Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-09-19

and he was repeating to me the stor of hi
sons conduct, and telling me Of the sorro1
1t entailed on the family, when we saw tn
window shutter cautiously opened by som
one from the outside, and the next momen
the figure of man sprang into the room
We both started to our feet, but to my sur
prise, instead of seeing the colonel cola
the intruder he clasped him in his arms ant
sobbed audibly.
My son, my son. exclaimed the col
onel.
Father, my father, was the response
Then, with sudden recollection that the,
were not alone, Luke Angler-for it wa
himself gazed at Inc with doubtfu
look
/ You are safe. my son, replied his father
This gentleman's brother married your sis
ter Louise
He then introduced me.
But Why inquired his father, do vol
enter the house i'll this manner 2
Because I am afraid I anu traced there
was man who rode behind me as far al
the wood there, and didn't wish to make
any noise by knocking at the door. Had
known that any Of you up, I should have
acted differently Ny horse is in the baro
haven't forgot the ways Of the old place
you see But [ can remain here but a few
hours | must have another horse aud start
away before daylight
Of course | withdrew, but I could heal
the people up all night, and [ knew they
were with Luke
The next morning, when [ went to break
fast, you would never aave known that
witnessed the occurrence | speak Of the night
previous. Neither the coonel nor any OF
his family alluded to the matter.
The short time [ was ia Luke Anglers
presence was hardly sufficient to impress his
features very distinctly on my memory, bu,
recall him as being fine looking man,
about five feet eleven inches high, with
dark eyes and straight. long hair.
For the next few years | had plenty to
occupy my mind. The Seminole war had sent
me to the Everglades, and in the stirring
times we had in Florida quite forgot the
outside world
| 1t was during lull in operations that l
was ordered on court marital which con-
vened at Tampa. There was dragon to
be tried who bad cut down the sergeant Of
his company with his sabre, and the case
was very aggravated one.
The prisoner WAS brought into court and
pleaded guilty to the charges and specifca-
tions on which he was arraigned. The on.
ly defense which he made was the extraor-
binary one that the sergeant had insulted
him.
| He was splendid specimen of soldier,
straight as hammer. with a keen black eye
and dark, sallow complexion. His name
was Thompson Platt Being man of good
education, be had been employed as compa.
my clerk 1t was said that he didn't asso.
clate much with his comrades, but generally
spent his time in the company office with
his papers or in reading.
| His character having hitherto been un-
exceptional, he was sentenced to ball and
chain for twelve months, with the loss of
some pay.
As be passed out Of the room he bent his
eyes in way that gave me some singular
sensations. To save my soul couldn't tell
where [ had seen those eyes before, but I
certainly had not then beheld them for the
first time.
The man was confined in the guard house
and the following evening when sentence
was to have been promulgated at parade,
Thomas Platt was non est. How be man.
aged to escape was never known. but all ef-
forts to apprehend him were fruitless.
Twenty six years atterward was station
ed at Fort Smith, Kansas Previous to
my going there desperado named Bill
Holmes had made himself notorious in the
country and killing the woman he lived
WITH had disappeared, and, as was sup.
posed gene with the Indians
On the South side of the Canadian River
there was a place known as Edwards Ira
ding House The country is pretty hsoviIy
tlmbered III that section, and lew miles
from the trading house, in among the trees.
stood the log re idence where Bill Holmes
lived, and where he murdered the woman
The place hot never been occupied since
the commission OF the deed, and was RAPIDLY
going to decay.
[ had occasion to visit Edwards house
having with he party of twenty men, One
day started out on ride, and before going
some cautioned me, laughing, not to 90 IN
the vicinity of Bill Holmes cabin, as The
spot was haunted.
| had hardly concluded my ride, when a
heavy thunder storm coming up, took ref
uge in Bill Holmes shanty, to escape the
torrent Of rain. | had tied my horse. as
supposed securely, but the animal alarmed
at the thunder, broke loose and galloped back
to the trading house. Here was dilemma
I was full five milestropl my men, and I die
not fancy the wet walk before me, for thu
ground was covered with water
Just as the storm was subsiding [ hear6
the sound Of hoofs and few minutes late
what | supposed to be an Indian rode up
and springing from his horse, entered tht
cabin and started at me with unfeigned sur
prise.
What are you doing here 2 he asked.
That question brought throb of delight
to my heart, for I supposed it was in thu
presence of an Indian who had a revolver
In his glrole anu s;aiplpg KNIFE De l1eS
while had no weapon of defence at all.
4 came here to avoid the Storm | re-
piled, but my horse has broken away, so
was celebrating what to do when you ar
rived
CHANGING at the shoulder straps he con-
tinued:
: You are an army officer | observe
| bowed an acqesence
What is your name . he asked.
} ted him, and then inquired bis own.
, Bill Holmes he replied, gazing at M
With peculiar leer You have heard o
me suppose, before to-day
Yes, l replied, they talk of you some
times about here :; but they told me you ha'