Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-01-17

DlItlNU VI lhkhSUhh-
by ship around the Horn came the
nineteenth century pilgrims. The
prairie schooner" brought the family.
and walking beside the faithful beasts
that drew this moving home was the
brave and strenuous father. By day
he guarded his dear ones with powder
and rife. while at night vigilant and
savage dog kept watch over the flock.
The long journey was full Of peril.
The sand was hot and burning. water
scarce, hostile Indians threatened on
every side, and these and a hundred
other dangers beset the Argonauts.
Many succumbed by the wayside be-
fore they reached the new land of
promise.
The goldfields were soon crowded
with ambitious diggers, and there was
not wealth for all. Some became mer-
chants and traders; some adopted agri-
culture as a means Of existence.
Back in the mountains Is a place
called Waukomo. Here In the early
heroic days gathered little settlement
of pioneers. The men and women felt
thy. They were strangers in n strange
land and were banded together against
the Indians and thieving Mexicans.
One member of this community was
cattle owner. He had big ranch and
an extensive herd of stock. He was an
American by birth and was in close as
sociation with his neighbors.
As some of his cattle began to disap-
pear, the owner instituted search for
the stolen property. A number of Mex
leans were suspected, and the Amer
lean cattle owner decided to demand
the return of the animals. One morn
ing he started alone down a certain Sc
cluded valley for the purpose of finding
the robbers. He had nll his valuables
with him, as was the custom of the
country.
AS the American did not return with
the cattle. his friends became alarmed.
At that time the absence of man for
few days would not occasion sur
prise. but as weeks passed and the man
did not appear company started out
to search for him. They had not gone
far when the body Of the unfortunate
man was found lying on the ground. A
bullet had done the work.
In the trial which followed the guilt
of no one could be established. Sever
nj Mexicans were arrested. but were
later released and at once disappeared
from Waukomo. The years which
have since passed brought many
changes. The memory of the ancient
murder was forgotten.
Last May or June a two seated car
riage drawn by team of spirited
horses was driven into Waukomo. An
elderly Mexican and his four sons oc-
cupied the conveyance. The father
was distinguished looking man, and
the party was well dressed. After pur-
chasing supplies the strangers drove
away. Every few days one and per-
haps two Of the young men returned
for additional food. The father, how
ever. did not show himself again, and
1t was noted that the old man had act
ed very strangely.
There is but one person who recalls
from personal knowledge the murder
Of the American cattle owner He Is
Judge Gibbons and is now very elder
ly man. When the Judge saw the Mex
leans enter town. he thought the face
OF the father was familiar. AS the
party of visitors continued to act
qlieerly, the Judge said nothing, but
with two friends started out for the
scene of the early murder.
Upon reaching the spot the ground
30. IA lea, ~. Ill
showed plainly that something had
been extracted. Jewels and gold had
been taken away-the belongings of
the unfortunate American cattle own
er Judge Gibbons has reason to be
certain that the old Mexican was one
Of the original murderers. After the
lapse Of nearly half century the guilty
man had returned to secure the buried
treasure. WILLIAM B. RuTGER.