Fred Lewallyn, MS
Billie Harris - Jun 22, 2011
This is an excerpt from an old typed document or book. I don't have anything except just what I've typed.
"Second to appear, is a young man named Fred Lewallyn, a native of Mississippi. He was driving stage west from Magdalena, New Mexico, and was preparing to cross the Little Colorado River about where Springerville, Arizona, stands today. As the team started to climb the far bank, fifteen Jicarilla Apaches who were concealed in the reeds, made their attack. Few Indians used guns then, but owing to their closeness, the two soldier guards were killed immediately, and the one passenger, springing out of the stage, ran for his life. But Lewallyn was built of fighting stock, so pouring the leather on his team, and using his old style six-shooter, he tried to save the stage. With Indians clinging to his horses however, it made it impossible, so four hours later, we see him on a little rocky knoll making his last stand. With four arrows in his body and desperate for water, he knew there was no chance of escape but with one of the soldiers' Springfield Carbines resting on a rock, and supporting himself on a wounded arm he did such deadly shooting that the Indians grew discouraged in their charging tactics.
"Major Scott from old Fort Wingate, New Mexico, with a detachment of soldiers was on a scout and hearing the firing, hastened to the scene. The Indians having a wholesome respect for the U.S. Calvary, took to flight. Discounting by Lewallyn who, the Major saw, was almost dead, he asked if there was anything he could do for him. "Give me some more ammunition" said he, then fell back dead."