The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-09-08
FORT LARAMIE In 81.
Wild Western Scenes and the Tragedy
at Coffey's Ranch.

A bad state of affairs existed at famous
old Fort Laramie in 1867. This was about
one year prior to the meeting of the Taylor
Commission. when the first treaty with the
Sioux and other tribes was signed. About
seven companies of cavalry and infantry
composed the garrison, and Outrages in the
vicinity were frequent Early in the season
two civilians were killed in close proximity
to the post. one of whom was shot not
half mile from the post on the Bridger's
Ferry road, the Indians filling him SO full
of arrows that the body remained in an up
right position. At Jim Lamary's rancho,
seven miles northwest, five men, hardy
frontersmen, fought a strong band of
Ogallala Siouxs five days before succeed
ing in notifying the post commander of
their predicament. Lamary kept a general
store on the road to Little Cottonwood and
a fearless frOtiersman. Believing that
trouble was approaching, and experimenting
an attack, he had during the Spring months
with the assistance of three companions,
constructed a most ingenious subterranean
passage leading to a chamber of good size,
where he had cached a large amount of
provisions, not overlooking, as he after
ward related, four bottles of Hennessey's
best, that happened to be in his stock.
Time proved his good judgment, for not
many days had passed ere a large band
rushed down the bluffs, stampeded and
drove off most of the herd, returning the
following day to secure the rest and Incl
dentally scalp Jim" and his friends. The
facts proved that this was largely family
quarrel, as some months previously Lam
airy had imprudently married an old chiefs
daughter. and for some unknown reason
his father-in-law had become his bitter en-
envy. Retreating to the improvised cave,
the white men, well armed and with plenty
of ammunition, for four days successfully
stood them off until help arrived from the
post.
A remarkable case was that Of an old
hunter and trapper, who was found badly
wounded on Little Laramie. Col. Alden,
the post Surgeon, pronounced at once
against his recovery, owing to his advanced
age, while five balls had entered his body,
each striking above the belt. In four
around the hospital, declaring that the In
dian bullet was yet to be moulded that
could kill him.
That celebrated guide and frontiersman,
Jim Bridger, was at the post during the
Summer, together with other guides and in
terpreters less famous, and preparation was
made during the season to secure the at
tendance of Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Man
afraid-of- his-horses, and lesser Chiefs, at
the treaty council the next year. A most
singular character at that time was Joe
Gebreau, Spaniard of good appearance
and some education, whose life was a mys-
terry. For 10 years he had been accustomed
to join the Indians near Wind River Val
ley and as far north even as Montana and
live with them until Spring, ostensibly
trader in robes and furs. This year. on ac
count of the hostile attitude of the Indians,
he was warned against a repetition of the
journey, but persisted in leaving. even ad-
hitting that his return was unlikely. /
we'll remember the singular circumstances
nifcent bay horse, he left Bullock's store
for the north, he was intercepted by an
aged squaw from the squaw camp. She APP
peared to be hundred years old at least,
and with colored cloth wrapped around
her emaciated form, presented a singular
appearance and showed surprising agility
as she screamed her warning, imploring
his stirrup cover and Selling the bride in
her sorrow. Joe, impassive, hardly looked
at the squaw, but motioning her one side,
put spurs to his horse and rode off with
out saying farewell to any one, as he was
accustomed to do; but he never returned
and the squaw's prophecy was fulfilled, as
word came In the early months Of the fol-
lowing year that he had been killed finally
by drunken buck, who was trying to pre-
vent him from leaving their camp with his
furs. after having survived the Winter.
But the most exciting occurrence of this
year was the shooting of popular mem
ber. of the I'd U. s. Cavalry at Jules Cof-
fey's ranch and the destruction of the lat
ter by his own troop.
This ranch was situated four and half
miles east of the post. The Union Pacific
Railroad was finished to Cheyenne. 90
miles south, and the region was infested by
band of gamblers and horse-thieves. A
most notorious character was George Rep
toe, who bore an unenviable reputation as a
professional gambler and at the ranch fire.
quently expressed his contempt for Uncle
Sans servants. Cavalrymen frequently
visited the store, the attraction being bill
lizards and the brewery, and after indulging