31 May 1870; Ashland Kansas: On 31 May a band of more than 40 Kiowas who had been following an escorted wagon train turned their attention instead to the mail station on Bear Creek, near present-day Ashland, Kansas, about 45 miles south of Fort Dodge. Sgt. James Murray and four privates from Companies B and F, 3rd Infantry, were guarding the station. Calling themselves Arapahos, the Kiowas approached in a friendly manner and asked for food. Cautious, Murray returned their greetings and fed them what he could. Most drifted away, but a few remained in the station house and around the stable.
Ordering two soldiers to guard the weapons in the station, Murray went with the other two to check the stable. A moment later, shots rang out; Murray rushed back to find the two guards dead, and the Kiowas attacked him with bows and arrows. Murray fought back with his only weapon, an ax, but he was hit seven times. At the stable, the two remaining soldiers fought the Indians with pitchforks.
The fight would have ended quickly but for the appearance of Maj. Milo H. Kidd and 50 men from Companies A and K, 10th Cavalry. They killed five of the Kiowas and drove the rest off. Murray recovered at Fort Dodge.
