The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-30

During the Indian troubles which
followed the. close of the civil war
was attached to various Western
forts and camps as scout and dis
patch rider. and in that capacity had
my full share of adventures. 1t was
my fortune or misfortune almost at
the outset of my career to strike the
Sioux a blow which made them for
ever after hungry for my life. This
was in 1866. while they We're pretend
ing to be at peace. but actually killing
every white man they found outside
The posts. / was then at Fort Nc
Pherson. and while carrying a dis
uatch to small body of troops sta
TONED on the Saline fork of the Kan
sas River l encountered n small band
of Indians. This was about 10 o'clock
in the forenoon. | saw them emerge
from a dry ravine and head to cut
me off. and l at once halted and dis
mounted. 7 was then on the crest OF
= ridge and close to a natural SINK
which would make a good rifle pit.
1t was big enough to shelter my
horse as well. and / was all ready
had taken the alarm. ,.,
While not in war-paint they showed
every other sign of hostility and knew
that il | fell into their hands my scalp
would change owners in hvc minutes:
There wasn't a Winchester rifle among
the Indians at that time and not one IN
ton had seen one. I had one. while the
nine redskins in front of me had old
fashioned Misunderstanding rifles, and 1 be
Iieved | could surprise them. They were
led nv q SuD-Chiet named Isillle redtHci-
and among tho nine were two others
named White Water and Running Bear.
These three sub-chiefs were warriors OF
renown and were then on their way 10
attend a council and war-dance.
II was Little Feather who summoned
me to surrender on pain of being burned
at the stake. and he was the only one
who directed affairs when i shouted my
refusal. The nine spread out. mounted
on their ponies. until they half encircled
my refuge. then, at a signal. they came
IL a~h ana tF, ~
enough to split his throat. Lying on my
face, with dead rest for my rife.
tumbled Little Feather and White Water
out of their saddles. and that stopped
the charge As they checked up killed
Running Bear. and before they got. out
OF range l wounded one of the warriors.
THE nn yns nd tSs ano
Of the dead chiefs safely into the fort
In work entitled THE Pioneers Of
Nebraska" pages 35S-s. is an account Of
The number killed Is there put down
at five and the name of Running Bear
Is given as Yellow Bear. ..h .
1t soon became known among the Sioux
what had happened. and every branch Of
the tribe swore to have my life. re-
ward of ten ponies was offered to any one
ssen alive XII ms, ADVISED
TO clear out of that locality but I re-
fused to go till the long-expected war
finally broke out and | was attached to
Indians had not greatly disturbed me, a.
I knew they would always be trying their
hest to capture a scout. no matter II they
had never heard of him. Those were
DAYS when every white man on the plains
lived a year in every week. and never
forgot for a moment that his life was
in continual jeopardy. Several plans.
capture me. but I slipped thr~ lsh.
] was finally made q prisIaer under
singular circumstances. was returning
from the flying column to Fort wallace