Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

The fall before, contractor sent them by
the department, to furnish wood and hay for the
post Being a stranger in the country he solicited
the assistance of Comstock to find timber and grass
that he could cut to fill his contract. Bills knowledge
of the country proved invaluable to the with
out he could never have filled his contract and he
agreed to pay him we'll for his assistance. On two
occasions Comstock undoubtedly saved his stock
from being off by the Indians and his from
being killed. The contractor kept postponng the
day of settlement with one excuse and another and
finally refused payment altogether
How 1t Happened
HAVING received his money from the Government
IL the contractor went to Pond Creek town
Just outside the fourle limit. Whether he had been
drinking there do not know; but on his return he
met Comstock IN the suffers store. Comstock
asked him for settlement For reply he pulled
a wicked looking knife with the remark This is the
way will settle with you, YOU BANKED halfbreed!
Comstock, facing him and leaning against the
counter. as the contractor sprang toward him with
the knife. pulled his gun and shot. The fell
back loosed his grip the knife, and died.
This account substantiated by witnesses.
Comstock had host of friends, not only among the
rank and file of the army, but also among the officers
and especially was he favorte of General Sheridan
But he arrested and not being enlisted man,
was turned over to the civil authorities and sent for
trial to Hayes City, that being the nearest town.
Had he been tried by the military, without doubt he
would have been acquitted; for in the West at that
time protecting oneself was not called murder, but
self preservation.
AS looked at it then, and again after forty wears
have passed, Comstock 5 conduct irstifable
often had to deal with was no lawyer; but in
way had learned that man is to be held inno-
cent until proved guilty by due process of law.
Making the Getaway
RILLS attorney objected to his client being
brought into court in irons Gas previously knew
court and the irons ordered removed. The only way
to do this to take the prisoner to the blacksmith
shop, where he was ordered to be escorted by the
marshal and his deputy.
Behind this shop nv best horse stood unhtched
saddle pockets well filled with grub, and gun in the
scabbard under the left leg and if | not mistaken
there also pint of good whisky hidden away
which | carried in case of chills snakebte.
had hold of Comstocks arm as the iron slipped
from his ankle, and | might have inadvertently
pulled him toward the back door, which stood Open
or he might have caught. a glimpse of Old Badly
while the smith work. Bill was quick as cat,
and when he made the jump sprang after him. but
somehow in efforts to stop him got in the way of
the marshal and by the time outside the
shop there house between Bill and the law and
before we could procure horses he gone.
The marshal looked at and sternly remarked
that he hoped had lost that BANKED horse this
time. l told him reckoned had; for there was no
horse knew of could catch Old Badly.
The country secured for miles around and no
one was more active in the search than myself; for
nearly killed three horses in my efforts. One dav
while on the trail leading to Fort Wallace rode
into the camp of an escort party of white soldiers
turning to the fort and halted by the sentinel
duty. To the inquiry addressed him to whether
they had anything of the escaped prisoner the
guard touched his cap and replied that they had not
Come then, boys said l. and hurried away
for fear one else might recognize Comstock
himself in the trim looking sentinel These soldiers
were all friends of his and they had dressed him in
uniform and put him on guard.
Exonerated by Sheridan
IN this manner he returned to Fort Wallace and
Immediately made preparations to start ranch
of his several miles from the fort at fine loca-
ton we had often visited together and admired.
Here he remained unmolested until General Sheridan
came to take command of the troops in the field.
Bill was far and away the best scout and guide in