The Bozeman courier., 1927-07-22

fight so far had been fast and furious
but the worst was in store, for the In
dians adopted different tactics. They
left their horses, and crawling into the
brush which surrounded the camp, they
sent volley after volley into it at close
quarters.
The return fire was carefully executed
and all three Of the men became expert
marksmen the bullets were not wasted.
The Indians deluged the spot with lead
until trees were actually moved down.
One tree of considerable size was actu-
ally cut down and fell toward the camp,
but fortunately did no damage and
rather than otherwise strengthened the
position of the white men. At one time
Cooke and an Indian fired at each other
from a distance of only 10 feet. A hole
was made in Cookies hat, but the In
dian fell dead. Cooke pulled his body in
to use for a breastwork.
During the remainder of the day the
Sioux took to still hunting, crawling into
the brush in the hope Of getting a shot
at one of the men. Eight Of them met
death in that way, the last of them be-
! ing war chief who was bedecked with a
magnificent bonnet Of eagle feathers.
He was killed about sundown Of the long
day. One of the prospectors suggested
they scalp the dead, but Cooke objected
and they contented themselves with
taking the war bonnet of the chief.
When night closed in the three men,
each packing a blanket and what scanty
provisions they could hurriedly gather
from their scattered stores, crawled
through the Indian lines on their hands
and knees and continued for several
miles in that manner. When far enough
from the scene of conflict to feel safe,
they arose and made for the Pryor
mountains. There they hid and rested
next night party of Indians discover
the succeeding day, but Travelled the
ed them and followed them on their re-
turn trip, but always kept at respect
full distance, and after several days
hardship the three reached the Old Mis-
sion safely.
Woody left Montana along about 1897
to live on a small far min Missouri. He
died there many years ago the last Of the
three to pass away. Just prior to leaving
the Upper Yellowstone country Where
he lived for many years, he acted as
guide for Theodore Roosevelt on hunt
ing trip into the Wyoming country south
Of Yellowstone park.
Hubben eventually settled on place
near Boulder where he died in 1901, al
the age Of 30 years, from ptomaine pois-
oning, the result of eating canned food.
Cooke finally went down before the
gun of one of his old enemies, Sioux.
In 1876 Cooke and Hubbeu set out
for the Pryor creek country in search
, Of beaver. Arriving there they set some
! traps and Hubbe1 killed buffalo. Mex
morning they went to look at their traps
Hubben up, and Cooke down the stream
Shortly afterwards Hubbeu heard firing
and hurried back to camp. AS he neareC
camp, he saw strange horses running
: with their own, but thought the animals
belonged to friendly Crow Indians anC
: proceeded on his way. Suddenly II In
ldians arose from their place Of conceal
ment in Washout not more than u
yards from him, and fired at him, bu
all missed. Hubbell sprinted so yards Il
the cover Of brush, the Indians following
He killed the leader and the others fel
back and ne concealed himself and wait
ed till dark.
He heard firing down the creek 70
a long time and presumed that Cock
was making a stand, but surrounded a
he was could render no assistance. A
dark he struck for the nearest settle
ment.
A few day later friendly Crow Indian
found Cookies body leaning against
tree. He had been in the act Of putin
another cartridge in his gun when killed
The cartridge was gripped in his han
land the chamber Of his rifle open. TIL
Sioux must have left without KNOWN
of his death, as otherwise the bod
would have been mutilated and scalpeC
as both Hubbell and Cooke were we
known and greatly feared by the Siou1
Crow Indians who visited the seen
OF the conflict between the three trap
pers and the Sioux, counted % dead o
the field and followed the trail dow
to the Big Horn where 10 other dea
had been given interment in trees tn
Crows always told Of seeing an eigh
inch box elder tree that had been actu
ally cut down by the hail Of bullets ths
q the Sioux had Curned upon the whit
n mems camp.