Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-09-19
A Texans Revenge.
COLONEL PELToN, THE SLAYER OF
THE APACHES.

THE APACHES.
Colonel Albert G.. Pelton, whose
beautiful twenty thousand acre rancho
is out toward the Rio Grande, near
Laredo, has been the Peter the Hermit
OF the Texans for years. He has be-
lieved that he held diYine commission
TO kill Apache Indians. Colonel A.
Z. Pelton came to Texas in 1874, a
common soldier. By talent and courage
he rose 10 the rank of Colonel, and
finally, in 1897, commanded Fort
Macrae. That year he fell In love
with a beautiful Spanish girl at Abe
gun, New Mexico. Her parents were
wealthy aud would not consent to their
daughters gong away from all her
friends 10 live in a garrison. The ad-
miration Of the young couple was
mutual, and parental objections only
intensified the affection Of the lovers.
The nature of the Spanish girl Is such
that once IN love she never changes
Finally, after two years Of entreaty and
devotion, Colonel Pelton won the con-
sent OF the parents of the beautiful
Spanish girl, and they were married.
Then commenced honeymoon such
as only lovers shut up In beautiful
flower environed fort can have. The
lovely character Of the beautiful bride
won the hearts of all the soldiers Of the
fort, and she reigned queen among
these rough frontiersmen. One day,
when the love of the soldier and his
lovely wife was at lis seyerest, the two,
accompanied by the young wife's moth
er and twenty soldiers, rode out 10 the
hot springs, six miles from the fort, to
take bath. While 10 the bath, which
is near the Rio Grande, au Indians
arrow passed over their heads. Then
shower of arrows fell around them, and
a band OF wild Apache Indians rushed
down upon them, whooplng and yelling
like band Of demons. Several OF the
soldiers fell dead. pierced with poisone d
arrows. This frightened the rest, who
fed. Another shower af arrows, and
the beautiful bride and her mother fell
in the wather, pierced by the cruel
weapons ofthe Apache. With his wife
dying before his eyes, Colonel Pelton
leaped up the bank, grasped his rifle,
and killed the leader Of the savage
fiends. But the -Apaches were too
much for the Colonel. Pierced with
two poisoned arrows, he swan into the
river and made his way back to Fort
Macrae. Here his wounds were dress
ed, and he finally recovered, but only
10 live a blasted hfe-without love,
without hope-with vision of his
beautiful wife, pierced with poisoned
arrows dying perpetually before bis
eyes.
After the death of his wife change
came to Colonel Pelton. He seemed
to think that he had sacred mission
from Heaven 10 avenge his young wfe's
death. He secured the most unerring
rifles, surrounded himself with brave
companions, and consecrated himself
to the work of revenge. He was al
ways anxious 10 lead any and all ex
petitions against the Apaches. When
ever any OF the other Indians were at
war with the Apaches, Colonel Pelton
would soon be at the head Of The
former. One day he would be at the
head OF his own soldiers and the next
day he would be at the head OF band
of Mexicans. Nothing gave him pleas
ure but the sight OF dead Apaches. He
defed Indian arrows and courted &c ath.
Once, with a band Of the widest
desperadoes, he penetrated hundred
miles into the Apache country. The
Apaches never dreamed that anything
but an entire regiment would dare TO
follow them TO their camp IN the noun
tains. SO when Colonel Pelton swo0p-
ed down into their camp with ten trusty
followers firing their Henry rifles at
the rate of twenty times minute, the
Apaches fed in CONSERVATION, leaving
their women and children behind. 1t
was then that there darted out of
lodge a white woman.
Spare the women y she cried, and
then she tainted to the ground.
When the Colonel jumped from bis
saddle to lift up the woman he found |
she was blind.
How came you here, woman, with |
these damned Apachesp he asked.
Il was wounded and captured she |
said, ten years ago. Take, oh, take
me back again J!
Have you auv relations in Texas"
asked the Colonel.
No, Ny father lives in Albequiu.-
My husband, Colonel Pelton, and my
mother were killed by the Indians
Great God, Bella! Is it you-my
wife p
oh, Albert, knew you would come!
exclaimed the oor wife blindly reach.
ing her hands to clasp her husband.
Of course there wa. joy lu the old
rancho when Colonel Pelton got back
with his wife. The Apuches had carried
the wounded woman away with them.
The poison caused Inflammation, which
fnally destroyed her eyesight.
When l saw the Colonel he was read
ing newspaper 10 his blind vile, while
10 her hands she held bouquet OF
fragrant cape jessamines, which he had
gathered for her. IL was a picture OF
absolute happness.-C Chicago Tribune.