Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-11-25
THEY SAVED THEIR scALPs
Thrilling Experience of Capt. Benham
and One of His Men at
Hands Of Indians.

Modern methods OF locOmotlon offer
many risks, but at least the traveller If
to-day does not know what il is TO Jour
ney in dread OF the tomahawk. The
danger OF misplaced switch cannot
present itself with such insistent hor-
ror as did the ever-prcsent possibility
of the lurking enemy OF the forest. The
Magazine OF American History gives an
account OF a thrilling experience which
occurred in 1879.
In the fall Of that year about 40 men.
In two large boats, endeavored to make
their way up the Mississippi from New
Orleans toward Fort Pitt with stores
of provisions. At the mouth Of the Lit
tie Miami the Indians attacked them.
The waite men noiselessly landed and
tried to elude the enemy. but the saw
ages seemed TO spring out OF the very
ground. Nearly all the party we're
killed, although a few escaped into the
forest.
During the slaughter Capt. Benham.
second in command. fell. pierced by a
bullet. Although he felt confident his
scalp was doomed. he lay perfectly still
putting OF the evil moment as long as
possible. In their eager pursuit the
Indians passed him by. When he was
sure they Had gone. the captain pain
fully raised his head to see II he could
better his hiding. for he knew the saw
ages would be back for trophies. Near
by was newly fallen tree with unwith-
cred foliage. With much anguish the
wounded man managed 20 crawl into
this shelter.
The next day, according to their Gus
tom, the Indians returned TO strip and
scalp their victims. The captain lay.
expecting every moment to feel the cold
edge OF the tomahawk The prospect
of death by slow starvation did not seem
half so terrible as that at the Indians
hands. When the savages had accom-
plished their task. they went Of. leav-
Ing Benham undiscovered.
The captains chance OF life was poor.
He had nothing 10 eat. nothing to drink.
and the slightest movement caused him
excruciatirg pain from his wound on
the evening Of the second day he heard
slight movement IN the tree near hin.
He managed to reach his gun and shoot
raccoon. But ii was OF no good TO
him; he could not even reach II.
Soon after this the. captain heard a
cry In the forest He thought II must
be an Indian device 10 discover his
whereabouts, and lay stIu. But the
call came nearer. and was Enthusiastically
that OF a white man. Capt. Benham an
swered Il. and John Watson appeared
one or the oompany's men who had
elufed the Indians. Both OF Watson's
arms we're broken by bullets.
A partnership was Immediately
formed. one providing hands. the other
feet When game appeared the captain
would load and fire. while Watson would
secure the prize by kicking II to his com
rade. The captain cooked the food and
fed Watson. The greatest difficulty
was to get water. At last Benham took
bis skin cap and placed II IN Watson's
teeth. The latter then walked into the
river deep enough to fiji the receptacle.
and brought IL back 10 the captain. who
drank. and held the cap for Watson TO
satisfy his thirst.
Thus the two wounded men beIned
each other until they were able to travel
little. They reached a fork in the
river, where they built a little hut
and waited for possible boat. One
whole month they waited. and then a
hatboat appeared. At first the party
In the boat would not respond TO the
frantic appeals Of the men. because
they feared some trick OF the Indians
Finally they cautiously approached.
and discovering the plight OF the two
almost helpless men. took them ON
board and cared for them.
Capt Benham lived to a good az.
and his granddaughter married George
Prentice. the well-knowu writer and
journalist