South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-31
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The Evil Spirit Of the Plains!"
Applied by Indians TO Or. w r.
Carver. scout, guide, trapper. hunt
er plainsman and all round rifle
and wing shot.
The writer having shot a series of
races with the doctor, appreciates
his skill and accuracy. DR.. W. r.
Carver civil Spirit Of the Plains)
and w F. cody buffalo Bid at
one time were inseparable friends
A friendship and confidence built
upon a foundation of dependent as
ISOLATION, when working side
kicks" as government scouts in
zones Of continuous danger A
friendship eventually disrupted by
trivial incident, while working as a
team on the fields of civilization. A
scouts most dependable asset was
Indian knowledge, education in
woodcraft and ability to shoot quick
and accurately. Carver, as a shot,
was much more accurate than Cody.
At the cessa ton of Indian hOstil-
tiles when order was restored by
capture and treaties. on the west
tory and courage TO the credit OF
scouts, plainsmen and soldiers, who
had been instrumental in subduing
ie treacherous red men, who had
t many occasions proven their su-
-iors in war tactics. Some eastern
meier. grasping entertainment
aibilities. organized Buffalo
Bits Wild West Show"
Popular Matinee Idols.
Indians (whose names had been
household terrors), cowboys, scouts,
trappers, bronco busters. wranglers.
pony express riders all were intro
duced, with Buffalo BIZ" and
The Evil Spirit OF the Plains" pos
ing in the spotlight of public pre-
ferment Long hair. broad brimmed
Stetson hats and beaded buckskin
garb, at home afoot or astride, made
them popular matinee idols Finer
specimens Of American manhood IL
would have been impossible TO find.
Speaking the Indian language.
knowing the noble red mans pecu-
liariues, they were ever useful in
handling the warriors. Staged for
the saw-dust arena was a duo shoot
ing act, in which they officiated as
assistants to each other
Riding gracefully around the ring,
on non-gun shy horses. blessed with
an easy going gait, they essayed the
breaking Of composition balls tossed
in mid-air with a single bullet from
repeating rifle. Loud and long
were the plaudits at their every ap-
pearance. Friendly rivalry devel-
oped into a streak Of latent jealousy.
On one occasion Carver was riding
at an easy canter. tossing tar balls
in mid-air for Cody. (who prior 10
the performance had been enter
tanned by some convivial friends)
attempting. without success. to
throw them into a zone where Cody
was scattering shot Carver finally
became disguised threw the basket
containing the balance of the tar
balloons" into the air, then riding
for the dressing tent. followed by
Cody They never again appeared
i'm the arena together. This faux
pas disrupted a friendship esta blish-
ed when they were daily flirting
with death and depending upon
each other for personal safety.
How He Got His Name.
Carver told me why the Indians
dubbed him the Evil Spirit Of the
Plains" as follows: After a hard
winter of successful trapping in the
Shoshone mountains, with Spike
Moran, my trapping pard, we bailed
our pelts, packed them on the backs
OF our mountain canaries' heading
for the Missouri river. enroute TO
market on our trip down the Big
Muddy we experienced a success
sion Of exciting incidents. Arriving
ia St Louis, we sold oUr furs on an
excellent market. There I saw and
purchased nay first magazine or re-
peatins rifle. an uraeard of limo
walton in the far west Trouble was
always brewing between Indians and
trappers. This again developed
upon our return to the Shoshone
trapping fields.
was hunting near the foot OF
Cedar mountain following narrow
trail through the woods, when
was fired upon from ambush. The
whistling bullets caused me TO drop
upon my stomach. then crawling be-
hind a log, unhurt. Quiet prevailed
but ! was not deceived. continuing
10 take observations in an attempt
TO locate A feather war-bonnet,
which I knew was supported by a
stick. appeared above an adjacent
log An Indian trick. which 1 I'M
derstOod.
Surprise For Redskins.
Thinking my gun shot but once.
they could draw my fire. at the bon
net, before I could reload, they
would rush me 70 a finish. Bang.
-Four Indians jumped from the
brush. heading for my log with
blood curdling yells Without re-
moving the rifle from my shoulder
I pumped away. three copper skins
biting the dust The fourth. with
a protra cted war-whoop. IntrOduc-
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