What a nerve shattering day! First, my door gets busted through by that fool Thom...trying to scare the life out of me! After we stepped outside to talk...we spotted a native running down the street and hiding behind a shack. Thom ordered me back in the house and to get my rifle. I did as he asked. He opened the door and drug another lady into my house shortly after. She introduced her name as Dee. I stood by the window watching out with my rifle ready to go. Then Thom decided we should try to run to Fran's place and warn other folks. So quickly we slung open my door and made a run for it ....Thom and I with weapons at the ready. I don't think the lady Dee was armed.
We made it to Fran's and told her and her barkeep, Mr. Amgar of the native we seen running through town. Mr. Amgar asked if anyone wanted anything and me having my nerves completely wrecked....I responded "Hell Yeah sir!" Yes, it was most unlady like but at this point...I really had no concern for manners. Just as I was about to take my drink...it dawned on me....those two girls whom I had the run in with had no type of protection or warning. As much as I despised their filthy attitudes towards me....my conscience got the better of me. It only took one moment to decide...I bolted for the door with my rifle ready. I quickly and cautiously ran down the street staying close to the sides of the buildings and shacks. Upon reaching "The Palace" where those two work, I burst through the door and shouted "Anyone in here??" I didn't see anyone in the front part of the establishment but heard stirring in the back and finally a female voice shouted back, "Who's there?" I responded, "It's Miss Abbot." Not that they would remember my name but surely my voice and once they saw me....my face. They poked their heads out of the makeshift curtain door and recognized me. I quickly and solemnly told them in between gasps for breath about the Indians in the hills and to protect themselves and stay inside.
One of the girls noted the other's flame red hair and that Indians loved those kind of scalps...I suggested she put her hair up in a cap or scarf to hide it just in case. Another man came in, the one I met in the hills near the abandoned cabin...the one who works at The Progressive. Upon hearing about Indians...a light came in his eyes it seemed and he promptly headed out with a pep in his stride. It turned out the girls had rifles in the back so I felt a little at ease about them having some kind of protection. I bid my farewells and left running as fast as my shoes would carry me back down near Miss Fran's.
Everyone was standing outside upon my arrival. Thom was livid...."Where the fuck did you go?" he shouted at me. I told him where I had went. Thom, Mr. Amgar, Fran and Mr. Seth went down the street a ways. I stayed there close to the side of the saloon when I heard it........shots fired!
It was confusion ....more shots fired.......the little crowd started to scatter. I backed against the side of the saloon.....my rifle at the ready...just in case. I seen Thom run past me back towards the hills shouting about flanking or something of that sort.....military talk I suppose. He ran up towards the incline....I stayed a little ways behind him.....keeping my eye on him just in case he needed my help. I managed to stay out of sight as we made it up the hill. I stayed behind the trees hearing more shots fired. Finally......silence.....minus a few shouts from voices I recognized. I moved closer......the men had gathered over something. I yell out " Thom did ya get em?" No response. I moved closer and seen they indeed had shot the two savages.
The sight I saw was one forever etched in my memory. One of the Indians was lying on his back gasping bloody gasps of air while the other was a goner. Finally, after struggling for air for a minute or so....the Indian went silent and stared up into the sky with no movement. It then became apparent that we needed to do something with the bodies. Mr. Seth was against a proper Christian burial...which is understandable. There was mention of leaving them there but I protested it. The reasons were numerous...one obvious one was the possibility that a scouting party could find them and send the whole blasted tribe to kill us in our beds at night and there was also the wild animals to consider, not to mention the stench and rot that could wash down into our water supply. While the men were considering it ...I decided to notify the few folks in town that it was safe at least for now. Mr. Seth followed as did Thom and Mr. Seth informed the girls in "The Palace." I then informed myself and the others that I needed a good stiff drink!
I headed down to the Bella and shakily poured myself a glass full of whiskey. I drank it with urgency as my mouth was as if I had ate cotton and my nerves were as if I were struck by lightning. I must admit, I don't drink often but I find myself indulging in the spirits more and more here in Deadwood. It steadies my nerves.
Thom and Dee came in the Bella.....I offered them both drinks... Dee only drank coffee. After gathering my composure.....I realized that I had been told that Miss Fran was injured. I walked over to her office. She was being bandaged up by Mr. Amgar. Luckily it was just a flesh wound in her arm. I was relieved she was alright. I couldn't stay in her office long because the familiar smell of antiseptic and items of a hospital nature lingered and pierced through my nostrils bringing back all those horrors I witnessed when Bellevue was turned into a Yankee hospital. I had to step outside...but only to be confronted and interrogated by the colonel. I told him what I knew...which wasn't much I suppose. After the days events...I have retired to my humble abode to pen this journal entry. I do hope someone has spoken to the Alderton's that run the new Black Hills Pioneer newspaper about Deadwood's Indian skirmish today. Perhaps if no one else has...I might see if I can help give information for an interesting article. I know I will have a restless sleep tonight.....a sleep with the vivid images of those two Indians laying on the ground.
~A.C. Abbot~
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