The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-08-28
Wow . Tror1ie-~n.n V,~es. I,d,.. =.

A Denver-letter in the Cincinnati
Gas.eH has story offrontier life: My
last letter closed with the arrival of
our party at Godfrey's rancho, on our
westward journey. The rancho is
about midway between Old Julesburg
and the Platte and Denver City. As
this is noted place, and its proprietor
character" l propose to dwell a
while.
"Old Godfrey" as he is called by
travellers and himself when he is at his
rancho, and "Old Wicked" when he
is on his travels, is man about sixty
years of age, above the average in sta
ture, well built and firmly knit, his
shoulders slightly bent by time and
hartlships and wounds received from
the Indians, who are his only neigh
bors, and who never visit him to take
tea or drinks socially, but always call
when they think their force strong
enough to take his cattle, his goods, or
the scalp of the old veteran, or of some
or all of his family. His watchfulness
has so far thwarted them and protected
his household treasures but they often
run off his stock, and he as often sue
ceeds in getting even with them. The
rancho is built of adobe, the walls be-
ing about two feet thick the apart
ments are the dining room, for travel
crs, kitchen, two or three lodging
rooms, and large room used for a
sitting, wash-room and store-the floor
being rough boards. In this room
are also the arms and ammunition
used in defending his home from the
frequent attacks of his neighbors.
"His family consists of his wife, a
frail, patient-looking woman, a daugh-
ter about eighteen, and three sons.
These form the corps reserve, while
one or two hired men assist in guard
ing against surprise and doing the
work about the rancho. Outside of
the house, and ten feet from it, are the
Notifications, which completely sur
round it. The walls of defence are
built of sod taken from the surface of
the prairie, being about two feet thick
at the bottom and one at the top, the
height being about five feet near the
top loopholes are frequent, atiording
range in all directions. Through this
wall, opposite the front door, is an
opening about three feet wide, and
bags of sand lying near to barricade
the same if required.
"The Indians, who have often by
treachery and open attack tried to
destroy this fort and murder its oc-
cupants, have as often been beaten, till
they now have wholesome fear of the
determined Godfrey, and his brave
family. They hate him with bitter
hate, and declare they will yet have his
hair, and Godfrey declares that they
shall not.
"The bluffs are about six miles from
Fort Godfrey, and distinctly visible.
Behind these bluffs the Indians watch
for chances. A week since Godfrey
saw fine antelope near his rancho, and
taking his long rifle he started in pur-
suit. In the excitement of the chase
he failed to notice the distance and
nearing the bluffs, a party of seven
Cheyennes, who had been watching as
usual, went to him. The old man
started, but his horse was too slow,
and the Indians were gaining upon
him rapidly. Here his experience
served him. Knowing that his long
rife would reach farther than the car
bines with which his pursuers were
armed, he suddenly stopped his horse,
took deliberate aim over the back of
the steed, and laid one of the savages
low. This occasioned delay with
them, which Godfrey improved. But,
two taking care of the dead Indian,
four followed on, and in short time
Godfrey repeated the operation, killing
one more.
"This last delay saved him; but
being cut off from his rancho, he found
shelter in another rancho about ten
miles from home. Here was chance
for the red skins. old Wicked away
and his family without his aid. 1t
was a chance nos to be neglected, and
soon about fifty attacked the fort, ex-
pecting to revel in the blood of the
family of their bitter foe. The fami-
ly had time to prepare for them, and
received them handsomely, Mrs. God
frey and the daughter loading, while
the male members defended. The
battle ragged for twenty-four hours, but
the determined brave men and women
held their own till the stages approach
ed, and the Indians 'vamosed the
rancho in double quick. Thus the
pioneers of our country live in perils
and dangers constantly, without aid
or sympathy from the Government
which ought to afford them sure pro-
tection."