The National tribune., 1896-05-28
MISSOURI ROMANCE.
Comrades Renew Friendship of Pecuiis
Significance

1
EDITOR NATIONAL, TRIBUNE: Now and
then two old comrades who fought side by
side in the Union army, and who separated
soon after the war, chance to meet, and such
meetings are usually like calling up the dead.
John Jenkins, of Gates, Mo-, and W. s.
Riggs, of Springdale, Ark, who went
through many hardships and in q measure
shared each others joys and sorrows, gains
and losses, victories and defeats during the
four years Of civil war, and who had neither
| seen nor heard of one another during the
| past 80 years, were again brought together
| by letter a short while ago. Riggs accident
ally heard that Jenkins was still living,
and at once wrote him. But Jenkins had
| saved the life of Riggs Mt one time during
the rebellion, and while both were on duty,
| and because of this fact the letter from the
| one to the other brought up "reminiscences
that had long been forgotten.
1t seems that Riggs was scout, and enjoys
the distinction of having been one of the
| youngest in the army. Winfield Scott Riggs,
now of Springdale, Ark, came to Springfield
in 1864 and was recommended TO Gen. John
B. Sanborn by John Jenkins and J. B..
Hiccock, or Z" Wild Bill" as he was well and
Familiarity known in this section of the
country. Riggs was rather small for his age,
as he only weighed 80 pounds, and his hair
hung down on his shoulders He was sent
to the Lyon House, where he roomed with
Wild Bill.
Riggs was known as Scott Riggs, the
little scout" and was considered one Of the
most daring men in the army. So much so,
in fact, that he was detailed to make trip
alone to Forsythe, Yellvile, Batesville, West
Plains and Hartville for the purpose of as
rarfoininu tho rnnyaman,a IF Cao Drioafa
army, and learned that he was coming into
Missouri by way of Pilot Knob. His trip
was successful, and saued the Union forces
at this place a surprise as planned by Price.
Riggs was next sent by Gen. SanborD as
scout for Maj. Burch at Neosho, who was in
command of the post at that place. After
he bad gone to NeoshO to act as scout for
Burch, Gen. SanbOrn and a part of his army
went in pursuit of Gen. Price, and during
their absence Riggs returned to Springfield.
When Gen. Sanborn returned he sent
Riggs Jenkins Wild Bill and Tom Marion
to follow Price until he had crossed the
Arkansas River. The four men started out
together Oh horseback and ate dinper at a
farmhouse 10 miles south of Springfield.
Alter dinner they again mounted their
horses and started in pursuit of Price. As
a matter of course, Wild Bill had some
whisky, aud had been drinking considerably
on the road, and appeared anxious for a
quarrel. He approached Riggs and said he
had been talking TO Sadie Hooper, a sister
in-law of Tom Marion, and a young lady
whom he wild Bill claimed as his sweet
heart. He did not like the idea of the
youngest scout i'll theIsrmy talking to his
girl, and he informed Riggs that he was
going TO kill him then and there The des-
perate man drew Ibis pistol, and as he was
just in the act of shooting, Jenkins sprang
from his horse and caught the pistol in time
for the shot to belfired into the air Instead
of the intended victim.f
Jenkins said to the would be murderer:
Bill, are you eiazyP Can you afford to
kill boy who has been in so many tight
places with us, rs Scott has?"
At this Wild Bill pnt up his pistol, with
the remark that he loved the little scout
But" he added, as he continued TO adj
dress Riggs, you have treated me wrong"
The party continued the journey together
without any further trouble until Cassvile
was reached. where they separated, and
Riggs went on, following Price. On his
way back he met Wild Bill again at Cass-
Vile, aud the two rode to Springfield to-
gether, and ever after were good friends.
On their return from following Price, and
between Cassvlle and Springfield, Riggs and
Wild Bill met Gen. McNeal and his colored
troops. McNeal wanted Bill to report to
him, which he refused 10 do. At this the
two dismounted and were about to engage
in a bloody contest when the soldiers sepa-
rated them. The two scouts then came on
to Springfield without further trouble.
Riggs made his report to Gen. Sanboin,
and then went TO Quartermaster Ben,ly |
Ovens Office TO get his pay for the trip. He |
was informed by that official that he had |
been informed that while he (R ggs) was at |
NeoshO he did nothing but lie around the
camp, and therefore refused to pay him. |
Riggs informed Gen. Sanborn of the Quar- !
termaster's action, and the General prom |
ised to ascertain the facts from Capt. Kelsaw. |
But the matter was not looked after, and |
Riggs never drew his pay for that service, |
which was of vast importance to the Union |
army.
After Price made his raid there was but |
little work left for scouts to do in this sec
ton of the State, and Riggs was given letters
Of recommendation from Gen. Sanborn to |
Lieut.. Col. Bishop, of the 1st Ark. Cav, at |
and he started, armed with
these letters, and has never been in Spring
field since
Wild Bill, Tom Marion, Lark Russell, and
George Heart, with whom Riggs and jenkins
were associated during the var. are all dead,
and these two now remain alive to talk over
old times.
1t will be remembered that Wild Bill shot
and killed Dave Tut on the public square
in this city. Tut was a brother of Lewis
Tut now living here. After the war he
went West, and at last drifted into the
Black Hills, and in q gambling den was shot
and killed by one of his friends over game
Of cards.. G. c., Springfield, Mo.
A PEN PICTURE.
Snap Shots from the Battle of Reams's
Station.