The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-01-26
CORRESPONDENCE.
OLD sORREI..



Among the many sketches about Kansas and its
history little has been written of the enacted
along the Republican Valley. in the struggle between
the Indians who defended their hunting ground, and
the hunters and enterprising immigrants who sought
TO establish civilization west OF the Sixth Principal
Meridian Much has been written about the heroes Of
the plains hut the subect Of this story is horse
| '.Old Sorrel.r
When the Kansas Nebraska Bill became n law
Sorrel was a rocking one ysar-old colt, ranging at
will in the pasture of his owner in of the West
Counties in Indiana. In due time he grew strong
and vigorous, and after sundry attempts to teach
him to become accustomed to the harness, and per
form his part of the labor in drawing the farm wagon
and from the field the mill, and the market, Sor
rel finally submitted, after many overt acts of disc
bedicnce. attributed to his independence. commonly
called high mettle." occasional dash of enter
prise manifested by spirited" horses. when restrain
ed of their liberty.
His color was a bright chestnut sorrel. and he was
well developed in all the qualities which constitute
strength, speed, endurance and ambition; and that
mutual attachment which often exists between man
and favorite horse existed between Sorrel and
his owner and he became the favorte animal on the
farm. The tide Of emigration had set in for Kansas
The owner Of Sorrel determined TO seek n home on
the Wessern plains. As the covered wagon. contain
ing the family and household fixtures drawn by Sor
rel and his mate proceeded down the lane to the
highway and the occupants looked for the last time
at their old home, with sigh of regret at leaving it,
Sorre seemed to share their sorrow he unwllingy
left forever the scenes of his cohood pasture and
barnyard play ground.
The journey was n tosome one, for weeks and f.
nally terminated by the family selecting spot for
future home the west bank of the Big Blue River,
in Marshall County The horses were jaded, and as
they permitted few days rest to Craze on the
prairie grass, Sorrel revoted at having his freedom
curtaed with picket rope, and not until he had
SCARED his limbs several times with the rope did he
submit quietly to that restraint.
The cabin was erected. and for number of years
Sorrel did goodly part of the work in improving
the farm and tilling the soil and, although still
retaining his spirit and ambition, he grew old,
he was the favorte steed, and recipient of lavish
praise on the part of the family, and all who knew
him. In the Autumn of 1866, Sorrel regarded as
too old to endure the journey, when his owner and
five of his neighbors started buffalo hunt the
Republican. Sorrel manifested sueh desire TO fol-
low his master, and made such strenuous efforts 10
free himself from his picket rope, that the family
obliged to eontine him in the stable, where he
restless, excited, and apparently disappointed,
for n number of days. At length he escaped from
the stable and leapng the barn yard fence despite
all efforts restrain him. he galloPed wildly
the prairie westward, in the direction his master had
gone
Leaving Sorrel speeding the prairie, turn
attention to the hunters. They had succeeded
in killing number of buffalo, and with their supply
of meat had started homeward and were descending
the valley of White Rock Creek, when they at
ILL I'll. E,l.t
the hunters compelled to abandon their teams,
and seek safety by running down the creek. A rum
ming fight kept up, without the loss of n man,
until they reached the Republican, when their am
munition was exhausted, and they plunged into the
water, where five of them were killed. only one. the
owner of ..Old Sorrel, escaping. He sccrrted him
self among the bushes along the Shore until night
when he travelled all night, taking his course,
nearly he could eastward towards the settlement.
In the early morning, he looked westward from the
summit of a high ridge and in the dim morning dawn
discovered some objects moving in different direc
tons. and believing they were Indians looking for
his trail he quickly descended the eastern slope of
she ridge, and travelled rapidly for several miles
hut being much exhausted, he secrcted himself in a
thicket, the hank Of Mill Greek. lie had rested
but short time, when he heard the sound Of horses
hoofs approaching from the east, and emerging
from the thicket, his surprise, discovered his IA
vorite "old Sorrel" galloping towards him. The
meeting between the two old friends affecting.
The horse earessed his MASTER and the hunter wept
on the neck of the Noble animal After permitting
the horse to n short time, the hunter mounted,
and holding the name, in lieu of bride, Sorrcl
calloppcd away in the direction Of home. Late in
the afternoon the horse showed evident indications
of exhaustion; but they were nearing the Little
Blue River the hunter deemed it ursafe to halt until
he crossed that STREAM The horse plunged into the
river, and swan across, and immediately after
c-nding the bank, staggered and fell. and after
expired.
The hunter sat by his dead companion for some
time, weeping bitterly hut as he could do nothing
more for the noble steed and being almost famished
with hunger he wended his weary way to the settle
ment bearing the sad news of the massacre of his
FIVE companions and his last exciting ride upon old
Sorrel.-
NorE-one Of the five hunters killed. formerly resided
in Columbus, Doniphan County.