New-York tribune., 1906-08-05
CUSTER MASSACRE STORY.
Hoo First Nesos of Little Big Horn
Vas Published.

Helena Mont, Aug (SpeciaD.-Deputy Post
master A. j. Fisk. OF Helena. for years vet
eran newspaper man. having with his brothers
published MOntana's first daily newspaper
Helena Herald'-was in reminiscent mood the
other evening" and related the story OF how the
first news of the Custer massacre was given
the world through the medium of a press asso-
citation. Said he:
A little more than thirty years ago Custer and
his brave troopers laid down their lives on the
hills surrounding the Little Big Horn in East
ern Montana. l have noticed that every year
erroneous reports gain circulation as to how the
news OF the massacre. so called, was first given
TO the world. Being pretty we'll known in the
my word will doubtless be taken. but If any one
questions my assertion have the proof in the
files Of 1.-THE Herald
AS was the custom in the early days The
Herald did not publish paper on the Fourth
OF July. and editors and printers were supposed
TO put in the whole day in celebrating At that
time, IN 1876, / was The Associated Press agent
FOR Helena, position which filled for a period
OF thirty years, or up to two years ago. About
noon on the Fourth of July 1876. came down.
town to see if there was any news of impor-
tance TO wire 20 the association. was sitting
in the business office. when in the door walked
Horace COuntryman, dusty. dirty. with haggard
eyes and looks and having the appearance OF
one who was about "an in I sprang to the
counter, grasped him by the hand. eXclaiming:
"COuntryman. what in Gods name is the mat
ter?"
Jack he replied. custer and all with him
Horn by the Sioux Muggins Taylor. the scout
brought the news 70 Saltwater. He being ex-
hausted, / volunteered TO bring the news 70
Bozeman. Arriving at Bozeman. found the
government wire down. so I got a fresh horse
and came on 70 Helena"
The news seemed incredible and 7 INQUIRED IL
ne could give me the particulars He said ne
could. told him to come in and sit down and
wait for moment until could send out and try
to locate some printers in order that we might
get out extra.
Our foreman. the late William McCatchey. was
located, but IL was perhaps an hour before we
had force distributing type and getting ready
for the extra. Then COuntryman gave me the
particulars of the dreadful affair as COnveyed
nuently and il was a difficult matter TO keep
within firing distance. as in those days the type
writer and stenOgraphy were unknown in this
sentences:
"Curley. the Indian scout and the only person
who escaped 90 bring the news, said the firing
was very rapid; IL sounded like the swapping
or the threads in the tearing OF a blanket
Az O'Clock in the afternoon The Herald
extra was on the streets OF Helena II was the
nrSt news OF the awful event 20 be given to
the public. The excitement was great and
our force so limited that did not find time 20
send the news out Of the city until after the
extra was out Then grabbed copy Of the
extra and made fast time 70 the Western Union
telegraph office. There was only one wire, but
Manager Operator Fredericks laid all else aside
and gave the massacre story preference, with
the result that on the morning Of July all
the newspapers OF the country contained the
news OF the massacre.
There was little rest for me the night OF
July &. Every fifteen minutes or so there would
be ring at my doorbel. announcing tele-
gram from some paper demanding further de-
tails Of the awful AFFAIR. I remember one New
York paper having authorized me % send scouts
TO secure additional news informed the papers
Press Association and that further details would
como from Bismarck. when ths scouts reached