The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1919-06-12
Pioneer and Famous
Indian Fighter Dies

Of last week remoy from the citizen
ship Of Fremont COZ 1y = famouS pip
tneer. frontiersman md Indian fighter.
Some of the incideuns in his career in
the West are 40 remarkable Is to de-
serve more than passing mention. and
with that end In view few Of the
more salient facts In connection with
II have been complied from historical
records and the recollection OF his as
sociates for the readers Of The Daily
Record.
Mr.. Lamb was born in North Caro-
lima and was descended from a long
line of hardy American ancestors. He
spent his early manhood In Illinois
vend came to Colorado in 1859 and
Nentifed himself with the pioneer life
of the West. He located in Denver
on first coming to this state. but re-
moved 10 Canon City in 1860. and soon
afterwards entered the Union army
and fought through the Civil War.
He crossed the plains In 1863 with
the "Argonauts," and reached Denver
in June OF that year. Denver at that
time was a small village. consisting of
IS log huts. Later he went TO Gem
trail City and worked In various min
ing camps until 1860. when he came
10 Canon City and began carrying
supplies 10 California Guich, or Lead
Vile. with a burro pack train before
any wagon road was built west OF
here.
Mr.. Lamb spent several years in
prospecting and placer mining near
Leadville and at Fairpiay. and had
many hair-breadth escapes and thrill
ing experiences with the Indians. He
carried the mail one winter from
Leadyille TO Fairplay. going over Mos
quito pass on snowshoes. and on sew
erai occasions. when food was scarce
IN Fairplay. carried 100 pounds of II
over the pass TO relieve the situation.
Naioose's band OF 30 Ute warriors
went to Mr.. Lambs camp In Union
Culch In the winter of 1864 and de-
manded -four. They had been on the
war path on the Larmie plains. and
on their return had stolen q number
Of ponies from the settlers. the sol
diers pursued them into Middle Park
where they were compelled to aban-
don their horses to escape capture
This put them In bad humor. and
when they reached Mr.. Lambs cabin
they were very duarrelsomc- Mr..
Lamb had small supply OF hour and
be offered Naiooss three cups OF IT..
This was Indignantly refused by the
chief. who demanded the whole sack
Natoose then made n speech to his
warriors In the Indian tongue in which
Ife told them to kill Mr.. Lamb and his
partner. Mr.. Lamb grabbed his rife
and bowie knife and before the In
d.ans had time 10 make a move to
carry out the order given them. had
his gun cooked and pointed at the
chief. A deathiike silence ensuef
for several minutes when Natoose
paffed HIS breast and said: Me heap
good Indian: American heap wano. In
dian hungry: give me Hour" Mr.
Lamb replied: Yes. three cups full. /"
To this the chief answered -Three
cups heap wano.'' The -four was then
given TO the Indians and they depart
ed peacefully. The least hitch in
the moves of the white men, or the
least sign of fear or weakness. would
have meant instant death to both.
Mr.. Lamb was placer mining one
day in McNuity Culch when his at
tention was attracted by slight
noise near him. On looking mp he
saw a gun barrel pointed at him over
tho top of log and behind II the tops
OF a few Indian feathers. He pre-
tended not to notice anything wrong
and took his gold pan to the bank OF
the stream near by. when out OF
sight he grabbed his rife and ran
around the Hill behind the indian
When he came in view the Indian hae
his rife ready TO fire and was watch
ing closely for his return. Mr.. Lamb
made good Indian out Of him at once
and left him where he fell.
In 1864 Mr.. Lamb accompanied Dep
uty United States Marshal ID. II. Hew-
~ and George De Mary in pursuit
OF Mexican horse thieves who had
been stealing animals near Leadvilie
and taking them TO New Mexico. They
followed them to Taos where they re-
covered the horses and captured two
of the thieves The latter were
brought back to Colorado for trial On
that trip they traversed the entire
length OF the Snn Luis valley without
nseeing n human habifation. Soon
after the return of the party from
New Mexico there was a call for vol
unteers for the army 10 fEht the In
dams. who were becoming trouble
keome. and Mr.. Lamb enlisted In the
v,o'oraao cavalry, and was with Col
Chivington at the battle OF Sand
Creek.
In the spring OF 1863 reign OF ter
ror spread over South Park and the
country surrounding Canon CITY.
caused by the mysterious murder OF