The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-09
Aubrey's Great Ride.
Kansas City News.

Kansas City News.
 Among the deeds of early life in the west the famous ride of F. x. Aubrey from the plaza of Santa Fe to the pub lie square of Independence, Mo-, as a physical achievement stands without an equal. Indeed, it is doubtful if the history of the world can present par ellel to that great ride of 800 miles, through country overrun with hos tile Indians, a large part of the distance being through sandy deserts and lead- ing across rivers, mountains and prai- ries, with only the sky for covering and the earth as resting place.
 An old resident of this city, who used to know Aubrey very we'll, in conver- sation recently, said:
 "When first met Aubrey, in lS48, he was young man of thirty five, the perfect picture of health and strength. Short, rather heavy set, weighing about 160 pounds, he had an honest, open countenance, and was one of the rising men of the plains. He was French Canadian, came to St. Louis in 1940, and very soon after ward engaged ill business as Santa Fe trader, making trips to Santa Fe from Independence, Mo-, and spend- ing the larger part of his time in the saddle. He was noted horseman and spared neither man nor beast when on a u 'ney. Everything he did w; done with rush.
 Aubrey made two rides alone from Santa Fe to Independence. The first was on wager of $1 ,00O that he could cover the distance in eight days. He succeeded in reaching his destina- tion three hours before the expiration of the time. He killed several horses in the ride, and it is said that the death of one horse on the way obliged him to walk twenty five miles to Council Grove, carrying his saddle on his back, before he found another. He was the lion of the day at St. Louis and Independence after this ride. There were many powerful men and many good riders in those times, but not one of them dared to attempt to beat Aubrey's record. He determined to beat it himself, and on second wager he left Santa Fe in 1851, and gave the severest test of human endurance I have ever known.
 "I was on my way to Santa Fe Git was thlrty-seven years ago) with 8 train of twenty-five wagons filled with merchandise, and knew nothing of his design. When we were at the Rabbit Ears, about 100 miles from the old Spanish city, we saw man ap- preaching in 8 sweeping gallop, mounted on a yellow mare and lead- ing another. As he came nearer. mis- taking us for Indians, he whirled and retreated fifty or sixty yards, then turned to take a second look. Our wagons coming round hill proved that we were friends, and putting spurs to his steed he dashed past, merely nodding his head as the dust flew into our faces. It was a great surprise to me for Aubrey to treat a friend in that style, but when I reached Santa Fe I understood it.. Every moment was precious. 1t was the supreme effort of his life. Night and day he rushed on. Six horses dropped dead as he rode them.
 "His own beautiful mare, Nellie. the one he was riding as he passed our party, and one of the finest pieces of horsefesh I ever saw, quivered and fell in the agonies of death at the end of the first 15O miles. Several splendid horses had been sent ahead and stationed at diff ferent points on the trail. No man could keep up with Aubrey. He would have sacrificed every horse in the west if necessary to the accom- plishment of his design. It was not money he was after but fame. He had laid wager that the trip would be made in six days.
 "At the end of five days and thir- teen hours, exhausted and fainting, he was taken from a horse that was trem- bling from head to foot, and covered with sweat and foam, at the southwest corner of the present square at Inde- pendence. He sank into . stupor from which he was not aroused for forty eight hours."
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