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

of an Old FrOntiersman.
In the spring of 1928, at the age of q
years, started out from Independence,
Mo-, with party of traders, carrying to
the then remote and almost inaccess-
IDLE frontier stock of general merchan-
disc loaded on 10 wagons drawn by horses,
our destination being the historical Mexi.
can city of Santa Fe, now in New Mexico.
We had about ZOO miles to travel be-
tween Independence and Santa Fe, and as
no roads were made III those days, we we're
compelled to take our chances through
the vast wilderness and seek the best road
we could. No signs of life were to be OBJ
served except in the innumerable herds of
buffalo and antelope that were continually
crossing orr path but we pressed on, and
soon found ourselves crossing the Arkan
sas river and entering upon the Great
American Desert which was lying beyond
as listless, lonesome and noiseless as
sleeping sea. Having neglected to carry
water with as we were compelled to do
without it for two days and nights after
leaving the Arkansas River, and when We
did come to cool, sparkling stream both
animals and men were almost on the point
of perishIng.
THE ENEMY IN VIEW.
Our Joy at discovering the stream
which proved TO be the Cimarron River,
was short lived, for we had scarcely
punched our thirst before discovering q
band of Indians, camred upon its banks
who were very sullen and forbiddipg in
their appearance. Their furtIve chances
and significant looks at each other arous
ed our worst suspicions, and we irstinc.
lively felt that we were not to depart
without having trouble. Contrary, how
ever, to our antici patiOns, they did not
modest us, and we at once concluded that
they preferred waiting for our return, as
they had learn sd it was our intention tC
bring back large herd of Mexican ponies
and mules.
We arrived at Santa Fe on the goth OF
July without further adventure, and after
having our stocks of goods passed
thrOug h the custom house, were permit
ted to offer them for sale. The major
portion Of our com rades sold out in
snort time aud started home, leaving
Fl OF us to return later. They had not
proceeded far before large body of In
dams set upon them, killing two of their
number and stealing 1 500 head of theil
mules.
On the first of September the remain
der of our party commenced the return
journey. Some of as were not destined
to ever CROSS the threshold of our homes
again. lone grave on the sterile plain:
awaited some, while threatened starva
ton, loss of property and the most in
tense suffering w@le to be the fate of those
who survived. Providence ruled that ]
should be numbered among the latter,
but when l call to mind the narrowing
incidents of the memorable journey, II
seems wonderful to me that a single one
of us survived the ordeal.
We started with $50 mules and horses
four wagons and large amount of money
in silver. Nothing of an eventful nature
occurred during the first week, or unit
We reached the Upper Cimarroa Springs
where we intended to strike camp for the
night. But our bright auticipations of 6
peaceful nights repose were rudely dis
PEELED when we reached the summit of the
hill. The sight that met our eyes was
enough tn excite the gravest apprehen-
sions, for it YVES a large camp of murderout
Comanches, who we're evidently there fol
the purpose of robbery and murder. We
could neither turu lack nor to either side
on account Of the mountainous condition
of the country, and we realized, when too
late, that we were in trap from which il
would require both hereulean and heroic
efforts Go escape.
BLOODY BATTLE.
There was only one road open to us
and thai lay right through their camp
Assuming the bravest look possible, anc
keeping our guns on our shoulders, read
for action, as was our custom, we started
upon our perilOus undertaking. The
chief met Us with smiles of welcome anG
said in Spanish: You must stay with III
tonight. Our young men will guard YOU
stock and We have plenty of buffalo meat
Kno wirg the danger of our situation, We
took advantage of every moment of tins
TO hurry through the camp. Capt. Means
Ellison and myself were little behind
the wagons and horses ON horseback, anC
observing that the balance of orr mer
were evadlng them the boodthirsty
Comanches threw off the mask alto
gether, and we knew in an instant thai
the time for the struggle had arrived
and that 1t promised to be very bloody
one.
They first seized our bride reins anC
immediately began firing upon us. Eli
son and myself put spurs to our horses
and got away, but Capt. Means, brave
and noble comrade was ruthlessly shot t
death, and mercilessly scalped while the
warm lite blood was pouring from his
CHASTITY wounds. We succeeded in fight
ing them off until we got half mile
from their camp, aud as darkness was
setting in, we decided to go into camI
for the night. We tied oul I'D gray bell
mare to q stake and whenever any OF
us could do so, we would go and jingle
the bell, thereby keeping our horses from
stampeoing. We corralled our wagons
foS better protection and were kept busy
all night resisting the onslaughts of oul
merciless foe. We knew it would be
worse than death TO fail into their hends
and resolved upon selling our lives as
dearly as possible.
Time wore on apaoe and the dreadful
night wore away without further attack
from the red devils. With the return OF
day we were again confronted by them
By dint of q speedy, determined effort
we managed TO ''break camp" and gel
nder way, but made only five miles pro-
ress during the entire day, as it was
continuous fight. Itwes with the create s
difficulty that some one or all of oul
party escaped from falling into the en-
emies' hands. This incessant fighting
was kept up for four days. They wonl6
surround us and then stop, as if renew
ing their strength, and kept it up unit
we were almost exhausted from fatigue
and loss of sleep. 1t might not be on
OF place to state right here that our ar
mament consisted of the primitive flint
rock rifle, while the Indians used the bow
ane arrow, spear and tomaEawk, which
mace prolonged, stubborn fight posi-
pie, without utter anGihiiiation to one o.