Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1885-12-05
A Wild Ride.

"An interesting event occurred to mo
In my lifetime, remarked well. known
physieianlof this city, (which might do to
write up, In the year 1854, when the
guerrillas were very numerous in Ken
tuchy, | was living with my father in ono
OF the mountain counties IN the Northern
part OF the State. One morning started
TO go from my fathers farm to that
of a neighbor's about four miles distant
| was dressed in grayish-blue suit,
with close-fttlrg blue cap, and had
much the arp arance of being Federal
soldier. To make the picture complete,
| was mounted upon large raw -boned
gray mule, that was one Of the strongest
and widest animals III that part Of the
country. | trotted along the road at a
brisk pace, and at short time had
reached the summit Of hill about two
miles from home. The country around
WAS very rough and broken, and directly
below me was large ravine, at the end
OF which was a broad valley, in which
there was farm house was sitting
ON my mule looking down into the val.
ley whcn | sas three men step out Of the
farmhouse below me. glance sufliced
TO show that they were gu5rrillas. They
saw me about the same time did them,
aAd, taking me for Federal soldier,
started to get their horses. knew
was in for it, and determined to try them
for two-mile race. The ravine runs so
that they could ride up through it with
out me seeing them aud come ont on the
road directly behind me. | determined
to do'ge Them and, turned my mule
short around, laid on whip and spur
and started him down the road, and il
ever a mule did its duty that one did. l
had got about three hundred yards away
when | heard yell behind me and knew
that the guerrillas were in hot pursuit
The race continued this way for about
half mile the mule going at break
neck rate Of speed over rocks and stumps,
and my pursuers following close in the
rear. About fifty yards in front { me
the road made q short turn, and by
striking across the country | could cut
off about half mile to my fathers
house, but to do this would have to
Jump high fence. l resolved to try tho
experiment, and running toward tho
| fence struck the mule with the whip He
made terrific bound and in going ovei
caught his hind foot on the fence, throw
ing him violently on the ground, on the
other side, while | was sent over his
head about twenty feet. l fell on the
broad of my back in the mud, and was
not hurt in the fall / gathered myself
up, and, looking around, saw the mule
! walking away. l instantly went to him
and Jumping on him again galloped off.
By this time, however, my pursuers were
close on me, and when they saw me ride
away the second time, opene fire. One
bullet struck me on the shoulder and
another glanced along the mules back,
making slight wound. The pain max
ing the animal perfectly wild, and he
struck out, striking a direct line for
/ home. just ahead OF us was a farm
house, on the other side of which two
roads forked, one leading in a round
about way to my fathers house, and the
other and broader one leading across the
country The mule made straight for
the house, and clearing the fence at .
leap, dashed through the yard and out on
the road. He turned down the narrow
road and we we're soon out Of sight Of
pursuit in strip of woods. The guer.
rllss also came through the farm y ard
but took the wrong road. The fright
ened mule still continued to run and l
vas powerless to stop him. In few
moments he halted me in my fathers
yard. The next day made inquiries
about the matter, and found out who
the gentlemen were. All OF them turned
out to be men living close around. l
aid not venture out for week afteruard,
aud when / did took care not to dress
~ Federal soldier. Since have been
practioing medicine here have met a
couple Of guerrillas who chased me, and
! am now treating one Of them. We
often get together and laugh over ths
matter but il was no laughing matter
for mo that day. ~ for the mule, kept
him until he died. which occurred v
| Aasnsg fant"