Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-17
WAR oMTHE OLD TRAIL.
TWO MINORS OUT FOR REDSKINS.
They Made ansAmbush, and Killed Four
out of Eight warriors-Then They
Cleared Quito Escape the Soldiers.a
Angeles Herald.

Dunwell and Al Brightman were working
good pay gravel In the upper canyon at |
the west end of the American valley, in
New Mexico Notwithstanding the fire.
quent reports of Apache murders in that
section the two miners (who are now llw-
ing in Los Angeles, and whose proper
names are not given feared not for their
personal safety. They did, however, keep
their rifles and revolvers ready for i'm
mediate use, and had been often tempted
to leave their rich placer to avenge the
death of some brave prospector or ranch
man for which the bloodthirsty Apache
was responsible.
On the 18th day of March, about three
weeks prior to the time when the prlnei-
pal actors of this narrative are intro
duced to the reader, Judge h. Z. McCo-
mas. a cousin of the present deputy as
trict attorney of Los Angeles county, his
wife and 6-year-od son, while en- route
to Lordsburgs by carriage, were ATTACKED
by Apaches, and although the judge evil
dently made strong resistance, he was
killed, with his wife, and the boy carried
off by Indians. The fate of the latter is
not known TO this day. The judge and his
estimable wife We're we'll known and pop
ular throughout the territory, ana the
finding of their naked and mutilated
bodies in the canyon sent thrill of hor-
It even aroused the sleepy soldiers at the
forts to a sense of their duty, and de-
tachments of cavalry assisted the Onited
States marshal in the search for the muir
derous Apaches But this action seemed
likely TO result like others before-in fall
ure 1t remained for those two Los An
gales miners to mete out little frontier
justice to the bloody Apaches. IS Will De
noted, and their brave action is stlfl
praised throughout New Mexico. When
Co., iOF ~ a n
the two miners. through passing squad
of cavalry, Frank dropped his shovel
and, reaching for his rifle, exclaimed:
This is enough. I'd rather have
'Pache scalp at this moment than all the
gold in the gulch and l propose to go
prospecting for PEACHES at once.
This was aside to AL, who needed no
urging, and after the military had NOV
ed on a plan of action was soon formed
by the two daring miners. Secretlns
their jacks and most important camp
equipage they started early the next
morning for the old Apache trail, which
was but little more than mile away.
Selecting a point among the rocks most
effective for viewing the trail and for de-
Tense, the men made sure their WIN
chesters and revolvers were in good
working order, then prayed. pioneer
fashion, for the appearance of an Apache.
This course of action was taken because
they were well aware that bands of
Apaches frequently passed over the trail
and their only show of successful issue
with them was in a protected position
Now, whether the willy Apache knew
that the white avengers were camping
on their TRAIL or whether he was busy
butchering other innocent people, will
never be known; certainly they failed to
reach the point where Frank and AL were
stationed for several days.
AT last, one morning when the men
had about decided to take the trail in
search of the savages, their patient and
wise waiting was rewarded. small
band of Apaches with large number of
horses Supposed to have been stolen)
We're seen coming up the trail, AS they
came nearer eight Indians were counted
by AL, who was on the lookout. This was
the same number supposed to have been
concerned in the McComas murder. They
We're in full war paint and some of the
worst specimens of their ugly tribe.
"A nasty looking outfit" said Frank.
ITO be sure" replied AL, but think
We can make some of them look worse
shortly"
It's sure thing, we've struck the
right gang for missionary work., OBJ
served Frank.
II am satisfied" said AL, that those
red devils are the same band that MUIR
deted Judge McComas and wife"
so much the better" returned Frank
"Our cause is just, and we must not fail
Thus did the fellows converse, knowing
fun wei! the danger of their undertaking,
but just as cool as though their expected
game was rabbits instead of redskins
Like all frontersmen. they were afraid
%? nothing except perhaps woman. A
sorDre of fortified soldiers would have felt
'shaky" over the prospective work that
Frank and Al were quite ready to under
take and yet the soldiery are expected
30 defend the people and their homes
As the Apache band, In single file, ap-
preached the point where the two men
Were concealed. with Winchesters in
hand and revolvers ready, Al said very
cody:
You take the first one Frank. and
{ II cover the second. When they drop
We'll serve the next two in the same man.
ner
All right" replied Frank.
The Apaches came into close range.
asked Al.
Yes"
Then let 'er go,''
Two ringing reports burst forth slmult-
sped, for the two foremost Apaches
dropped from their horses to the ground
Next" cries AL.
Again the rifles cracked, and the next
two savages tumbled to terra firma.
The four Apaches remaining were
thrown into a panic. Turning quickly
and hugging the opposite sides of their
horses, they were soon lost among the
other animals Al succeeded in bringing
down one of the horses ridden by an
Apache but the redskin mounted another
very quickly and making wide circles the
band soon disappeared down the valley.
The next movement on the part of
Frank and AL was to go forward. seize the
guns of the dead Apaches and break
them over the rocks. Then they secured
the scalplocks of the four good Indians,
after which they went over to the old
camp, loaded up their jacks, and started
for San Marciai about 40 miles away.
Arriving there, the news of their daring
attack upon the Apaches spread quickly
through the town. and our friends were
the heroes of the hour. The freedom of
the town was given them, and hearty con-
CALCULATIONS on all Sides There was no
mistake about public sentiment; 1t was
with Frank and Al. During the evening
while the Angeleno miners were in a
hotel surrounded by crowd of admiring
friends, the landlord called them aside
and said: The military are after you.
boys. Get right out the back, way, ana
take to the hills. We,iLsend your Jacks
and outfit after you tcanerrow.'rt ~ ~ s
The men did not shngef, but started. at.
once for the givenaf point about three