Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-11-08

GtOOO letJ W lilo billhh Vi u IlNGI, ulouS
the river to the cultivated lands of the
Jemez pueblo need not be described. AS
the detachment came in sight of the
timed spires of the church in the town
a distinct murmur filled the air. The
lieutenant ordered halt and listened.
In moment what had seemed mur-
mur swelled upon the shuddering air TN
unmistakable warwhoop.
1t was very evident that the Domini-
cans had arrived before the soldiers.
Telling Sergeant Cunningham to bring
the men up as rapidly as possible, stick
ing to the road, which made a long
curve around the cornfields, the officer,
accompanied by the Indian agent, put
spurs to his horse and dashed toward
the town.
Raymer's route was through the cul-
tivated fields, while that of tho soldiers
was on the hard ground along tho base
of the foothills. His was in a direct
line over deep, soft earth, frequently
crossed by irrigating bitches, while
theirs, although nearly double the dis
tance, was over firm soil without a
break. The lieutenant rode directly to-
ward the church, which he knew over
looked the plaza.
Often the two riders plunged down
the banks of the bitches, carrying ava
lanchos of soil with them into two or
three feet of water to make a hard
scramble up the crumbling wall of the
opposite sides, and as they neared the
pueblo the louder grew the discordant
warwhoops. Being better mounted than
the agent, the officer took the lead by a
few rods.
As he reached the border of tho plan
tation Raymer found between it and
the street cactus hedge about four feet
high, with no passage through it, OK
cept at considerable distance to tho
right Distrusting his broncho's ability
to leap it 81 his own to keep his seat,
the agent veered away toward the open
ing, while the lieutenant gave his thor
oughbred his head and rode sharply at
the hedge clearing it at q bound and
receiving but a few scratches from the
spines as he went through the branching
top.
Clear Of the hedge, the officer found
himself at the foot of q narrow lane
which passed between two tall build
ings and entered the plaza near the cen
ter of the western side He took it at o
run, and when half way through saw
directly before the inner end, facing to
the north, group Of old, gray haired
Navajoes standing alone, with arms fold
ed and holding their blankets firmly
about their shoulders and breasts, while
in their immediate front were some 100
mounted Pueblos painted and ornament
ed i'll true aboriginal style.
On the terraced front of the houses
and their flat roofs and along three sides
of the square seemed to be gathered the
entire population Of the town, looking
passively on.
Before Raymer had more than taken
in the scene rattling discharge of
rifles came from the direction of the
Dominicans, and the 12 old warriors
fell in heap to the ground. Covered
with dust and mud, his horse reeking
with foam, the lieutenant burst through
the crowd Of spectators on the west side
of the plaza and gained the open space
just as the firing party was advancing
with wild yells to complete tho tragedy
by scalping the slain. Raising his right
hand, he shouted in Spanish:
''Stop where you areW
The Pueblos halted, and at the same
moment group of IS women and near
ly twice as many children, who had
been reserved, as the officer afterward
learned, for later execution, ran into the
space and clung to his feet, stirrups and
the name and tail of his horse, entreat-
ing with eyes and tongues for protec-
tion. What their eyes said needed no
interpreter, but Raymer did not under
stand single spoken word
The warcries had ceased, and the
Dominicans had gathered in an angry
and gesticulating group, when Sergeant
Cunningham and the rest of the men
appeared on foot, running into the plaza
from side street and formed in line be-
fore their officer.
The massacre ended with the death
of the old men. After much earnest and
noisy consultation three chiefs of the
Pueblo war party separated from the
rest and advanced to the group of sol
diers. One of their number, using the
Spanish language, asked by what right
the white chief had interfered to pre-
vent the punishment of their enemies.
'By the right the strong have to pro-
teot the weak, for one thing" replied
the young officer, "and by the right of
the great government to protect his
children.
But in other fields the great father
is furnishing these same people for the
faults they have committed against us, "
urged the Pueblo.
'"True, but in open, manly conflict
against men with arms i'll their hands
not against unarmed and defenseless old
men and weak women and children. Go
DuCh W yOul anu uSlldlAGu ol
the deeds of today-deeds that tarnish
the fame Of your brave forefathers. Go"
The chiefs turned, joined their party,
and shortly afterward the whole oaval
cade moved silently out of corner of
the square, crestfallen and ashamed.
Raymer sought the house of the Cath
olic priest and became his guest for the
night. EARLY the following morning he
held an inspection Of the mules. He
found the unusual service and the forced
gait to which they had been put the
previous day had so broken them up
that they required days rest before
making the return march.
His own horse and the broncho whicE
Sergeant Cunningham rode being in fair
condition, he decided to leave the men
in charge of corporal, and with the