Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-02
AND

only Indians about me. simply because 1
liked solitude; and the silent dignity of the
Indian was always more decent than the
garrulous white men. Besides that, the
| white men seemed constantly to seek some
advantage of me. Beyond all that, had
been badly wounded in battle with hostile
Indians near Soda Springs only the sum-
mer before, and was not strong enough, to
say nothing of my extreme youth, to do the
work about the springs. And you may be
certain that my penurious and selfish
''pardners" were glad to give me the place
Of peril and stay where they could handle
the money.
And now, having crowded whole col
umn into few paragraphs, let us hasten
forward.
Reaching Soda Springs at early dawn,
after moonlight walk, or rather run, of
singular grandeur under the solemn pines
on the hard crusted snow, hastily told the
terrible news; and then threw myself into
the saddle, arms in hand, and set out
through the tortuous and tedious mountain
trail for Yreka. This city of Yreka was at
this time sort of capital of Northern Cali
fornia; q populous and most prosperous min
ing town, with banks, miles of brick houses,
hundreds of hotels. A great city was Yreka
in the days of old. 1 had ride before me
of more than 20 miles. The narrow snow
bound steep and stony trail was simply ter
rible. But was splendidly mounted. My
horse had all the gathered strength of win
ter's rest in his long and supple legs, and he
continually bounded along like ball. AT
twilight struck Yreka. found the city
already on fire with the terrible news It
had reached them through man who had
escaped the massacre; and hundred men
had only that morning, after single night
of preparation, set out for the scene of death
and desolation.
A wild strange crowd was that which had
journeyed forth from the now drunken
and half-crazed town. entered the place
at gallop, plunging through herd OF
believing cattle which some bowling and
wholly drunk men were trying to drive out
after the little army that had set face for the
almost impossible mountains OF snow that
lay between it and the valley of flames and
death. fell from my horse into the arms
of Mr.. Irwin, the editor of the paper. This
Irwin was afterward governor of Cali
fornia, good, wise man. He took me at
once to the judge of that district, Judge
Roseborough. Hastily 1 told him all
knew, This same Judge is now neighbor
OF mine here in Oakland, California.
you must stay In here" said the Judge.
was too worn, too nearly dead, to quite
understand.
''They will kill you in the street! They
thought the Indians had killed you and |
burned your place also. But it seems that
they have not even taken any of your
cattle. This may be all right but the city |
is mad and it is drunk also. You stay here |
tonight"
slept on the floor of that little brick law !
Office, my feet against the door and pistol |
in my hand. All, a queer reward was 1 |
having for my PERIL What world this isl
The next morning the Judge and the |
future Governor of California aroused me |
early. We breakfasted in the cold, bright |
morning on the office table from ham and |
eggs and other good things which the Judge |
had ordered from his residence. Looking
out of the window saw that my horse was
already saddled. and was being led up and
down in the sharp, frosty air.
Everybody is killed." said the Judge as
we finished breakfast, "except yourself
There is not even q guide left to head that
little army that left here yesterday through
the snow over the mountain. Ike Rodgers,
the banker, has been out there, but that was
in the summer time He will not know the
road with ten feet OF snow. Besides, his
father is among the murdered and he is half
insane over it. Sam Lockhart is the same,
for he has lost his brother, and all his
splendid property there is in ashes"
"Well, Judge what must | dO?"
"Mount that horse instantly and follow,
ind them over the mountains down into the
valley. There you will meet volunteers and
from San Francisco to help destroy these
bloody savages."
The mans cool good sense and confidence
howv II So IL 1