Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-08-22
ouANrRELL. THE MYSTERY,
A Short SNetoh by One Who Knew
Considerable About Him.

A Short Sketch Dy one VINO knew
Considerable About Him.
The public never seemed to have
correct idea OF Quantrell, says Il. j.
Younger, an osceola MOI cores
pondent of the ST. Louis Republic.
He came to Missouri a mystery,
lived a life OF mystery, and died un-
known even to his most intimate
friends.
He had but little to say about his
career, and what he did say could not
be strictly relied upon.
The only thing that was positively
known ofhim was that he was reared
in Ohio, and went from that state to
Kansas, and from there TO Missouri.
He came 10 this State with a deep.
seated enmtty toward Kansas aud
| Kansas men.
After gathering together band OF
chosen followers no proceeded to wage
a terrific warfare on Kansas and all
who took sides with them IN the bor-
der trouble.
The secret Of his success was IN the
fact hat every man IN his command
was carefully selected and drilled IN
the use OF the revolver, then given 20
understand that he must fight when
ordered TO do so, selecting his own
method, saving himself as much as
possible. and intlicting as much dam
age on the enemy as possible, retreat
ing or advancing as circumstances de-
manded.
II lac had man untitled for his work
he was sent to the regular army, and
in this way he selected until full
company OF tried men were banded to-
gether.
lie had no discipline. rarely ever
gave command, and when he did II
was 10 the point He watched the
movement. of the enemy, knew when
to strike, laid his plans, and depended
upon his men toeXecute them. When
: all was ready for fight his only COM
maud vas Fight them, boys, when
. pellmell they would 90 AZ the enemy
with such fury that lew, u any ever
withstood their charges.
lie was not tacticiau or an educat.
I, "a soldier. but simply a good Judge OF
\ human nature. lie knew what 20 ex-
pect OF each and every one OF hts men
: under any and all circumstances. also
! what the enemy would do under any
E given circumstance. His men had alb
Z so!ute confidence in him and he ia
them Hence they went TO the enemy
ns an enrthquaketo AroRringcyclone.
> Quantrell was not communicative
1 even TO his best friends. except when
!, absolutely necessary. Many 81 hia
Il. u
found secret 70 his command until
I they were in the swim, and then they
= only knew they had d duty % per
" form and leaye the rest TO Juan
trcll There werc few Il any oi his
men knew where they wcregoing when
: they made the Lawrence raid They
were called together, Quantrell turned
y his horse in the direction OF Lawrence
y and they followed The result - vel
ii known When he destroyed Blunt,
command. near Baxter springs, not 9
man 81 his know what hr was UP e
- until they were head over heels III bat
NJ tie. After Prices raid lie gathered VI
ia twenty five Of his old guard. stnrtcs
- from Jackson county. Missouri
a. crossed the Usage river nj Linn Creek
III Mo, thence 10 PocnhontAs, Ark.
&c thence 20 the Mississippi river, cross
nj ing over into Tennessee, thence g
ge Kentucky, passing himself AS te'iera
N. officer, drawing supplies ut the post
on as they went until some ~ Ills me
X. got drunk and shot some Of his tctlel
NJ. al officers, Thus letting the cat ont {
he The wallet and his disguise resultin
lit in his death.
no Ha was wounded at old man Wax,
'm field and taken TO Louisville. whei
m. he died under the care 81 the sisters (
be- charity, and was buried IN the Cattle
III. lie cemetery, and 10 this day no liyir
man has any idea what took him int
Kentucky or where he was going irol
there, or what be expected to accom-
st piIsh. His men had followed hi
ten with blind confidence, knowing lie wI
.hs on some kind of desperate missio
~ with willing hands TO execute his o
M ders. His death left his intention
NJ mystery, and thus the greatest gus
md rilla chieftain OF modern times fash,
IN across the military skies. He came
al mystery, originated the most 4
~ structive band ever known, and di,
liz leaving them nystified.