Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-25

qualnted with several OF the officers,
who received US with hospitable kind
ness. and sometimes joined US in the
chase. They contributed not a little
to our enjoyment of the time. and
pleasantly broke the solitude of our
surroundings. Their presence gave
US security, too, for the Comanches.
Apaches and Arrapahoes that winter
had formed an alliance and were on a
warpath. Tales of rapine and murder
from across the line in Colorado came to
our ears often enough to warrant our
keeping a weather-eye open. But the
winter passed without our having seen
hostile redskin, and the day of our
departure for Denver, distant some
two hundred and fifty miles, arrived.
1t was a beautiful morning. that
Friday, April I'd. 1869. The sun rose
in clear sky, the air was soft and
balmy. and all Nature responded to
the dulcet wooing of tender Spring.
On the rolling prairie, stretching as
far as eye could reach, in every direc-
ton. the daisy and the violet were
putting forth their earliest blossoms,
and the sheen of the springing verdure
gave welcome token of returning life;
the pure, health-giving atmosphere
endued US with renewed energy. Life
was worth the living, and the heart
gave involuntary praise to the Good
Maker of it all.
We had loaded our possessions into
the wagon; two of the horses were
harnessed to it, the third following,
hitched to the rear. Edmond as he
picked up the lines, stopped moment
in thought.
Louis" he said, ''this is Friday,
and my mind misgives me. You know
he-the-superstit We call it. 1t
may be, without reason-doubtless is
but I've good mind to defer our
start until tomorrow.
Very we'll, answered; ''we have
no cause for haste, and tomorrow will
answer just as we'll"
He gravely considered the matter a
few moments, and replied, "No, we
are ali ready, and we may as well go
now. It's but an absurd motion. after
ALL" then took my seat beside him,
and we bade final adieu to the scene
of our winter sports.
Our line of travel lay on the old
Barlow, Sauderson & Co. stage route.
This for safety as we'll as convenience,
as there were stationed along this
route, at intervals of about twenty-five
miles, relays of horses for the coaches,
guarded, each, by detachments of ne
gro soldiers-usually eight or ten in
number. One white man in charge of
the horses, was also at each station.
The first days progress was without
unusual incident, and we camped that
night at one of these stations, Next
day, with a moderately early start.
we proceeded on our way, taking our
own time, occasionally taking a dash
after the larger game that fed in the
vicinity of the road. This day also
passed without occurrence worthy of
note, and before sundown We halted
and went into camp on the prairie ad-
joining the second station. Next day
being Sunday we determined to for
bear travel and give our horses a rest.
1t is true they were in excellent con-
ditiou, but we have a belief that no
one comes to loss through observance
of the day set apart for worship and
recreation.
During the day the negroes of the
detachment visited US, and we ex-
changed with them. at their request,
certain articles of provision, enabling
them 70 somewhat diversity their or
binary bill of fare. The hostler also
gave US a call in the informal, wild
western way, and was delighted with
whole days companionship with men
of his own color. He had many a
story of the plains to tell, and in re-
turn we detailed our latest news of the
civilized world. And so the hours
wore away until evening, when we
brought in our two horses from their
grazing and made all snug for the
night. We had sold the third to the
agent of the stage company here, for
S175, the trade having been made and
the money paid with the whole de-
tachment for witnesses 20 the transac-
tion.
Monday morning, after a leisurely
breakfast, we hitched up our team. and
about nine O'Clock resumed our jour
ney. It was a beautiful morning, with
a bright sun and cloudless sky.
Though the surface of the prairie was
rolling. with wide valleys and low
hills. the road was excellent: the gen.
tie rise and fall of the way relieving
the monotony of our progress. We
v ere not entirely at our ease, for we
knew we were approaching the region
l;ufestsd nv the sshostiles. Still, a.