The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-01-16
ARED LEGS.1
ONE OF THE BAND IN GUAM
TRELL's HANDS.
Left for Dead with Bullet In His Lungs
"A Thrilling Tale OF the Terrible
Border War between KAN
sas and Missouri

s:ked Legs, who waged such a relent-
less warfare across the border between
Kansas and Missouri against the
equally fearless devils who recognized
Quantrell as their leader writes G. M.
In the Detroit Free Press. Between
the two desperate bands there was lit
orally NO quarter. and q capture was
equivalent to death. Thrilling ad-
ventures were OF daily occurrence, and
this guerilla warfare was carried on
with a recklessness that almost passes
understanding.
was young-just twenty-and had
seen hard service from the beginning
OF the war. Being a good horseman
was selected for many a desperate
journey, carrying messages and dis
patches and so often had escaped by
a hairs breadth that my luck was pro-
verbal among my comrades.
On the occasion OF which / am about
to relate was returning after one OF
these trips and expected to reach my
command before shutdown. When
only few miles from my destination.
while crossing an opening in the tim
Der, saw suddenly emerge from the
woods ahead OF me body of horse
men, whom recognized only too well
to be my hated enemy. There was a
quick engagement ! was surrounded.
knocked from my horse by blow
from carbine, and realized that /
was in Quantrells hands. There was
no installing what this meant
l was taken to their camp in the
timber, and without parley, searched,
and the dispatches which were In my
boots proved conclusively my identity.
In thirty minutes after my capture /
was told that my LIES lease was num-
bered by minutes. Iglanced into the
faces OF the hardened throng to see II
an appeal for mercy would be in vain.
but saw not a glimmer of hope. Two
men were detailed to be my execution
ers and without tremor Of nerve
they coolly looked to the printing OF
their pistols and mounted their horses.
was told to walk between them
and. with drawn revolvers they
walked on either side OF me distance
OF hundred yards from the camp.
just far enough away so my dying
groans could not be heard by those we
left behind. Not word was spoken
as the little procession moved to the
appointed spot Over in the west the
sun. great ball of fire, was sinking
beyond the plains Of Kansas. coloring
the clouds with its golden light and
looking to me surprisingly beautiful.
The trees were greener and the wild
flowers more lovely because / would
leave them all in SO short time. In
the intensity Of my excitement the
slightest detail impressed itself
indelibly upon my memory.
Yet while / thought this bright
summer evening my last on earth. at
no time did i cease to watch for an
avenue OF escape however hopeless
the chance might be. Presently. In a
small open space fifty yards across. my
captors halted and directed me to step
pace ahead SO that they might bet
ter execute their murderous mission,
and as obeyed / nerved myself to die
as soldier should. As started for
ward one of the men noticed q bright
spur OF q peculiar pattern upon my
boot and he said:
You'll have no further use for that
spur; suppose you let me have itP"
balanced myself on one foot and
with trembling fingers unstrapped It
While doing 90 I hold to the bridle-
rein OF one OF the horses and as the
Quantrell soldier reached for the spur,
/ took advantage OF q seconds mat
tention, gave the Bride sudden jerk,
and darted under the horses head with
last forlorn hope of reaching the
timber twenty yards away. Both OF
my captors fred and missed but in
another instant one OF them spurred
his horse to my side. and leaning over
In the saddle fred his dragon" pis-
toll full at my breast. As the report
awoke the echoes felt the sting OF
the bullet and fell forward with blood
streaming from my eyes nose and
ears for the bullet had penetrated my
lungs. My executioners sat sileAsly
on their horses. and watched what
they supposed to be my dying gasps
''One less Red Leg to deal with
remarked one OF them; and they
turned their horses and rode back to
report their bloody commission.
Although / remained motionless,
feigning death. never for minute
did / lose consciousness. Shortly
after they left light rain began fall
ing and the chill night air which fol-
lowed served to check the hemorrhage.
and so far revived me that before day
break had managed to crawl to a.
road which knew led to camp OF
our own forces A travelling company
picked me up the next morning. and ]
was soon receiving attention and med
ical skill My youth and vigor soon
brought me around, and now. more
than q quarter OF century later ]
have only the momory OF that event.
full night and an ugly scar on my
breast to remind me Of the time / was
led out TO execution.
Druin ana Dsshivs.