The National tribune., 1898-07-21
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON D. c. THURSDAY a.

managed, that not trace Of her was ever
discoveries; and sall that was known OF
the presence of Khe indians was that a
few moccasin tracks were seen in the
vicinity of the houset
Miss Murphy had gone to the front yard
| for wood, while her Sister-in-law, Mrs.
Murphy, was cooking in the house, with
the door leading, ito the yard wide open.
The young lady did not return with the
| wood, and Mrs. Murphy went out to look
| for her; but failing to see her, at once blew
the horn, which soon brought the men to
the house; but after the most thorough
search, no traces Of her could be dis
covered. ct
The neighbors were aroused, and the
search continued, but with no better sue
cess than on the previous day; though it
was evident that she had been carried off
by the Indians. Parties secured the
country far and wide, in the hope of find
ing some traces OF her, but she was never
heard Of more; at least, SO long as was in
the State.
We had scarcely pitched our tents at
Belknap, before citizen came into camp
with the intelligence. that the Indians
were depredatlng on the settlements but
three miles distant. We mounted in
haste, and were soon off.
We repaired to the place at once. and
found that man named Peabody had
been brutality murdered. He was shot
with arrows, eight or 10 times, and then
lanced as often, after which he was
scalped. The murder was committed by
nine Comanches, in full view of seven
white men, who, had they been worthy OF
their Tace-of the name of men even
could have whipped the Savages off, and
perhaps saved Peabody's life.
Capt. Smith took prompt measures to
secure. redress and inflict vengeance
upon the SavageS. He confiscated all the
-four in the neighborhood, and put all the
women to baking bread. The murder was
committed just at sunset, and we were
there and making preparations for the
pursuit by dark; and at daylight the next
morning were Off on the trail, which we
followed with unceasing energy till stopped
by darkness-the Indians all the time
flying in the direction of the head-waters
OF the Big Washita.
The trail indicated that they were travel
ing lcisurely; and as they took no pains
| to break the trail, we concluded that they
were young warriors. We encamped fO
the night, and at daylight were again il
pursuit, as rapidly as hOrse-fesh coult
carry us. Our gait nearly the whole tim.
| was swift gallop; and from indications
it was plain that the Indians were &C
celebrating Or "nlonGing, their pace. A
dark we again encamped on the trail
and near the head Of the Big Washita
| and we passed the night without an,
OtikiCC, tttu Ut UdWH were OH once
more IN pursuit. But now we came Il
considerable signs, as If there might be ar
important village in the vicinity: ant
following path that seemed to be ex
| tensively travelled, we wound around be
| tween two high hills, and into a long
narrow valley, within a short distance O
| a village containing 10 lodges
| Everything betOkened that the plac,
had been evacuated very recently 4
| few hOsses weEe staked out 10 craze nea
| one of the hodges, and for that point W.
charged at full speed: and as we dashct
up, we were saluted with the sharp re
po:t Of several rifles Of no light caliber
after which arrows h.Ii thick and fast
An order was then given to surround tn,
whole place. Ny hofse being sOmewha
fractious, and good deal Drawer than
was, dashed right in among the lodges.
Seeing myself in a. critical position,
drew box OF prairie matches from m,
pocket, and, lighting, them all at once
threw them into. one of the dry gYas.
lodges, and in AN instant it was in
blaze; and from il the flames spreat
rapidly, till they reached the one il
which the Indians. were. The savage!
kept up pretty, good fire for so small
number, until they saw the flames, wher
all was still as death for a minute or more
Our men ceased firing, to let me have {
chance to get ont; but my horse con
tlnued unmanageable:: and though, wher
the heat became 'intehse, he made a few
lunges to escape 1t, he again wheeled
around. gazing at the lurid fame, heed
less OF rein, voice or spur.
ITO be continusd)