The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-12-18
gaaersnis gatelligeaeer.
Brave Ella Reed.

Reeds ranch did not differ materially
from hundreds of Others in Colorado.
The same struggling, one.storied struc-
ture, perfectly innocent of paint, with
outbuildiugs looking as if they were
ready to tumble down. The family con.
sisted, at the time of this story, Of Joe
Reed, the proprietor, his wife and two
children. Ella, the eldest, was q rather
pretty girl of eighteen, who for several
years bad relieved the tired mother G.
much Of the burden of the house work,
attended to the duties of the dairy, and
was good horsewoman withal, often
accompanying her father In rough rides
of miles when looking for stray cattle.
Once week Mr. Reed went to Denver
to sell the dairy products, and purchase
such articles of food as could not be
raised on the ranch. Willie frequently
accompanied him, end the two women
were always kept loaded for emergencies,
concealing them in the folds Of her
dress.
Hastily reioining her mother in the
larger room, she was just in time to see
two burly looking rufiians enter by the
door. The taller Of the two men de-
manded supper, "and let It come quick.
ly, too" he said, in a menacipg tone.
The brave girl placed the food on the
table, knowing that the scoundrels would
satisfy their hunger before putting their
purpose of robbery, and possibly MUIR
der, into execution. She then sat down
in front Of them and watched them.
The moment their meal was completed,
she suddenly thrust the muzzles Of tho
pistols In their faces, threateningt shoot
If they moved.
thought nothing of being left alone in
the house until long into the night, as
the distance to the city made the drive n
long one. 1t was on one Of these even
ings in the early fall, just rs they had
completed their supper and the mother
was arranging tho table for the hungry
father and son, that the younger woman
went to the barn, the back of which was
Immediately on the road, TO see calf
that was sick.
Suddenly she heard the voices of men
in the road near the barn. Listening
and scarcely daring to breathe, she heard
the words that almost froze her with
terror.
1.-THE old man keeps his money box in
the drawe. Of the cid bureau, but the old
woman carries the key"
"How can we get at it?' asked another
voice.
ave can bind both women, and if
they make any noise, we can stop that"
For moment the terrified liatener was
fairly paralyaed with fear; then, she
started up, and running quickly round to
the back of the house and crawling
through an open window, went to closet
and took from it two revolvers, which
Expostulations and protestations were
in vain the heroic girl stood there with
eyes flashing and determined, for what
to her seemed ages. The poor mother,
as soon as she comprchended tho situs.
ton. overcome by her great terror, had
tainted and was lying on the floor.
AT last the sound of wagon wheels was
heard coming toward the house, and in
moment the father and brother entered
the house in company with an uncle who
had arrived in Denver that day from
their old eastern home in Peunsy sylvania,
and by the mereat accident met Mr..
Reed on Sixteenth street, in Denver. As
soonuas they comprehended the situation
compelled the ruffians with revolvers at
their heads to submit to being bound
with ropes, and when daylight came they
were taken to the county seat and placed
in jail.
The bravo girl, as soon as she was
relieved from her terrible guard duty,
and the horrible strain on her nerves
was taken of, went into succession of
hysterical cpasms, and It was for weeks
that her reason If not her life, WAS de.
apaired Of She eventually recovered,
however, and afterwards married q
wealthy Denver gentleman, and is now
living in Queen City. The two men
were recognized as old offenders, in fact
they were fugitives from justice from o
distant county, and afterwards served
long time in the penitentiary in Canon
City Rocky Mountain NeTs.