Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-12-20

upon Q time mails were carried that
way, and stage ran twice Q week be-
tween Alksli and the reservation, but
when rival railway sent line across
the Missouri and tapped the lands Of
tho Dakotas far up to the northeast,
the agency freight, mail, and passen-
gers were sent around that way, and
Alkali became deserted village.
There stood the old stagehouse, the
cattle chutes, and the rickety depot,
but no trains stopped there now ex-
cept on signal, and the telegraph
instrument and operator had been
moved to Minden, some twenty-five
miles farther west Here, too, was a
bridge over the Mini Ska and cattle
shipping point. Here the ranchmen
who did not care to take the extra
twenty-Ave-mile gallop to Butteville
had all their mail addressed, and
Minden speedily assumed the mild
and modest Importance which Alkali
had lost.
And II was at Minden, said Maj.
Rhctt, that the paymaster was robbed
that morning soon after dawn, and
robbed by men in cavalry overcoats
Morgan listened moment, simply
stunned
when did the news come in, sir?"
asked he Of the major.
Ten minutes ago, as soon as they
could repair the wires which were cut
The sheriff is on his way out here
now
Where Is the paymaster?"
They're coming up on q freight
from Minden this afternoon, he and
his clerk"
"But--I don't understand said
Morgan; 'how on earth did he get to
Minden? Why did he come SO far west?
The escort was to meet him at Alkali,
10 was told"
That's just what nobody under
stands, and what he'll explain later, |
presume.
An orderly hastily came from the d.
rection Of the Office, and hating, sa-
luted the post commander.
1.-THE sergeant major says they were
assigned to @ Company, sir, for ra-
tions."
There was an awkward silence mo-
ment. Then the commander wheeled
on Morgan;
You've known those couriers some
time, haven't you, Mr. Morgan? What
Is their reputation?'
Our men, sir? Schultz and Schramm,
do you mean? Why, major, the SER
geant is one Of our veterans, a man we
all trust. Schramm is not year with
us yet, but he's us good as they make
EN-, think, in Germany. Surely they
are not suspected? They came in with
orders and dispatches
Very true, but they passed within
sight of Minden II they came back by
the trail, and through 1t If they fol-
lowed the stage road They may have
seen or heard something. Al all
events, wish to question them was
the majors answer. what time did
they reach the post, Mr.. Adiutant".
Just ut guard mounting, sir
Rhett pondered moment. 1.-THE
cnloncl's note says he was aroused at
midnight by couriers from the agency
who had had n hard ride and could 60
no farther hut for his orders to meet
the paymaster at Willow Springs to-
day he says, he would have lshed on
to Painted Lodge made II ioriy-milc
march. Itrcally looks very Threatens
ing down the valley, and now that the
moneys gone and the paymaster can't
reach him lin in hopes he will push
ahead. Already people are wiring out
here from town, asking whether the
Indian rumors are true. They've got q
story there that ten people were killed
yesterday
Eyes, sir put in the adjutant; our
market-man brought 1t out here all
hour ago. It's going all over the post
They say in town one reason there's no
chance Of catching these robbers Is
that the cavalry has been ordered to
come on with all speed, and that Q
courier rode out to them from Minden
before daybreak this morning, Dis
patches were sent them before the line
was cut"
Away on the winding road to the
southwest towards the distant frontier
town couple Of wagons could be seen
slowly moving towards the post. Be-
yond them little dust-clouds, rapidly
sailing over the plain, told where fleet
err hosremen were speeding The men
coming out from their dinner were
gathering In groups on the verandas,
chatting In low tones and watching the
group of officers. Presently the order
ly came hurrying back alone
"What orders did you give those
couriers. Mr.. Wnod?'