The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-08
A MAD RIDE FOR LIFE
THE STORY OF AN INTREPID HooSIER
HERO OF 1912.

Company of Soldiers by n ForIorn
Hope Journey That None of the
Regulars Would Attempt.
1t was early il the autumn OF 1872 that
the main body Of the army engaged
against the British and Indians in the
northwest was encamped on the Maumee
river not far from the present city of
Fort Wayne. The whole country was
infested with hostile tribes Of the Della
ware, Pottawatomies and Miami In
dams. They would lie in wait and mas
sacre small detachments of soldiers or q
company Of emigrants passing through
the country.
1t was at this time that q small de-
tachment of the army was encamped %
or 80 miles north of Greenville, 0. There
were less than 100 officers and men here
surrounded by large force Of these hos
tile tribes acting under orders Of the Brit
ish officers. This detachment Of United
States soldiers found itself cut off from
the main army-in fact, surrounded by
Indians. The men knew their capture
would result in torture and massacre and
that they must suffer this or break up
int small bodies and so far as possible
escape through the lines of the enemy or
get dispatch to the main army, fully 80
miles away.
The officer in command drew up the lit
tie force in line and explained the dan
gerous situation. He then called for a
o. ho fncl.
Of carrying q dispatch to the headquar-
tiers Of the army. 'If L have n man in
my command that is willing to take the
risk" he said, ''let him step forward
AS he stood waiting the silence of death
seemed to pervade the camp, but not
soldier responded. The officer saw stand
ing within a few steps Of him young
teamster not more than 20 years old,
small and delicate. He was clad in the
usual homespun and had his wagon whip
under his arm. The young man removed
his hat, bowed respectfully and said,
Captain, give me n good boss, and 1 will
make the attempt"
1t was William Crist who spoke. There
was the glitter of steel in his cold, gray
eyes as he stood facing the little band of
soldiers. The captain extended his hand
to the boy and said, God bless you, my
brave fellow" He ut once took young
Crist to his tent and carefully talked
over the dangerous task he was about to
undertake. The young man did not fall
ter. He was the embodiment of courage,
bravery, heroism, and on the following
morning, "at the peep o day." as he said,
he was ready for the journey.
The captain had n spirited young horse,
active and accustomed to travelling
through brush and swamps, over logs and
creeks, and he placed this horse in charge
of the boy. The teamster declined the
use Of a saddle, but asked for a belt, Il
brace of pistols, knife and musket.
When he mounted the horse and took
Leave of the officer, the soldiers stood
watching hin. They considered that the
intrepid young hero was simply riding in
to the Jaws of DEATH"
There was no passable road, no mark
of civilization on the line that he must
travel. The country was strange one to
him. With cloudless sky above him and
unbroken forest in front, he fcarlessly
took the risk. The Indian trails were
guarded and the forests beyond these
trails impenetrable. There was, possibly,
one chance in a dozen for him to reach
the main body Of troops, and he took
that chance.
He moved off in the gray dawn of early
morning, hoping to pass the lines of his
dangerous foe unnoticed. This he sue
ceeded in doing and took the trail for the
Maumee country. The days journey was
uneventful until he came within five
miles Of the outposts of the army.
1t was about o'clock in the afternoon
when, riding rapidly along the trail, his
orn 1Dhf frrhk ~ hnn af
braves Immediately In front of him and
effectually blocking his way. Their faces
were painted red and yellow, indicating
that they were on the warpath. They
were all mounted and armed with mus
kets and, as the young messenger well
knew, had in their belts the scalping
knife and in their hearts relentless, cruel
murder. He knew that to continue along
the beaten trail was to court capture, tor
ture and death. Accordingly he guided
his horse into the thick woods and as rap
idly as possible made his way out from
. the trail.
The savages soon reached the point
where he had turned aside and there dis
covered the fresh tracks of the young
mans horse. An unearthly warwhoop
greeted the boys ears, and he knew what
would be the course pursued by the In
dams. They would track his horse and
follow him. He urged the faithful ami
NAL on, but 1t was not long before he
heard his savage foes behind him. He
then turned to make his way back, if pos
sible, to the trail. believing that his horse
could by its better speed and better
power Of endurance enable him to escape,
but his keen sighted foes had anticipated
this movement and had guarded the trail
against it. Shots began to sing about
him, and he now determined to make his
way through the forest. He knew that
his horse would jump logs and streams
that the ponies would not attempt. He
lay first on the horses back and urged
him to his greatest speed. He made him
jump great logs that lay in his way, but
the foe still kept in sight and from time
to time fred on him. In the meantime
the savage yell was kept up, and the race
became one Of life or death.
1t was late in the afternoon that the
pickets on the outposts Of the army saw
approaching the utterly exhausted horse
and rider. The Indians here abandoned
the chase, and young Crist, when he
found himself safely within the lines of
the United States forces, fell fainting
from his horse, Overcome by the loss Of
UlOOu anu cAuuuSleu by Ills long rue, ue
lay unconscious for hours. This was
followed by weeks Of suffering from three
dreadful wounds he had received in the
last half hour of the chase. But he had
accomplished his task. In two hours
after his arrival 300 brave men started
on the trail the young hero had followed
and rescued the detachment that so anx-
iously awaited succor. William Crist,
the brave and intrepid teamster, had
nerves of steel, the heart of lion and
godlike soul. For many years he was
familiar figure on the streets of Indian
apolis. and many Of the older citizens re-
member him. If the middle west would
honor n real hero let it erect n white
shaft and inscribe thereon the name of
William Crist.-Indianapolis Press.
1t Is believed that a diet of corn bread