The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1858-04-14
A RIVER ADVENTURE.

ged with young man named Lyman
Kemp, III locating land lots along the
Wabash in Indiana. | had gone out
partly for my health, and partly to ac
commodate one who had ever been q no.
bic friend to me, and who had purchased
great deal Of government land. at
Davenport he was taken sick, and after
watching with him q week, in hopes that
he would soon recover, | found that he
had settled fever, and as the physician
said he would not probably be abe to
move OH under month, l determined to
push on alone. So l obtained a good
nurse, and having seen that my friend
would have everything necessary to his
comfort which money conld procure, l
left him.
As good fortune would have it, l found
q party of six men bound on the very
route | was going, and l waited one day
for the sake Of their company. Atlength
we set out with three pack horses to carry
our luggage, and 1 soon found l had lost
nothing by waiting, for my companions
were agreeable and entertaining. They
were going on to st. Joseph's, whore they
had land already located, and where they
had mills upon the river, intending to get
out lumber during the remainder of the
season.
On the third day from Loganport we
reached Walston's settlement on the Lit
tie River, having left the Wabash on the
morning of that day. 1t was well on into
the evening when we reached the little log
built inn of the settlement, and we were
glad enough of the shelter--for ere we
had fairly got under cover, the rain COM
menced to fall in great drops and thickly
too. And more still had | to be thank
full for. My horse Jegan to show lame
ness in one of his hind legs, and when |
IeapeA from the saddle | found that his
foo. panied him much, as I could tell by
the manner in which he lifted it from the
ground. | ordered tho ostler to battle it
in coli water, and then went into the
house, where we found good substantial
supper, and comfortable quarters for the
hight-that is, comfortable quarters for
that section, and at that time.
About ten o'clock, just after had re-
tired, and just as [ WAS falling into a
grateful browse, was startled by the
shouts Of men, and the barking Of dogs,
directly under my window. As the noise
continued, / arose aud threw on my
clothes, and went down.
What is it:" I asked of the landlord,
who stood in the entry way.
'Ah-don't you know, Stranger" said
the host, returning. "You'vc heard Of
Gustus Karl, perhaps!'
Who in the West ut that time had not
heard OF him !-the most reckless, daring
and murderous robber that ever cursed a
country. / told the host ! had heard Of
him often.
WELL" he resumed, the internal vii
lain was here only this afternoon, and
murdered and robbed a man just up the
river. We've been out after him, but
he's gin 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 sat the dogs on, but they
los. him."
"Aud you've como back HOSTESS" l
said. 1s
"Yes," the landlord growled. "But,'
he added, wit knowing shake of his
head, she can't run clear much longer.
The country is in arms, and he'll either
leave these huntins, or be dropped"
"What sort of man is he's" l asked.
1.-The very last man in the world you
would take for Gus Karl, He is small
not q 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 gen.
orally like common hunter. 0 no. he's
the very devil, l do believes"
After the tub-fnlI of whisky and water
which the host had provided was al
drank, the crowd began to disperse, and
shortly afterwards went up again to bed
and this time slept on uninterrupted til
morning.
had just eaten my breakfast, and hae
gone out to the front door, when horse
man came dashing up to the place, him
self and animal all covered with mud
1t had been raining all night. The frs
thing the new conner did was to inquire
for me. / answered at once to the name
srs then he informed rue that Lyman