Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-08-05
G U S T US X A RI.
THE WABASH RoBBER.

u N
THE WABASH RoBBER.
In the Summer of 1852, 1 was engaged with
a young man named Lyman Kemp in locating
land lots along the Wabash, in Indiana. 1
had gone out partly for my health, and partly
to accom- odate one who had ever been noble
friend to ME and who had purchased a great
deal OF government land. At Logansport he
was taken sick, and after watching him week
in hopes that he would soon recover, I found
that he had a settled fever, and as the physi-
clan said that he would not probably be able
to move under a month. determined to push
on alone. So obtained a good nurse, and
having seen that my friend would have every
thing necessary to his comfort, which money
could procure, 1 left him.
As good fortune would have it, found
party of six men bound on the very route
was going, and waited one day for the sake
of their company. AT length we sat out. with
three pack horses to carry our baggage, and
soon found that had lost nothing by waiting,
for my companions were agreeable and enter
tanning. They were going on to st. Joseph's,
where they had land already located, and
where they had mills upon the river, intend
ing to get out lumber during the remainder of
the season.
On the third day from LoganspoIt, we
reached Walton's settlement on the Little
River, having left the Wabash on the morning
of that day. 1t was well on into the evening
when we reached the little 1og-built inn of the
settlement, and we were glad enough of the
shelter-for ere We had fairly got under shelter,
the rain commenced to fall in great drops, and
thickly too. And more still had to be thank
full forl My horse began to show lameness
in one of his legs, and when leaped from the
saddle found that his foot panied him much,
rs L could tell from the manner in which he
lifted it from the ground. ordered the host
Ter to bathe it with cold water, and went into
the house, where we found good substantial
supper, and comfortable quarters for the night
that is, comfortable for that section and that
time.
About ten O'Clock, just after had retired,
and just as was falling into a grateful doze,
1 was startled by the shouts of men, and the
barking of dogs, directly under my window.
As the noise continued l arose and threw on
my clothes, and went down.
ssWhat is it 2'' asked of the landlord, who
sbOod In the entry way.
ssAh-don't you know, stranger 9'' the host
returned. "You'ye heard of Gustus Karl, per-
haps?''
Who in the West at that time had not heard
of him-the most reckless, daring, and murd-
eTous robber that ever cursed country. l
told the host that had heard of him often.
"weH," he resumed, "the internal villain
-, raI
he'd man just up the river. We've been out
after him but he's given us the slip. We
tracked him as far as the upper creek, and
there he came out On the bank, fired at us and
killed one OF our horses and then drove into
the woods. We set the dogs on, but they lost
him.
"And you've come back bootless,'' l re-
piled.
eyes, the landlord growled. "Bnt," he
added with knowing shake of the head, ''he
can't run clear much longer. The country is
in arms, and he'll either leave these huntings,
or be dropped.''
ssWhat sort Of a man is he 20
esThe very last man in the world you would
take for Gus Karl. He's small-not bit over
five feet six with light curly hair, smooth
white face, and not very stout. But, Lord love
We, he's quick as lightning, and his eyes got
fire in it. He dresses in all sorts of shapes,
but generally like a common hunter Ohio
he's the very devil, do believe
After the tub full of whiskey and water
which the host had provided was drank, the
crowd began to disperse, and shortly after
wards / went up again to bed; and this time
] slept on uninterrupted till morning.
had just eaten breakfast and he had gone
ont to the front door, when a horseman came
dashing up to the place, himself and animal
all covered with mud. 1t had been raining
nearly all night. The first thing the new conner
did was to inquire for me. answered at
once to the name; and he then informed me
that Lyman Kemp could not live, and that he
wished to see me as soon as possible
"Poor LYMAN murmured to myself
$50 young-so helpless-with so many friends
and fond relatives in his far off home-and