Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-01-04
AN OLD-TIME "REMINISCENCES,

AN OLD-TIME "REMINISCENCES.
Narrative Of the Man Who Fired the FRS
Gun in the Indian War.
Few Indian War Veterans have had
more interesting experiences than A
j. Laws, Of Portland, who shot the
first Indian killed in the battle on the
Sound in the war of 1855. But per.
haps his oldest experience came after
the battle. He walked I6 miles bare
footed, and upon reaching Tumwater
was carried by the women Of the place
over their heads into the blockhouse.
eve want man who can shoot
Indians" explained one of the old la
dies, and it is doubtful if any other
man ever had more attention and care
bestowed upon him in short time.
He had left trail Of blood the last
few miles, but his feet were tenderly
nursed.
The incidents leading up to the bat.
tie we're dramatic in themselves, even
in those stirring times when every
clump of timber might contain an
ambush, and when men worked and
slept with firearms at their sides.
In that year Captain Eaton raised q
company Of rangers. There was so
much talk OF Indian trouble that the
whites thought it we'll to be ready. A.
J. Laws was among the first to enlist,
and with 80 others went into camp on
Puyallup river. 1t was reported by
friendly Indians that Chief Leshi ill.,
tended to lead the rangers into ambush
and massacre them.
Lieutenant McAllister was acquaint-
ed with the chief and thought he could
get his support. The next morning,
accompanied by Private Cornell, be
visited the chief and secured his prom.
Use not to modest the whites in any
way. But even whilst pretending
friendship the chief was plotting MUIR
der. After McAllister and Cornell
left he sent out a party OF braves who
headed them off and killed them.
"That same day." said Mr.. Laws, in
telling the story, most OF our men
returned to the settlement, believing
that McAllister would have no trouble
with the chief, for we were so informed
by . runner sent to US by the chief,
who also accounted for the absence oil
Lieutenant and escort. There were
but ten Of US left in the camp. There
was also cousin of the chiefs in our
camp, and we never dreamed OF treach.
cry.
"After dark several Indians crawled
up close to our camp. Their actions
caused US to know at glance what
was meant, and we rushed into small
cabin, our only protection. Three
Indians walked boldly in front OF the
cabin.
"I'll put one of those fellows out
Of business" said. getting my rifle
ready.
"For Gods sake don't shoot.
warned one OF the men.
"But I knew by the looks Of them
they meant business and sometimes
the first shot meant whole lot. Sc
l up and let one of them have it.
Mr.. Laws chuckled at the remem
brance Of the shot.
"Say. mister" hecontinued, "dit
you ever see q redskin get plunkeC
square where he lives? Well, it's {
funny sight. That fellow just clappet
his hands to bis side and ripped out I
yell that made the forest shake. Ar
answering yell that just naturally
raised the hair on our scalps came
from about 300 Of 'em hid in ths
woods.
"You fixed that one all right said
the sou OF McAllister, who was with
the party.
"'Yes,' said I, and I'll get thai
other sneaking varmint,' and let fly al
one of the remaining two, both of whom
were making for tall timber at lively
rate. 1t was pretty dark for gooc
shooting, but the way he took header
showed that he was kept too busy fol
a time to think much about lifting
scalps. The remainder Of the nigh,
we were all kept pretty busy. but they
didn't try to rush us, which was q
mighty lucky thing for us. 1t WA.
Ere as you please by the flash of The
guns.
"The next morning all was still
and we thought they must be up te
some devilment, but we were rat hel
surprised to see three express mer
coming to us under . white flag. W.
told them of the danger and wondered
how they got through alive. We helc
q pow.wow, and it was decided Q mar
must volunteer to reach the settle
ment or we would be IS dead al
mackerel. George McAllister, the
Lientenant's son, and 1, volunteered
He took the only horse in camp ant
struck out. l waited some little time
and bearing no gunshot, also strucl
out. My shoes we're old and worn ant
came to pieces and l had to tramr
barefooted most of the way TO Tum
water.
1--WE learned afterward that the
Indians were scared by company o
volunteers on White River, who joined
our party shortly after McAllister ant
l had left"
This is one OF many incidents tina
Mr.. Laws can tell in an interesting
manner. He served as . Sergeant il
the rangers and fine silk flag wa
made by the women for him in homo
OF his fighting record.