Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-18

whelming numbers, Carson so sue
c~essfully eluded or defeated the In
idians or each occasion that he was con-
SIdered by the trapperS to be invinclble
as a leader and was regarded by the
various tribes as a supernatural being.
The Indians could never understand
how this little white nan could be so
powerful in battle. One reason, for his
success was that he never lost an in
slant in elaboration. but acted ~instinc-
lively with lightning like speed, and the
proved by the outcome. The great
confidence that be inspired in his com
rades was due, not only to his unchal-
lenged supremacy as a leader, but
also to the fact that he risked his life
again and again to save any man of
his party who happened to be in dan
ger.
In 1885, while trapping with Jim
Bridger and q number of others. a
large party of French Canadian trap
pers of the Hudsons Bay company was
encountered and a camp of more than
100 men was established jointly for
winter operations with a view to safety
from Indian attacks. Among the Can
adams was a Frenchman known as
Captain Shunan, who had a wide rep
Lhtlph 40 a putIf anu Il gun IIkHltt
He was particularly offensive in his
demeanor toward the Americans and
was jealous Of Carson's reputation as
an Indian fighter. One morning. after
Bridger's men had swallowed many in
suits from Shunan. the latter declared
in Carson's hearing that the Ameri-
cans were all towards.
Carson AumbIes Bully in Duel
Carson quietly turned to Shunan and
said: I'm an American and no COW
ard; you are n b~raggart and a bully.
| am willing to fight you in any man
ner you may choose"
Shunan had some reputation as q
knife fighter, and because of his pow
erfuI physique. Carson's companions
held their breath for fear he would
select knives as weapons. Instead,
however. he dared Carson to fight on
horseback in the following manner:
The two were to mount their horses.
armed with rifle or pistol, and start
ing towards each other from a distance
of 100 yards apart, were to shoot as
they rode until one or the other was
killed. but each Of necessity would
have to reload his weapon after the
first shot.
Shunan had hunted buffalo with n
rifle and was expert in shooting from
his horse, so he depended upon this
weapon. Carson selected his pistol
and mounted a fine. active mustang.
They faced each other at a distance
Of 100 PAGES until the signal was given.
when each spurred his horse forward
at a gallop. Both held their fire until
within a few yards, when they shot
almost together. Carson's bullet struck
Shuman's right wrist, SCATTERING it..
The shock slightly DETECTED Shunan's
aim and his bullet grazed Carson's
head, knocking his hat off. Shunan
was crippled for life. The fight had
been witnessed by most of the men in
the camp, and the defeat of the hated
bully was the cause of a celebration.
in which, however, Carson, did not
join. He spent the time in trying to
afford relief to his opponent.
Guide for Fremont
In 1912 Carson visited ST. Louis
and was received with a public dem
onstration that he found a trying or
deal. He was by far the most popular
figure in the whole trans Mississippi
country and his exploits had been her
aided far and wide. General John C.l
Fremont was at the time organizing
an expedition to explore the country
lying between the western Iowa state
line and the Rocky mountains. He Of |
fered Carson the position Of chief
guide, which was accepted. The ex-
petition left st. Louis May %, 1912,
and with little excitem ent reached Fort
Laramie, in what is now Wyoming.
Carson left Fremont there xnd went J