The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

West, including California, where he
was well known
although people marveled much at
the wonderful endurance of the man,
ana the remarkable time in which ne
mad made the trip, still Aubrey himself
was not at all satisfied with it. He de-
termned to break that record, and the
IolloW1ng season he made another
wager, of $4,000 in gold, that he would
succeed in doing SC.
de accomplished his record breaking
dash across the great plains in the
marvellous time of only five DAYS and
thirteen hours. His objective point
was the same hotel, the Jones House.
where he had ridden to on his former
UP UP. On this one, when he reached
.Hat nostelry, he was perfectly ex-
hausted and in a fainting condition, his
morse qulvering from head to foot and
white with foam. AUBREY was lifted
from the back of his faithful animal by
MS friends and carried into his room in
the house, where he lay in a complete
stupor for two days.
DIX horses, which previous to- starting
from Santa Fe had been stationed at
distances varying from twenty-five to
ll1ty miles along the route, fell dead
them on.
lie possessed q beautiful mare. Nell
ne, IaVorlte animal, noted for her
speed and endurance, but she expired
at the end of the first $50 miles
Aubrey was killed by Major Richard
Welghtman, volunteer officer of the
mexican War, and at the time of the
tragedy was publishing paper in
santa Fe. He and Aubrey had been
warm friends for years. After his sec
ono great ride Aubrey left Santa Fe for
California, and upon his departure for
that region Weightman published an
account of his friends leaving which
n a oil
orey's approval. Upon the latter's re-
turn to Santa Fe in 1854 he and Weight
man met, of course, journeyed to a
saloon, where both ordered whisky but
before either had time to raise his
glass to his mouth Aubrey said to
Weightman, Why did you publish that
= lie about my going to California %
The manner in which Aubrey put the
question angered Major Weightman.
and he threw his whisky in Aubrey's
face. Aubrey reached for his revolver.
but before he could draw it Weightman
sprang upon him and plunged his bowie
knlIe into Aubrey's heart, killing him
instantly. Weightman was. of course,
acquitted of the charge of murder
Aubrey lies buried in an unknown
grave.
On his last great ride he rode day and
night, stopping only long enough to lean
from his tired animal and spring on
a fresh one. He made more than 200
miles every twenty-four hours, and all
the sleep he took aggregated but three
hours during the entire five days Au-
brey's ride eclipsed that famous one
recorded in the old English legends of
the outlaw Dick Turpin, from London
to York.
Weightman was a dapper little fell
low, extremely polite and affable, prid-
ing himself upon first family" eonnec-
tons, and always sported fine cane.
de had small round ball of head,
bald on top, light hair, fiorid COM
plexion and small, piercing, deep-set !.
eyes He was man Of some ability,
a herce Southerner and defender of
he was plucky. He was as poor
as he was proud, high liver, with the
tastes and habits of millionaire and
the purse of pauper. He resided
In Atchison, Kan, for several years:
was City Recorder for one or two terms !
1861, but was defeated When de-
prived of his office he was literally re-
1uced to eXtremitieS. Weightman was I
q most gallant officer in the Mexican t
war, and when hostilities commenced t
between the North and South he Joined /
MS syrnpathies were enlisted At the t
errible battle of Wilson'S Creek, at the +
head OF his brigade, he was killed at the
very summit of Bloody Hill"; three C
bullets pierced his body. He and Gem S
srll Lyon fell within thirty Yards of t
Zach other. Both were brought off the v
ield and laid side by side upon blank a
IFS under the shade of the same tree. u
William f. Cody (Buffalo Bid has 1
made remarkable record as a long t
distance rider, not for speed, but endur- t
nee. Cody's famous ride over portions II
# the "old Santa Fe trail" and its 1
amifying branches was of such a D
character as to call forth the encomi- c
inns of General Sheridan. who refers to s.
t In his Memoirs" as well as General Il
R. I. Dodge, himself a distinguished o