Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-03-14

were some fellows who appeared to be
wearing cavalry overcoats, ranchmen
probably who were going to drive
out some distance, as troopers wouldn't
think OF wearing overcoats in June.
They were interested in watching
the distant train, however, speeding
away westward, and they rode at a
brisk lope up the valley. never think
ing of the party of men and horses
again until that afternoon. Then,
hearing of the robbery. it flashed upon
them that they had seen the perpe
traitors, and back they went, heard OF
them down the stream drinking and
quarre1ling among themselves, were
close on their trail opposite Wagon gap,
and decided to follow, thinking they
might possibly overhaul and recapture
some of them, at least, with the result
already known. Beyond the cove they
came upon Stearns and his boy racing
back for their lives, pursued by
Indians. No time to ask questions
then. It was fight for life against the
common foe. The man was killed be-
fore he could tell his story, and now
Schultz was gone. Schramm had to
face it alone.
mo, not alone" said Morgan. "We
believe you guiltless and mean to see
you through" And then Col. Rand
came out to see him. What Rand
wanted was to know what had been
done with the papers, etc, taken from
the civilian who died of his wounds at
the cove. All Schultz effects, of
course, were in the hands of the Off
GERS whose duty it was to take charge
of the papers and property of deceased
soldiers. Rand said the boy had been
taken to an asylum and was recovering,
but had neither money nor papers of
any kind. Schramm could hardly be
persuaded to sit in the presence Of an
officer of such distinction as Rand. but
succumbed to orders. A wallet with
letters and papers and a little money,
a silver watch and a tobacco-box, had
been taken from the body before burial.
These were all turned over to Capt.
Fenton when he came. The mans
name was Stearns, and his post Office
address Minden. And then up jumped
Rand with light in his eyes.
''That's what I wanted to know"
said he. SCI thought I'd seen that poor
boy before. Now, corporal, don't worry
about this matter. We could acquit
you easily enough, but there's some
thing else to be done. We want to nail
the real perpetrators and get that
money back if possible; so the trial
can't come off just yet"
'But-pardon, colonel" said Schramm,
rising again. MAY 1 not my box have?
There are letters, portraits-home-
gifts" And Rand said he was going in
to see the sheriff then and there.
A month the troops from sthe plains
were kept on duty in and around the
railroad centers of the west. Four long
weeks the garrison at Ransom consisted
of Morgan, the surgeon, the band, the
ordnance sergeant and clerk, quarter
master, employees, and so on, with the
hospital steward and attendants, the
sick and wounded. Schrarnm, con-
valescing rapidly now, was assigned to
daily duty at the adjutant's office. JEFF
fers, still 1imping a little, with Treacy
and others, became the nucleus of a
species of running guard, and did
patrol and watch duty. The railway
company, grateful for the services of
! the troops in saving their property, sent
a sleeper to Butte and an invitation for
such of the officers families as would
like to go to Chicago, Omaha or where
soever the husband and father might
be, as the guests of the road, and many
went, and Rand wrote asking for ''Con-
ME and the kids" to come on and pay
Mrs. Rand visit, but Connie wouldn't
go. 'Who would take care of daddy?''
she asked, nesting her face against
That veterans stubb1y cheek; and Nor
gan. gave it up.
The sheriff, who had been frequent
visitor, quit coming out to the post,
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