The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1906-11-08
How One Grizzled Warrior Did
Battle Strapped to His
Horse.
BULLETS DlSPLACE BIBLE
These Wers the "civilirins'' Influences
Crsu1ht TO the corlanehes in Early
Days by Government Scouts
and Others.
From tho Youths Companion.

From the Youths Companion.
All day long wagon after wagon had
been rumbiing up from all parts OF CO.
nanchc county. In Oklahoma, TO sospei
rendezvous on Cache creek The camp
was teeining with modern Indian life. The
smoke was rising from nifty little camp
Ares. the innufueTablc dogs were hghtlng.
the squaws were ckattering as they pre-
pared tho cvcaing meal; the men were
racing and laughing An old Texan was
talking TO the missionary. who was IN
teEsey interested In the story.
1--WE seen the time when We gave tho
Comanches bullets instead Of Bibles, no
said 1T was In the war OF the early
seventies. I was one Of the Texas rang
cra and We fought the Comanches to tho
finish. We fought them out OF Texas, ana
then tho troops did them up at McClel-
/ lan's creek. IN the territory. Commences
could fight In those days. saw some
brave Indians die. one old chief In par
ucular. I always feel sorry when think
OF u.
I'VE Texans were iighiing our own war
I with the Comanchcs. The troops were In
the territory. chasing the 'Stakcd Plains
band OF Comanches: but We stayed IN
| Texas and fought cOmanchcs and kiowas
wherever we found them. Wen. one day
we found them too thick. About twenty
OF ~ got cut of and had 10 take TO tho
1
redskina or until We reached the buttcs,
| and. leaving our horses there, We rushed
bacl, OF q long gun range from them ana
| then lay down In the tall grass and Kept
the Indians on with our rifles until help
came This ravcd our horses. and lortu-
nately. We los; only two men.
At a Disadvantage.
THE Comauchcs would ride withiu
range and IRE upon US. but We could
-. ftn
many saddles.
"One Comanchc had white hair. and
| when he would whirl hts horse around
| aud come riding low with his gun ready
! 10 shoot the rangers would call 10 each
| other. Look ont fer old grandaddy. Flo
| shoots close There Was something UNI
natural about the old Indians riding. and
Jack Jefferson who was shooting next to
! Inc said. with laugh. The old buck Is
no stIn that he can't ride slick.
''Onc time the old man came on little
| too far Jack pulled up his gun. We saw
| tho Indians horse rise and plunge. and
We knew that Jack hadn't missed.
Hes coming on cried Jack. And sure
/ enough. h. was running straight for us,
| low and swift. over .ho long grass, the
old man tugging Ia vain ~ the rein and
trying To turn MS maddc1ed pony.
a dozen rifles were raised to stop him.
but Jack all wild with fght and fun.
yelled. Don't shoot He's coming In. He's
my meat
THE old Comanchc came on. while tho
other Indians In the distance were shoot
ing and yelling like demons. But no
made no attempt To- fire lie sat straight
~ on his horse. and as he came close We
heard him singing.
one hand was cluichinE his empty rifle.
Its eyes were fixed straight ahead. lie
Was riding TO his finish, singing the death
chant OF the Comanchc warrior. IL was "A
skccry sight. Jack raised his gun, but
Just couldn't shoot and nobody else want
ed to- The crazy pony passed almost over
our heads Then all or sudden no
straightoncd up In the air and came down
head first on the Eround-Indlan under.
"a the horses feet roso UP In the somer-
Sault
Strapped to Horse.
why didn't the old fool slide on
yelled Jack. as we both crouched, With
our rifles ready In case the Indian sh, Id
| rise again. But no Indian showed up. and
| the horse lay perfectly stiil.
After bit the Comanches drew OF out
| OF range. and Jack aid walked over TO
where the dead horse lay. shot tho pony
| through the head. said Jack. and as we
came up and saw the limp and llfeless
body OF the old Comancho Jack turned to
mo with a strange choke In his voice.
Partner. he's broke his neck. and he was
tied onto his horse .
That night. after the preaching service.
tho missionary. with u dozen or the lead
| ing men OF the comanche tribe. some old
men. with war records. sat around the
| fire. Through the interpreter the mission
/ airy told them OF the tale OF the white
| haired Comanche. Their eyes gllstened.
and n deep cultural "Ha. ha!' followed