Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-07-21

thick and fcrocuus.
became aware TINT our speed wa
slackening, and | looked up an'
around ] saw that only one ca
comprised the train, of which wa
the sole inside occupant, for all th,
passengers were crowded on the rca
and front platforms, apparently attrac
tod by something TO tho right of us
looked out OF the window and coulC
see black mass in the distance
which gradually developed itself as ,
group of horsemen. In a momen
more there was a shrek, and the sam,
crutf voice | heard before, evidently
that Of the conductor called out:
"My God its Indians---I thought
it was the Board of Trade of San Fran
cisco. We must get !"
| sprang from the seat, but was inn
mediately jerked back blythe quick
desperate movement of the train, like
the kick of a gun. The engineer had
thrown the reins over the neck of the
iron horse and it plunged ahead with
all It's muscles free. | scrambled
again from my seat and stood in the
middle of the car steadying myself as
best could by tho back of the seats
Not a soul beside myself was in the
car-the platforms were descrted-I
was alone. ! staggered TO the front
door and looked out. Great Heavens
the coupling had broke, and the en-
gine and tender aud all that had been
before me were out of sight.
The car had been going fast, but l
saw that its momentum was expen-
ding. | glanced out of the window
and beheld, to my horror, a group of
mounted savages within stones
throw. Isprang to the door, opened
it, and leaped from the platform on
the left side, hoping to make my legs
do mt. some service. But / unfnrtun-
ately stumbled and fellsenseless among
some loose rocks lying along the
track
On top of an upright post, about
eight feet high, was nailed strip of
pine board, bearing the legend, in
letters ofblack "Promontory Point"
That was what my eyes first rested
upon as my beclouded senses became
clear again. ] was sitting on little
grass plot, while quite a number Of
painted Indians were around me and
in the vicinity. Within a few yards
in front of where | was, ran railroad
track, which second thought told
me must bo that of the "Papifc." A
few shanties were in the neighborhood
but not the face of white man was
to be seen. My thoughts were, as
may be supposed, narrowing in the
extreme, that was evidently the stake
at which ] was TO be inundated. /
was to be reduced to ashes to satisfy
the bloodthirsty vengence of the red
men,
One of their number came forward
and led me TO the railroad track, and
as ] approached it my suspicious took
4 different turn. | was not to be
burned, but TO be tied to the rails, to
be run over and mangled by the next
train. This was terrible TO contem
plate. ! gazed into the eyes of The
'avages, but could see no mercy in
hem. j made no resistance or ap-
peal, preferring not to do that until
'aw what, if anything, they intended
10 do with me.
We reached the track and the In
lians gathered around. | looked
iown and saw that they were right at
he joining point of the eastcrn and
western branches OF that great road.
There was the beautiful tie of Califor-
lia laurel, elegantly tipped with silver,
md iastened down with the golden
pike / had heared of it before, aud |
lid not credit IT, but now / saw il
With my own eyes. Dangerous and |
error-inspring as was my situation,
could not prevent my mind nursing
he reflection which this sight gave
Use to. Bnt they were shortly inter
upted by the movement of some of the
indians which attracted my attention.
Six Of them, by the aid Of crowbars,
which they picked up from the ground,
ooscned the tie from its position.
'he silver was stripped from it and
ivided among the party. The gold
pike was taken by the chief, who,
nth n grin of delight and a hideous
ell, placed IT within his belt along
ide his scalping.knife " fa
They then seized me, and, with
owerful arms, lald me across the bed
{ the road, in the identical place
here the tic bad been. Several then
cid me down by tle feet, arms and
cad, while, two others proceeding TO
all me TO the ground, filed my soul
'ith horror. One Of the Indians took
long iron spike, and placed the point
IT on my breast, right above my
cart. The other seized a huge
and began tapping at
be top of the spike, gently, yet with
1ficient forse 10 make me feel il quito
,nsibly.
] will not attempt to describe my ,
lost horrible sensations-the most !
raphic pen ever welded would fail
} give even the slightest idea of them {
was SO terrified that the power of
,eech or of physical resistance was
ntirely gone. ANer the Indian :
hose appearance seemed to me TO be
le incarnation Of everything demoni.
had made sure Of his aim. he q
Used the heavy hammer on high.
I'd amid the yells of the whole com. !
my Of savagcs, which sounded like r
le great shrek of some tortured p
onster, brought it down with tire. !,
endous force on the head of the i
,ike. /
"Get up, here" growled serious ?
oice, "you'll catch cold" / looked y
?. was lying across the top of the ),
arble steps in front Of my lodging !,
)use, aud a policeman was vigorous.
punching me in the breast with his
ub. BY his aid obtained the per.
aud got out my nlrht kew &c
I'd, ailcr bidding him an affectionaie
,Od nipt [. | found my uav =, 49,. u