The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-03-09
A Brave FrOntiersman.

Fridays Rio Grande train brought in
one OF those characters sometimes met
with in this vicinity, who don't wear nice.
~ eurled locks falling down on their
shoulders, whose waists are not belted up
~ about half their natural size, who do
not pretend 10 be one Of the families Of
Bills" and yet have seen as hard service
~ any of their strutting competitors for
fame, and in square fight with man or
beast would not be the first to throw up
their hands. The race Is dying out, or at
least is overshadowed by those whose pre-
tensions, backed by good figures, have
made them the heroes of dime novels and
sensation newspapers, and it was absolute
ly refreshing to hear the subject of this
sketch, without the least faint of swagger
or braggadocio, relate in quiet, subdued
tone, experiences that would test the
courage Of the bravcst, even, of the hardy
pioneers of this region.
He rejoices in the name of Harrison
Barndecker, was born in Ohio in the heat
Of the Presidential campaign Of 1910
whence his given ratne,, and came to this
section with his father in 1855, before the
Pixies Peak excitement was thought Of.
His family had removed to Texas year
or two previous to the above date and CON-
menced a stock ranch A sudden raid of
the 'Comanches deprived them of every
hoof, and in the fight with the savages,
his mother and elder brother were killed.
This decided the tate of the two survivors,
and having by their determined resistance
(which was protracted until the decaying
corpses of the slain made their stay in the
cabin almost unbearablc), wearied out the
little band of raiders, they struck out for
the mountains. Though they did not ION
bended knecs,' etc., swear eternal vcnge-
ance and destruction to the Comanches,
they did not allow an opportunity to pass
without taking scalp. While on their
way over the Texas plains from their
cover in an arroyo they saw band of five
Comanches 60 into camp. Before morn
ing five scalps dangled from their belts,
and they were provided with horses with
which to continue their journey They
pitched upon point far into the heart OF
the range as the scene of their future life,
and there for ten years they lived, seeing
only the trappers and hunters that STUN
blcd on their retreat, except when once a
year one went to Santa Fe to exchange
peltries for years supply of powder and
lead. Some glittering sand in one of the
streams near their cabin attracted their at
tention, and taking some of the stuff to
Santa Fe it was found to be gold dust
They didn't 60 crazy over it, but after that
when game was scarce they washed the
sand, and in the course of a few years had
accumulated enough to keep the old man
comfortable for the balance of his days
Then old associations came back to the
father, and he determined once more to
return to civilization. The son accom-
S1I 1,ss l.
enough. 1t vas in 1865, when everything
was in hurrah upon the close of the war,
and the young man was disguised with
the bombast INDUCED in by politicians,
and returned to his cabin alone. Since
then he has made frequent trips to the set
Elements, and has on several occasions
been employed by parties of English MINI
rods to assist them in their search for wild
game. His bronzed face takes peculiar
expression as he tells how many have
off on their friends as the result Of their
own skill. In the severe winter of 1871
he had an encounter with bear which he
had wounded, and received a spat which
left an ugly scar, extending from his left
temple down his cheek, shoulder and arm
to the wrist The animal died, but before
he could bandage his bleeding arm {.
storm arose suddenly, and for three days.
though he succeeded in building fire, he
had all he could do to keep from freezing
10 death. When he did start he was full
day reaching his cabin, only two miles
distant, and had four toes so badly frozen
that they dropped off, keeping him con-
fined TO his cabin for three months. Last
summer party of New Workers secured
his services while out here, and one of the
number has organized party for the
Black Hills, which has engaged him to
accompany them. He]eft Saturday morn
ing to meet his party at Cheyenne. Dur
ing our conversation with him, he related
several incidents that will be of interest
at some future time. As we rose to 90 he
said, YOU'RE newspaper man, amt
YOUR We complimented him on his
discrimination. "We'l, if you write out
any of these ere stories I'd ruther you
wouldn't make me talk like those fellers
who like to see their names in the papers.
Jest tell these yarns as told them to you,
and it'll be all right" We assured him
it would lie impossible to improve on his
manner of relating his exploits, shook
hands, and turned to the door. As we
swung it open, he called out: "Say,
stranger, save some Of your papers and
send them to me when We gets postoffice
up yonder." Human nature would crop
out, but we readily gave the good prom
Use and left him happy.-Denoer Times.