Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-07-31
The TRAIN-WRECKERS.
BY CAPTAIN JAMES MoNTFoRp.

sDuring the winter of 1862 continual
warfare was kept up in Missouri with the
guerrilla bands.
"They are the most terrible pests of
country, even when anxious to defend it,
and the ordinary guerrilla is q friend to no
one but himself.
Il was often out upon the chase, and sew
eral fierce skirmishes took place. A band
of guerrillas had taken possession of the
Missouri Railroad, and burned the bridges,
tore up the rails, and brought about
desolation that half o dozen battles would
not have caused.
L met with IN adventure at this time
which evidences the bloody and ruthless
character of these outlaws.
Il think it was about the last of Decem-
Der that | started from the command for
small station some twenty miles distant.
Il had business with gentleman in the
village, and rode across the country, in
tending to leave my horse-I owned good
one ut the time-with my acquaintance,
and return with the supply train, which
was expected at that time.
The day was as bad a one as I could
have we'll chosen; the bleak air swept over
prairies, chilling horse and man to the very
bone.
Il should have waited for fairer day;
but the train was expected up in the
morning, was anxious to 60, and had al
ready been delayed several days.
$50 I started early, and rode along
cheerfully enough for the first five miles,
began to rage with the fury that is only
witnessed in those treeless districts.
II was soon soaked through to the skin,
the rain beat upon my face tercely, and
wished myself back at camp, or anywhere
else out of the storm.
II believe we were five hours travelling
the succeeding five miles, and at the end OF
that time was nearly frozen.
The fear of losing my way added still
more to my distress, for there were ne
fences or other landmarks, and the ground
was being fast covered by the beating snow,
which succeeded the rain.
MY clothing was frozen stiff, and the
neck and breast of my horse was covered
with sheets of frozen breath and blood
which had ooZed from his swollen nostrils.
Il must find shelter, l thought, or perish
in the most horrible manner.
Suddenly l noticed smoke arising in
the distance. No house was visible, and il
has seemed remarkable TO me that I OBJ.
served the smoke; fortunate chance wat
the cause, perhaps.
mo house was to be seen, the place was
in the hollow of the prairie, and rode
"AsAAA o"Chty iooo VI eAo uOol ol0 } odh
the way.
Getting off the horse with difficulty, my
limbs had become stiffened with cold, wal
about to approach the house, when it oc.
CURED to me that it would be as well t.
reconnoiter little.
"A band of outlaws might be harborina
there, and then 1 would wish myself out.
side again, cold as it was.
Speaking kindly to the horse, whs
stretched his nose against me for warmth,
/ fastened the bride to shrub and stole
cautiously toward the house.
Making circuit, approached from ths
back of the building. 1t was poor affair,
the habitation of prairie farmer. evidently;
but there was shelter for man and beast.
"As i came up the door at the side
opened. l had but time to escape around
the corner when three men issued out.
"They were rough looking fellows,
warmly clad, and ut once concluded to
give them wide berth.
with some imprecations at the weather,
they hurried to the stable which frontej
the road.
When they reappeared it was upon fleet
looking horses, and they then rode away
toward the north.
Il watched them out of sight, and then
approached the cabin again. Listening, ]
could hear no one, and conceived that the
place was untenanted.
II resolved to take advantage of the shell.
ter, and Fastening back to my poor horse /
soon left him muuching hay in the little
stable, and myself hurried on to the house.
II was nearly ready to drop with fatigue
and cold, and, waiting for no ceremony,
opened the door and entered.
fire was burning on ore side of the
poorly furnished apartment, and hurryina
forward I r,f -
blaze.
Il had seen no one as yet, but voice
sounded from back room q moment later
is that you, Carl?" asked woman's
voice.
Il explained that was traveller, nearly
frozen, and had taken the liberty to enter
The house, rs l saw no one about,
"A tall, wrinkled old woman, with very
erect carriage, came in from the kitchen.
She looked at me searchingly, as made
my excuses, and thought sad expression
appeared upon her face. What could it
mean. or was mistaken?
Il decided that the latter was the case.
and lying back in the hard chair, l enioyed
the hre as man only can when he has
been chilled through to the bone.
My DOING was broken by the sound of
'olces outside; men We're approaching the
MUSE. 1ue Ola woman seemed to shrink
with fear as she heard the sound.
Rising to my feet, expecting some dis
aster, placed my hand upon my pistol and
The door opened, and twenty men, 1
counted them as they came in singly, filed
into the room.
They were all armed with rifles, and nm
entire arsenal of small arms, and knew /
was in the presence of band of guer-
There was no help for it, however, the
men had seen my horse, and doubtless knew
my character.
Put up your shooter and surrender
sald tall, red-headed man, who seemed |
the leader. You shant be hurt SO long as
you remain quiet
But who are your returned with as |
much resolution as 1 could summon up. |
IT would not be policy to surrender until l |
know to whom -
"A loud laugh from the entire crowd cut
of my speech.
THAT'S good one, said the tall indi-
Viduai. Twas jist lertin' you down kinder
easy cause you cum into nv place nm
awares. We can kill you easy enough, if
you insist upon il