Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-09-11
BURNT BOOK SPRING.
BY RYE JOHNSON.

Il ;ts WAYS toward the setting sun.
MANY we're the hardships endured,
md dangers run by the hardy imi-
rants composing the party. They had
spn lured from comfortable eastern
homes by rose-tinted tales of land
vbere natures handiwork made small
rertion necessary on the part of man
ind. But Tor weary weeks they had
;mrneyed on, and the lands flowing
vth 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
mo ont. and the hearts of all we're filled
Nth a terrible fear of what the future
might hold for them in suffering. Even
sturdy Tom Knox, whom they had
ueked up in the Arizona country, and
Who for pity sake consented to guide
them out Of the sterile alkali region in
which they we're wandering, feared they
could not hold out much longer.
He knew fertile region was near,
and upon the afternoon Of the day in
question, they came upon wide stretch
/ q green grass covered prairie. With
sudible thanksgiving the leaders urged
The weary beasts along, and presently
! reached the bank of clear, swift flow
ng stream. 1t was with difficulty the
/ snimsls we're 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
garden Of Eden.
Before them lay out-spread a 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 we're groves of
trees aud 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 a heightened stay was begun.
A dozen men Immediately set ont in
search Of game, in which Tom Knox
knew these hills abounded. The women,
poor souls, worn and weary by con-
hnuous jolting over the rough country,
where there was never a 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 a 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
farther down the same leaf part OF
two signatures, -"Shultz and-ke
Hines
Its having been picked up on the i'm !
mediate bank of the beautiful spring
which was the source of the stream, the I
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 q
faithful chronicler Of passing events is
3 relate to you the history OF that
Burnt Book.
Some years ago, it is not necessary to
Jay how many, there lived in the city OF
Los Angeles very rich merchant
lamed John Ovens. He was hand
'ome man of middle age, and from ms !
'ourteous. gallant ways was universally
popular among both sexes.
he was supposed to be a bachelor,
md his magnificent home was presided !
'ver BY his sister Mercy. q sweet faced,
ad-eyed woman of about 80. 1t was !
United there was sad story connected ,
nth her past, hut no one in the city OF /
he angels knew anything about 1t.
There were two other members OF .
he household, both orphan nieces OF
Ohm Owens. The oldest, Nell Owens,
'as the daughter of his eldest brother
vhom he had sent word to Join him IN
be far Southwest and take a partner
hip in his enormous business, hoping /
bus to secure fortune for both.
henry Ovens bad joined a wagon tram /
t Santa Fe. with his fair daughter
I'D what of his means he had been able
9 turn into cash in so short time.
he train was once attacked by road
gents, aud all their valuables taken
way, and later on in a sharp ngnt
nth the Indians Owens had received q
found which caused his death soon al
er their arrival at their destination.
John Owens was profoundly grleved
this unfortunate ending Of which had
romised so much to his brothers ad-
antage, aud made the grieving daugn-
sr's future his care. promising his dy- J