River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-07-03
BuroRD AND THE MOB.
The Exciting Experience W hioh the Great
THURMAN Had In Springfield, ILL.,, at the
CToee 80 tI,a War

The Exciting Experience W hich the Great
THURMAN Had In Springfield, ILL.,, at the
Close of the War.
Chicago News.
The tragic death of Gen. Abe Buford,
of Kentucky, recalls story he told
during his last visit to Chicago. II
have passed through many trying and
perilous scenes" he said to party of
friends. "but never felt so near deaths
door as at Springfield, Ill, just after
the war To begin with, | had q mar
row escape during our fighting IN Geor-
gia. Our forces were encamped with
the union troops in our front. The sen
try lines were thrown out as usual.
Ore day I passed through the lines to
make some observations at distant
point / was unattended, but mount
ed upon a powerful horse. During my
absence the union forces drove back our
lines and occupied the same ground with
their own pickets. This was unknown
to me, and was surprised and alarmed
on my return to be halted by a union
soldier l attempted TO ride on. The
soldier tried TO stop my horse with ms
hayonet. Drawing my revolver L fired
at him. and rode on to the camp with
out waiting TO see the effect Of the shot.
The war went on and finally ended. We
surrendered to the superior forces on
the union side, and ! went home Soon
afterward l went to Springfield to get
some horses which had left in charge
of Willis Renfrow. On the day of
my arrival a large number of union
soldiers were mustered out OF the
service. They literally swarmed into
the hotel where ] was stopping. Pret-
tv soon discovered they were eyelng
me very closely The m 70 they did 80
the more excited they became. Their
excitement made me nervous, and not
little frightened when / reflected that
was alone, without friends, and in the
midst of soldiers just from the scenes OF
conflict that had aroused all their but
terness toward the south. As an officer
in the confederate army, l felt that l
would bear no share of their hatred.
This thought frightened me beyond
measure. For the first time in my life
/ was really afraid, because l believed
that if the soldiers became aroused
there would be no escape for me. The
landlord came over and urged me to
conceal myself before an outbreak oc-
cured. Although terribly scared, L
had no thought of showing the white
feather. / merely went TO my room,
secured my revolver, and oame
back to my seat, watching the crowd
over the paper ] pretended to read.
After awhile man wearing corporals
uniform came in. Several soldiers ran
to meet him in an excited manner
could not hear what was said, but ] knew
| was the subject OF the talk. The cor
porGl went to the hotel register, looked
at my name, and then came toward me.
Behind him were several of the men. A
score of them were ergerly watching the
scene from the other side of the room.
The landlord, with blanched face, stood
behind the counter, and / could see he
was frozen with terror. As the corporal
and his comrades came toward me, my
hair literally stood on end. | could feel
the blood leave my face. With all my
power of self-control | could not conceal
my agitation. I felt that after going
through the perils of war ] was to die at
the hands of mob. No man can por-
tray his feelings al such time. Though
great strength was demanded ] was so
weak ! could hardly stand. When the
corporal approached me he asked if l
was Gen Buford. With feeble voice
/ told him [ was.
"Do you remember the union soldier
YOU shot when breaking through the
union lines in Georgian" he asked.
II do" was my reply.
al am that man." said the soldier,
"and want to thank you for merely
wounding my arm The man held out
his hand. l never was so glad to shake
hand in my life heperil had sup
posed / was in had caused great beads
of sweat to cover my face. AS took
his hand | sank exhausted in chair.
] looked upon the corporal as my savior.
When he grasped my land | felt that l
had gone from hell to heaven. The
other soldiers crowded around. 1t
seems they we're only excited because
late enemy was there. Before | left we
all drank to the success of oul common
country and agreed to forget we had
been enemies. / think that was the
most thrilling personal experience L
ever had"