Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1898 — A Frontier Tragedy [ARTICLE]

A Frontier Tragedy

THE serious wounding at Santiago of Lieut. Col. Henry Carroll, commanding the First brigade of the cavalry division, recalls to the memory of western people a frontier tragedy in which himself and troops under his command played a prominent part. In the latter part of the summer of 1890 a young man named Hugh Boyle, whose home was at Champaign, HI., arrived in the vicinity of the Tongue River reservation. Mont., to visit with relatives, who were old settlers in that region. On the evening of September, 6, of that year, the young man, while on his way on horseback to aid his uncle in herding cattle, was waylaid on the long and isolated road by two Cheyenne Indians, afterwards discovered to be Head Chief and Young Mule, and fbully murdered by them. Because of his failure to appear at his uncle’s home it was believed that some accident had him, and a diligent search was immediately instituted. The following day the horse ridden by him was found, still saddled, grazing by the roadside. After searching for nearly three days the only trace of the youth that could be discovered was his hat, which was found filled with earth in a depression or “run.” An examination of the hat revealed a hole in it which was clearly made by a bullet. Blood spots were also noticeable around the hole. Satisfied that a murder had been committed, the Indian chiefs were called upon to assist in unraveling the mystery and bringing the murderer or murderers to justice. At that time Tongue River agency was temporarily in charge of James A. Cooper, of Winfield, Kan., then a special agent of the interior department, who afterward furnished the writer with the details of the remarkable incident. On September 9 American Horse, a subchief, discovered the body, and at once notified Special Agent Cooper. The special agent, accompanied by Maj. Carroll, then of the First United States cavalry, and a number of Indians, guided by American Horse, proceeded to the spot where the body had been discovered. The place where it was found was in a “break” between two peaks near the top of a mountain, only four miles from the agency. Tho body had been cax*efully secreted, and would never have been discovered by a casual passer-by. It was taken to the agency in an army ambulance, which had been provided for the purpose, and given a proper burial. Boyle’s relatives were notified, and two of his brothers afterwards arrived and removed it to their eastern home. The special agent and party made a careful examination of the vicinity of the spot where the body had been found, to determine whether the foul murder was committed by Indians or whites. Foot prints made by moceasins or bare feet —it was hard to determine which, so indistinct were the marks —were found in the fresh earth, and at several points leading to the spot. American Horse, after a brief examination of the foot prints, withdrew in silence to one side. Upon being pressed by Mr. Cooper to give his opinion as to who could have killed the young man and left the tracks, American Horse finally said that he knew who did the deed and gave the names of Young Mule and Head Chief as the guilty parties. The police and friendly Indians to the number of about 25 immediately commenced a search. Previous to their departure the special agent had issued orders for every Indian belonging on the reservation to come into the agency, and all obeyed the order except the two murderers. This fact settled any doubt that there might be as to who the guilty parties were. FrU day noon following, after a diligent search, the police returned, bringing tidings that no trace of the fugitives could be found. Saturday, September 13, ration day, after the rations had been isaued to the assembled Indians, all of them were called to the agent’s office, where they were told the necessity of promptly bringing in the two murderers, as the whites were becoming enraged at the delay, and were making all sorts of threats against the Indians. The famous chief Two Moon, who is the head chief of one of the five bands on the reservation, acted as spokesman for the Cheyennes, and stepped forward when the agent had ceased speaking. He stated that his people had held a council and were prepared to satisfy the law, from their standpoint. Their proposition was that the agent take 30 ponies in payment for' the death of young Boyle. They intended that the ponies should be accepted and sent to the relatives of the murdered boy as a compensation for the death of the young man- The offer was promptly rejected, and they were given to understand that the white man’s law could not be satisfied in that manner. The father of Head Chief made an eloquent plea for his son. but it was unavailing. Seeing the agent was determined not to accede to their proposition. and that nothing that the Indians demanded would be accepted, the father of Head Chief strode up to the agent, and with eyes glittering viciously. said: had hoped that the matter could he settled with the ponies. I see you are determined not to accept them. My son’s mission to you was, if you did not accept the ponies, for you to select the ground, as he wants to come in and die in your presence, and show you how a Cheyenne can fight and die!** The agent then again addressed Two Moon and asked him if it were not poßaible to secure the fe'vttive without ra

sorting to such terrible measures, and if be or any of his people knew where the two murderers were. “We do not know where they are," promptly replied Two Moon, “but if the ponies are not accepted we can get them very soon, as they are somewhere near the agency, but have said that they will not be taken alive.” “IVe are ready; bring on your men.” Immediately the Indians dispersed, the yolunger warriors, who had remained mounted on the outer fringe of the circle of assembled Indians, riding at a gallop from camp to camp, conveying the words of challenge, others going after the criminals and the remainder driving- ponies off the ground in front of the agency buildings, that had been decided upon as the scene of the approaching duel. Agent Cooper and the Indian policemen were standing in front of the agency building, guns in hand, when the two murderers appeared on the crest of a hill northeast of the agency. The firing at once commenced. While dashing down the hill toward the little group waiting to receive them, Head Chief’s arm was broken by a bullet and Young Mule’s pony was killed. The two Indians, one of them dismounted, then retreated to a higher range of hills about 800 yards distant from the government party. The firing continued from that point for some time, and many shots were exchanged. Shortly after Head Chief crossed from that range to another chain of hills overlooking the agency. On reaching the sqmmjt he encountered a portion of the troops sent by Maj. Carroll. The meeting was unexpected to both Indians and soldiers, but it was too late to retreat, and the daring Cheyenne dashed directly through the troops, wounding four of their horses as he did so. His broken arm was hanging loosely at his side, and with the other hand he was “pumping” and firing his Winchester rifle, winch was resting across the pommel of his saddle. Just as he passed through the troops he received several bullets in his body and fell from his pony, being dead when he touched the ground. Young Mule, still on the opposite hill, saw Head Chief fall, and at once realized that he had but a short time longer to live. He determined to die fighting, and, chanting the death song of hit tribe, ran down the hill straight toward the spot where Mr. Cooper and his Indian police were standing, shooting as he ran and jumping from side to side for the purpose of disconcerting the aim of those shooting at him. When about 200 yards from the group in front of the agency, Young Mule suddenly altered his mind and took refuge in a ravine that was conveniently at handAt this juncture a party of young Cheyenne warriors on ponies, who were with the remainder of their people on the adjacent hills watching every phase of the tragedy, becoming excited, began .buckling their cartridge belts outside their blankets preparatory to taking a hand in the battle themselves, ..and assisting the wounded Indian.

Agent Cooper fully realized the peril of such an act, but, urged on by duty, summoned his interpreter and went up to the scowling groups of Indians with gun in hand. Through the interpreter he threatened to kill the first Indian that attempted to open fire on the agency or police, or anyone connected with the agency. He then went on to hastily explain to the excited Indians that the fight was as agreed upon by their people and himself; that they themselves would not be harmed, but must not interfere. His brief but determined talk quieting the Indians, he ordered them to disperse, which they did. Agent Cooper, after quieting the Cheyennes, started back toward the group who were exchanging shots with the concealed warrior. While passing opposite the mouth of the ravine he discovered that it would be necessary to shoot with the ravine instead of sideways with it, in order to strike and kill ths Cheyenne, who kept up a fire from the place where he was hidden. At this juncture the mother of the fugitive made a sad appeal to the authorities to save him from Impending doom. It was impossible to grant her request, as the warrior continued! firing at his enemies, plainly showing that he had determined to die as his comrade Lad died. The mother realizing that all hope had vanished and that son must die, staggered to the Open plain, and in accordance with the Indian custom when they lose a relative or dear friend, slashed her limbs with a knife from the knees down. With the blood streaming from the wounds and trickling to the ground she chanted and wailed the death dirge of her boy, while the bullets of the police cut through the brush. The agent had in the meantime called some of his men to a point opposite the mouth of the gully, told ahem to be readr when another shot was fired from there, to fire at that spot. In a few moments a puff of smoke burst forth from the ravine. It was immediately answered by the agent and the few men with him, they aiming directly toward the spot where the smoke appeared. After waiting to see the effect of their volley, and no answering shot being fired, they became satisfied that their bullets had effectually silenced the warrior, and going to the ravin* they found that the Cheyenne had finally been killed. In honor of the bravery of Head Chief and Young Mule their people marked with atones their course that day. and the visitor to the agency may ret be able to distinguish the line of itcres that mark the death trail travrlt d ’ y the yonrg wnr-i-ms that pleas«r! terrber div.—!.•••:;'* Globe*