The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-08-12
A COLORADO PIoNnnR.
Interesting History Of = Former schuyi-
Kill Counaian.

is known Tor some accompaniment OF L
early days. The deeds of the old set
tier during the past twenty years Of
his life, no matter how startling they |
may have been, are regarded as with |
out interest alike by lis companion of
early frontier time and the public gen. |
eralIy. Each pioneer made some sort |
of lasting record while the stage |
coach was in its prime and the wagon |
train supplied the necessaries of life to
the inhabitants in this state.
| To Farley Christ belongs the distinc-
ton of having travelled more miles be-
hind freight wagon than any other
citizen of Colorado At least no one
has ever appeared with figures that
exceed those claimed by Mr.. Christ,
and the distance covered by him is
greater than the circumference of the
earth by several thousand miles.
Mr.Christ was born in Pottsville, Pa,
but as he is a prepossessing bachelor,
and still hopeful, he declined to state
even approximately when the event
took place.
He was old enough, however, after
serving an apprenticeship in store at
Schuylkill Haven, a few miles below
his native town, to start West in 1858.
He was in search of health, and he
was abundantly rewarded, for to-day
he is hale and hearty and well pos.
sessed of youthful vigor.
Without having any definite desti
nation in view, Mr. Christ reached
Plattsmouth, Neb., few weeks after
departing from Pennsylvania. Here
he remained several months, and in
1859, d uring the Pixies Peak excite
ment, he decided to see the Rocky
mountains. But he thought he could
make the eX 0enses of the trip lighter
by hauling into the country a load of
freight.
SO he purchased an OK team and a
wagon and stocked it up with flour.
The -four cost him 80 cents per 100 lbs.
After rthirty-fve days travel he reached
} Central City. He found the stock of
flour there pretty low, but was sur
prised when he received an offer Of SIG
per hundred for his stock.
All along the road he encountered
returning emigraEts, who told most
] disheartening stories of the country,
Z and advised him to turn back. Most
! of them were without food and were
suffering terribly. He gave them -four,
thanked them for their advice, but
pushed on alone toward the noun
tains. He encountered numerous
| DduuS VI bub bnCy MOIC
friendly and no trouble was exper-
fenced. Buffalo and antelope were as
8 numerous as the herds of cattle now
are. Seeing that his money was to be
q made IN freighting, Mr.. Christ imme.
I diately started back to Plattsmouth,
and covered the distance in twenty
five days.
The profits of the first load were in
vested in another wagon and a stock
: of corn meal. The meal cost 80 cents
per hundred and sold for $11 in Den
n yer, clearing $4,000 for Mr.. Christ
\ Four or five trips in succession were
- made with no startling incidents, but
. each one was financially successful.
But in course of time the Indians
3 became troublesome and it was COM
If mon occurrence to find murdered mer
along the trail. AT Plumb creek b,
AZ came across twelve men who haC
been murdered by the Indians.
81 was always lucky with the In
dians," said Mr.. Christ in speaking o
his various exploits. During my
s. forty trips across the plains I neve
sr had any trouble with them, and
Is never carried gun. / have been il
j. the same neighboThOod with freight
4 ters who were killed. "I remembe
ll6IohNC WI WGb OC
- tween two trains of twenty-si1
81 wagons each, with four wagons, ant
about half mile separated us. w
camped at Cottonwood. The Indian
IS attacked the front and rear trains
IN killed all the drivers, burned tn
wagons and stole the stock. This, o
course, was accomplished after des
=, perate fight. | supposed, naturally
III that would be served likewise, ant
ts was quietly awaiting the attack.
es at was not long before was SUI
lr rounded. / would not let my mel
show any signs of resistance and tn
chief signalled that we were not to b.
injured. invited them all into cam
ca and made a feast as they called il
- After the feast according to Indial
% custom, all took seats in a circle an,
" the pipe was started.
el "The Indians remained in camp al
at night, and in the morning l mad
them another feast and started on.
During one of my winter trips
came acrOes band of Indians wit
c. nothing on but blankets. They weT
.f not suffering from cold nearly 8
VI much as / was, and | asked an oil
no buck how it was that he did not cate
cold when so much of his bare ski
az NA pOoShs
"'White mans face get cold p b
asked, and answered no, he said;
Indian all face
ok "During the later years the gueI
,, rillas supplanted the Indians. l wa
is making a return trip with three othe
~ men and had several hundred dollar
- in gold. A band of guerrillas cam
down on us one morning. AS goo
luck would have it, was gTeasing M
wagon and it saved my money. I'll
en- guerrillas held up my companion
lie first, and while the operation WI
going on Islipped my purse into IL
grease box and hadn't dollar in sigf
's when they reached me-"
- The advent of railroads did ava
- with "freighting." and Mr. Chri
took up claim on Box Elder creel
twenty miles east of this city, whel
he now resides. He does his ow
eS cooking and has reputation a
D.. . Oyar the oOuntrv for baking old fast