Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-11-22

the underground and tho body of some
cottonwood tree of good size, and from
thence kept up such n steady and etrcc-
tive fire that the redskins dared not make
the charge which the had planned.
Five or six of the Indians had been
sent to their long home, and several had
I been wounded by the time the last wagon
| crossed the ford. One mule and one
white man had been killed by the enemy,
and two of the drivers slightly wounded.
| But the train was soon again winding on
Its way, having fairly repulsed the pur-
| sners for Il time at least. Crossing tho
4 lori was hard work for the animals, and
| halt was ordered II mile beyond the
| river and the teams coralcd.
Here another of the wounded mules
gave cut and soon after died, leaving but
two animals 10 draw the rear wagon.
The indians had been severely pun
ishcd, but they were very persistent. and
or the following morning they were seen
lowering about the rear OF the train,
which was now compelled to make fire.
qucnt halts on account of having but two
mules III place OF four attached to the last
wagon. The load WAS lightcnrd and
divided among the rest to II considerable
extent, but still it WIS heavy work for
the two animals to keep up with the rest
of the outfit
The Indians watched this rear wagon,
hoping that The tran-mastcr would
abandon it in his efforts to escape from
them. and they were encouraged by this
prospect of booty, pressing us closely MS
they dared upon the rear of the train.
Now and then the best marksmen among
the whites would get 4 good shot Mt ono
more venturcsomc than tho rest, and
would wound him or shoot his pony, and
an Indian upon the plains without his
horse is of no account.
1t soon became evident Ia Captain Goss
that he must sacrifice the last wagon, and
he, therefore, ordered halt, and, shift
ing everything of value into the other
teams. took the two mules and placed
them ms additional leaders upon tho
heaviest wagons. Tossing into the
wagon about to be abandoned lo. of
comparatively valuelcss articles, he left
i'll toe centre heap OF blasting powder,
for 4 sharp idea had occurred to the Cap.
tain.
Something must he done to get rid OF
these tnnditti Of the prairie, or they would
worry out and one by one kill of his men
and animals before he could reach Den.
yer. at the foot of the mountains.
lie knew that the redskins would
pouncc upon this wagon in five minutes
after he had deserted it, expecting to Sc
cure the booty which he was compelled to
leave behind. He therefore went very
Understandings to work. lie arranged
ii scvcn-minutc slow match, which he
connected with the buug- hole of the kcg
of powder. The train was once more or
dcrcd to get under way.
In the distance, Just out of rifle range,
the redskins were to be seen in full force,
but afraid to approach within range OF
those deadly Spenccrs. They had lost
eleven of their fighting men, besides
several who had been left wounded far
behind. This was losing game, for
they knew that they had inflicted but n
comparatively slight injury upon the
whites
Once more the Lode Star train was
gradually got on its way, moving slowly
forward.
After il was fairly in motion Captain
Goss himself returned to the wagon which
was TO he left behind and applied the
match, then dashed off after his trim.
Rapidly rs he rode away upon his littlo
white pony the Indians more rapidly camo
on to secure the booty which was about
to fall into their hands. 1t seemed to be
general race among them 10 see which
should reach the prize first.
There were forty redskins engaged i'll
; ti!at mad race toward the deserted wag
on.
In the meantime Captain Goss had
joined his command, and tho train was
urged forward by his orders with in
creased speed, until at last half mile or
so had been placed between them and
the abandoned wagon. Then the train
WAS halted.
The whites were row all watching the
headiong rush of the redskins in their
race for spoils.
They swept down nearly together and
surrounded the vehicle on all sides, sew
eral dismounting, endcavoring to effect
entrance beneath the canvas covering,
both by the front and rear. They
Swarmed like bees about hive, and Mt
the distance of half Il mile looked like
one solid mass.
lIark. The catastrophe has occurred
The whites saw cloud Of smoke and
debris risca hundred feet into the air ami
spread hundred feet in all directions
laterally, then came shock that made
the earth trcmble under their feet as
though an earthquake had occurred.
1t was holocaust of men and horses.
Limbs and bodies cast in separate direc-
;ions, heads and trunks severed. TWEEN
t. lives were sacrificed in one instant Of
+ time and twenty more of the Indians
were burned half to death. A few of
tine horses, which had escaped, were seen
dashing over the prairie mad with fright
and ridcrless.
4 few of the wounded were seen cs.
Gaping on their hands and knees away
from the terrible spot.
''I.et us return and finish Them said
one OF the frontiersmen to Capt. Goss.