The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-04-03
ROCKY NOUN FAM SKETCHES.

BATTLE OF THE RANcH.-rne people ofthat
Epart OF M sKco known as the department of
Santa Fe,' have for many years been harassed
and annoyed by the dapredaiions Of the A pa.
chus Indians. An american by the name of
kurksr, at the time of visit, had just entered in
to contract with the Government to bring them
to . permanent treaty. for the sum Of one lIun-
~dred thousand dollars, five thousand dollars Of
which was paid to HIM in advance to commence
operations. kuFker is now carrying on the war,
aud his first skirmish occurred while we were
IN Teas, within tive miles ei the town al which
we were sojournlng. As is man of daring
and reck ess islo ntion, who has himself suffer.
ed from the yilainy of the Indians, and he now
hunts them as much in revenge for the iniurie,
~they have done him as in prospect Of emolu>
Eent.
The battle which forms the subject of the pre-
rent sketch occurred close under the black noun
tam Of Toas, in the valley of the same name,
-siisar TO small town called the Ranch Kur-
der, with about fifty men, was here encampcd,
->1vhsn party Of the thieving Apachus crept up
on them 10 the night and stole number of their
horses. The Indians were not aware that kur
Ker's party were prepared for war, but snppos.
ed they were stealing from an encampment Of
}'Che robbery had scarcely been committed when
It was discovered, and IN a very few moments
F.nore, tKurker and his fifty men were in close
pursuit of tho Indians. Knowing tina, the
) th evesweuld endeavor to escape over the noun
tsins, by ascending ravine that opened into
the valley ne:r the spot where the robbery wus
committed, kurder led his men quickly round a
by path up the mountain side, and as the grey
ltUhf 0F 4 III 81.
suers found themselves upon an ernlnence CON,
nranding the ravins up which the Indians were
huuying, mounted upon the stolen horses, The
r.narauders numbered about hundred and hun.
dred and twenty, more than doubling the force
= OF the pursuing party; but although these vaga.
bonds hold the Spaniards in great contempt,
shey are the vitest towards whsn opposed by
tho Americans. Gun ng as they were they did
not discover their danger until fifty Ameracan
rifles were levelled, each with deadly aim, at a
separate victim.
The first cry Of alarm from the Indian was
'the signal to fire, and as the early sunbeam psn
stratcG the ravine, echo started suddenly Gom
-siumbsr, bounding wildly from cliff to cliff, and
swaysmong the distant crags, like the spirit of
ltear'epeeding from death and danger. Twenty
Indians fell from their horses at that fire, some
~witha single ,frghtfll yell expiring on the in,
'stant,whie others with elenche tech and with
the desperate energy, OF departing life, cIung 10
the reins, and were dragged about and trod upon
by the alarmed horses. The Indians ride like
devils, and without pausing an instant they turn
ed and fed towards the valley. Some that were
wounded fell from the frightened animals whils
they were in full speed down the ravne. Kur
ker and his men followed without reIoadinp
their rifles, and chased the Indians until thew
emerged from the ravine, and took refuge with.
in the wall OF the Ranch.
This town called the Ranch lies at the hasa
of a gigantic mountain and is walered by a
swift stream that iushes from the ravine We
have mentioned. II contains about three hun.
dred houses. and these arc built compacty To-,
gether, forming wall, and enclosing large
square. In the centre uf which stands the church.
tnto this square the Indians rushed and endea.
xored to force their way into the church. hav.
ing been taugt to believe that tho sacred roof il
protection against all danger. But Kurker's
men felt no disposition to lei the savapos off 90
eafl, and reloading their rifles they resumed
IlSh ttaek within the walls Ofthe town, Il was
cuFifearly morning, and the inhabitants sprang
tho beds in the widest confusion and a.
First was heard the throcging Of the In.
'o the town-their murmers of fear and
Nv shsn,aef the pursuers; children
dwelling. and there was