Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-12-16
A RIDE TO DEATH.

companies OF the military belonging to
the 10TH Kansas were sent to Fort
Larned to quell an outbreak that had
occurred among the savages in the
southwestern part of the state. Among
those sent TO the little frontier fort
was brother OF the writer who was
I'm officer in company A. From him |
learned tho particulars of the tragic
episode Of which l shall give brief
account
The Kiowas and Comanches had
been causing considerable trouble
along the border counties. but on the
arrival of tho troops at the fort they
suspended hostilities and for Il period
OF month. no further depredations
were committed. AT the end of that
time. however they again broke
forth spreading terror and death
among the emigrants and freighters
along tho Arkansas valley. The out
break among the savages was dlscov-
cred by detachment Of troops sent
out from Fort Larnod. and as soon as
the intelligence was brought to the
fort immediate preparations were
made to begin a campaign against
the predatory tribes.
J ort armed. now abandoned as a
military post was situated in tho
southwestern part of Kansas. six
miles north OF the Arkansas river and
some five miles west of where the city
OF Larned now stands. About forty
miles TO the northwest was situated
Fort Il. rah. at which point were gar
r'soned two companies the military.
As soon as it was discovered that the
outb eak had occurred among the In
dams, the post commander at Larned
recognizing the necessity Of imme-
diately communicating tho intelli
gence to the neigh boring fort, called
| for three men to carry this important
dispatch to the commander at Fort
/arah.
As the forty miles of country lying
between the two forts was swarming
w tn hostles. all recognized the peril
that would attend those who were to
carry the dispatches. and the com
mander called for volunteers. Among
those who responded 10 the call was a
young private by the name Of Frank
Davis, a handsome youth OF not over
II, whose deeds of bravery and dar-
ing had made him the favorite of his
company. He was OF spare build.
weight about l2J pounds. yet he was
possessed of wonderful strength and
capable OF enduring the greatest ia.
tigue.
That there was not man in the
whoe garrison who was more fitted
10 undertake the perilous journey
than he all were fully agreed for ir
addition TO his qualities as Il brave
and daring soldier he was an expert
horseman an excellent shot and the
owner of the best horse in tho regi
ment His horse was deep chest
nut sorrel n thoroughbred. and F.;
present to young Davis from an uncle
who owned fine stock farm ncal
Atchison.
Frank love for the beautiful ant
noble horse was marked by all
Often when on the march-when FEED
and rations were short--trank had
shared his bareback. land even his
blanket with Jack that was hi
horses name and between the twt
there was as close friendship per
haps as ever existed between mar
and beast.
| Among the many who volunteered
TO make the dangerous journey t,
Fort /arah. Frank was the first to b,
chosen for tie work. Tho two VIII,
we're selected to accompany him wer'
men OF middle age-Merrill and Haw
ley by name-and among the mos
fearless and trusted at the fort. Blu
owing to the superior horse whicl
Frank rode. the dispatches were givei
into his hands.
1t was about 3 o'clock in the even
ing when they left the fort and gal
loped away in the direction Of For
arab The three were each arrel
with Sharp's rife and brace O
heavy army pistols
As soon as they had left the TOW,
behind they kept sharp lookout 70
any of the enemy that might be Turk
ing in their path. Frank Davis ear
ried neither whip nor spur for neve
had he had occasion 10 use eithe
when mounted upon Jack, and h.
would have scorned to inhict tn
slightest punishment upon the nobl
animal.
Although they kept the sharpes
lookout in every direction across tn
plain TO trace of Indians could b.
seen. The road from Larned to Zaral
ran down the Arkansas valley parable
with the river and about three mile
moth of it. and covered the route nov
occupied by the Santa Fe railroad.
Nine miles from Fort Larned the roa,
crosses Ash creek. a small trlbutar,
TO the Arkansas river which i
sparsely timbered with u scaut growth
of sycamore. elm, and ash. and her
and there dense thicket OF plum
bushes.
The three men had reached the Asl
Creek Ford and had just refined il
their horses for the purpose OF letting
them drink. when they were startled
b. the crack of firearms on the oppo
site side of the creek. followed by th'
spiteful whiz of bullets about them
Tho three surprised horsemen ha'
barely time to grasp their slackene'
bri6le- reins when IL score of Conan
ches mounted upon their war ponies
emerged from clump of plum bushe
across the stream and dashed towar,
them yelling and firing as they came
So sudden and unexpected was tn
attack that the soldiers were take
completely by surprise. There wa
no time to defend themselves an
with one accord they wheeled thei