Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-11
DICK RIDE.
How a Bold ~Kentucklan Faced Death
aud Trlamphed In Colorado.
Boston Herald Denver Lsttor.I

Boston Herald Denver letter.
l am going to relate something that
is hardly credible, in connection with
the war between the Atchison, Tope.
ka aud Santa Fe railroad, and the
Denver and Rio Grande. Last week
Judge Hallett, of the United States
Circuit Court, before whom the case was
heard, decided that he could take nc
action in the matter until the papers
of the case on the part of the petit
TONERS for a writ OF restriction against
the Atchison company, had been filed
with the clerk of the Circuit Court,
which was then sitting in term at Del
Norte, 300 miles TO the south and on
the New Mexican line, The day this
decision wal rendered the agents OF
the AtohisOn company began to look
about for some trustworthy, fearless
fellow to send to Del Norte with
the papers to be fled. The coun-
try from Denver to Del Norte
was controlled entirely by the
Denver and Rio Grande, and be-
low Pueblo most of the country had
been settled by the railroad. The
agents Of the company, however, soon
secured their man in the person of
Dick Hornbrook, a stalwart Ken
tuckian. This is Hornbrook's story:
Dick placed the papers in q belt,
between two shirts, and started. He
reached Alamosa in safety, two hun
bred and fifty miles from Denver,
arriving on the train about 1890
O'clock. This is a rough little out
fitting town, leading into the Gunni-
son country. He Immediately struck
out into the prairie to a point where a
horse all saddled and ready, and a
guide, were whiting to take him to Del
Norte. He became conscious all of a
sudden that he was being watched.
He reached the horse and guide all
right, and started over the main road.
He soon discovered by a reconnois-
ance hat this was picketed by the Rio
Grande guards. Then he retraced his
steps to the starting point, and, turn
ing into the prairie, started for his
destination over a Mexican trail
scarcely ever used, and known only to
his guide and a few others. He struck
into Del NOrte late in the night, and
next morning filed his papers, and,
receiving certified copies, started for
Alamosa late at night, intending
to catch the $40 am train for the
North. He rode all night, and reached
Alamosa two hours ahead of train
time. Nevertheless the train was gone.
1t had been started to leave him be-
hind, apparently. "All right" said
Dick to himself. This means that
they intend to have my scalp if pos
sible. Reckon I'd better buy a belt
of cartridges" Aiming himself
thoroughly and securing a fine mount,
he struck out of Alamosa andIinto the
mountains, intending to throw his
pursurers, if there were any, off the
trail, He was thoroughly acquainted
with the country, and knew the
mountain passes like a goat. He
found pickets on the lookout for him,
and led Que detail Of f.ur men a
lively chase while making for a ford.
They fired at him several times, but
he escaped uninjured. Tie managed
TO reach Pueblo at night, and going
into the hotel, inquired for Milt Bar
low's room. He was shown into the
jolly MINISTRIES apartment, and here he
Invested himself of his belt with the
precious papers III it. Seeking out Q
commercial traveller with whom he
was we'll acquainted, he gave him the
papers, charged him not to miss the
morning train for Denver, and badc
him hand the papers on reaching
Denver to Mr.. Read, the attorney
for the Atchison, Topeka aud Santa
Fe. Hornbrook intended to board
the train himself but feared that
some deYiltrY was cooking for him.
Sure enough, he had hardly tumbleG
into bed to sleep off some of the
effects of the journey during which
he had not, by the way, eaten a mouth
full, when his room was unlocked and
thoroughly searched for the papers
aud his body, also, coming in for a
rigid examination. Dick was enabled
to take his train, his enemies suppos-
ing him to have disposed of the paper,
ia GONE manner. He took the batch
Of documents from the drummer wher
within a mile of Denver, and handed
them TO judge Reed himself. Dick
says he will never forget his triI
among the Spanish peaks, Or his fit
teen hours ride to PgebIo. lie say
he would not undertake such a mes
sage again for $1,000. The paper
we're Immediately presented 70 tn.
court, and yesterday morning Iudg
Aallett issued an order to the Qenye
and Rio Grande Railroad Company +
turn over the road to the Atchison
Topeka and Santa Fe Company.