Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-31
miscellaneous.
How . Presentment Saved . Scalp.

do believe in preseniiments? Well,
yon can bet do /. I'll relate some of my
experiences, and then you may see some
thing in it. too
The above was part OF a conversation |
had short time q 20 with an old frontiers
man named Geo. w. Packard. The fol-
lowing is just as he related his experience
to me:
am native of Ohio. but came west in
1853 and entered the employ OF the Over
land Express Company as station agent,
my post being in Utah, my duty being
the care OF relays of stock.
One evening, just as the twilight was
gathering, the day expressman having
changed horses and gone, | ate my sup
per, then brought my stock in, which con-
sisted of two ponies and two mules. After
''hobbling" them securely, | ''picketed"
them in a circle about where | intended
to lie down, near the trail, as was my
custom. so that might hear the next
messenger. should he chance along before
daybreak, and also hear any disturbance
of my stock. This being done wrapped
myself in my blankets and lay down on
nv ready made" bed (the bare ground
Around me all was still as death. save
the movements If my stock. ana the rust
ling of the branches of the rank sage
brush, which in that country grows 10 the
height Of three or four feet.
Above me the stars shone out in all the
brightness this western country only can
show. But sleep would not come this
night. try as | might. / lay during what
seemed hours to me, yet could not sleep.
Presently my stock seemed fretful, just as
they would do when a storm was coming
on. Again and again | tried to sleep, I'M
I'll dread came over me, from which |
became quite nervous. | arose, taking
my rifle, and went all around for 200 or
800 feet. but not living thing could see
or hear. The stiffness was not broken
even by coyotes howl So | went back
and, wrapping my blankets about me.
law down again. laughing at my nervous
ness, determined to sleep; but instead of
sleep Il feeling took possession of me such
as | cannot describe. Something seemed
to be Juggling at me and drawing
me towards my stock. | involun-
tarily arose and walked to my stock,
which still seemed frctful. | loos-
ened their lariats and led them, as
the impulse led me. into the sage bush
some distance from the trail, all the while
calling myself a coward. and using all my
will power 10 overcome the stran re feel
ing which seemed to possess me; yet
picketed my stock, went back and removed
my entire outfit to my new quarters.
Then again lying down. intending to
sleep, a feeling of satisfaction seemed to
replace the dread which had so confronted
me. | lay there only few minutes,
thinking of what the expressman would
think of me, in case he came through be-
fore daylight, when the air was rent by
the most hldeous yells that ever escaped
from the lips of redskin. | crawled out
from my stock. and looking out from the
brush could family see the outlines of
dozen Arapanoes. They had found the
clearing where had been in camp, and
flndingmy fire out and everything deserted,
they left after looking around in some of
the brush, at times being close enough for
me to have shot them with my pistols.
Imagine my feelings as they struck off
the trail west. My lucky star" shone
that night surely.
Daylight came at last, but no express
man yet. waited till half the forenoon
was gone, when | became alarmed for
his safety. With more or less fear, vet
knowing my duty, | mounted my pony
and started west on the trail TO see if he
was in sight | rode on for about ten
miles when my pony gave snort. All
at once the truth flashed before me. The
red devils had met and murdered him.
Riding a little further | came upon his
body lying in the trail scalped, robbed,
and mutlated horribly by their tomahawks
and his pony lying dead at his side.
Lucky Star" Luck, ''Presentlment'
call it what you may. it was Just that
something that saved my scalp. that night,
and don't forget it.-Coiornio Cor. Phil
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