Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-09-23
INDIAN RAIDS,
Anxiety and Feaar of the Early Settler
in the Far West


Anxiety and Fenar of the Early Settler
in the Far West.
The following story illustrates the
anxiety and fear of Indians suffered by
early settlers in the fal. West. When
news of the Thornburgh massacre
QSI9 reached the Yampa River, in
northwestern Colorado man, who
may be called Weed, living near that
stream, fancied that general murder
of whites was about to take place, and
that the bloodthirSty Utes were already
approaching the Yampa Valley to clean
out its inhabitants. That was enough
for Mr. Weed. Jumping on his white
pony he rode madly up the valley to-
wards what is now the town of Steam
boat Springs, in Routt County. His
family was visiting there, and he was
bound to fly to the rescue of his dear
ones He reached the place as quickly
as possible, though the run nearly
killed his pony, and was rejoiccd to
find that he had outstripped the In
dams.
Scarcely pausing to warn any one
else of the impending danger, Mr.. Weed
FASTENED to the camping place of his
family, and Immediately set about MAX
ing preparations for defense. He Sc
lected Il new camp site, well hidden by
clumps of willows, and, by the way,
just where an attacking force could
easily have burned him out, or got the
best of him in any one of several ways,
for he wasn't much of StratcgiSt.
Then he began moving supplies, and
for couple of hours was distreSsingly
busy, at times being so badly "rattlcd''
that he would run back and forth with
Il sack of flour or other bulky burden
and forget to lay it down. Complete
removal was finally effected, however.
and the Weed garrison took possession
of their new quarters, prepared to fight
to the last gasp.
There was another family of pioneers
at Steamboat Springs, the Crawfords,
and they naturally felt alarmed by the
prospect of an Indian invasion; so Mrs
Crawford, her husband being absent ut
the time, packed up some food and
clothing and started with her children
up Soda Creek to seek Il hiding place.
The party made their way to Il quiet
spot Il couple of miles distant. and
went into camp. AT evening a spy was
sent out to ascertain if the foe had ap-
pcarcd, but he reported on his return
that the only new arrival at town was
Il mail carrier from down the river.
This mail carrier had seen nothing I'M
usual on his journey except mighty
scared man" riding furiously up the
valley. He meant Weed.
Next day, as no war party broke in
upon the scene, and there was appar-
entity no immediate danger of Il mas
sacre, the Crawfords returned home.
a few men from other localities also
arrived, word of the expected attack
having been sent out in different dircc-
tons, and preparations of Il substantial
kind were made to repel invaders. A
cabin was turned into Il fort, and other
steps were taken for defense, which
made every one feel safer. Towards
dusk some dark objects were seen NOV
ing slowly along the top of Il ridge
overlooking the camp, and public at
tention was drawn to them. The foe
was doubtless about to attack now,
and the little garrison grew very much
excited. No blOod-curdling warwhoops
followed, no clouds of arrows whizzed
through the air, however, and when it
was discovered that the supposed
enemy was only a bunch of cattle the
excitement subsidized.
For several days careful watch was
kept, but no enemy appeared. News of
the fancied danger was sent across the
range to Mr.. Crawford, and he rode
with all speed towards home, gather
ing recruits on the way. His anxiety
can better be imagined than described,
especially as he could gather no reliable
word of the situation on his journey
through the country, which at that
time contained but few settlers. At
length he arrived at Steamboat Springs
almost convinced that its entire popu-
lation had been wiped out of existence.
1t was dark, and all was still. With
beating hearts the party of horsemcn
rode up, expecting anything that was
hcart-breaking and horrible, and were
intensely relieved to find everybody
well and comfortable. The Indian raid
never took place, and the only reason
for any fear of it sprang from the
working of an over-excited imagination.
-Harper's Young People.