Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-28
a MYSTERY OF THE PLAINS.
The Fate OF a Wagon Train of Nitro
Glycerine Revealed.

The Fate OF Wagon Train of Nitro
Glycerine Revealed.
The following strange story was told a
Denver Nelcs reporter last week by an
cid miner Just from the hills: "WOuld
YOU like 10 hear of a strange thing that
happened me last week?' or course the
reply was in the affirmative; so, seating
ourselves in the Office of the st. James,
aud fitting our chairs at the proper angle,
He said: ssSOme years ago, while pros
Tsecfjng near Idaho Springs, 1 came upon
4 rich lead. The rock, however, was hard.
and had to be drilled, and necessarily re
ssuired two men to do the work. While /
vas still in a quandary as TO whom l
,eo-Id get, a stranger came up to where l
vas at work and asked me If L knew
where he could get employment. L in
.y.Iired whether he knew anything OF
mining and could hold and strike drill.
aHe assured me that he had worked in
mines in California and Nevada for years,
and thought he understood 1t. something
n the manner and conversation OF the
nan made me take a strong and sudden
{ aucy to him, and never had cause to be
sorry for it. He gave his name as Robert
Williams, and had mild and rather
agreeable face, but with melancholy
that seemed to be the result Of years OF
habit. AS it is not customary in this
ssDunfrv. especially in a mining district,
to INQUIRE particularly into mans ante
eelIents, at once made a proposition to
Williams to Join me and work the new
Drospect on shares. He accepted the
offer and, as l said before, 1 never had
occasion to regret the transaction.
ALWAYS quiet, sober and industrious
he became a favOrite with every
one. the only remarkable thing about him
being he never once in any way referred
m his early life. Our mine turned out
urettv well, and Williams and continued
mariners in working that and other claims
ever since until last week, when he died
af{er a very short illness from pneumonia.
,1S THE LAST DAY, WHEN HE FELT THAT
he could not live, he called me to his bed
side and told me wonderful story: He
aid: i was born in Pittsburg, Pa. My
Z afher was a large iron manufacturer,
Sud gave me all the benefits Of good
education and INDUCED me in everything
that money could buy. When l became
OF age l was admitted to the firm.
Shortly afterward, owing to huctu-
atoms in the iron market, our firm
VAS forced to suspend. The blow was a
particularly severe one to me, as was en-
RACED TO one of the most beautiful as well
IS wealthy ladies in the Iron City. At
this time stories were rife OF the immense
riches Of Colorado, and the Pixies Peak
and other eXc1Ieh9nJS were drawing 10
that fav ored country a large number of
the young men of the East. With bright
visions OF the future and of the fortune
that would make TO replace that which
I had lost, l started West. Upon arriving
at st. Joe l found a number of trains
citing out for the promised land. While
seeking 70 make some arrangements to
cross the plains, / was accosted one day
by a man who asked me if l was going to
Colorado. Upon being told that that was
my intention, he said: 81 am about
sending a wagon loaded with nitro
gIycerine or blasting oil, as il is
GaiIed. 20 the Colorado mines, and
as the trip is attended with some dam
ger ind il difficult TO get anyone to take
the risk. win pay well for the service, and
all expenses besides" Not knowing or
realizing the danger, eagerly seized the
opportunity Joining party Of emigrants
who were about 10 cross the plains. with
Out informing them of the dangerous
character Of the cargo contained in our
wagon, l started one morning together
with another man who was employed
with me. When we camped for the night
we always drew our wagon little TO one
side, took our horses out and slept at
cine distance away.
TOWARD THE CLOSE OF AN AFTERNOON
IN SEPTEMBER, 1860,
rraeu near McCandless' Ranch, on the Lit