The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-25

Perilous Adventure of q Mail Carrier
I'm the Southwest.

San Francisco Call.
Judge Francis Adams, now a San Fran
cisco attorney, was one of the early pioneers
have witnessed more thrilling occurrences or
participated In more exciting events than he.
Perhaps the most narrow escape 1 ever
had said the Judge, a few days ago, in
recalling scenes that antedate the gold dis
covery. was in an encounter with hostile
Indians in the year 1sfI" And here Is the
OF fifty years.
In the above mentioned year Adams, then
boy Of seventeen, was engaged in carrying
military mail between FL Paso, Tex. and
Albuquerque. N. NJ. The greater portion
of the country through which he passed was
q desert waste. One piece of the way was
particularly dangerous, being in the vicinity
of a frequent rendezvous of the Indians, and
for the mail carriers safety and protection
small troop of soldiers was regularly de-
tached from the midway post of Mdnzana,
on the Rio Grande, to meet the maiboy at
certain point of rocks, at which he always
ROAD ahe wss @ pat
The spot In question was generally reached
after nightfall. II so happened that the off,
Ger In charge OF the troop was. Sergeant VIM.
j. Graves, VINO afterwards became prom
inent as a lawyer in this State. and who has
long since Joined the silent majority. Young
Graves was Of herculean build. brave as q
lion and as reckless as he brave.
Young Adams had~os~several occasions
been hard pressed by savages, but he was
well mounted. and his steed had always car
ried him through uEScathed.
NO incident worth mentioning had occurred
for quite little period. so that upon ore
fa sersean Graves felt inclined {
Guiding that he would miss the mail carrie.
nea ne rode sa,y 10 the point of rocks the Ser,
Adams on the highway
AS usual, the mail carrier halted. 1t was
after nightfaii. but the big silver moon made
me niSnt RADIANT, and objects could be dis.
lnsuished clearly for a considerable dis
lance.
The horse. was allowed to Craze about and
ADAMS an SAT down TO rest. Then he looked to-
were nowhere 10 be seen. Soon the horse
prcked up its ears and moved in a fright
what may ean us eser t ADAMS knew
the cover OF some rocks, peered about and
discovered that the redskins were quietly
closing in on him from AL sides.
Decay meant death. Adams put his car.
| pine In order. sprang into his saddle, Sc.
iscted an opening in the Indian line. and
driving his spurs into his horses side, made
| desperate dash for life. The Indians were
| momentarily disconnected by the bold move
ment. Adams used his carbine on the near
est OF the enemy. and despite rain Of ar
rows. plunged through the line.
Just he thought himself fairly in the
| race to save his scalp, he sew ahead of hin
IN the pale Light another band of Indian.
that he had not calculated on. He whirlet
70 one side, and then chase against heavy
| odds began.
| For ten miles the painted warriors pur.
| sued him. gaining on him every minute.
| The arrows pierced his clothing; the In.
| dian yells almost drowned the noise of the
hoof-beats of his steed His horse wa:
wounded, but the faithful beast still strug
| gled on. The sixty-four rounds of ammuni
ton carried by the rider was almost ex
| hausted. The horse fell dead.
| At this juncture firing was heard afar
| The Indians were stayed by sudden terror
| Frank, Frank! Where are your came
| powerful voice.
"Here." cried the prisoner. And through
/ the hostile band Graves had burst his way
| knocking Indians 10 the right and 10 tn,
| left. The savages scattered like children
/ before him.
! Quick" cried Graves, leaning far dowr
| from his saddle. extending his strong han,
| and locking IL around the enfeebled hand O
1 young Adams. Swing up behindv
| Adams mounted behind the sergeant. tn,
Indians did not recover from their surpris
and shock OF the young giants charge wheI
| they were aware OF two whites on a singh
horse riding away in the moonlight at
| speed that Knocked pursuit; riding away L
| be joined by the troopers.