Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-08-29

penQeHce, all IiunR WITHOUT sdQ0leS.
Some one had gone on before to notify
the people of our safety, and when We
arrived they were having a regimental
muster. The most intense excitement
prevailed. All business was suspended,
and the whole town focked around Us to
hear the story of our remarkable adven-
lures, and to render Us assistance. We
were half-naked, footsore, heggard, and
presented such pitiful picture that the
greatest sympathy was aroused in our
behalf. We told the story OF our comrades
who had been left in the wilderness. A
rescuing party was Immediately organ
lied, consisting of seven brave, deter
mined men, with Is horses and plenty of
provisions, which moved out on the fol-
lowing day or their humane. mission. The
rescuers were gone some weeks, but they
had the good fortune to find all of our
party, and just in time, too, to save them
from death by starvation and exhaustion.
The two were found about hundred
miles from independence, and the bal
ance were scattered along a further dis
lance of 80 miles, no morethan two being
found together. The rescuers brought
back little less than human skeletons
wrapped in rags; but they were the heroes
of the hour, as were the advcnce party,
all of whom, with the care and gentle
nursing of the good people of Western
Missouri, were soon restored to health
ano strength.
AGAIN ON THE TRAIL.
In few months, when l was seized
with the Far West fever, and deciding to
again cross the great plains, L joined an
other party of traders at Fort Leeven-
worth, whence we rolled out on the 10th
of May, 1929. Capt. Riley, with four
com panies of men, was detailed to guard
the Santa Fe traders to the line between
the United States and Mexico: to re-
cover the money we had buried, and the
soldiers were ordered TO remain there in
camp to await our returning until the Goth
of October. To one familiar with all of
the requirements to lessen the extreme
hazard of entering the hostile coun-
try, this organization seemed in
every respect equal to the emergency
and [ felt great confidence in our tormid-
able outfit. The first few days out the
soldiers killed large number of buffalo.
They mad never before seen this large,
clumsy game and seemed to delight in
recklessly shooting it down. At Willow
Greek We halted TO secure a cannon which
had been thrown in the creek two years
before by soldiers. Nothing eventfuI
happened for several days, when the
monotony was relieved by vast herd of
buffalo crossing our path. Immediately
in the wake of this myriad of bison fol-
lowed band of Indians. Upon seeing
US, and "sizing US up" the redskins
came to sudden halt, and soon retreat
ed. The soldiers fred at the buffalo by
platocns, killing scores of them.
On the 10th of July we arrived at the
dividing line, where Capt. Riley's com
lnand went into camp, having reached
the end of their escorting journey. The
next day Capt. Riley detailed a squad of
soldiers to accompany me to the spot, a
few miles distant, where myself and hap
less companions, the previous year, had
buried $4,000 in Mexican silver coin.
The memorable spot was found without
difficulty and the treasure found intact,
save that some Of the coin laid exposed,
owing to the earth being washed away.
But the absolute isolation of the place
was protection not unequal to the mod
ern safety deposit vault. We placed the
money in sacks and left it with Capt.
Riley. While he was csmped there the
Indians attacked the camp, killed four of
his guards and drove so head of his oxen
off to the sand hills and butchered them.
They were the first cattle these savages
had ever seen. They out off their horns,
saved the white spots in their hides,
using them for ornaments.
Capt. Riley started courjers TO Fort
Leavenworth every two weeks while sta
toned on the Arkansas, every one of
whom-12 in number--fell victims to the
deadly arrow and tomahawk in the hands
of the barbarous foe.
Leaving the soldiers we started for
Santa Fe with Capt. Bent as the leader of
the traders.
MORE FIGHTING.
We had not travelled far before our ad-
vance guard met some Indians, and the
guard beat a hasty retreat, but one man,
Samuel Lemme, was overtaken and killed,
his body being pierced with arrows, his
heal cut off and all his clothes stripped
from his body. We had a cannon, but
considerable delay was occasioned IN get
ting it in position. When this gun was
turned upon them the Indians fed panic
stricken under fire. The soldiers hearing
the firing came to our assistance.
The next morning the hills were cover
ed with two thousand Comanohes, who
had evidently gathered tC massacre every
"
was most fortunate, for when the Indians
saw the formidable array they disappear.
ed. Capt. Riley escorted us few days,
when, seeing no more Indians, he return
ed to camp.
weeks travel brought US to a camp
of Spaniards about 100 strong, who were
engaged in buffalo hunting and drying
the meat. They had preserved large
quantity of the meat ard were about
ready to return TO Santa Fe. We waited
few days and all started together for
the Mexican frontier metropolis. At Rab-
bit Ear Mountain the Indians had thrown
up breastwOrks in the brush intending TO
fight US. The Spaniards were in the lead
and were attacked, losing one killed of
their number before dispensing the en-
envy. Our next camp was in a canyon in
the Rocky Mountains. We were now free
Cf the enemy.
THE RETURN TRIP.
We concluded TO change our destina-
ton and go to Taos instead of Santa Fe,
bot the governor of the latter place sent
soldiers to stop US, with the information
that Taos was not place of entry. The
soldiers guarded us for a week until we
reached Santa Fe. There we disposed
of our goods, and soon began to think of
the journey that would take us back to
the loved ones at home.
In 1927. the year before my first trip
TO Mexico, there had been a rebellion
there and Gov. Obreai was killed, his head
being cut off and carried through the
streets of Santa Fe on q pole. The feel
ing had not died odt, an9 many d1sloyal
Spaniards were ban1shed for refusing to
take the oath of allegiance. When we