The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-08-24
A Remarkable Journey on Horseback,

Among the deeds Of early life in the
West the famous ride of F. y. AUBREY
from the plaza Of Santa Fe, New Mexico,
to the public square Of lndependene 7
Mo, as a physical achievement staiht.<
without an equal. Indeed, it is doubt
full If the history of the world can pre-
sent parallel to that great ride Of 500
miles, through a country oyerrun with
hostile Indians, large part Of the dis
lance being through sandy deserts and
| leading across rivers, mountains and
/ prairies, with only the sky for a covering
and the earth as resting place
An old resident of this city. who used
to know Aubrey very well, in oonyersa-
ton said
"When first met Aubrey, about 1S4S,
he was young man of thirty-fve, the
perfect picture Of health and strength.
Short, rather heavy set, weighing about
100 pounds, he had an honest, open
countenance, and was one of the rising
men Of the plains. lie was a French
Canadian, came TO st. Louis in 1910,
and very soon afterward engaged in
business as a Santa Re trader, making
trips TO 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 a journey. Every thing
he did was done with a rush.
Aubrey made two rides alone from
Santa Fe 10 Independence The first
was on wager Of $1,000 that he could
cover the distance in eight days. lie
succeeded in reaching his destination
three hours before the expiration of the
time. He killed several hmses 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 one. He was the lion
of the day at St. Louis and Indepen-
dence 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 a
second wager he left Santa Fe in 1851,
and gave the severest test of human en-
durance l have ever known.
Il was on my way to Santa 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 were at the Rabbit Ears, about /
100 miles from the old Spanish city. we
saw man approaching in a sweeping
gallop, mounted on yellow mar. and /
leading another. As he came nearer, |
US for Indians, he whirlei and |
fifty or sixty yards, then turned
to take a second look. Our wagons COM
ing round a hill proved that we were
friends, and putting spurs to his iteed
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 moment
was precious. 1t was the supreme effort
Of his life. Night and day he rushed
IN. Six horses dropped dead as he rode
hem.
Ellis own beautiful mare, Nellie, the
'ne he was riding as he passed our party,
md one Of the finest pieces of horseiesh
ever saw, quivered and fell in the
lgonies Of death at the end of the first
80 miles Several splendid horses had
1een sent ahead and stationed at differ
mt points on the trail No man could
Ieep up with Aubrey. He would have
acrifccd every horse in the West if
to the accomplishment Of his
iesign 1t was not money he was after
'ut fame. He lad laid a wager that the
rip would be made in six days
AT the end Of five DAYS and thirteen
lours, exhausted and fainting, he was
AIKEN from a horse that was trembling
rom head to foot. and covered with
weat and foam. at the southwest corner
i the present square of Independence
lie sank into stupor from which he
vas not aroused for forty-eight hours"
-hdnsds Citsf lNeic,.