Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-04-16

miners continued to fire as the Indians
scattered until there were no more red
men in sight. A bullet from the In
dams fire wounded Allen slightly in
the foot, but not enough to put him
out of action.
The miners made no attempt to
follow the Indians that night, but re-
turned to their own camp. The next
morning they found the dead bodies
Of II Indians and Is horses. The horses
had been killed as they stampeded into
the hail of bullets the miners were
pouring into the Indian camp.
They took the trail of the Indians
again, but after following it a short
distance turned back, because it was
leading away from Spearfish, their
destination, and furthermore they were
out of provisions and their horses were
tired. Also, the Indians we're headed
into the heart of their own country
where pursuers might reasonably ex-
pect to encounter additional bands OF
them.
Continuing their way toward Spear
fish, they met on the trail Calamity
Jane, whom DIR. Allen was to meet
MANY times afterwards in Montana
She was mounted and leading a pack
horse and told them she was carrying
dispatches to Custer City. She told them
there was a party of whites corraled
at the Red Water crossing and again
20 of the miners left their own trail
and rode to the rescue, DR.. Allen, Of
course being among them. His rifle
alone was worth two of three of the
ordinary individuals, because OF his
deadly aim.
Nearing Red Water crossing they To-
Gated the Indian camp, but unfor-
tunately their approach had been noted
by the Indians and they themselves
were attacked. They became aware of
the Indians advance upon them, how
ever, and prepared an ambush which
resulted in them killing IA Indians and
eight horses, and in completely repulS-
ing the Sioux, the remainder of whom
disappeared in rout even more quick
ly than they appeared upon the scene.
The white men, fearful that If the
Indians reached the Red Cloud agency
with news of the encounter, that they
would be overwhelmed by Indians bent
upon revenge, dumped the dead bodies
of the Indians and their horses into q
washout and covered them with brush,
then turned back to the Spearfish trail.
directions for following which had
been given them by Calamity Jane.
Before they reached Spearfish, they
passed along the trail the bodies Of
Several men who had been killed by
the Indians and an almost endless
array of burned wagons, dead horses
and scattered camp equipment, the re-
suit of attacks by Indians upon parties
of travellers.
At Spearfish they found scores Of
men ready to start across the plains
for the Big Horn country, and train
of Sc wagons and $50 persons was or
ganized for the trip. DR.. Allen and
his companions, however continued on
to Bozeman, where Allen opened
blacksmith shop. He later was an eX-
press messenger, government black
smith at Fort Custer and was engaged
in the stock business on Canyon creek.
In 1882 he moved to the new town of
Billings, where he erected the first
house to have a shingle roof. Always
an expert and enthusiastic hunter, he
made considerable part of his living
that way for several years after his
arrival in Montana.
After moving to Billings he attended
the Chicago College of Dentistry and
after graduating there took a post
graduate course. He practiced that pro-
fession in Billings for many years,
where one of his sons now carries on
in the professional footsteps Of his
father.