Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-07-18
AUBREY,S GfEAT Ride.
Remarkable Journey on Horseback Across
the Western Plains.

Remarkable Journey on Horseback Across
the Western Plains
Among the deeds Of early life in the
west the famous ride Of +. X Aubrey
from the plaza Of Santa Fe 10 the public
square of Independence, No. as physi-
cal achievement stands without an equal.
Indeed il is doubtful il the history OF the
world can present a parable 10 that great
ride Of 800 miles, through country
overrun with hostile Indin S. a large
part of the distance being Though sandy
deserts and leading across rivers, mount
aims and prairies, with only the sky for
covering and the earth as a resting
place.
An old resident Of this city. who used
to know Aubrey very well, In converse
ton recently said:
"When first met Aubrey. about 1S48.
he was young man of 35, the perfect
picture of health and strength. Short,
rather heavy set, weighing about 100
pounds, he had an honest, open counten-
ance, and was one Of the rising men Of
the plains he was French Canadian.
came to ST. Louis in 1870, and very soon
afterward engaged in business as Santa
Fe trader, making trips 20 Santa Fe from
Independence, Mo-, and spending the
larger part Of his time in the saddle He
was a noted horseman. and spared neither
man nor beast when on journey, Every
thing he did was done with rush
aubrey made two rides alone from
Santa Fe TO Independence. The first was
on a wager Of 1000 that he could cover
the distance in eight days He succeeded
| in reaching his destination three hours
before the expiration Of the time. He
| killed several horses in the ride, and ii Is
said that the death Of one horse on the
way obliged him to walk twenty-five
miles TO Council Grove, carrying his sad
die on his back, before he found another.
He was the lion Of the day at ST. Louis
and Independence after that ride. There
were many powerful men and many good
riders in those times. but mol one Of them
dared to attempt 10 beat Aubrey's record.
He determined 10 beat il himself, and on
a second wager he left Santa Re in 1851.
and gave tie severest test OF human en-
durance | have ever known.
II was on nv way TO Santa Fe iii was
thirty-Seyen Years agol with train OF
twenty-five wagons filled with merchan-
disc, and knew nothing OF his design.
When we were at the Rabbit Ears, about
100 miles from the old Spanish city, we
saw man approaching Ia a sweeping
gallop. mounted on yellow mare and
leading another, As he came nearer.
mistaking ms for Indians, he whiTled ana
retreated fifty or sixty yards, then turned
TO take second look, Our wagons COM
ing round a hill proved that we were
friends, and putting spurs to his steed,
he dashed past. merely nodding ms head
as the dust tiev into our faces. IL was
great surprise TO me for Aubrey 10 treat
friend in that style, but when reached
Santa Fe ! understood II. Every mo-
ment was precious. Il was the supreme
effort OF his life. Night and day he
rushed on. Six horses dropped dead az
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 lesh
| 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 stationed at different
points on the trail No man could keep
up with Aubrey He would have sacri-
feed every horse in the wesL. y neces-
. sary 10 the accomplishment OF hls design.
, Ii was not money be was after. but tame.
lie had laid wager that the trip would
be made IN six days
] "At the tsld Of 1--WE DAYS and thirteen
e nours, exhausted and tainting he was
, taken from horse that was trembling
1, from head 10 foot and covered with
y sweat and foam, at the southwest corner
Of the present square OF Independence.
X He sank into a stupor, from which he
9 was not aroused for forty eight hours. -
: kansas City News.