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BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST

THE BATTLE OF SUMMIT SPRINGS

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One of the most important and deciding conflicts between the white soldiery and the red man took place June 11, 1869, near the western border of the then territory of Nebraska, not far from the Colorado line. History records it as the Battle of Summit Springs.

A detachment of Government troops, under Gen. E. A. Carr, and led by "Buffalo Bill" as their scout and guide, discover the camp of "Tall Bull" after several days of trailing. The ensuing conflict is depicted with historical fidelity in our representation of this important battle. The opening scene shows the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with the mountains themselves in the dim distance. The Indians congregate upon their camping ground, accompanied by men, women and children who have been made captives during the raids the hostile band has made while on the warpath.

The interesting sight of the erection of a typical Indian village is next shown. The squaws work with a will while the braves, Chiefs and young warriors indulge in a powwow and wildly fantastic war dance amid the beating of tom-toms and the weird cadence of battle songs. The white prisoners are placed within the head Chief's tepee, strongly guarded and in anticipation of tortures to come.

While vigilance is disarmed, "Buffalo Bill" appears upon an eminence and in pantomime makes the discovery of the village and retires to convey the news to the General in command of the pursuing cavalry. As the war dance progresses the Indians become more reckless, and with the suddenness of a flash, and with the ferocity of a whirlwind, the Government troops appear among them.

The suddenness of the assault spreads panic among the Indians, and in an indescribably short time the victory is won. The Indians who are still alive flee to the foothills, leaving their dead, but not until attempts are made to torture the white prisoners, the squaws leading in this fiendish work. The conflict wages sharp and fast, though brief, and amid all the excitement "Tall Bull" is seen in active command urging his braves to fight and trying to quell their panic

While he is thus engaged, "Buffalo Bill" is discovered creeping along under cover until within range his unerring rifle speaks and "Tall Bull" drops from his horse a dead Indian. The "Battle of Summit Springs" is thus fought and won.

This in brief, is the synopsis of a battle which marked the end of a long campaign against a big band of renegade Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, known as "dog soldiers,"

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