The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-03-09
Aubrey's Great Ride.


lie square of Independence, Mo, As
physical achievement stands without an
equal. Iudeed, it is doubtful whether
the history Of the world can present a
parallel to that great ride of 500 miles,
through a country overrun with hostile
Indians, a portion OF the distance being
through sandy deserts and leading
across rivers. mountains and prairies,
with only the sky for covering and the
earth as a resting place. An old resi-
dent Of this city, who used TO know Au-
brey very well, in conversation recent
ly said
when first met Aubrey, about 1913
ne was young man OF 30, the perfect
picture of health and strength. Short,
rather heavy-set, weighing about 100
pounds, be had an honest, open cOun-
tenance ana was one of the rising men
of the plains. lie was a French Cana
dian, came to st. Louis in 1910 and
very soon afterward engaged in busi-
ness as a Santa Fe trader, making trips
TO Santa Fe from Independence, Mo,
and spending the larger part of his
time in the saddle. lie was a noted
horseman, and spared neither man nor
beast when on a journey. Everything
he did was done with a rush.
Aubrey made two rides alone from
Santa Fe 10 Independence. The first
was on a wager OF 81. ZOO tEat he could
cover the distance in eight days. lie
succeeded in reaching his destination
three hours before the expiration o, the
time. He killed several horses in the
ride, and it is said that the death of
one horse which obliged him TO walk
% miles 10 Council Grove, carrying his
saddle on his back, before he found an
other. lie was the lien of the day at
st. Louis and Independence after his
ride, There were many powerful men
and many good IIders IN those times,
but not one of them dared to attempt
TO beat Aubrey record. He deteTmin-
ed 10 beat it himself. and on a second
wager be left Santa Fe in 1851, ard
gave the severest test Of human endur-
81 was on the way to Santa Fe Cit
was 81 years ago) with a train of -
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 approaching in a sweeping gal
lop, mounted on yellow mare and
leading another. As he came nearer,
mistaklng us for Indians he Nhirled
and Ietreated 30 or go yards. then turn
Dd to take second look. Our wagons
coming round q hill proved what we
were, and putting spurs TO his steed he
dashed past, merely nodding his head
as the dust flew into our faces. II was
great surprise to me for Aubrey to
treat friend in this style, but when
reached Santa Fe / understood il.
Every moment was precious. 1t was
the supreme effort of his life. Night
and day he rushed on. Six horses
dropped dead as he road them. His
own beautiful mare, Nellie, the one he
was riding as he passed our party, and
one OF the finest pieces Of kOIsehssh |
ever saw, quivered and fell in the ago
MES Of death at the end of the first $50
miles. Several splendid horses had
been sent ahead aud stationed at differ
ent points on the trail. No man could
keep up with Aubrey, be would have
sacrificed every horse in the west If
necessary 10 the accomplishment of his
design. 1t was not money he was after,
but Game. lie had laid a wager that
the trip would be made in six days.
AT the end of five days and Is hours.
exhausted and fauting, he was taken
from horse that was trembling from
head 10 foot and covered with sweat
and foam. at the southwest corner of
the present square of Independence
lie sank into a stupor from which he
was not aroused for Is hours. Aubrry
was man OF marvellous endurance or
he could never have recovered from The
strain of that ride upon his system.
There was no stage running 10 Santa
t'e at the time Of Aubrey's ride and he
was unanimously pronounced by vest
ern men as the greatest exhibition rf
nerve end strength ever shown on the
plains.
After the ride Aubrey wandered In.
TO California, but returned TO Santa Fe
In 1854. Immediately upon enlerIrr
the city he met Msj. Richard F.
Weightman, formerly an Cnicer of the
regular army, who had been oue OF Au
bIey's closest friends. After excLaug-
ing sa'u'atiors, Aubrey invited his
friend 10 step into a saloon and take a
drink. Weigh'mau, by the way, was
editor Of a small paper published in The
city. As the barksopsr poured out The
whisky Aubrey turned 10 Weightman.
and his whole manner changed as be
spoke 'Weightmaa, what made you
publish that lie about my going TO CAh
.fOrnia 2 Without a moments hrsi,a-
tioh, feeling the insult keenly, Weight
man seized the glass, now full Of liquor,
and threw the contents into Aubrey,
face. Aubrey reached for his revolver
but, before he could draw II from hi,
pocket, Eeightman suatched a bowie
knife from his sheath and buried N,
blade into the heart OF he grea: rider
That was the last OF Aubrey. II,
was buried in an unknown grave, ans
al! that is RENE mbereG OF him is his tx.
plot in crossing the plains, Weight
man was accqpl,ted Of the change o
murder, joined ths Confederat,
army in tie late war, and was sho
a. tie mead OF his brigade at wills, n
creek, falling near the snor whore ga,