McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-03-20

WnOl0 bklu OE only p0tloIhtcu onos
Tor he was seen no more, and after Sc
curing the horse the journey was con-
tinued without interruption. The ant
NAL proved to be one used in carrying
the mail between Matthew'S and Tay-
lor's mail stations, about fifty miles
apart, and his being in the
possession of the Indian was
pretty strong evide. &c that some devil
try had been going on above. Upon
this supposition the boats were
brought to a standstilI, and
a consultation held with those
on the land as to the advis-
ability of returning and investigating
the facts in regard to mail ranch No. l.
An understanding was arrived ut in
few minutes, which resulted in the dis
embarkation of the naval party. Two
men were left in charge of the proper
ty and the balance retraced their steps
up the river bank until they arrived in
the vicinity of the ranch. There they
found the dead bodies of Matthews
and his only son, a boy of about II,
hanging to the limb of tree stark
naked and gashed in frightful man.
ner. In the house everything bore evil
dence of severe struggle. The door
had been forced backward, crushed in
seemingly by sort of battering ram
lying on the ground near by. A tenn
porary barricade had been hastily con-
structed, across which lay three dead
Indians killed by the whites. Another
redskin law in the doorway of the ad-
joining room, face downward, his head
cloven through from crown to chin,
the work of a bloody AK welded by
one of the defenders. At least half
dozen fine horses had been run off and
an unsuccessful attempt made to burn
the buildings, which had failed from
the fact that the timbers and large
beams were solid and green and would
not take kindly to the flames. About
as much destruction was done in the
short space of time the attacking party
remained on the ground as could well
be done by anybody.
No doubt the ranch had been jumped
with little warning TO the defenders,
who made what resistance they could
under the circumstances. With sad
but revengeful hearts the rescuing party
gave the victims hasty burial, after
which they returned to the boats, and
the journey down stream was once
more resumed. All that night they
travelled, and at daylight found them
selves sixty miles below their starting
point, and very close to ranch No. g.
This second ranch was a relay of
Matthew'S, and was part of continu-
Gus chain established at certain dis
tances from each other, where relays
and new drivers were obtained, who
carry Uncle Sans mail-bags to the next
station, about fifty miles beyond, and so
on until their destination is reached.
In this way communication all along
the frontier is kept up, and suffers no
interruption except from Indians, Or
organized bands of white horse thieves,
who are much worse than the Indians.
The station could not be seen in the
early morning light, but the men knew
they were in the vicinity of it and pulled
their boats ashore. Some were for go
ing on, while others advised limiting up
the ranch, in order. to leave no uncer-
tainty behind them. The latter party
prevailed, and in a few minutes they ar
rived near the place. Cautiously ad-
vancing for fear of surprise, the edge
of the clearing was reached and care
full scrutiny made of the surroundings.
No living creature was anywhere in
sight.
One man stepped beyond the shadow
of the trees to get better view, when
the sharp report of rifle rang out on
the air and bullet whistled in close
proximity to his head. He dropped in
to the grass as if the cold lead had &C
tually entered his brain.
1t was now certain that Indians were
at hand, perhaps the entire raiding
party; but the puzzling part of the
whole thing was that the shot had been
fired from an upper window of the
building. A hasty consultation was
held, and one of the pursuers named
Goodwin was designated to act as spokes-
man. He took a secure position be-
hind large tree, close to the edge of
the clearing, and called out in stento-
ran tones elf you be whites come out,
and show yourselves. If you be Injins,
keep off, or sorry you'll be-"
A minute passed away in silence
then the window was opened, and a
mans head appeared.
"Hello, say" called out the voice
"came near sailing you, didn't I?"
Ash Taylor was the owner of the
voice and keeper of the ranch. He
stood chuckling for a moment at the
window, and then withdrew his head.
A moment later the owner stepped into
view, holding in his hands long rifle.
The whole party crowded around him,
plying him with questions. Taylor was
a sharp-eyed, brawny, intelligent fellow.
who came out west at an early day.
where lie soon made his mark, and be.
came terror alike to the red man and
to white horse thieves. His wife and
children were with him and shared hi:
trials, the woman being no less cour
ageous than her husband. The follow
ing particulars of the late attack were
learned from his own lips:
That morning the mail drivers came
in from opposite directions and met Al