The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-12-10
A RIDE TO DEATH.


Early Ia the summer OF 1866. at the
close OF the rebellion. three or four
companies OF the military belonging to
the 10Th Kansas were sent 70 Fort
Larned to queli 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
an officer in company A. From him !
learned the particulars OF the tragic
episode OF which l shall give o brief
account
The Kiowas and Comanches had
been causing considerable trouble
along the border counties but on the
arrival OF the troops at the fort they
suspended hostilfties and for 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 the Arkansas valley. The out
break among the savages was discov-
cred by a detachment OF troops sent
out from Fort Larned and as soon as
the intelligence was brought to the
fort immediate preparations were
made to begin a campaign against
the predatory tribes.
Fort Larned. now abandoned as q
military post was situated In the
southwestern part OF Kansas. six
miles north OF the Arkansas river and
some five miles west OF where the city
OF Lnrned now stands About forty
miles to the northwest was situated
Fort Itrah at which point were gar
risoned two companies o the military.
As soon as it was discovered that the
outbreak had occurred among the In
dams tho post commander at Larned.
recognizing the necessity OF imme-
diately communicating tho intelli-
gence to the neighboring fort called
for three men to carry this important
dispatch to the commander at Fort
Zarah.
As the forty miles OF country lying
between the two forts was swarming
with hostiles. all recognized the peril
that would attend those who were to
carry the dispatches. and tho COM
mander called for volunteers. Among
those who responded TO the call was a
young private by the name Of Frank
Davis a handsome youth OF not over
IL. whose deeds OF bravery and dar-
ing had made him the favorite OF his
company. He was OF spare build.
weight about 120 pounds yet he was
possessed OF wonderful strength and
capable OF enduring the greatest ia
tigue.
+ That there was not q man In the
whole garrison who was more fittod
to undertake the perilous journey
than he all were fully agreed. for In
addition TO his qualities as bravo
and daring soldier. he was an expert
horseman. an excellent shot and the
owner OF the best horse in the regi-
ment His horse was deep chest
nut sorrel thoroughbred and a
present to young Davis from an uncle
who owned fine stock-farm near
Atchison.
Franks love for the beautiful and
noble horse was marked by all
Often when on the march-when feed
and rations were short-Frank had
shared his .hardtack. and even his
blanket with Jack. that was his
horses name and between the two
there was as close friendship per-
haps as ever existed between man
and beast
Among the many who volunteered
to make the dangerous Journey to
Fort Zarah. Frank was the first to be
chosen for the work. Tho two who
were selected to accompany him were
men OF middle age-Merrill and Haw-
ley by name-and among the most
fearless and trusted at the fort But
owing to the superior horse which
Frank rode. the dispatches were given
into his hapds.
IL was about 3 o'clock in the even
ing when they left the fort and gal
Hoped away in the direction OF Fort
Zarah. The three were each armed
with a Sharp's rifle and a brace OF
heavy army pistola
As soon as they had left the town
behind they kept sharp lookout for
any OF the enemy that might be Turk
ing In their path. Frank Davis car
ried neither whip nor spur for never
had be had occasion TO use either
when mounted upon Jack. and he
would have scorncd to inflict the
slightest punishment upon the noble
animal
Although they kept the sharpest
lookout in every direction across the
plain no trace OF Indians could be
seen. The road from Larned to Zarah
ran down the Arkansas valley parallel
with the river and about three miles
north OF It and covered the route now
occupied by the Santa Fe railroad.
I, Nine miles from Fort Larned theroad
crosses Ash creek. small tributary
to the Arkansas river which is
sparsely timbered with a scant growth
OF sycamore elm. and ash. and here
and there dense thicket OF plum
bushes. s-S't
4 The three men had reached the Ash
Creek Ford and had just refined In
their horses for the purpose OF letting
them drink, when they were startled
by the crack OF firearms on the oppo-
site side OF the crock followed by the