The National tribune., 1910-06-23

lake Co. c, 11th Kan, and a company
pf Indians from the Usage Mission. The
Usage Mission is about 40 miles south
pf Humboldt, on the Neosho River, and
from there south there was no feed for
man or beast except what we took with
us on our horses.
After we got near where the Fort
Scott and Fort Gibson road crosses the
Eeosho River Col. Plumb thought best
to keep in the timber as much as pos
bible, and as the Fall and Winter had
been dry the Neosho River was dry
for several miles above its Junction
with Spring River, so we travelled in
River our course lay on the west side
of Grand River, where after 40 or so
miles We camped for the night.
Col. Plumb sent me and another man
to ford the river and see what we
could find on the other side. After go
ing about a mile we found place
where men had camped day or two
before. We returned to the command
a little after dark and reported. The
Colonel decided to go back 20 or 80
miles to the ford. where the road from
Neosho. Mo, crosses the Grand River.
and look the country over on the east
side.
We found out that the bushwhackers
never Travelled in the roads. but always
the east side the company of Indians
was ordered to go four or five miles
east before turning south, while our
command kept close to the river A
several miles jaunt brought US to a
log cabin, with no one but a woman
and small baby In sight, altho hang
ing on the side of the cabin were the
carcssses of a deer and a hog.
Col. Plumb asked the woman if there
were any men around She said she
had not seen man for six months
and the Colonel replied: Madame,
believe you lie"
From there we went down a patti
towards the river. A short distance
from the cabin we found a saddle and
gun IN the bushes and fresh horse
tracks pointing towards the river. We
followed the tracks across the river
and saw a man ride out of the cane
brake within a few rods of US. Col
Plumb started after him on foot, while
the men followed. some on foot some
horseback, but the brush was so thick
we could not follow fast We expected
TO be attacked. George Plumb, a broth.
er OF the Colonel, got thru faster than
the Others and shot the bushwhacksr
thru the head.
From there we continued on down
the river until we crossed beautiful
stream. Cowskin Creek, and came to 9
little prairie a mile or two wide and
several miles long. Just as we cams
20 the edge of the prairie we saw some
men with drove of cattle. They were
buJhwhackers. The whole command
charged after them. One of then
turned to one side, SO as to get into tn,
timber along the creek. AS soon as h,
got to the timber he jumped off hi
pony and got behind a large oak tree
and raised his gun to shoot. BY tina
time three or four of us were closing il
on him. His gun failed to go off, anC
we rushed up to the tree, only to FIND
the man had disappeared. An old Aus
trian rifle lay by the tree, and the pom,
was standing near by.
a rod or so beyond the tree was ,
ledge OF rocks 20 or 25 feet high, run
ming up and down the creek for a lon,
ways. we could not think the ma,
had jumped over the ledge, and as Their
was no brush or anything in the way
30 the man could hide. we were puzzlet
to know where he had gone. Others o
the men had come in from the chase
They searched up and down the creek
but could find no trace of him.
On the edge of the ledge was a larg
Tock l climbed up on il to rest Al
Erandley tried to get up, too, but some
how in getting up he lost his baIanc.
and fell. He caught himself Just at Tn,
Drink Of the ledge, but 1 thought h,
mad gone over. Just then l heard tn.
report Of gun under the rock and the
smoke came up in my face. / saw
Brandiey's feet below me- At the sam,
time the bushwhacker came up ant
said: Don't shoot me any more.
surrender"
Before I could get him he tainted
and went headiong to his death owe
the ledge to the bottom below. Brand
ley had shot him thru the body whii,
7 he was under the rock The man haf
q doubie-barreled shotgun with hin
fflnaar th1 rock Inadad with huclr shot