The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-22
BEARER OF CUSTER'S
MESSAGE LOSES JOB
Change Of Administration Has Deprived Daniel
A. Kanipe Of Job as a Revenue Raider.
Tells OF His Ride to Capt McDougal

~HANGES in the internal revenue
service made by the Wilson Ad-
ministration have retired from
Uncle Sans payroll one OF the
mos, picturesque figures in North Caro-
lima. Daniel A. Kanipe. a former rev.
.nue raider, who is said to be the only
American survivor OF the III fated force
under the immediate command OF Gen.
George A. Custer. Mr.. kanipe has the
distinction Of having carried the last
order issued by Custer Just previous to
the massacre on the Little Big Horn
River In Montana. In 1876.
Mr. Kanipe has retired to his home at
Marion, near Asheville, since the change
~ Admin stration has deprived him OF
h,s place as a revenue rnider: but his
name IL still a word to conjure with in
the districts where corn liquor IL made
without paying tax to the United States
Government. As a raider Mr.. kanipe
was probably the most feared man in
the Asheville district. one Of the largest
in the United States, and the same
courage that sent him serenely on a
mission through q country infested with
hostile Indians has caused him to VEN
TURF into dark corners OF the mountains
IN search OF Illicit distillers. Himself n
unountaineer, he has matched wits and
craftsmanship with the surest shots
and most cunning inhabitants OF the
mountain regions. and has always won.
Kanipe was born at Marion and was
raised on farm, but ran away from
home at the age Of 10 to enlist In the
army. walking across country to Lin
colnton. where he enlisted In Company
C. Seventh Regiment, United States
Cavalry. The company was commanded
at the time by Capt. V. X. Hart. Before
long the young man was promoted to a
sergeancy and attached as a scout to
the command Of Gen. George \. Custer
in the campaign against the Sioux In
dams under Chiefs Sitting Bull and
Rain In the Face. He was with Custer
on the morning Of June 20. 1876. at the
Little Big Horn. when the Indians were
beginning 10 close in around the little
band Of American soldiers.
II had the fastest horse in the SER
vice" Sergt. Kenipe says land he could
single foot faster than most cavalry
horses could run. Capt. (later Major)
Thomas II. McDougal. In command of
Troop d. was about five miles away, in
charge OF the pack train carrying our
spare ammunition and rations.
Gen. Custer ordered me to find Capt.
NcDougal and tell him to bring up the
pack train with all speed, as he Gen
Custer) believed that a great battle
was about to be fought. With this last
order Of Gen. Clusters ! slipped away
from camp on my horse. Yankee Mike
and after eneaking past a number OF
Indians and outrunning a bunch tina,
discovered me and gave chase. l made
my way 10 Capt. McDougals camp and
delivered the order.
We started at once to the relief OF
Gen. Custer. but by that time he was
surrounded by Indians. and 1t re-
Qu!red two days OF hard fighting &c
make our way across that five miles OF
territory. While I was gone and while
We were fighting our way back to Gus
,er's position Sitting Bull and Rain II
,he Face. with their 1000 Sioux devils
surrounded his force. and after q
hard night butchered them.
when our relief force reached the
spot where the heroic Custer had made
his last stand we found the bodies OF