The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-30
AUeREY's GREAT RIDE.
Remarkable Journey on H"r'e"'cH ''"~
tho Western Plains.


the Western Plains.
Ar,opo tho deeds Of early life IN tm
west the famous ride of +. a. Aup'r!
from the plaza of Santa Fe to the puoln
so,,are Of Independence. Mo-. AS a phy','
cal achievement stands without an equa'
Indeed il is doubtful if the history OF u"
world can present parallel to that grea
ride Of 800 miles. through couh''!
oyerrun with hostile indians a h'g'
part of the distance being through sahaS
deserts and leading across rivers, mount
aims and prairies. with only the SKY io'
a covering ard the earth as resting
place.
An old resident Of this city, who ''e'
to know Aubrey very well, IN converse
ton recently said: o,o
"When first met Aubrey, about 1915
he was young man of 3d. the PEREZ
picture of health and strength. Snort
rather heavy set. weighing about lo'
pounds, he had an honest, open counter
ance, and was one Of the rising men OF
the plains. He was French Canadian
came to st. Louis in 1910, and very sooI
afterward engaged in business as SAINT
Fe trader, making trips to Santa re IRON
Independence, No, and spending the
larger part of his time in the saddle. lie
was noted horseman, and spared neithel
man nor beast when OH journey. Every
thing he did was done with rush.
"Aubrey made two rides alone from
Santa Fe TO Independence. The first was
Oh wager of $1,000 that he could cover
the distance in eight days He succeeded
in reaching his destination three hours
before the expiration of the time. lie
killed several horses in the ride, and 1t l.
said that the death of one horse on the
way obliged him to walk twenty-five
miles to Council Grove, carrying ms sad
die on his back, before he found another
He was the lion of the day at st. LOUIS
and Independence after that ride. Their.
were many powerful men ard niany gooo
riders in those times, but net one Of then
dared to attempt TO beat Aah-egs record.
He determined to beat j. himself, and OF
second wager he lel. S:an:a 70 in 1871
and gave tae sevcrcst test Of human en-
ulllallCc , nave ever MIC" Al.
IL was on my way to Saata Fe lit was
thirty seven years ago. with a train OF
twenty-five wagons filled with merchan
disc, and knew nothing of his design.
When we we're at the Rabbit Ears, abou;
100 miles from the old Spanish city, We
saw a man approaching in a sweeping
gallop, mounted on yellow mare and
leading another. As he came nearer,
mistsking liz for Indians, lie whirled and
retreated fifty or sixty yards, then turned
to take a second look. Our wagons com
ing round hill proved that we were
fricE3s, and, putting spurs to his steed,
he dashed past merely nodding his head
as the dust flew into our faces. 1t was a
great surprise to me for Aubrey TO treat
a friend in that style, but when reached
Santa Fe / understood it. Every mo-
ment vas 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 horse fiesi
ever saw, Quivered and fell in the
agonies of death at the end of the first $50
miles. Several splendid horses had been
sent ahead and sta.i,p0,' ~. different
points on the trail. No man could keep
up with Aubrey. He would have sacri
feed every horse in the west, if neces-
sary to the accomplishment of his design.
1t was not money he was after, but fame.
He had laid a wager that the trip would
be made in six days.
"At the end of five days and thirteen
hours, exhausted and fanting, he was
taken from horse that was trembling
from head to foot. and covered with
sweat and foam, at the southwest corner
of the present square of Independence.
He sank into a stupor from which he
was not aroused for forty-eight hours.
Kansas City News.