Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-10-29
Rocky Mountain Sketches.
BATTLE OF THE RANCH.

The people Of that part of Mexico
known as the Department Of SanIe Fe, :,
have for many years been harrassed and
annoyed by The depredations Of the A.
merlcan Indian. An American by the
name of Kurker, at this time of our visit
had just entered into contract with the
Government to whip the Indians and
bring them 10 a permanent treaty, for
the sum of 100000, 5 thousand dollars,
of which was paid to him in advance, TO
commence operations kurker is now
carrying on the war, and his first skirm.
ish occurred while we were in Toas,
within Two miles OF the town in which
we were sojoufniug He is man Of
daring and reckless disposition, who has
himself suffered from the viIlany Of the
Indians. and he now hannts them as
much in revenge for injuries they have
done him as in prospect Of the emolu-
meBt.
The battle which forms the subject Of
the present sketch. occurred close under
the black mountain Of TOas, in the
valley Of he same name, near to small
town called the Ranch" Kurker with
about fifty men was here encamped,
when a party of the thieving Apachus
crept upon them in the night and stole
number Of their horses, The Indians
were not aware that Kurker's party
were prepared for war, but supposed
they we're stealing from an encampment
oftraders, who would not care to pur
sue them The robbery had scarcely
been committed when it was discovered,
aud iu very moments more, kurker
and his fifty men were in close pursuit
of the Indians. Knowing that the
the thieves would endeaVor to escape
over the mountains, by ascending
ravine that opened into the valley near
the spot where the robbery was com
milted, Kurker led his men quickly
around by path, up the mountain side,
and as the gray light Of morning
spread over The valley, the pursuers
found themselves upon an emlnence
commanding the ravine up which the
Indians were .hurrying, mounted upon
the stolen horses.
The marauders numbered about a
hundred and twenty, more than doub.
ling the force of the pursuing party; but
although these vagabonds held the
Spaniards 10 great contempt, they are
the viest towards when opposed by
the Americans Cunning as they were
they did not discover their danger until
fifty American rifles we're IevelIed, each
with deadly aim at separate victim
The first cry of alarm from the ln'
dams was the signal to fire and as the
early sunbeam penetrated the raVine,
echo started suddenly from The sumber,
bounded suddenly from cliff to cliff, and
away among the distant crags like The
spirit of fear running from death and
danger Twenty Indians fell from
their horses at that fire, some with o.
single IrighlfuI yell expiring on the in
slant, while others with clenched teeth
and the desperate energy OF departing
life, cung to The reins, and were drag
ged about and trod upon by the alarmed
horses. The Indians ride like devils,
and without pausing an instant, they
turned and fed towards the valley =
Some that were wounded fell from the
frightened animals while they were in
full speed down the raVine Knrker
and his men followed without re'oadlng
their rifles, and chased the Indians I'M
ulI they emerged from the raVine, aud
took refuge within the walls Of the
Ranch.
This town lies al the base OF glgan-
tic mpun.sin, and is watered by SWIM
stream that rushes from the ravlne We
have meptioned. Itconlalns about three
huud,ed houses, aud these are built