Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-03-05


Z A "a cept II large and
well-armed par
ties Numerous narrow escapes have
been recorded. but many desperate
adventures occurred no accounts OF
which have ever been published.
This story Is an instance in point.
Early in the spring Of 1896 john An
son. a young settler from Southern
Nebraska. left wife and two small
children at his homestead and Joined
large party OF miners and adventur-
ers who had gathered AZ Sidney IN
that State a party so formidable IN
numbers, and 50 we'll armed and led,
that Il came through 20 French Greek
in safety. There John Arson parted
company with the expedition--it was
bound for Deadwood. which had Just
begun 20 be heard of--and Joined
some prospcct0rs near Casters Caleb.
He had been at work for three
weeks when a party came from the
south. IN which were two OF his for
mer neignbors. who told him that
when they left. nine days before.
dlphtheria was raging in their neigh
horb ODD: tina. his younger child hal
died. and that tue other and also his
wife was very IN with the disease.
Arson was a man of most affection
ate nature. Nothing had sent him
forth from home except the hone TO
better the future OF his family; he had
been sternly bearing up under home
sickness that tore hungrily at his
heart. and he would have gone crazy
had he tried 30 hold out against the
L.. 4
the little golden haired girl who might
still Ice alive.
TO try the backward way alone was
T. ran many chances OF death for one
of escape, but his life WAS as nothing
20 the imperative call Of his soul.
Back he would go. and that same
evening hoar " hica brought him the
dreadful tidinys saw him on his way.
Ee was mounted on a tough, why
pony for which he had given every
thing he possessed. except what ths
pony carried. With only the clothe.
that he wore. pair Of blankets. .hre.
days provisions, his long-rang
Winchester aud one hundred car
triiges, he started TO make the trip
He rode for the Cheyenne River
thirty miles distant. as his hrst stage
In the tall grass OF the river bottom
he plcketed his pony, then spread hi
blankets at daybreak and was sool
sleeping soun lly; for this man was n
weak degenerate who could be dis
tracted by mental suffering from III
acts necessary 10 5access II his des
perate enterprise. He must sleep t
keep his power Of riding and fighting
aud sleep ne did IS if with iron reso
luton.
The sun showed that the time wa
aSout ten o'clock IN the ion enoon whel
Arson was reused by the shrill whin
nying of his pony. He sat up and sa'
Brckskin. with head high, gazing to
ward the western hills. There a nun
Der of horsemen had halted upon
rise across the river, and were lookin
intently in his direction. They wer
Iniians.
At first Arson guessed they mu:
have thought that an Indian had mad
a lone camp or stopped to stalk gam,
But a moment later he saw the
grasped the situation; for he Ia
scarcely risen TO his feet when the
spurred their beasts down into IL
valley toward him. There were thirtee
Of them, and his case was plainly de
perate.
He was at loss for some seconC
whether 10 stand and fight or 10 ru
but rs the long grass would give the
cover to approach him, he determin,
finally to escape by riding. He 5
about saddling his pony, which was
nervous and uneasy that il nearly brol
away from him while he was tighte
ing the cinches. When he hl
mounted, the Indians were within
half-mile of him, and he already fair
~ heard their yells at his preparati'
for fight. They were Sioux, and
knew they ''meant business"
He wondered grinlly how many
them would be left 10 transact IL
cuisines" when they should ha
closed in on John Anson-him W
would be defending himself in {
hope of reaching his wife and his
tie Alice, and the grave of his de
baby.
70 his satisfaction, be faund |