Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-01
Aailg Tirgiaiau.
Tho Escape of Silas st. John.

Mr.. Sias ST. John. tho only survivor of tho
party in charge Of the United States mail station
Mt Dragoon Springs, Arizona, in September Inst,
sea passage, and is on his way to Washington
with letters commenting him to the attention of
the government lle called at the office OF the
Century on Thursday last, and gave us the follow
ing particulars OF the murder Of his associates and
of his own remarkable escape and sufferings. He
wore an overcoat of tho national blue. ono sleeve
Of which hung loose and armless at his side lie
was born in tho city of New Yoik, and is now on
" ~ years of ngc. but his features nrs already
strongly marked by the resolution that is acquired
hy exposure 10 tho tolls and accidents Of pioneer
life.
pragoon Springs is in the Gadsdcn purchase.
So miles cast of Tucson, and 65 miles from Fort
buchanan. The cortH, or alton, in n rectangular
enclosure % by 30 foot. protected by stone wall
two aud half feet thick, at the bnse, aud eight
feet high. One-thrd of tho space is occupied by
tho storchouscs and tho sleeping apartment of
tho staiion.mastcr. Tho mules are kept in tho
other part ready for change on tho arrival of tho
mail. \ heavy wooden gate defends the entrance.
Three Mcxican., named Guadaloupo, l,onifacio.
and Pablo. and three Americans, constituted Mr..
St Johns guard ut tho timo Of the attack. On
the night of tho Sth of September. ono of tho
Mcxicnns took his tnrn on the watch, while the
other two were supposed to be sleeping outside of
the roraN james Burr. formerly of Watcrtown.
other Americans. Preston Cunningham. of Cali
Gornin aud James laing Of Kentucky, were sleep
ing in the store room, which communicated by
door with Mr.. st. Johu's apartment Tho first
notice that Mr. st. John Ind of any unusual
movement was the passage OF the two Mexicans
from the outside into thu store room, aud mmedi-
atclv after he heard blows struck. lie called to
Burr to arouse him outside. but Mt that instant
the poor fellow was killed by tho third Mexican.
The two others now rushed into St. Johns apart
mcnt Gnnlnloupc made stroke at him with a
cnrpcnor's axe. which cut him severely in tho
hip. Boniiacio struck at him with II chopping-
axe and he received the blow on his left arm,
which VAS instantly disabled; he was fortunate
enough 10 knock him down with his fist before hs
could aim n second Then he rotrcntcd still ward
my of blows. To the head Of his mattress for his
run when tho two nssnssins hacked out: but hear
ing tho gun iall, they Judged that st. John was
unable to il. and returned to tho assault ac-
rnmpanicd by the boy who had killed Burr. st.
John met them with revolver and fired. when
they nl hcd. The shot struck Pablo. aud his bones
were t und some days after picked by the wolves.
ST. john took up position whence he could SEQ
around the corti, aud remained there until day
hight, when he fell over from the loss Of blood
Ills lcl arm was broken and cut through, except
ing onle the flesh which covered the main artery.
llo was alone all the next dav, which wns Thurs
lay. Cunningham died twenty four hours after
hr received his wound l.ning staggered about
hardly sensible, tho brain oozing from his skull,
They attempted to drink some water which tho
McAicnns had placed there in buckets but it
raurcd vomiting Immediately Y .nnd st. John poured
il ON the ground. fearing that excessive weakness
lrom loss Of blood mi ght tempt hint try il ngain.
I.aug lived Nix days after he received his wound.
The mules were suffering for food and water, and
several had broken loose. st. John crept dis
,,nro If fifteen feet and opened the gate to lot
them out, and returned to his watching place.
This cxcrlion cost him two hours of time, on ac-
count Of his extreme weakness His wounds bo
gau to mortfy ON the second day. and to fill with
matgots He could not sleep Mt night for the
wolves which came round and pokcd their
through the gate bars, how ling Tor admissions md
during the day crows mud buzznrds percled on
the walls, attracted by the smell Of the dead bo-
dies.
St. John had succeeded in writing statement
Of the murder in small book, for the information
of the San Antonio and San Diego mail party,
TINT WAS due mt tho station on Monday. fortu-
nntcy it arrived on Sunday mornings the first
person who approached him wns a personal
friend, Mr.. George Caldwell Of California, and his
servant. They Immediately went in pursuit of
water. Lieut. Mowrv, delegate to Washington
from Arzona, and Col Leach, the Superintendent
Of the ri Paso wagon road. made every exortion
for Mr. St Johns relief. man was left with
him, while tho mail pushed on TO the next station
from which two men were sent with supplies An
express sent to DR.. Irwin at Fort Buchanan.
The Doctor absent at fifty miles distance
On being notified ho rode day and night, ll5
miles, and reached Dragon Springs earl, on tho
morning Of the l7th St. John had lain nine
days in his blood. His arm was amputatcd-with
no hope, however, by the Doctor TINT his life
would be saved The maggots had consumed tho
mortified flesh, and prevented the more rapid
spread of putreinction. Six days after the ampu-
taton ST. John was taken to Fort Buchanan,
where he remained till Nov. G..
Since writing the above. Col. Leach has called
md confirmed its truth. lie gives few addition
nj particulars. Burr's head was crushed by
heavy blow with n stone hammer. as he lay don-
bled up on his side, and to all appearance had not
moved u muscle. st. Johns arm was separated
Mt the shoulder from the socket