The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-10-22
PAscAoorLA, October ~, 1880.

PAsCAoorLA, October ~, looV.
Baitsr Demoorst-Stsr:
At Q social gathering not thou
sand miles irom Pass Christian,
Mss, on the nrst cool night of
those sutumnsl months, aud while
seated around blaz:ug lightwood
fire enjoying the kinduess aud hos.
pitality Of mine hostess, the writer
lad the plessureof listening to Que
Of those fearful ghost stories that
used to frighten US halt to death
when told by the darkies iu the
days gone by. But the story that
l sm going to relate TO you was
told on che occasion mentioned BY
~ old United States soldier, as
having actually occurred to his
vision while soldering on the
plains prior to the late civil war.
1t Ia not my province here, AS the re.
sorder oil this story, to question or
doubt its authenticity or to adduce
any probable cause which may
have led to the origin OF the won.
derful phenouena; suGice it to say,
shat our hero, whether in earnest
or IN Jest, played the role of tragic.
d narrator admirably well. With
bic consent l give the story to tue
public, aud thrust that il he should
see iu it's narration any depression
from the original, or any word or
expression which he did not utter
Or make use Of, be will pardon me
Tor such. Be . palliation for uis
rspresentation l can only say
ITO err is human, 3ut to forgive
10 diyine.n--NARRAToR.
"Ladies aud gentlemen, while
listening to the pathetic story of
the gentleman 10 the corner, was
forcibly reminded Of what l saw
once soldering on the plains prior
to the late civil war-case of
United States vs. Poor Lo. l do
rot wish to Impose myself upon
your credality or religious seati-
nents; neither do l wish to throw
damper on the feelings of any
one iu this crowd, who may enter,
tain opinions adverse to future
punishment 10 the great hereafter;
10 not even insist on yoar believ-
lug what l am going to tell you.
"Listen; twas after sevea-
month leave Of absence that two
ether soldiers and myself left Lcav-
snworth, Kansas, to join cur com.
maud, which was stationed ut San
70 Fee, New Mexico, q distance of
wv miles. We were mounted OH
good horses fully equipped in all
10 psraphernaGa Of Indian war
re. There were no railroads
scross the plans 1t that time, and
travel, therefore, had to be per-
formed either on horseback or by
traln-wsgon, The latter mode was
sne one used by merchants to trans
port their goods across the desert,
- lt was then called, to the gold
juggling regions of California aud
colorado - but by either way,
Journeys OF the kind were fraught
Win many dangers and hardships ;
sometimes on account Of the scarci.
" OF wood aud water, but more
particularly because of the hostile
INDIANS that infested the country.
.ne greater part Of our way ex-
'snded through an unbroken region
VI country, which had often been
~. .ee scene OF bloody massacres Of
'oe whites from the hand of the
ruthless savage. On either side OF
Our road, - far a. the eye could
sse, eternal vigilance would often
S untold to our view great herds oi
Ounalo, aud occasionally elk and
antelope, basking 10 the sunshine,
y. ieeding on the famous muskeat,
=. .sen With all the dangers that be.
81 our way, the interminable waste
=. plain before us, and which mp
parsntly extended from the rising
=. 0. 'ne snn to the going down Of the
ss"e' AN. one could not help but look
~. uroa its vast panorama aud
spm're its grandeur aud snblim;ty
ny, uw Twas late. IN the Afternoon