Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-10-11
FIRE AND FIENDS.
Terrible Experience Of n Colorado Man
on a Burning Kansas Prairie.
Rocky Mountain News.


horizon dense volumes of smoke with a
brassy glare hide the rays of the sun
while vet the day is young. Noon APP
proaches. but the curling, seething spirals
hide the god of day as if some hideous
monster was spreading dreadful pail
over the face of nature, making the mid
day seem almost as twilight, but with
none of the heavenly planets to cheer
the dismal scene. Nearer and nearer
comes the dreaded apparitior, and as
the long hidden sun sinks in the west a
crimson glow lights the heavens from
zenith TO horizon; hot, sickening blasts
from the roaring monster almost st'fle
the awed and frightened beholder while
yet miles away; urging his frightened
steed onward he fees on his race for life
lucky if he reaches the far distant river
toward which he is flying ere he is fold
ed in the embrace of the fiery demon.
''Such was my experience" said an
old pioneer 10 News reporter in Char
plots yesterday; "but with the added
horror OF the fear of falling in the hands
of some red demons, who were on the
war-path, and who, although pursued
likewise by the dreaded fire fiend, still
maintained their blood-thirsty, instincts
and desire for white mems scalps, seem.
ingly all unappalled by the common dan
ger which threatened every living thing,
animate and inanimate, in its course.
The circumstances were these" said the
narrator: "Some twenty-four years ago
was in the employ of the Overland
Stage Company. Reports came in that
the Sioux were on the war-path and had
been seen in large numbers near the
Santa Fe trail, the route pursued by our
stages. / was stationed at the time al
Fort Dodge, and had a general supervis.
ion of the stages and live stock. Feel
ing somewhat uneasy, as several coaches
loaded with passengers and treasure were
on the road, L selected one of the best hor-
ses in the stable, and started west on the
trail. The afternoon OF the third day
upon reaching the top of low sand
dane, | saw at a distance of perhaps
three miles at least a score of redskins
filing over a small rocky bluff. l would
have retraced my steps to avoid being
seen, but discovered that was too late
as the Indians had changed their course
and were charging directly for me.
Putting spurs to my animal L started
on the dead run, not having much fear
but that could escape. At first, how
ever, the race seemed pretty even thing
between the two foremost of my pursur.
ers and myself. Soon, however, the dis.
lance between us was heightened, and
after riding hard for couple of hours
my enemies had disappeared. / knew
however, that was not out of danger,
and anticipated that every moment !
would meet others Of the merciless foe
In this was not mistaken, as had not
proceeded many miles further before a
bullet whistled past my ears. This was
followed by a perfect volley. At the
same moment some cottOnwoods several
hundred yards to the right seemed sud-
uChlN W DNtOAnC WIN
Dashing forth with wild whoop and
mounted on fresh Eorses, while mine
was considerably jaded, the distance be-
tween us was soon lessened nearly one
half. Squirting my animal to almost in
conceivable efforts soon had distanced
all but three of the murderous gang, who
were slowly gaining on me, keeping up
an almost constant fire meanwhile.
Turning in my saddle l fred at the near
est foe, who rolled from his saddle, and
his body was hidden in the high grass
which here grew in wild prairie abund-
ance. This caused momentary pause
on the part of the other two, but instant
ly, however, they were again in full cry.
AT this moment for the first time be-
came aware of a new danger. / had for
some time detected the odor of smoke,
and looking up saw the lurid reflection
of a praire. fire reflected on the sky. The
sun had gone down and the shadows
were fast lengthening on the plain. Al
most maddened with the terrors Of my
position | urged my exhausted animal
to the upmost possible speed. Soon the
hot breath of the flames seemed to lick
my very eyeballs with their fervid
tongues. In thinking of this new horror
had almost forgotten the scarcely less
terrible Sioux. CHANGING hastily over
my shoulder saw that the two Indians
were close behind me, evidently think
ing that fear of the flames would make
me an easy prey. was at this time on
the very edge OF the ocean of fire which
was kissing and cracking around me
with a continuous seething roar. At
this moment upon turning, / discovered
one ofthe redskins Immediately at my
horses heels with tomahawk raised to
cleave my skull. AS quick as thought !
raised my rifle partially and put bullet
through his brain. We were then just
in the edge of the fame, and as he fell
headlong | could imagine the odor O
burning flesh sizzling the fierce blast
Wrapped in a perfect sheet OF fire, my
maddened animal made last desperat,
leap and we both fell How long l LAY
there l know not. The sun was high il
the heavens when regained conscious
ness, and opening my burning eyes
saw a group standing around me. On,
glance and l saw they were friends.
sit seems that my course of the nigh
before had taken me back again to tn,
stage trail, and the eastern bound coach
had found me there lying apparent,
only charred remnant of humanity be
side my dead horse. A close examina
ton, however, showed that / was no
dead, and restorative having been ar
piled i was soon recovered sufficientl
to be placed in the stage. 1t wa
months before l entirely recovered fror
my terrible burns and the fearful shoe
my system had sustained from the com
bined horrors through which / ha
gone"