Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-06-03

that was exactly one mile and
three-eights. Well, there was a puff of
smoke at the Indians, and one of the
government As caliber bullets struck
Shearer's horse through the withers
near the saddle.
Captain Winters came down to
within about 200 yards of us and call
us to come with him. l told them
that we would not 60 till we could
take all. | went down into the draw,
where Randall was, and that was the
first | knew he was wounded. He
wanted some water, and when it was
given him he vomited and soon died.
He was shot through the body with
a large caliber bullet. Ben Evans
was dead, and Charlie johnson was
wounded. l then sent word to Cap
tain Winters that we would send to
Cottonwood for team in which to
remove our dead and wounded. Red
dy took my saddle horse and his and
soon went to Cottonwood and brought
back a wagon and we took our dead
and wounded and left the battlefield,
and as soon as we left the Indians
were seen coming back to it.
Does That Show Bravery?
Does that show any bravery for
Joseph? There was his whole band.
They were driven from the field by a
little handful of citizens, and thew
were held away by less than half a
dozen men.
1t must have been about o'clock
when we got to the Cottonwood house.
Here we had been for several hours,
in one mile and three Fights of three
companies Of United States cavalry,
who had three gatling guns, and the
soldiers had 1870 carbines and good
revolvers.
Then, when Perry was courtmar-
tailed he was acquitted on the ground
that by going to our assistance he
would have endangered his base Of
supplies! Nice verdict, when we
were between him and Joseph's band
This was certainly bad night fol-
those that were left at home. The
friendly Indians told we had all been
killed, and that the Indians were
camped on the Cottonwood, neal
Chapmans place, and were much
nearer Mount Idaho than we were.
Along in the night Colonel Hunter
and McConville came in from Salmon
river with their three companies Of
volunteers, and the next morning the,
escorted us, with our dead anC
wounded home, and it was sorrow.
full homecoming.
Randall and Ben Evans were buried
the next day; Howser lived for a
short time; Al Leland and Charlie
johnson were only slightly wounded
and recovered. Frank Fem had botf
lips burned and tooth loosened by
a bullet as well as four holes through
one trousers leg.
l think we had nine horses killed
in the fight, and there were severa
Indian horses killed. do not know
whether any Indians were killed. L
there were they were removed aftel
we went to Cottonwood
Almost LynChing
After the funeral of our dead, tn,
volunteers here reorganized, and tn.
volunteers from the lower countr,
were getting very restless, and were
anxious to see live Indian. The,
had been with Gen. Howard across
the Salmon river and were delayed
in getting across, or they would hav.
been in at the Cottonwood fight.
Some bad blood had been cropping
out between Gene Wilson and Captain
Hunter, and when they got to Mount
Idaho Hunter had taken rather tot
much spirits for his judgement, and h.
and Gene renewed their quarrels
Gene thought Hunter was going t.
draw his revolver and Gene shot hin
through the shoulder This caused &
great excitement for a little while
Gene gave himself up to Sheriff Case
and was put in Jail. Hunters mer
soon worked themselves up to a great
frenzy, and were running around tn,
Jail, threatening to take Gene out ant
hang him.
i At the time of the shooting | was il
the blacksmith shop making cart
ridges, and was nearly through, whel
one of the volunteers came to me ant
said that Gene had shot Hunter
asked if he killed him. He said no
but they thought he would die.
| went to the hotel and learned the
particulars as above stated. Neon
vile and Charley thought the best w
could do would be to take the volun
teers and start out again to see wher,
the Indians We're, and they sent m,
to have talk with the Hunter mel
around the Jail.