Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1890-09-25
BURNT BOOK SPRING.
BY RYE JOHNSON.

grants composing the party. Ihey had
been lured from comfortable eastern
homes by rose tinted tales of land
where natures handiwork made small
eYertion necessary on the part of man
kind. But for weary weeks they had
journeyed on, and the lands flowing
with milk and honey was still "iust on
before"
Their provisions were nearly gone,
ammunition was getting scarce, the cattle
and mules seemed on the point of Civ
ing out, and the hearts of all were filled
with terrible fear of what the future
might hold for them in suffering. Even
sturdy Tom Knox, whom they had
picked up in the Arizona country, aud
who for pity sake consented to guide
them out of the sterile alkali region in
which they were wandering, feared they
could not hold ont much longer.
He knew fertile region was near,
and upon the afternoon of the day in
question, they came upon wide stretch
of green grass covered prairie. With
audible Thanksgiving the leaders urged
the weary beasts along, and presently
reached the bank of % clear, swift flow
ing stream. It was with difficulty the
animals were prevented from rushing
into it, wagons and all. but presently all
had slaked their thirst, and turning
they followed along its banks north
ward for few miles.
Then they came to spot which to
these poor wanderers looked like a
garden Of Eden.
Before them lay out-spread wide,
long valley, sheltered on three sides by
the foot hill of an isolated range of
jagged looking mountains. Here and
there about the valley were groves of
trees and shrubs, but Tom Knox would
not halt until the farthest extremity
was reached. There in grove of
gigantic cotton woods where the camp
was located. The half starved mules
and cattle were picketed out to feed
upon the lush grass, and preparation
for heightened stay was begun.
A dozen men Immediately set ont in
search of game, in which Tom Knox
knew these hills abouuded. The women,
poor souls, worn and weary by con-
tinuous jolting ever the rough country,
where there was never sign Of road,
flung themselves down upon the
soft sod to rest until time to prepare
the evening meal. The children ran
about in joyous abandon, and presently
their loud shouting proclaimed dis
covery- and few minutes later they
came running into camp with their
arms full of boxes and tin cans such as
fruit and meats are put up in.
These Tom Knox proclaimed sure
evidence that the grove had been lately
occupied by another party, and, upon
examination of the spot, asserted they
had not been gone above two days.
While pursuing this examination he
picked up, at some little distance from
the camping ground, richly-bound
blank book, such as men Of wealth
carry. On the cover was the name of
John Owens, and the address, Los
Angeles, Cal.
Upon opening it most of the leaves
were found burned away. There was
only here and there part of some
business entry, and on one leaf the
words-"last will and testament" and
farther down the same leaf part of
two signatures, Shultz and-ke
Hines"
It's having been picked up Oh the i'm
mediate bank of the beautiful spring
which was the source of the stream, the
name Burnt Book Spring was at once
conferred upon it, and the queer cog
nomen clings to the village located
there to this day. My province as a
faithful chronicler of passing events is
to relate to you the history of that
Burnt Book.
Some years ago, it is not necessary to
say how many, there lived in the city Of
Los Angeles very itch merchant
named John Owens. He was hand
some man of middle age, aud from his
courteous, gallant ways was universally
popular among both sexes.
He was supposed to be bachelor,
and his magnificent home was presided
over by his sister Mercy, a sweet-faced.
limited there was sad story connected
with her past, hut no one in the city Of
the angels knew anything about it.
There were two other members of
the household, both orphan nicces of
John Owens. The Oldest, Nell Owens,
was the daughter of his eldest brother,
whom he had sent word to join him in
the far Southwest and take a partner
ship in his enormous business, hoping
thus to secure fortune for both.
Henry Owens had joined q. wagon train
at Santa Fe, with hi, fair daughter
and what of his means he had been able
to turn into cash in so short time
The train was once attacked by road
agents, and all their yaluab!es taken
away, and later on in sharp fight
with the Indians Owens had received a
wound which caused his death soon af-
ter their arrival at their destination,
John Owens was profoundly grieyed
ct this unfortunate ending Of which had
promised so much to his brothers nd
vantage, and made the grieying daugh-
ter's future his care, promising his dy-
ing father she should be we'll provided
for. For long time the girl was pros
tra.ed by low fever, caused by the
hardships she had undergone and the
shock Of her fathers death, But after
9 time she fully recovered, and then the
brother and sister wondered at the
change her sunny presence made in
their erstwhile silent house.
They had learned to love her very
dearly, when, q year later another mem
Der was added to the family in the per-
son Of Olive Dane, daughter of John
Owens only sister. Her parents sudden
death by an accident left her quite PEN
niless, which was terrible blow to- one
Of her naughty, intolefant spirit She