Mower County transcript., 1871-07-13
"reminiscences Of Old Bob Carson.

In the town of Arrow Rock, on the
Missouri River, the celebrated D,ountsin-
eer and trapper, Bob Carson, yet lives is
hale, stout and hearty, able and willing to
make many more like trips. He is full Of
anecdotes, and gives us many hair-brcadth
escapes from mountain storms aud Indian
fights.
He says the last tight place he got into
was in the year 1s49, during the Mexican
war; The Mexicans were committing
dcprcdations, and had stolen some Of our
government horses and mules. Captain
Pricc-afterward Gen. Sterling Price
was in command Of a company Of United
States volunteers, who were ever ready
for scout or fight. He was ordered to
make detail of twelve Of his best men
and send them in search of the stolen
property. Twelve choice and tried men
were chosen. Then came the qucry-who
is able and willing to take command of
this squad? 1t must be some man who
can talk with the different Indian tribes
through which they may have to pass in
pursuit of the Mexicans.
Luckily for the squad, at this moment
Bob Carson rode up, we'll mounted on his
favorite huneiag horse, Leo. A shout
from the twelve brave men bid him well
come; their object stated and requesting
him to take command. Nothing suited
Carson better than this.
lie told Capt Price that he could fol-
low cold trail as fast as any living man
could, and to give himself no uncasiness,
that he would bring his twelve men back
and not lose a scalp
The sequel shows how hs succeeded.
The second day out they struck the
trail late in the evening they saw in the
distance large party of Indians, and rs
they were on friendly terms with the diff
fercnt TRIBES Carson and his band hurried
to overtakc them, hoping to gain some in
formation concerning the stock.
The Indians saw them approaching, and
halted for them to come up. AS Carson
and his men came up, his keen eye discov-
cred that they were on the war-path, but
knowing no fear, he rode up, and the In
dians, four hundred strong, closed wings,
and completely surrounded them Sand-
verc, the chief, rode up to Carson, ex-
claiming:
Ycds teddy you arc my prisoner.
Carson, after questioning the chief a
short time. found that they were also in
pursuit of lost stock, stolen, us they con-
sidcrcd, by the United States troops.
The Mcxicans had told him this tale to
screen themselves. But all of their in
trigue could not induce Sandiverc to re-
lease him and his twelve men.
The next morning the old chief com
mcnctd making preparations to shoot and
scalp his prisoners. Carson called him
aside for talk, and finally persuaded him
to send one of his best runners to Cap
tain Prices camp, and if things were not
found just rs represented, that on the
fourth day of departure of said runner, at
twelve O'Clock, he might do with his pris-
oncrs as he pleased. The runner started
Carson and his men, sauguine that every
thing would prove satisfactory to the
chief, remained their prisoners chcerfully
and happy.
On the morning Of the fourth day all
were momcntarilly expecting the runner
to appear. Ten o'clock came and no run
ncr in sight; II and no runner in sight
Everything in camp was excitement and
commOtion. Sandivere was certain that
his runner had been foully dealt with, and
in his anger made preparations for sum
mary vengeance. Twelve o'clock, and no
runner in sight as far as the eve could
reach.
Carson thought his hour had come, as
preparations were male; and, well know
ing the terms would be complied with, he
called Sandivere and told him he would
like to have a talk with him before he and
his men were shot. Carson and Sandiverc
commenced their talk, Carson in ths mean
time walking slowly and leislrcly from
the camp, telling the chief that the horses,
saddles, blankets, etc, were all donated or
willed to him, the great chief, and that he
was not compelled on account Of this do
nation to divide them among his warriors
The chief was much Interested and
pleased with this donation. and by this
time they were eighty or one hundred
yards from the Indian camp, when Carson,
with the dcxterity of an old mountainccr,
pulled from his boot leg an ugly looking
holster pistol, cooked and presented it
directly at the face of the old chief, cx-
claiming:
"Stand sir, you are a prisoner"
What do you mean ?" asked Sandivere.
III meon just what ay-if you move
ono ZACH You arc dead man"