called Stone Creek.
He was killed and then there was n
great feast.
The first surround was made eight
or ten miles south of Arapahoe, and
they succeeded in killing all of the
herd to the number of $50 or so. Some
white men were stalking this herd
from the south. but, on seeing the In
dians they took to their horses and
fed, doubtless thinking that the In
dians were hostile.
Several times in the course of the
Journey white hunters had come in to
the Indian camp with some story cal
culated to turn the Indians back, told
doubtless for the purpose of saving
the game for the whites.
On the evening of August 3 some
white men came into the camp and
told Mr.. Williamson that Sioux Indians
had been watching the Pawnee band
for several days, and had run their
buffalo herd into the region as Il de-
coy.
In the midst of the attack on the
buffalo the Sioux intended to attack
the Pawnees. After so many attempts
to deceive them the Indians were not
willing to believe the story, and deter
mined to make the surround of the
buffaloes early in the next morning as
planned.
Mr.. Williamson, however, concluded
from the manner of the hunters that
they were telling the truth, and tried
by every means in his power to have
the Indians abandon the chase. They
already had all the game and pelts
they could carry home. and there was
no good reason for slaughtering an
other herd, but the Indians could not
resist the pleasure of another chase.
Sky Chief was the leader in supreme
command in this chase. He insisted
that the white men were lying, and
when advised by Mr.. Williamson to
abandon the chase grew angry and
said:
Buck Skin, you are afraid. Many
Sioux have / killed, and many more
will bite the dust if I meet them. No,
we will make the chase. You shall
stay with the women if the Sioux
come"
All arguments having proved una
vailing, Mr.. Williamson started with
the hunters. They located the herd
about six miles west of where Culbert-
son now stands. and almost half way
between the Republican and French
man forks Three or four miles from
camp stray buffalo were seen coming
southeast, as IL they were being chased,
but no signs of Sioux were seen.
The struggling buffalo were cut out
and few killed. Sky Chief and an
other Indian took after bunch which
went east. while the rest of the band
keeping an easy pace until more buff
falo should be sighted, were strung
out over more than half mile. AS the
struggling tuffalo We're chased into
the rolling country, the Pawnee forces
became sadly scattered.
Presently" says Mr.. Williamson,
In relating the story, Il saw signs OF
excitement among the Pawnees mp in
front, and young buck came riding
toward me. When he came up to
where l was. he cried out that the
Sioux were coming. l rode forward
and soon saw a band of Sioux on
rise of ground about mile and a half
northwest Of us. holding a council and
making the war signs to the Pawnees.
"Terre-e-cocks, skeedee chief, was